Single Cutaways. Why?

[thisnameistaken]

I usually like Warwicks but I think that thing looks like a f***ing dugong. And so do all other single-cutaway bass bodies.

It works on guitars because they're smaller. On a bass the body ends up being five feet long and it looks like they couldn't be bothered to finish it.

[thumperbob 2002]

I have a Warwick Thumb NT and I would have one of the singlecuts in a nanosecond- looks fantastic!!

But I t5hink it would make what is already a heavy bass just ridiculously weighty.

Wonder how much they are?

Bob ( think my Low End Jazz is the best looking bass in the world.)

[lowdown]

Single Cutaways. Why?

I think they were designed to stop kids with
A bunch of Bananas fretting hand grip going into Music shops on a Saturday
and trying to play above the 12'th fret.

I have a custom SC and the balance/playability and tone are great - for me anyway.
Not everyone's cup of tea though.



Garry

[Doddy]

I totally dig Singlecuts. I've got a Shuker Singlecut 5.

They balance great and they really facilitate good technique in the
upper register,and allow access to the whole range.

Plus they look cool.

[paul h]

I like some. I don't like others.

Controversial eh?

[Soliloquy]

You may just as well say "Fender P bass or jazz bass why". You don't like 'em but who cares ? Many people do which is why companies like Warwick are building them.

[bigthumb]

Not a huge SC fan personally but over the years I've seen uglier ones. I wouldnt mind a play on one and maybe the weight wont be too bad. Its not all bubinga.

[Bassassin]

[quote]Single Cutaways. Why?[/quote]
Because [i]everyone[/i] loves Snoopy:

[attachment=46055:snoopycut.jpg]

Jon.

[JordanRLS]

I too am not a big fan of single cuts... have only seen about 2 i would ever want to own, literally! It just looks as if someone got a bit lazy half way through making it and couldn't be bothered to finish cutting the body

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='Doddy' post='790875' date='Mar 30 2010, 06:04 PM']they really facilitate good technique in the
upper register[/quote]

What does that mean?

[Doddy]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='790952' date='Mar 30 2010, 07:14 PM']What does that mean?[/quote]

It means that you can't do the whole thumb over the neck,heavy grip thing that a lot of
players do. You have to have your thumb in the centre of the neck when playing in the
upper register of a singlecut bass.

[thisnameistaken]

I thought that's what you meant. Do many people have an issue with hooking their thumb over in the higher positions who don't also do it in the lower positions?

It just seems a bit of a nonsense. I mean, most basses have the neck joint in the way once you get up the neck anyway, so it only really helps you out (if at all, which I doubt) between frets 12 and 16 or so.

[tombboy]

[quote name='Doddy' post='790960' date='Mar 30 2010, 07:22 PM']It means that you can't do the whole thumb over the neck,heavy grip thing that a lot of
players do. You have to have your thumb in the centre of the neck when playing in the
upper register of a singlecut bass.[/quote]
Oops!! Didn't realise it was against the law!

[Doddy]

Yes,quite a lot of people do place their thumb over the neck in the higher
register. A lot of peoples thumbs also drag behind the rest of their hand.
On a singlecut there is no need for this.You can keep a good hand position
throughout the entire range of the instrument.

[ashevans09]

[quote name='Doddy' post='790977' date='Mar 30 2010, 07:37 PM']Yes,quite a lot of people do place their thumb over the neck in the higher
register. A lot of peoples thumbs also drag behind the rest of their hand.
On a singlecut there is no need for this.You can keep a good hand position
throughout the entire range of the instrument.[/quote]

But is it a big enough issue to merit spending so much more on a single cut bass? Just correct bad technique yourself surely? Also I've seen some people with what's viewed as horrible technique do wonderful things and sound great. Different argument I guess though! Btw what's the bass in your avatar? It looks lovely! As for the original post I usually am not a fan, though there's a Sei roaming around here that I love. In fact I think it's in this thread! Really does depend on the bass

Edited March 30, 2010 by ashevans09

[thisnameistaken]

You can play properly on any instrument, there's "no need" for bad technique on any decent bass.

Sorry I can't see any physical benefit of it. The bass gets heavier because there's more wood, so if anything it's bad for you.

[Conan]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='790786' date='Mar 30 2010, 04:43 PM']I think that thing looks like a f***ing dugong. And so do all other single-cutaway bass bodies.[/quote]

I think the marine mammal you are thinking of is a sperm whale....

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='Conan' post='791013' date='Mar 30 2010, 07:54 PM']I think the marine mammal you are thinking of is a sperm whale.... [/quote]

Don't make me come over there to teach you which marine mammal comparison is most appropriate!

Edited March 30, 2010 by thisnameistaken

[Doddy]

First of all,I'm not saying that you can't play properly on any instrument. I'm saying that on a
singlecut instrument you cannot put your thumb over the top of the neck when playing in the
upper range like many people do.It's one of the things I like about them.
Secondly, my singlecut is actually lighter than my Fenders,and i'm sure it is a damn sight
lighter than your Warwick.

[BarnacleBob]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='790920' date='Mar 30 2010, 06:43 PM']Because [i]everyone[/i] loves Snoopy:

[attachment=46055:snoopycut.jpg]

Jon.[/quote]

Then why aren't they Peanuts...............sorry!


BB

[warwickhunt]

I'm in the minority I suppose!

I love many of the Warwick (or Spector inspired ) shapes but I'd not thank you for the Thumb SC... HOWEVER; my main gigging bass of the last 3 years has been a SC.



Oh and it balances perfectly and clocks in at not much more than 8lb in weight.

[Doddy]

I love the Bolins.

[peted]

I love certain Singlecuts but I've seen some that look hideous. I've got a Shuker Singlecut on the way because Jon does one of the designs I actually like.

The Warwick Thumb SC looks borderline acceptable to me but I prefer the original Thumb shape far more. I can't believe the prices they are charging now! The Thumb SC should weigh that much more than a standard thumb as it only has a Bubinga top with an ash body, not the solid Bubinga of it's double cutaway brethren.

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='Doddy' post='791023' date='Mar 30 2010, 07:59 PM']First of all,I'm not saying that you can't play properly on any instrument. I'm saying that on a
singlecut instrument you cannot put your thumb over the top of the neck when playing in the
upper range like many people do.It's one of the things I like about them.[/quote]

I just think it's a weird thing to like about them, because it doesn't seem to be of any benefit. I've seen bassists hook their thumbs over on lower notes but not (as far as I can remember) up the dusty end. Certainly not *only* up the dusty end. And most bass players only spend a tiny fraction of their time that far up the neck anyway.

[throwoff]

The assumption its heavy is wrong, its actually a pretty good weight for what it is, when you see one in a store pick it up
you will be shocked