36" scale?

[LowBC]

Does anyone have experience to share on a 36" scale bass?

I'm building a 5-string fretless for a guy who mentioned double bass as part of his inspiration for this instrument. 35" scale is a given for me on a bass like this but I'm tempted to stretch it another inch to really help the bottom end speak.

BUT, I don't want to build a bass that one will have to fight to play.

Thanks.

[HaMMerHeD]

On a 35" scale bass, the distance between the nut and the 1st fret is 1.964" or ~49.9mm...

On a 36" scale bass, the distance between the nut and the 1st fret is 2.021" or ~51.3mm...

...for a total difference of 1.4mm.

From another perspective, the difference between the nut and the 24th fret on a 35" scale bass is 26.25", and on a 36" scale it is 27", for a difference of .75" (or 19mm).

I'm currently awaiting shipments of parts and wood for fretless bass. Having made my 1:1 fingberboard templates for both 36" and 35" scales, I find that the 1" difference in scale is almost negligible in terms of traversing the fingerboard. In terms of tension on the strings, however, it is more significant.

[F-Clef-Jef]

Would string selection come into the equation? Does the customer have a preferred brand, and do they make a string that is long enough?

[jaywa]

I don't want to build a bass that one will have to fight to play.

I recall reading an interview with Anthony Jackson where he said they experimented with a 36-inch scale in the early days of his 6-string "contrabass" design and he found that scale length to be unmanagable.

Now JMO but I'm thinking if Anthony Jackson struggles with something it probably won't translate over real well to us mere mortals.

[HaMMerHeD]

So I guess all those people playing Carl Thompson basses with 36" and 38" scales are...what?

[Musiclogic]

How a scale effects your ability to play has more to do with your hand position, arm length, and where you wear your bass. It's all according to comfort. That 1.4mm can be a huge difference. When I switched fro 34 to 35" scale it was very uncomfortable until I changed my hand position, and bass position to accomodate my arm length. You must address ergonomics when extending scales. You should discuss this with the customer first. Good luck with it.

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

So I guess all those people playing Carl Thompson basses with 36" and 38" scales are...what?

Hmmm... I may have got that wrong. I thought AJ was talking 36-inch but it may have been longer.

[HaMMerHeD]

Originally Posted by jaywa

Hmmm... I may have got that wrong. I thought AJ was talking 36-inch but it may have been longer.

I did find something about Thompson building a 44-inch scale bass for Anthony Jackson...which he apparently didn't find useful.

http://www.ctbasses.com/index.php?f=bbook

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

How a scale effects your ability to play has more to do with your hand position, arm length, and where you wear your bass. It's all according to comfort. When I switched fro 34 to 35" scale it was very uncomfortable until I changed my hand position, and bass position to accomodate my arm length.

Most definitely. After playing a P-Bass (34") for over 25 years I added an Ibanez BTB (35") to my arsenal and when you look at pictures of me playing each you can tell a real difference. I wear my P-Bass higher on my body, i.e., the neck is more parallel to the ground. Whereas with the Ibanez, I wear the body lower with the neck correspondingly pointing more "upward". Not necessarily what every bassist would (or should) do, but it's been what's most comfortable for me.

You should discuss this with the customer first.

This is what it really comes down to. If this is going to be the customer's only bass then it's something he can probably get used to... especially if his background is on upright. OTOH if he is going to be alternating between this and, say, 34" scale basses, that 2 inches of difference may be a bit much to manage.

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

I did find something about Thompson building a 44-inch scale bass for Anthony Jackson...which he apparently didn't find useful.

http://www.ctbasses.com/index.php?f=bbook

That's it. My bad. Thanks for the correction and sorry for the confusion.

[mikeyswood]

Would you build a 36" bass for a 12 year-old girl? Of course not.

Would you build a 30" bass for a 27 year-old NBA player? Of course not.

If you are building an instrument you must keep in mind who will be playing it. I prefer 36" basses for myself. Keep in mind that my hands are larger than most.

[jaywa]

I always wondered what scale of basses the late Waymon Tisdale played. That guy was 6'9 or 6'10 with gigantic hands so I would think for him, anything LESS than a 36 would have been a problem.

[groooooove]

my main two basses are 35.5"

have played 36".

36 is super punchy, with tons of clarity. the low end doesent "boom" as much as on a 34-35, though. the high end is very clear and nice. 36 is a bit of a fight to play but you can adjust to it. i dont even realise it when im playing my 35.5" basses, but i do realise how easy it is to play 34" every time i pick one up..

i wouldent reccomend going much higher than 35"

[Rodent]

36" scale wasn't my thing even though I have rather large hands. same for 35" scale. I never experienced enough tonal ROI for the added wear/tear on my fretting hand, even after monkeying with different playing positions. but this is just my personal playing experience - YMMV

if I was to instead be wearing my builder's hat, I'd be certain that the customer knew exactly why they needed the added scale length before taking them down the road of extended scale lengths. scale length alone won't overcome deficiencies in poor neck construction (though it will help to mask many things to an untrained ear), but solid neck construction combined with the right strings plus the right set-up and also proper technique will get you a killer sounding and playing instrument all other things being equal

all the best,

R

[johnboy65]

Originally Posted by jaywa

I always wondered what scale of basses the late Waymon Tisdale played. That guy was 6'9 or 6'10 with gigantic hands so I would think for him, anything LESS than a 36 would have been a problem.

funny enough I think he played fenders and a Tobias Killer B.... man that guy could play...

[pnchad]

I have a Fodera Imperial 5 Elite fretless mahogony maple ebony fretless 36"

It is the most awesome bass guitar I've ever heard and I have them all including 5 serious URBs

Unfortunately it weighs about 11.5 lbs - so, that AND the 36" string length makes it a formidable bass to wear for 3 or 4 sets

but, in the studio - you gotta put a governer on it in the mix - it saturates the tape (for those of you familiar)

[allexcosta]

I can play 35" all day long, but 36" bothers my hands.

[rick0link]

i have recently moved to a 36" scale after only playing 34" scales for 16 years. my main bass is a 6 string that i built with a 36" scale and the sound is huge. a very big improvement from a 34". i often drop my B down to Ab and there is no loss of clarity and the B does not "flop". each note is very clear and defined. i prefer the 36". there was a bit of an adjustment period for me when i first played the bass, but now it feels normal.

[BCalder]

I have played a 36" scale Les Godfrey bass for years and love it. I made the jump to a Carl Thompson 38" scale 2 years ago and have found it amazing. I really think it is a preference. I found the 36" easy to play. The 38" took some getting used too. Now it's second nature, and when I switch back to the shorter scale instruments, it's a treat.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

Would you build a 30" bass for a 27 year-old NBA player? Of course not.

Stanley Clarke is a mountain of a man, and he plays a 30" bass.
Your point, sir?