Opinions on chambered bodies

[rubis]

Anyone got any advice or opinions on the chambering of bass bodies...ie does it really make any sonic difference or is it just a means of reducing weight?
If it effects the sound, what effect does it have?
What style of chambering works best.....full chambers, slots or holes?
I have heard mention of balanced chambers...I understand the volumes of chambers are the same on each side but why?

thanks in advance

[BassBus]

I have two basses with chambered bodies. I go for it for weight saving alone. I'm not sure what difference there is in tone as I have never compaired the same pickup system with solids.

[Kiwi]

By reducing mass, you can end up with a growlier bass. But its possible to go too far and have an instrument that lacks any warmth or depth.

[Mr. Foxen]

I'd generally associate it with cheaping out on wood selection, and cheaping out on wood I associate with cheaping out on everything else, so it better be a cheap instrument.

[lozbass]

I had a Sadowsky with a chambered body - tone was fabulous but I doubt it was anything to do with chambering (probably a weight issue). I've had a couple of Alembics with chambers too - again, fantastic tone but I'm pretty sure that's down to a complex mix of factors in which the chambers are a very small part (Alembics can be very heavy, even with the chambers)