Ideal 6-string scale, spacing, radius e.t.c

THIRSTYGUMS · #1 04-12-2006, 06:27 PM

Has anyone had particularly good luck with a specific scale length, string space/gauge, fingerboard radius?
I want to make a Fanned fret 6 string B E A D G C F, any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

thanks

Geoff St. Germaine · #2 04-12-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIRSTYGUMS

Has anyone had particularly good luck with a specific scale length, string space/gauge, fingerboard radius?
I want to make a Fanned fret 6 string B E A D G C F, any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

thanks

First off, you should probably stick with 6 strings on the 6 string

.

I would say that 18 mm is a fairly standard string spacing for 6 strings, 19 mm is fairly common too.

I like a flatter fretboard on a 6. I actually like a flat board, but probably 16"+ would feel fine to me. I also really like the compound radius on my Dingwall.

Scale length preference is different for everyone. I like the 37"-33.25" scale of my Dingwall. Some people like a 35", 34" or even 33" for their 5+ string basses.

I have a very early start on a new fanned fret bass. It's 35" to 30" scale.

THIRSTYGUMS · #3 04-12-2006, 08:33 PM

ha ha true! 7 into 6 doesnt go!- How would you describe the feel of the 37 scale dingwall compared to like warwicks stingrays e.t.c??? (i wont have a chance to research that one, im in ireland and i doubt theres a Ding in the country)
I also like a flatter radius... thanks for the reply its all irons in the fire

THIRSTYGUMS · #4 04-12-2006, 10:33 PM

aLSO WOULD YOU SAY THERE IS A PRONOUNCED TIGHTNESS ON THE B AND E STRINGS?

Suburban · #5 04-13-2006, 02:31 AM

Ideal, huh? From what preferences???

I would consider fanned, too, probably 35-30. I like short instruments, they are nice to other peoples heads....
And I have a 30" BEADG bass that's really great, yes, B included. Perhaps 32-28 would be good, too

Ray Holt · #6 04-13-2006, 09:33 AM

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I don't think this question merits starting a whole new thread.

What is a good length to prevent the lowest string from sounding floppy and loose? 37" sounds like it would probably prevent that! When I do build my bass, I'd like the lowest strings to have a real nice ring to them.

Geoff St. Germaine · #7 04-13-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIRSTYGUMS

ha ha true! 7 into 6 doesnt go!- How would you describe the feel of the 37 scale dingwall compared to like warwicks stingrays e.t.c??? (i wont have a chance to research that one, im in ireland and i doubt theres a Ding in the country)
I also like a flatter radius... thanks for the reply its all irons in the fire

I don't find the feel to be much different between a 37" B on the Dingwall and a 34" B. One thing that I find is that it is easier to control the 37" B because it responds more like a "regular" string in that on many 34" 5+ strings I find that I have to baby the B string a little bit to get the tone I'm after.

Juneau · #8 04-13-2006, 02:24 PM

I prefer multiscale, with the B being 35" or greater, and the C around 32"-33".

18mm spacing is fine with me, 19mm wouldnt bother me. Anything other than those 2 might be an issue with me.

I like a compound radius personally.

THIRSTYGUMS · #9 04-13-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHolt

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I don't think this question merits starting a whole new thread.

What is a good length to prevent the lowest string from sounding floppy and loose? 37" sounds like it would probably prevent that! When I do build my bass, I'd like the lowest strings to have a real nice ring to them.

Hey buddy! you dont like-a da thread- you dont read-a da thread!
This whole new thread has been very worthwile for me, i think Geoff and the others have given me some very useful input.
Play on brother

JAUQO III-X · #10 04-13-2006, 06:31 PM

I have a 6 string Dingwall(37" B)ash body a 5 string Fodera Imperial(35")Mahogany body,and a 5 string MM Stingray(34")and all three Basses are bolt ons and have the same string brand and gauge.I can definitely feel and hear a difference in each B string,The Dingwalls B is very precise and has a very consistently even flow and the tightness is just right,the Fodera Imperials B string is precise as well but also funky and very punchy with a nice bark while the MM Stingray's B string has that killer grit(like that sloppy funkiness that seems to be missing from most 5 strings to me).I personally do not care for the standard tightness that most 35 or more inch scale basses offer,so when I set up my action on my 35"scale basses and the Dingwall I make sure there is that just right looseness that I prefer but a lot of Bass players I know can't live with out a super tight Low B string.It all comes down to the feel of the Low B string and the preciseness of clarity.I have come to the conclusion that 35"scale or more are not for me(not only is the Low B tight but all the other strings are as well).

Suburban · #11 04-19-2006, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHolt

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I don't think this question merits starting a whole new thread.

What is a good length to prevent the lowest string from sounding floppy and loose? 37" sounds like it would probably prevent that! When I do build my bass, I'd like the lowest strings to have a real nice ring to them.

Depends on the string and your preferences. I have a BassLab STD 5er 34", a SUBurban LoW 6er (F#) 34.3", and a SUBurban Vagabond 5er (B) 30". The F# of the LoW could be a bit more solid, but the B on the Vagabond is just great.