32" scale 5er

[seventhson]

I'm getting a custom 5 string made. I'm really thinking about a 32" scale.

I know the conventional wisdom about a sloppy B with a 34" scale is rubbish (I own a Sadowsky). What about 32" scale? Does anyone have any experience with such a beast? If not, 33"?

 

[spade2you]

I'm getting a custom 5 string made. I'm really thinking about a 32" scale.

I know the conventional wisdom about a sloppy B with a 34" scale is rubbish (I own a Sadowsky). What about 32" scale? Does anyone have any experience with such a beast? If not, 33"?

I wouldn't say the 34" scale sloppy B is rubbish, but definitely takes attention to make it great.

I don't personally have any experience with 32" or 33" scale 5ers yet, but I wouldn't necessarily go with a builder who didn't have experience in this area. Cliff Bordwell is probably THE guy for 32" scale from what his customers who own 32" scale 6ers say. Chris Stambaugh has built some 33" scale basses with low B strings, too.

 

[barrybass33]

Iwould love to try a 32" 5 but these are extremely rare.....
But i have two 33" one is a 5 tuned E to C or I can switch the nut and tune B to G..
The other is just a 4 string. I have other basses
But once you get use to the shorter scale. chance are you won't look back..
PS..jon from M Basses can make you one check him out he's one of the best.
good luck.. Barry.

 

[Colonel_Claypoo]

couldn't you simulate how it would sound and feel on a regular 34" bass?

i don't know if i'm correct, but i thought of the following:

there's a 2" difference between 34" and 32" bass, so that makes the distance of the first fret of the 34" bass.
now, if you fret the F on the E-string and tune down half a step, you will end up having the E in the first fret of the now D#-string.

you will notice the string being less tense and i think that this is how a 32" scale bass would feel in regular E-A-D-G tuning.

what do you think?

 

[69limeRev]

It's definitely a tough thing to accomplish well, but Birdsong and Landing both have good reputations with what they've done:

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Landing's 32" 5'er is the model L532. Birdsong's design is pretty darned creative!

...John

 

[lomo]

.

I know the conventional wisdom about a sloppy B with a 34" scale is rubbish (I own a Sadowsky). What about 32" scale? Does anyone have any experience with such a beast? If not, 33"?

It's not rubbish, it's science (sorry, not trolling but couldn't resist, LOL). Scale length IS important, just not the sole factor. I'm skeptical a 32" B string would sound good unless it's as thick as my pinky, which wouldn't enhance its' playability.

 

[Avezzano]

I know the conventional wisdom about a sloppy B with a 34" scale is rubbish

It's not rubbish, it's science

ok, maybe it takes more attention to the details to have a solid 34" B, but it is definitely possible. They build excellent 34" every day and people buy and use them. Actually it seems there are more 34" V than 35" out...

 

[bassman10096]

couldn't you simulate how it would sound and feel on a regular 34" bass?

Yup. It will give you a good idea about string tension and (at least) how the bass you try it with would sound as a medium scale. I'm a short & medium scale 4 banger guy, so feel free to discount this accordingly. Also, my experience with 32" 5 strings is exclusively with Alembics. Alembic designs and builds pretty painstakingly to preserve natural string vibration (not that others don't - most don't go to the same lengths or expense doing so). Things like brass nut, bridge, bridge block (8 oz of brass under the bridge) along with great fretwork go a long way toward helping a shorter B string sound full. Is the sound the same as a 34? I don't think so, but medium scale basses do sound more like short scales than a standard 34. Does the B sound good to me? Yes. Is the tension noticably slack? Yup. I'd liken it to putting your first set of TI Jazz Flats on - Not sloppy or bad sounding, but definitely not as taut as most.

I don't have any first hand with Landings or Birdsongs, but I'm impressed with the clips and feedback I've heard. You may get something out of discussions like this, but a lot of folks feel more strongly about short vs long issues than rational judgement would support (Sorry to anyone that insults). You really need to try one or more medium scale 5ers for yourself. Good luck

 

[mrniceguy715]

I just sold a custom 33 in five. the b string wasing floppy. The strings where actually very even in tone.

 

[DeanT]

Birdsong makes the Hy5, which is a 31" scale. The strings go through the body at two separate points, making for a nice tight B string.

 

[spade2you]

couldn't you simulate how it would sound and feel on a regular 34" bass?

Kinda yes, kinda no. Keep in mind there will be 2" where there could be a nut and a sharp headstock bend. This can add some flop that might not be there on a 32" scale bass. That being said, all basses are not created equal!!!!!!!!! My 32" scale Fender Urge has a very ugly dropped D while my my 30" scale Rob Allen Mouse 30 sounds extremely solid, which is surprising.

 

[eunchang]

I'm getting a custom 5 string made. I'm really thinking about a 32" scale.

I know the conventional wisdom about a sloppy B with a 34" scale is rubbish (I own a Sadowsky). What about 32" scale? Does anyone have any experience with such a beast? If not, 33"?

I have a Stambaugh 5 with 32" tuned E-C. I love it; it has been my main gigging bass since I purchased it. Still, I would say E string isn't tight as my other basses. I didn't even consider putting a low B string because there is a significant difference in terms of string tension between 32" and 34".

If you like the sound and feel from lower string tension, 32" can be a good choice. You may need to lighten up your touch but in my case it didn't take much long. You may not be able to get a bright, string-y, piano-like tone however the lowend is still there.

One thing I noticed; a good intonation setup is a must in shorter scale bass. Lower strings in higher position may sound sharp. Since it is shorter, a slight movement in bridge makes a greater effect in tuning. In fact, I can never really get my bass in tune and that's why I usually gig with it but in recording sessions my Nordstrand gets the job.

 

[Colonel_Claypoo]

so downtuning the B-string a whole step to A on a 32" scale bass really doesn't seem like a good idead simply because of the physical limitations?

 

[spade2you]

so downtuning the B-string a whole step to A on a 32" scale bass really doesn't seem like a good idead simply because of the physical limitations?

I personally wouldn't do it. There would be such a lack of tension that it would be pretty hard to be able to get a good tone out of it.

 

[bongomania]

Yeah, even as much of a short/medium scale fan as I am, I would not detune a 32" to low A unless the action was very high and I didn't mind playing spaghetti.

 

[Deburgh]

I've got an Alembic Medium scale 5 string, and it's amazing. The tone from the low B is deep, punchy and very even with the other strings. I've got a 34" pre Gibson Tobias 5 and at 35" Spector NS5XL as well that have barely been touched since gettign the Alembic. The shorter scale definitely benefits from a lighter touch, but it's so much easier to play that adjustment was easy to make.

 

[Colonel_Claypoo]

thanks for your input. i'll stick to 34" scale basses for A-tuning but someday i'll get myself a 32".

 

[black_labb]

if its a neck through, or a set neck where the heel goes sufficiently deep then it shouldnt be a problem, but will feel different. ensure that the bridge is well anchored, and you want as little extra length of string beyond the saddles (bridge and nut). the reason people say that a neck through body is best is that the pull of the strings holds the bridge tight to the body. extra string beyond the saddles is bad, as that means there is more string to stretch, but still the same scale length and same tension.

a stiff neck may be a good option as well (so narrow neck without much meat on it probably wouldnt be good). maybe some carbon fibre rods too.

bolt on necks dampen things, as the neck is not as mechanically sound. this makes for a good sound on longer scales, as there is sufficient presence in the attack but it decays fairly quick, making the pluck's (finger or pick) sound separated. gives a nice thump sound. i feel that by using shorter scale lengths, and using stiffer neck joints you can get a similar effect, and possibly sound more organic, as varible dampeners (bolt on neck in this case) are removed.

the second part of the last paragraph is opinion, but having less string outside of the scale length is physics.\



edit: try it by downtuning a 34" scale 5er, and use a capo on the first fret. should give you a relative sound. the things i mentioned above are just ways of improving flaws (flaws that create desireable results in some situations, so really just design features). you can only improve things so much, and shortening the scale too much will make anything floppy.

 

[Suresh]

I have 3 basses with 32" scale.
Ive played them for 15+ years. Last year I bought a 34" bass.
The feeling is definitely different.The 32" feels floppy when you dig hard.Also the low frequency doesnt hv that "kick " and body like the 34"scale.BTW they are all of the same brand,pickups and electronics and also strings and gauges.
The advantage is easier to play,less work for the left hand.
IMO,go for at least 33". and with the right pre and gear you
can chalenge those 36" or fanned frets axes.
Hope this might help
Others might hv different opinions and experiences.
Robert