Hi everyone, I'm looking for opinions from those of you who have experience with 30" scale basses.
I recently put down a down payment with Pete Hilton to build me a 6 string fretless. I initially wanted a 32" scale pretty much because I think all of my basses are 36" and I wanted something smaller. Plus, one of the 6 strings on his site is 32" and the proportions with the body style look great.
Pete recently recommended a 30" scale (to get more clarity in the low B). I consider his opinion with a lot of weight considering his competency and experience building great instruments that get great reviews.
My concern is this: I ordered one pick up and I notice that a lot of right handed techniques (I'm right handed so it's my plucking hand) might be hindered when there's not a lot of room between the pick-up and the neck. He generally puts the pickup right between the bridge and the neck which would leave about 1.5 inches or less between the pick-up and neck.
I admit, I primarily play nylon string guitar and playing with fingers where there's no pick-up isn't a concern. On bass, however, some of the right handed techniques are greatly different... namely some of the slapping techniques where getting a bit under the string is necessary.
I told Pete about my concern and he said to think about it and do some research... If I want a 32", he's ok with that but he did recommend 30" (knowing I didn't want another 36"; 36" scale would also get the low B clarity).
So, any thoughts? A lot of you seem to be extremely knowledgeable so I'm hoping to get some good input.
My Warwick $$ has a small space between the neck and neck pick-up and it's uncomfortable for slapping to me. I'm thinking that I'm struggling with deciding between going with comfort and aesthetics vs the expert's recommendation for low B clarity. Your experience with 30"?
I recently put down a down payment with Pete Hilton to build me a 6 string fretless. I initially wanted a 32" scale pretty much because I think all of my basses are 36" and I wanted something smaller. Plus, one of the 6 strings on his site is 32" and the proportions with the body style look great.
Pete recently recommended a 30" scale (to get more clarity in the low B). I consider his opinion with a lot of weight considering his competency and experience building great instruments that get great reviews.
My concern is this: I ordered one pick up and I notice that a lot of right handed techniques (I'm right handed so it's my plucking hand) might be hindered when there's not a lot of room between the pick-up and the neck. He generally puts the pickup right between the bridge and the neck which would leave about 1.5 inches or less between the pick-up and neck.
I admit, I primarily play nylon string guitar and playing with fingers where there's no pick-up isn't a concern. On bass, however, some of the right handed techniques are greatly different... namely some of the slapping techniques where getting a bit under the string is necessary.
I told Pete about my concern and he said to think about it and do some research... If I want a 32", he's ok with that but he did recommend 30" (knowing I didn't want another 36"; 36" scale would also get the low B clarity).
So, any thoughts? A lot of you seem to be extremely knowledgeable so I'm hoping to get some good input.
My Warwick $$ has a small space between the neck and neck pick-up and it's uncomfortable for slapping to me. I'm thinking that I'm struggling with deciding between going with comfort and aesthetics vs the expert's recommendation for low B clarity. Your experience with 30"?
