I've never played one nor seen one in the flesh...the guys I know who have the Cutlass 'Rays seem to like them...certainly no dead spots.
I believe they had probs with some of them at one stage...in that they developed a bow....maybe a bad batch. If you're buying, check the neck throughly.
The cutlass was a graphite neck built in the Late seventies. They were manufactured under license from Modulas graphite products. The necks were produced for bass and guitar.
The no dead spot feature was problely the most popular asset, but sales were light.
When we bought the company in 1984 we did not bring the Cutlass back into production. We did however make a limited run of 100 stingrays for the Namm show's 100th anniversary. This bass included a Graphite neck as well as a special Inca Silver finish.
>>>>The cutlass was a graphite neck built in the Late seventies
My understanding is that the Cutlass Bass was only offered in 1983....plus all my Cutlass 1 and Cutlass 11 serials are 1983 dates aswell. Perhaps it was the Guitar versions of the Cutlass that came out earlier.
Can you clear that for us.
Cheers.
Hey ryanc...
>>>>Someone also told me that graphite necks give off a brighter sound
It has been brought to my attention that the first Cutlass basses came out in 1980. There were a handful that actually had a three bolt neck pattern. Most of them were produced with a four bolt neck and that lasted until 1983- 84 when EB bought the company.
Derek
The NAMM 100th Anniversary Bass has a graphite neck made by Status.
PS... Year 2001....100 made....silver with Graphite Neck (as Derek has already said)....Truss Rod....Black Pearloid pg....3 Band EQ.... Strings through the body....Muted Bridge.
Perhaps EB's version of the Pre-EB Cutlass Bass!!!
Mutes were originally designed for, and are still used in, dampening the strings to give a double Bass sound. Not used by many players, obviously, but are extremely effective....say a piano, bass and drums trio.
Different effects can be produced (not only Double Bass) depending on how much the strings are dampened....lot of room for experiment.
I believe session bassist Carol Kaye uses muting to some degree.