what scale

[iamlowsound]

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

[Greg Johnsen]

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

[FBB Custom]

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.

[pnchad]

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.

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

[iamlowsound]

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

[iamlowsound]

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

lowsound

[ehque]

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.