How are the series basses classed?

[jazzyvee]

Generally these instruments have cavities with thick top and bottoms and sides so not solid bodied like the other basses in the alembic range, but are not semi acoustic either like, for example, a guild starfire and their acoustic sound does not project as much as those basses so how are they classified?
Also I'd like to know what the cavities inside the bass contribute if at all to the sound i hear from my amp.

[mica]

We consider them to be essentially solid body instruments, because while they are hollow-core construction, the top and back are quite thick and do not resonate like they would on a hollowbody or acoustic. There is no soundboard. Currently Stanley Clarke models including the Brown Bass and all Signature Deluxe models are hollow core as well. The Further guitar is another example of a hollow core guitar.

In my experience, about 75% of the tone comes from the neck with our instruments. I have not been able to hear the difference between solid core and hollow core construction, but it's rare to have 2 instruments side by side that only have that one variable different.

[edwardofhuncote]

Just for curiosity's sake Mica, how much did they hollow out the core of my bass? (not being a Series or Signature) 

I can't remember asking, though I do seem to remember at some point last year we did talk about hogging out some of the mahogany core as a measure for weight savings, up to the point of not fouling up the balance. Just wondering...

[rnolan]

Hey Mica, same question as EOH but for my SC Brown, and "IF" I did decide to move the lower bout strap button 2" higher to get a better balance (as I read about in another post here), is there enough wood depth thickness in the Myrtle core for this to be ok (solid)??

[jazzyvee]

I have 4 strap buttons on my short scale bass. In the standard position and additional dunlop style ones added by a previous owner. The dunlops require a larger hole and they are completely secure on my bass which like yours has a hollow core.  I don''t think you have much to be worried about.


As for the balance, the higher strap button results in the bass hanging with the neck virtually horizontal, the fretboard is more vertical and less inclined to drop much more and depending on the curvature of your tummy the top edge does not fall away from the body as much. Which is better might depend a lot on the length of your strap as due to the length of my strap it does mean that my bass sits higher on my body and my right wrist is bent more when playing which is probably not a good thing so I use the standard button now. When I'm not being so lazy I might extend the strap length to get it to sit better. :-)

[rnolan]

Thanks jazzyvee, good to know.