bovinehost
Administrator
Um, I was just having a little fun.
- Thread starter Mabongohogany
- Start date
strummer
Enormous Member
I'd have said the idea was to shorten the "neck" part of the bass, and more to stiffen than for added resonance, but yep there is a valid theory behind extreme single cuts.
I am one of those people who like different stuff, like the Bongo, or for that matter a Status or Steinberg, but I honestly don't see the kind of single-cut you are advocating as anything different that would enrich the EBMM line up, more like EBMM trying to ape every small builder, and you know that's not what they're about
And while I'm sure there are some kind of benefits irl too, I also imagine that the market for a relatively mass-produced single cut would be microscopic.
Just look at all the people who'd buy a SR5 with 19 mm string spacing if only EBMM would make one...
And (another one...) regarding people poking fun at you, you've been here long enough to know it's all good natured. Most of us own a variety of basses that we love, I even know one guy (beside you obviously) who has a very expensive single cut of the "neck joins body on bass side at fret #12", and he's quite happy with it
Cheers
Smallmouth_Bass
Well-known member
I agree; The Reflex is a single cutaway. I don't necessarily think EBMM needs to add another one to compliment the line-up. If one happened to come as a new design, I am sure people would check it out. Personally, it's not a take it or leave it feature for me.
keko
Well-known member
Yeah, right Erin, ...if You guys wanna bass with "stronger" upper horn body and Musicman tone, ...why don't You get a reflex bass?
Check my signature, ...OK reflex it's bolt on bass, but upper horn "smells" like a single cut design, right?
stingray96191
Well-known member
Im not sure if you are agreeing with me, or discounting my comment. I do personally see the reflex body shape as a single cut away. Just like a Les Paul, or a Gretsch White Falcon. It's still a bolt on neck, but it's a great bolt on neck. There aren't many other guitar shapes that get me excited. I'm sure I would have owned one if not several by now if I hadn't been seduced by the Big Al. I always loved the Albert Lee guitar, and the day I saw the Big Al I knew I was whipped. One day I hope to have one with a flamed top in a pink burst.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
But you did nail the view of 90% of people.
MK Bass Weed
Well-known member
I think it's best that BP and family take a year off on new designs...cuz you know...my marriage is at stake here every time some new damn thing comes out. Single Cut or Really Horny...I love dem all. Group Hug
i feel sorta lost.. single cut what? i did immediatly think of the reflex bass. but i just noticed the title, it really isn't specific. then the original post didn't hint off anything either. so what? single cut stingray? sterling? bongo? big al? last time i checked there is no bass just straight called the "EBMM" bass.
adouglas
Well-known member
I think you missed the word IF, as in "What IF EBMM were to make one? Wouldn't that be great?"
Doesn't exist today. If I had to bet, I'd say it won't exist tomorrow or the day after, either.
Doesn't exist today. If I had to bet, I'd say it won't exist tomorrow or the day after, either.
Movielife
Well-known member
With EBMM, and BP/the Team being innovators, I'd say 'never say never'.
I've learnt that EBMM have opened my eyes to designs and specs I never thought would fit 'me', but wow, they really do! I've recently been converted to the wonderous Bongo!
I'm personally guessing we won't see a new design bass for a while. We've had the Big Al, Big Al 5, (in SSS and H), 25th, Reflex (both in many variations), Bongo 6 and now the Gamechanger, all in a few years! That to me, is totally awesome.
Oh, and don't forget Cobalts!
I agree with Erin re: the Big Al. Totally amazing bass, weird and cool shape, brilliant tone and ergonomics. I've always liked the guitar version (and I want one despite bass being my first love) but the bass version is just unreal!
I've learnt that EBMM have opened my eyes to designs and specs I never thought would fit 'me', but wow, they really do! I've recently been converted to the wonderous Bongo!
I'm personally guessing we won't see a new design bass for a while. We've had the Big Al, Big Al 5, (in SSS and H), 25th, Reflex (both in many variations), Bongo 6 and now the Gamechanger, all in a few years! That to me, is totally awesome.
Oh, and don't forget Cobalts!
I agree with Erin re: the Big Al. Totally amazing bass, weird and cool shape, brilliant tone and ergonomics. I've always liked the guitar version (and I want one despite bass being my first love) but the bass version is just unreal!
Fuzzy Dustmite
Well-known member
Maybe it's just me and I'm a little dim, but what exactly is a "single-cut", and why do all the ones I've ever seen look like what Jack described? And what is the appeal (sonically or physically)? I mean I've heard the term for years and seen tons of pictures over at TB but never really delved deeply into it.
I don't get it, but then I'm not what anyone would consider knowledgeable about all things bass.
I don't get it, but then I'm not what anyone would consider knowledgeable about all things bass.
adouglas
Well-known member
I don't know if there's a specific definition, but in my mind a single cut has a body that extends fairly far down the bass side of the fretboard (i.e. towards the peghead). It's more or less what you get if you fill in the gap between the upper horn of a "conventional" bass and the neck. I don't think of the Reflex, tele, or LP as single-cuts because the body meets the neck fairly far up the fretboard.
I may be entirely wrong, but I believe the point of the design is to provide enhanced mechanical rigidity/stability by having less unsupported neck. I imagine the design also changes how the instrument resonates.
Edit: It just occurred to me that there may be another reason... Some players (Michael Manring) use basses that provide access much farther up the neck than mainstream instruments. So for those basses, the extra contact may be needed because there's less support on the treble side of the neck.
Being entirely happy with the way all of my "conventional" basses sound, how they resonate and their stability, I personally lean towards the "ain't broke, don't fix" camp. But that doesn't mean the idea lacks validity.
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stingray96191
Well-known member
sing;ecut should be expanded to single cutaway. There is a cutaway on the lower horn/ bottom of your bass to allow easier access to the higher frets. On some guitars there is a cutaway on the upper horn as well. Stingrays, sterlings, stratocasters. where wood is removed from the body to allow for ascetics, and weight loss i would assume. On a bolt on instrument the guitar generally only attached at the neck joint, and not up and down the neck, at this point the single or double cutaway would be only for visual appeal. But when you start to look into instruments with a set neck, or a neck through body, the more contact you have the more resonance an instrument could have. There are many many variables that would affect the overall instrument. But for all intents and purposes, a stingray or a stratocaster is a double cutaway, while a reflex or a telecaster is a single cutaway. In boutique bass building you may see some very extreme "Singlecut" Instruments. I've never had the desire to spend that kind of money on something that looks like most of them though, and if you are as passionate as i am about EBMM you probably haven't either.
Erin
Erin
Mabongohogany
Well-known member
Some non-fish like SC basses (mine not included, it's even nicer)
These were all done by the same builder I was fortunate enough to find.
Now then, imagine an EBMM version of one.
Or not.
But-
With a proprietary SC design such as MM is capable of, (and does so well) and an MM electronics package.
I say it would be a winner, playing-wise, AND sales-wise.
It would be off-the-hook and MANY would want one-
Including those in the so-called 90% figure of non-interested players that was so scientifically arrived at!
(better also factor in those who don't know what a SC is).
I'll bet!
Edit- And so we won't have to go there, my "imaginary" EBMM SC-(NOT a 'Ray or a Big AL, but a new addition to the family)- would be a bolt-on.
Snappy!
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mmbassplayer
Well-known member
I did a quick and rough photoshop of a Singlecut Bongo... I had two versions but this one looked the most tolerable. The other had an extended and rounded upper horn and was hideous. JOSH
stu42
Well-known member
Josh...that's awesome. I was going to do exactly the same thing with a Bongo pic. Now I don't have to.
And....this also confirms that I actually don't like the look of most single-cut shaped guitars. There are a few that are alright but most just aren't my taste. Mind you, that wouldn't stop me from buying one if it was a great-sounding instrument and played well but...from a purely aesthetic perspective they're not my thing.
And....this also confirms that I actually don't like the look of most single-cut shaped guitars. There are a few that are alright but most just aren't my taste. Mind you, that wouldn't stop me from buying one if it was a great-sounding instrument and played well but...from a purely aesthetic perspective they're not my thing.
Mabongohogany
Well-known member
"imaginary" EBMM SC-(NOT a 'Ray or a Big AL, but a new addition to the family)
...Add a Bongo to statement above......
I'm willing to let BMW or MM do the design of a bolt-on SC.
Photoshopping a BONGO as SC??!!!!
Why?
...Add a Bongo to statement above......
I'm willing to let BMW or MM do the design of a bolt-on SC.
Photoshopping a BONGO as SC??!!!!
Why?
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Smallmouth_Bass
Well-known member
I would agree with that definition. I would add that I consider the Reflex to be a bit of a single cut more in the aesthetic sense and not structurally.
mmbassplayer
Well-known member
Mabongohogany... you sparked my interest when you started this thread. Mind you i am also the one who photoshoped the headless Bongo and the triplebucker Bongo. To be clear i already think the Bongo is the greatest instrument i have ever owned and needs no improvement. JOSH
Mabongohogany
Well-known member
Thanks- I'll elaborate on my thoughts per starting the thread:
First, connecting some dots so to speak-
When the Bongo made its debut years back; tried it, loved it, and knew someday I would add one to the great basses I play.
Glad I waited, because when the Company offered one of (2) existing mahogany builds, I gabbed it up. For those of you awaiting the PDN 'Hog's-You're gonna be happy- roasted neck and all! (I have to "settle" for one of the most amazingly done BE maple necks w/ that crimson tint...ohhweeeeee).
Now to continue- I personally have been a fan of the SC build. First of all to those that don't dig 'em, kewl-BUT-have you played one?
My desire for a SC bass was also restrained by the fact that I MUCH prefer 4-strings, and I would not find one unless I commissioned a build by any of the many fine Custom builders, which would be expensive and require a long wait.
Luck for me struck again when I found a wonderful builder who makes these basses outta love for the work, and I cannot believe the instrument I got at the price I paid. This is a MusicMan Bass forum, and I will keep my posts centered around the original idea-
"What If"...a SC MM Bass.
Now, If I were on the foodchain in SLO, in marketing/sales/etc. and I brought up the idea of making a Bolt-On SC bass; let's say it happened.
The design team created a unique, bolt-on SC bass with all the great MM electronics, finish, build quality that they do.
If it were announced here-in this Forum- and the proto was shown-
There would be enough drools to fill an Ocean! I guarantee that.
Historically (2) smaller builders (that I know of) offered a "stock" Bolt-On SC bass, (both begin with letter B)- One made it to GC, was discontinued because the profit margins were not there for the builder, the other is making quite a stir. It's an import.
A MM SC probably will not happen. If it did, I believe I would get a raise in pay and promotion from the Company because it would be off the boards. USA-built, fabulous MM quality, and at a price-point that would be as equitable as the rest of the line is for what you get.
I say to those who "hate" the SC look- Fine; who cares? Not me! I LOVE the look, and the tone- For me it is associated with deep-pocket PHAT bass playing; I'm knockin' mine (SC) down on some Isley Brothers, Maceo Parker, and Roger Troutman funk.
I do that with equal vigor on my Sterling, and the Bongo KILLS it.
Hey- EBMM SC??!!
Damn right, I can desire!
Free Country, Memorial Day and all that!
