35 Inch scale bass that plays and feels like a 34

[pacojas]

+1 for Roscoes!!!

[mongo2]

Several years ago I bought a used PV G bass and was surprised to find it was a 35" scale after several months of playing it.

[alembicbones]

I've own(ed) 2 basses that are 35" scale. The first was a Lakland Skyline JO5 and the other is my current Modulus Quantum 6. The rest of my 5 string basses are 34" scale. I find little trouble going back and forth. Note however that the Lakland and Modulus have good sized upper horns that allow for a comfortable reach to first position.

As for which bass has a better B string, a 34" or a 35", I think it depends on the quality of the bass more than scale length. Every Alembic I've owned has been the 34" scale and the B has always been monsterous. On the flip side, I owned an American Fender Jazz Deluxe 5 string that was one of the most beautiful basses I ever owned and had the most anemic B string I've ever heard.

Bones

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Immigrant

From what the online physicists here say, it doesn't. What it does do, however, is allow the player to think it does. Conflicting theories fly around here all the time and I don't know who to believe. I've been told that shorter scale = floppy B, but my 32" has a very tight B.

String throughs are good for medium scale basses to allow the use of long scale strings, which there are a better selection.

It's not all about scale lengths. There's a little more to it than scale lengths or ALL 32" or 34" scale basses would have the same B. A super rigid neck helps avoid the flop sound.

[datsaxguy]

Originally Posted by Immigrant

From what the online physicists here say, it doesn't. What it does do, however, is allow the player to think it does. Conflicting theories fly around here all the time and I don't know who to believe. I've been told that shorter scale = floppy B, but my 32" has a very tight B.

String throughs are good for medium scale basses to allow the use of long scale strings, which there are a better selection.

This is really funny. I'm not telling you what I think, I'm telling you what has worked for me. My Saratoga B was floppy as all get out until I made the changes, the previous owner lifted the saddle height way up on the B because it was so floppy. That was not my imagination. Also my Squire deluxe active V had a floppy B, not as bad but floppy, modded it with good results. So that is 2 basses with the same result. You can tell me what you think but I will tell you what I know from experience. You can take it or leave it but I know it works. If somebody is thinking about improving their 34" bass this may be an option for them if not get a 35".

For the record, I can tell when a B is floppy or not, I don't have to psych myself into thinking anything. I've sold some nice 34" scale boutique basses on this forum because I did not like the B. Keeping them was not an option because they were the "IT" brand. I If the B ain't cutting it, it ain't cutting it. I'm sharing my experience not a theory. You can choose to believe it or not. Isn't that why TB is here, to share experiences.

I've never played a 32" short scale bass with a nice B string that is even with the other strings, ever. It does not mean they don't exist but the fact you shared it on the forum, at least for many anyway, means I'd be willing to try one to see if I liked it before I passed judgement.

34.5" or 35" scale basses for me, It's just what works for me, it dosen't mean that there aren't some 34" that would change my mind. Including the ones I modded.

[malthumb]

This picture shows 2 34" scale basses that play like 35" scale and a 35" scale bass that plays like a 34" scale. That is in terms of REACH. Alembic positions the neck near the end of the body and with a really short upper horn, so even the 34" basses have a long reach to the 1st fret. Roscoe LG's have a very small body and the neck is placed in a more normal position and a fairly long horn, so from the strap button to the 1st fret position, the reach is not as long as some 34"basses.

My Roscoe LG-3005 "feels" smaller than all my other basses, including my 34" scale Music Man Sabres. As far as B-string, both 5-strings shown here have awesome B-strings.

[darkstorm]

Esp Ltd F series fits that description nicely.

[moze50]

Datsaxguy can you tell me what string thur bridge and where i can purchase the ferrule, i have a warmoth 5 jazz. thanx

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by malthumb

This picture shows 2 34" scale basses that play like 35" scale and a 35" scale bass that plays like a 34" scale. That is in terms of REACH. Alembic positions the neck near the end of the body and with a really short upper horn, so even the 34" basses have a long reach to the 1st fret. Roscoe LG's have a very small body and the neck is placed in a more normal position and a fairly long horn, so from the strap button to the 1st fret position, the reach is not as long as some 34"basses.

My Roscoe LG-3005 "feels" smaller than all my other basses, including my 34" scale Music Man Sabres. As far as B-string, both 5-strings shown here have awesome B-strings.

Excellent examples of the key issues. Especially the bridge positions. Having the bridge nearer the edge of the body typically factors into having a shorter first position reach. Less reach feels like the scale is shorter. Repositioning your plucking hand even an inch or so typically isn't a problem for most folks.

[Slingbass]

I own 4 Peavey USA Millenium basses,all are 35" scale. I have small hands and these basses play easy. One thing to remember is to always check to see where the upper horn goes to. These basses have the strap buttons above the 12the fret. This brings the headstock closer to you and keeps the bass from playing like it is too long.

[Steve Dallman]

My fretless and my old Peavey Axcellerator are both 35" scale, the rest of my 5 strings are 34". The 35's are very comfortable, and I have no problems with my 34's, or switching between them. Neck shape and width makes more of a difference than the 1" difference in scale length.

[cfsporn]

Carl Thompson is known for making extended scale basses that feel and play like regular scale basses from what I've heard.