Adjusting to scale length and spacing?

[madbassplaya]

Anyone else here not have a problem adjusting from a 34 to a 35 inch scale or from tighter to looser string spacing?

These factors don't seem to bother me much. As long as a bass has 17-19mm spacing, I don't have much of a problem adjusting at all.

[lowfreq33]

Scale length, no problem. Spacing, a little. Just takes a few minutes to adjust my muscle memory. I generally play one bass, a 6 with tighter spacing, 98% of the time. So going to a Fender style 4 is a pretty big adjustment.

[bwest9]

I usually have an issue going between 21 and 24 frets on different instruments, but otherwise, no issues.

[madbassplaya]

I was playing a Spector with 16.5mm spacing 35 inch scale and went to a SR5 with 17.5 mm spacing and 34 inch scale and am now getting a 19mm spaced 34 inch scale bass.

I don't seem to struggle with changing between the different scale lengths and spacings. The Spector seemed a little tight, but I could still play it.

[FunkMetalBass]

Scale length is going to be more noticeable to your fingertips because of the added ~3lbs of tension than the <1/8" per fret. Any "further reach" is actually attributed to how the neck sits in relation to your body, and not an extra inch. I can see how unlined fretless players might have trouble, but I think the added fretted player will change over instantaneously.

I have a harder time adjusting to spacing than anything else. I normally rock 16.5mm spacing (both of my 6-strings and my 8-string have it), but using 19-20mm slows me down for a few days. I much prefer the tighter spacing.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

Scale length is going to be more noticeable to your fingertips because of the added ~3lbs of tension than the <1/8" per fret. Any "further reach" is actually attributed to how the neck sits in relation to your body, and not an extra inch. I can see how unlined fretless players might have trouble, but I think the added fretted player will change over instantaneously.

I have a harder time adjusting to spacing than anything else. I normally rock 16.5mm spacing (both of my 6-strings and my 8-string have it), but using 19-20mm slows me down for a few days. I much prefer the tighter spacing.

Consistently using tighter spacing and going to larger spacing could slow you down. I don't seem to notice a ton of difference though and after a few minutes I am comfortable on either.

[lowfreqgeek]

Scale length has no impact on me. Spacing is different, though; after 22+ years of 19mm 4s and 5s, I tried 17mm 5s for 2 years with G&L, plus EBMM SR5 and a Spector Euro5LX (the G&L was constant and used for 80% of my gigs). While I can do 90% of what most "normal" gigs require, I got tripped up on the really technical stuff. I'm just more comfortable on my 19mm basses overall, whether 4 or 5 string. The last 6-string I played was 18mm and just about perfect.

My story is a bit different on the fretless, though; I don't have any issues with my 17mm fretless L2500, though I still prefer my 35", 19mm Rick Turner.

[Darkstrike]

As long as the 5 strings+ basses have 18mm or smaller, I'm pretty good to go.

Been down as far as 14mm spaced 5ers without much trouble, even played "bass fingerstyle" on the odd guitar or two. Scale length has never been a problem.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

Scale length has no impact on me. Spacing is different, though; after 22+ years of 19mm 4s and 5s, I tried 17mm 5s for 2 years with G&L, plus EBMM SR5 and a Spector Euro5LX (the G&L was constant and used for 80% of my gigs). While I can do 90% of what most "normal" gigs require, I got tripped up on the really technical stuff. I'm just more comfortable on my 19mm basses overall, whether 4 or 5 string. The last 6-string I played was 18mm and just about perfect.

My story is a bit different on the fretless, though; I don't have any issues with my 17mm fretless L2500, though I still prefer my 35", 19mm Rick Turner.

I can relate to this. 19mm feels great to me and I have zero issues with it, but I can play fine on 17.5 and 18mm is the perfect balance it seems.

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

As long as the 5 strings+ basses have 18mm or smaller, I'm pretty good to go.

Been down as far as 14mm spaced 5ers without much trouble, even played "bass fingerstyle" on the odd guitar or two. Scale length has never been a problem.

Can't go above 18 dark?

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Can't go above 18 dark?

Not on a 5er, can't understand it.

My first 5 was a Squier Deluxe with 19mm, and after carrying it to a long session, my hands ached. I figured it was no big thing, as it was a real long session, like 6 hours or more.

Now whenever I pick it up, 10 mins max, and my right hand gets all funky, and not in a good way.

[KingRazor]

Neck size/shape affects my playability far more than scale length or string spacing.

I can go back and forth between Ibanez 5-strings, P basses, or Lakland 5-strings without any need for a major adjustment.

[Pilgrim]

30 to 34" is no sweat...I'm also used to the string spacing by the time I adapt to the scale.

[msb]

I bounce between everything from a Dano Longhorn to an upright . Most of my basses are 34's but I do love one that's 33 1/4 or whatever the Ric scale happens to be .

I like getting accustomed to different instruments .

[Shiningwater]

I have trouble going from 4 bangers to 5 and 6 strings. Be thrown off by the B string, so tune EADGC, EADGCB, works for some not for others. Some reason an extra string and I'm lost. Spacing is an issue as well. Finally got used to fivers and then bought a neck thru 4 string and was so much easier.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Not on a 5er, can't understand it.

My first 5 was a Squier Deluxe with 19mm, and after carrying it to a long session, my hands ached. I figured it was no big thing, as it was a real long session, like 6 hours or more.

Now whenever I pick it up, 10 mins max, and my right hand gets all funky, and not in a good way.

I thought you had a Squier DAJV. Their necks are WIDE!

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I thought you had a Squier DAJV. Their necks are WIDE!

That's the one, every couple of months I pull it out and try again(hoping it's a technique issue, and I've improved), and after 10 mins, right hand aches. Shame, as I really like it other than that. That ebanol fretted board is great.

Can't sell it either, as I've it hacked to pieces as a test bed for mods.

[darkstorm]

Scale length no. But I think in part thats due to avoiding ones with further reach to nut via how they wear. Ive played regular 34 scale basses with long feeling reach to nut when standing. Gibson Tbird & BC Rich mockingbird. Spacing hasnt really affected me except when its an overly wide for me neck. Which 1 and 3/4 nut is. But how back of neck profile is done also makes a diff. My warlocks a little wider then the esp and little thocker neck, yet actually plays easier esp for chord stuff. So while a little bit bigger neck is more comfortable somehow. Prob mainly a diff in back of neck shape I think. 1 and 5/8 inch width at nut. Not a fan of fender wide chunky P type necks though.

[madbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

That's the one, every couple of months I pull it out and try again(hoping it's a technique issue, and I've improved), and after 10 mins, right hand aches. Shame, as I really like it other than that. That ebanol fretted board is great.

Can't sell it either, as I've it hacked to pieces as a test bed for mods.

Atleast it has served some purpose!

[grendle]

No issues with scale length, spacing can be a serious issue though.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

Atleast it has served some purpose!

There is that!