a question for hollowbody players

[poomwah]

I've been noticing how many different sizes of semi and hollow body basses there are out there.
  Anybody played large bodies and small bodies and have opinions on which ones more usable?  Are the larger bodies more awkward to play to where they don't get played as much?  Is there a big difference in sound?
  My problem is a psychological one right now.  When I see the ENORMOUS hollowbodies I think they are the coolest thing ever.  A  bas version of anything that brian setzer plays... or a bass version of Dave Grohl's pellham blue hollowbody.  Those are the most visually appealing things to me.
BUT, would I be sacrificing playability by going with something THAT big?

[ilan]

I've been noticing how many different sizes of semi and hollow body basses there are out there.
  Anybody played large bodies and small bodies and have opinions on which ones more usable?  Are the larger bodies more awkward to play to where they don't get played as much?  Is there a big difference in sound?
  My problem is a psychological one right now.  When I see the ENORMOUS hollowbodies I think they are the coolest thing ever.  A  bas version of anything that brian setzer plays... or a bass version of Dave Grohl's pellham blue hollowbody.  Those are the most visually appealing things to me.
BUT, would I be sacrificing playability by going with something THAT big?

I own a "bass version of anything that Brian Setzer plays"... a 1964 Gretsch model 6070. It is enormous, long scale (34"), giant hollow body. The sound, with Rotosound Tru Bass black nylon strings, is very old school. You are right, the large body is less comfortable to play. But it is a jaw-dropper every time I bring it to a gig.

[poomwah]

is it something that you play a LOT, or does the size limit you to playing it only occassionally? or for only part of a set?

[ilan]

I used to play it exclusively when I was in an acoustic blues group (3 acoustic guitars, bass and drums), the sound was just right for that band.

The bass has an enormous neck, 1 3/4" wide and VERY thick, thicker than any other bass I've ever played. It's fun at first but not easy to play 2 hour gigs. It's also a bit neck-heavy, but a wide suede strap and relocating the strap button to the heel solved that problem.

[Dave W]

I was wondering about that. I've only played two of them and both had wide, very thick necks. Obviously it was a design feature. 

[ilan]

They also have flat fretboards, like a classical guitar, not radiused.

The scale is 34", but with the bridge almost at the center of the body, it feels like a 38" scale, you have to reach far for that low F.

The Korean reissues have a thinner neck profile and a smaller headstock.

This one has caught my eye on eBay. It started life as a 6070 like mine, and was heavily modded to look like a White Falcon.

[Dave W]

drbassman owned (or maybe still owns) one of the reissues.

I know what you mean about the bridge placement. That's one reason Fender Coronados are often mistaken for long scale basses -- even by some "official" sources. Large body, bridge in the center. But they're 30" scale.

[poomwah]

so this might be a LOT more comfortable, even if its not nearly as appealing visually?

[Dave W]

That all depends. How does it balance?

I didn't mind the large body on my Coronado but it was an extreme neck diver and with the strap button on top of the neck heel it rotated outward as it dived. OTOH a hollowbody with a smaller body can be even more of a neck diver.

[drbassman]

Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (hear drbassman's jaw hit the floor!)  I love it.  I also love the new White Falcon bass but not at $3000!!!

This one has caught my eye on eBay. It started life as a 6070 like mine, and was heavily modded to look like a White Falcon.

[drbassman]

I play, routinely, a Gretsch 6072, Gretsch ThunderJet and 1972 Gibson Les Paul Signature bass.  I love them all for different reasons, but they are all expensive instruments to acquire.  The 6072 is a reissue and the neck is small and easy to play.  The body is big, like the original and is not for smaller folks for sure.  It's 34" scale.

The Thunder Jet is a great gigging bass.  It has lots of bottom end with the TV Jones pups and is shortscale, every easy to play and is light.  I can wear it for 3 hours, no problems.  I love it on hot days as the poly finish is a mile deep and sweat doesn't faze it one bit!



I like the LP Signature bass for quieter gigs with church groups or acoustic setting.  It's mellow and also comfortable for me.

[Pilgrim]

For a medium-sized hollowbody, I suggest watching Ebay for a 70's Lyle or Univox.  They're copies of a 335, and they're often available under $200 on Ebay, although prices have come up in recent months.

Pluses:
Short scale, reasonably well balanced, nice woodwork and finish.

Minuses:
Electronics probably need cleaned up, necks often need a small shim.

They come in various colors: http://www.univox.org/guitars/ (check "Custom 335 copy")

Here's mine:

[leftybass]

I have several hollowbodies, I often use a '66 Gibson EB-2, and sometimes an Epiphone Rivoli but it's got wiring problems right now, I have the double-cut Ibanez Artcore(full-scale) but I do find the large body coupled with the 34" scale makes it a bit unwieldy.
My fave right now is this cheapo; it's medium scale(32"), body is a bit larger than a Les Paul, and balances well and has great action. Since the photo was taken I've put LP knobs and Roto Trubass strings on, and I'm thinking of going for a tort pickguard, make it look more "classic".

[bobyoung]

I own a "bass version of anything that Brian Setzer plays"... a 1964 Gretsch model 6070. It is enormous, long scale (34"), giant hollow body. The sound, with Rotosound Tru Bass black nylon strings, is very old school. You are right, the large body is less comfortable to play. But it is a jaw-dropper every time I bring it to a gig.

That is a beauty. I also like EB-2's a lot, I've owned both large and small (Hofner, EKO) and think the larger ones sound better. My favorite is the EB-2, Guild starfires also sound great although I've never tried one, Jack Casady's fuzzy JA sound sold me on those.

[ilan]

There's one just like mine on eBay (no affiliation)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180291752404&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=008