Author Topic: Body Shape help/Input  (Read 863 times)

StephenR

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Re: Body Shape help/Input
« Reply #15 on: November 03, 2022, 01:25:43 PM »
Thanks guys for all the words of wisdom and support. I have a meeting with my dealer Will Gunn Tuesday and I'm gonna discuss wood options to bring the weight down. I understand that the majority of the weight is in the neck, and I know that maple is a heavier wood, but I'm not in love with mahogany. Do you guys have any suggestions for wood combos that include maple that will shed some weight? Currently I just have my suggested build with the standard 7 piece maple purpleheart 5 string neck. Would a strip of vermilion lighten the neck by any chance?

Pretty sure vermillion is also a heavy wood. Choice of neck wood is going to affect the way the bass sounds not just influence the weight. Either Will or Susan and Mica could advise you about tonal response from different neck wood combinations.

lbpesq

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Re: Body Shape help/Input
« Reply #16 on: November 03, 2022, 02:38:12 PM »
I'm not sure how much weight you are going to save based on wood choice.  If you are looking for weight reduction, have you considered a chambered body?

Bill, tgo

bigredbass

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Re: Body Shape help/Input
« Reply #17 on: November 03, 2022, 07:09:17 PM »
I had a 34" Spoiler Five in a Series-shaped body with Crown headstock.  We're about the same size (I wear a 44 long sportcoat), and believe me, playing down at the nut was a reach, even for me. 

If you look at most Alembics, the bridge is not always against the bottom rim of the body, particularly on Series shaped instruments, so this pushes the neck 'out' of the body further than most basses.  The great news is playing right up to the 24th fret, certainly above the 12th fret, is effortless, as it's just out in midair relative to most axes.  The not-so-good news is this pushed the center of gravity down the neck, and with the short wings on that shape, it will tend to be neck forward.  Not just awful like some Thunderbirds, but you will learn to keep your left forearm across the top rim.  Can't repeal geometry.

You can't deal with a better man than Will Gunn.  Encyclopedic in his Alembic knowledge, and as honest as the day is long, EXACTLY the kind of guy you want to deal with when spending big money.  Bought two of them from him. The Best.

All basses are compromises somewhere.  You just have to decide what you can and can't live with.  For me, the upper access reach was magic, and I learned to keep an arm on the body.  Done deal.  On the other hand, the various Balance shapes bring the ergonomics into the current days.  You decide.