Single Cut Basses

[tauzero]

7 hours ago, LeftyJ said:

SCD:

 

 

Snoopy:

 

 

😁

 

[Gizmo]

32 minutes ago, tauzero said:

 

Snoopy:

 

 

😁

 

 

This one even has an eye!

 

 

 

[Misdee]

Fodera didn't invent the single it bass, but they did popularise them. The Emperor single cut came out in 1989, and Anthony Jackson was one of the first players to embrace the single cut aesthetic. Fodera bring the totemic bass builders they are, single cuts became a trend, particularly for "advanced-level" bass players. Playing a single cut has become a bit of a statement of identity for a certain strata of bass players.

 

My own personal take on them is, in most cases, "Crikey, this thing weighs a ton, it's like playing my front door with strings on, no wonder Anthony Jackson looks so miserable most of the time!"

 

To me it's mostly a lot of lutherie looking for a reason to justify itself. I'm sure in certain instances a singlecut is a valid part of a design, but there's plenty of basses on the market that are single cuts just for the sake of having that option available for potential customers.

 

If Fodera were looking to solve specific issues and improve tone and found a singlecut design achieved those goals, fair enough. However, lots of other manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon, made a singlecut and tried to make out that they were solving a problem by doing so, despite the reality being that most bass players were completely unaware of and untroubled by the problems that were being solved for them by the singlecut design.

Edited Friday at 18:59 by Misdee

[ead]

I had one of these for a while, ticking both the headless and single cut boxes.  32" scale very comfy and got a lot of comments from peeps in the audience when I used to gig it.  ACG Border Reiver.

 

Edited Friday at 19:04 by ead

[HeadlessBassist]

I love single cut basses, but have never quite managed to own one apart from an ACG for a short time many years ago. You might find that nothing resonates quite like them. I particularly like the sound of the Cort A5 SC - came very close to buying one last year, but failed to pull the trigger before the cheap offer finished.

 

 

[Cornwall Steve]

On 06/02/2026 at 08:50, LeftyJ said:

I understand the idea of the singlecut bass is to build a more rigid neck by having it meet the body earlier. This should mean a tighter, more focused sound - but that won't necessarily be a good thing for many bassists. 

 

I've always thought singlecuts can be very sexy, ever since seeing Edsel "Touché" Eusebius with his Elrick in Intwine. I didn't like the band but that bass left a lasting impression with me. And I've always loved the look of Benavente, their SCB and SCD shapes look amazing to me. Sleek, elegant. The SCB is very Fodera-like, but the SCD's upper bout is just different enough to look unique IMO.

 

SCB:

 

 

SCD:

 

I see what you mean, smashing looking basses. Thank you for posting these 👍

[Cornwall Steve]

22 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Snoopy:

 

 

😁

 

Brilliant !👍😂

[LeftyJ]

23 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Snoopy:

 

 

😁

 

LOL, accurate! 

 

I've heard singlecut basses being compared to sperm whales too, and I do see the resemblance I must admit. 

[joe_geezer]

I think it's a preference thing, if you like that look then go for it!

[BassApprentice]

I was fortunate enough to play the 5 string on the right, known as the ACG Moth.

 

Oddest looking bass I've played, but one of the most ergonomically comfortable basses I've ever played. Whilst I think some single cuts can look bloated, well thought out models can be excellent.

[binky_bass]

I love an ACG (a well documented fact!) but I do not like the Moth! If I were playing blindfolded, then they're fine, but aesthetically I am not a fan! 

 

Luckily Alan builds many a different shape, all of which I do like, and I'm sure someone out there looks at these Moths thinking the opposite of me. Tis the beauty of all being different! 

[Skybone]

[Gizmo]

As i say im a massive fan of SC's but as note some luthiers do love to go a bit OTT with their SC designs, I love a lot of KL's designs (hate the squid headstock thing though) and i can apricate the skill that does into the design and build but....

 

 

 

One thing were SC does look super cool in the mini basses realm.

 

 

I got one on my own self design/builds cued up (yep i ripped off the lower horn ;) )once the weather improvers i hate using the workshop at this time of year even with heating!

 

[Misdee]

Hang on a minute, it's just occured to me I've got a singlecut bass. One of these:

 

[Cornwall Steve]

2 hours ago, BassApprentice said:

I was fortunate enough to play the 5 string on the right, known as the ACG Moth.

 

Oddest looking bass I've played, but one of the most ergonomically comfortable basses I've ever played. Whilst I think some single cuts can look bloated, well thought out models can be excellent.

Oh my days .... I love the green one, pity it's not a 5 😫