the bass that i am making is going to be tuned ADGC, so i was wondering what is the best scale for this tuning. i was thinking eather 33" or 32", tell me what you think

lowsound

what's wrong with 34"? All you'd have to do it just slot the nut and bridge to fit those strings, you don't need to make it short scale.

Greg

34" will work, but 33 and 32 will work too. Your tension will be a bit lower the shorter your scale so if that appeals to you then go shorter. If your hands are smaller than average, then go 33/32 as well.

Myself, I'd probably do a tenor as a 32" scale bass because I like the shorter scale and lower tension.

Josh Helms is fnishing a 5 string E-C fretless for me right now. Then I will have a 30", 32", 4, 5 & 6 string - 34"ers & a 36" all fretless. :D

32" is a nice compromise if you're going for a bass/melodic instrument.

i have smallish hands that are very flexable (i can hit the 2<6> harmonic for POT). i like looser strings, so i am thinking 33" then

lowsound

ok new question, i still want to use .100-.45 strings. what is the best scale length for ADGC tuning?

lowsound

a .100 tuned to A? dont try this on a 34". heh. i assume you want this cos you want to be able to buy normal 4 string bass strings to use?

um, the tension in the strings will be the same as a 34" if the nut was at the 5th fret position... sort of like a permanent capo. i dont have my fret calculator with me, but im thinking its about 5 inches between a 34" nut and a 34" 5th fret.

um, if you accept my calculations, you could do with a 30" for slightly tighter strings than on a normal bass, 29" would do fine too, IMHO.

anything longer than 32", i'd buy string insurance. and probably void it, as well.