American Standard/King String Length

[lostinbass]

I'm a little confused regarding the string lengths on American Standard and King basses.
I'm hoping that some of the AS and King owners out there (Mike Ramsey, Molly Kay?) would be kind enough to take a simple measurement for me and post their findings.
On my American Standard, when I measure the distance from the inside of the nut to a line drawn between the inside notches on the f-holes, I come up with 43". From what I understand, this means that my bass has a "string length" or "scale length" of 43".
I've read posts on this website and other sites that list "string length" and "scale length" for these basses as both 43" and 43-3/4". Maybe I'm not correctly understanding the definition of these terms and that's where the confusion comes in. Hence, the request for the measurement comparison.
I'm considering picking up another vintage bass and have read that AS and King have equal scale lengths. I'd like to stick with a bass that has a scale length equal to what I'm playing now, so that I don't run into problems switching back and forth between instruments. My intonnation needs all the help it can get!
Just trying to make sure that the American Standard that I have is truely "standard" in measurement (the neck has been broken and repaired) and that other AS and Kings would match up to what I've got. I figure this simple comparison of measurements would eliminate alot of the confusion for me and take all of the the technical terms out of the equation.
After all, I'm just a bluegrass bass player...
Thanks for your help.

[tornadobass]

I've had my American Standard set up in a non-standard way, so that the bridge is closer to the fingerboard rather than at the notches. The scale length is about 42" and that yields a D neck. I do recall that the standard setup is a bit over 43", though.

[M Ramsey]

Originally Posted by lostinbass

I'm a little confused regarding the string lengths on American Standard and King basses.
I'm hoping that some of the AS and King owners out there (Mike Ramsey, Molly Kay?) would be kind enough to take a simple measurement for me and post their findings.
On my American Standard, when I measure the distance from the inside of the nut to a line drawn between the inside notches on the f-holes, I come up with 43". From what I understand, this means that my bass has a "string length" or "scale length" of 43".
I've read posts on this website and other sites that list "string length" and "scale length" for these basses as both 43" and 43-3/4". Maybe I'm not correctly understanding the definition of these terms and that's where the confusion comes in. Hence, the request for the measurement comparison.
I'm considering picking up another vintage bass and have read that AS and King have equal scale lengths. I'd like to stick with a bass that has a scale length equal to what I'm playing now, so that I don't run into problems switching back and forth between instruments. My intonnation needs all the help it can get!
Just trying to make sure that the American Standard that I have is truely "standard" in measurement (the neck has been broken and repaired) and that other AS and Kings would match up to what I've got. I figure this simple comparison of measurements would eliminate alot of the confusion for me and take all of the the technical terms out of the equation.
After all, I'm just a bluegrass bass player...
Thanks for your help.

I measured mine the other night, when in a discussion elsewhere on this forum about what "size" the American Standard truly is. Both of my basses have the original necks and the scale is 43" on both. My son just bought an early
40's King Moretone and it's 43'' as well.

When I had a neck reset by Bob Beerman a couple of years back, he asked as he began the process if I wanted him to set the neck down a bit into the neck block to make it more "comfortable" thus, shortening the scale. I told him no. It had the longer scale and folks who know these basses expect that.

That's why I have 2, to avoid having to switch between scales, should I have one in the shop for repairs. Now, with Aaron's King, we've still got another backup.

[Steve Swan]

The '50s era American Standard bas that I sold 2 years ago had a string length that I measured to be 43 1/4". In true bass geek fashion, I 'll take my tape measure to see how Erin Youngberg's old King Moretone bass stacks up tonight. She's playing with the Billy Pilgrims tonight in San Francisco.

[MollyKay]

My two AS basses and my one King bass all have a true 43” string length. When my husband had to reset the King neck we did lots of measuring to keep it accurate and correct for its age (1935). I have seen some AS basses have the scale shorten to 42”, Upton did one of these and it can be viewed at their web site in great detail. The neck on my King bass is massive (like a tree trunk) but I like it. The “D” shape of the neck is very easy to play…different…but easy.

You can read more at: www.americanstandardbass.com

[lostinbass]

Thanks all - I really appreciate you taking the time to check things out for me. I was reasonably sure that the Kings and American Standards would all measure up at 43" after measuring my AS, but figured the "tale of the tape" would confirm things.
Thanks for the link, Molly. Actually, I've spent some time there in the past enjoying the history of the H.N. White Co. and drooling over the pictures of the basses in the database. If you notice in the description section of this site, both models are described as having a "scale length" of 43-3/4". But, now thanks to the input from you folks I know that if I do buy a King I can switch back and forth between that and the Standard and experience just my "normal" intonnation problems without throwing something else into the mix.
Man, those basses that you and your husband are restoring look beautiful. What a great hobby, putting the effort into bringing these old timers back to life. Sure wish my basement looked like that - if I keep bringing these old basses home I might end up spending more time down there than I had planned on!