changing from 35" scale to 33" scale

[thebassmuchacho]

If you already have a bass with a 35" scale with a bolt on neck, is it possible to simply change the neck length to get a shorter scale or is it more than just that. I figured its way more that just swapping the neck but wishful thinking....

[lug]

Originally Posted by thebassmuchacho

If you already have a bass with a 35" scale with a bolt on neck, is it possible to simply change the neck length to get a shorter scale or is it more than just that. I figured its way more that just swapping the neck but wishful thinking....

The crown of fret twelve has to be midpoint between the nut and the saddle at almost full extention, no matter what scale you use, so most likely, the bridge would have to be moved unless the saddles had a lot of extra play in the correct direction.

[The Craw]

Keep in mind that if you capo at the first fret of a 35" scale bass, you'll have a bass with a scale length of 33.036". Tune back down to your normal tuning and you're ready to go.

[thebassmuchacho]

so more than likely its better just to get a 33" scale bass to begin with right?