33.25" Ric scale - your opinion?

[Buzz Allgrin]

The only time I ever noticed the difference in the scale was when switching to a different bass after playing the ric forever, I suddenly found myself knocking over mic/cymbal stands by barely clipping them with the headstock. :-/

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

I tried out a Ric once (thank you, God) and the neck felt comfy. Spector comfy. I proceeded to pick up Old Smoothie and my hand adjusted in 5 seconds or so. I think I'm just one of those guys who can comfortably get by with any neck.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

The only time I ever noticed the difference in the scale was when switching to a different bass after playing the ric forever, I suddenly found myself knocking over mic/cymbal stands by barely clipping them with the headstock. :-/

That's another weird thing I noticed. Watching people play Rics and playing one myself, it seems like that neck is ultra long. Maybe it's just me, but I used to think they were like six feet long. When I play it, it feels really long. I've owned 35" scale basses that feel shorter.

 

[bobyoung53]

I've been playing them for years and actually wish they were the regular 34" scale if for nothing else than to tighten up the strings (and sound) a bit, that being said I still really like the way they play, they feel comfortable in my hands although it did take me a long while to get used to them years ago coming from P and Tele basses. I interchange between Ricks, Fenders and Gibsons (30" scale) and uprights easily.

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

That's another weird thing I noticed. Watching people play Rics and playing one myself, it seems like that neck is ultra long. Maybe it's just me, but I used to think they were like six feet long. When I play it, it feels really long. I've owned 35" scale basses that feel shorter.

Really? To me it's the opposite. In pictures and videos they're huge, but in person, they're like toys. Precious, precious, beautiful toys.

 

[Mastermold]

I've played Rics for 30 years, the scale isn't why. I play a lot of regular and short scale basses too. Rics are just unique sounding and I enjoy playing them.

 

[EVerderame]

maybe it can be explained if you convert to centimeters: 33.25" is roughly 84.5 cms, which is easier to get than a sharp 34"scale (86.36cm)
all my basses (made in Brasil) are 33.5" which is 85 cm

 

[Josh Thatguy]

I've had five Rics in three years, and my answer is...
Carrots.

 

[Londo Molari]

I started playing a Rick in 1972. Never knew that the scale was a hair shorter than most other long scale basses until I joined TB. I started loving 30" basses when I got my first Jerry Jones in 1996. That bass replaced the Rick as my "go to" bass at that time. Never wanted another Rick since then. But if I could get a 4001 in a 30" I'd have to buy it immediately.

 

[nonohmic]

If you offered a 33" thin P neck (1.625-1.65") it would be a no brainer for me, I would order a custom Hammersmith.

When funds allowed of course.

I was seriously considering a 32 scaler with you guys but then you made the announcement it would be jazz nut width only. So I kept looking.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

If you offered a 33" thin P neck (1.625-1.65") it would be a no brainer for me, I would order a custom Hammersmith.

When funds allowed of course.

I was seriously considering a 32 scaler with you guys but then you made the announcement it would be jazz nut width only. So I kept looking.

Separate conversation, of course, but our present 32" necks are a little beefier than most like. In fact, I'm trading 2 of the new thinner necks for the original ones once they come in... so you could get one, and a deal on the bass because it's actually a trade in neck.
.

 

[Anachronism]

I love my Ricks, and a lot of that is due to the neck profiles, and scale length is part of it. It's a small diference compared to a 34 scale, but I find it makes one finger per fret just a little easier.

 

[john_g]

I've played a lot of Rickenbackers over the past 40 years -- only one of them was mine, but I borrowed a good sized handful -- and honestly, I didn't even know that they weren't 34" scale instruments until I started hanging around TB! Certainly never noticed anything about the scale length that made me suspect it was contributing anything to the experience.

This

 

[PWRL]

The scale is part of the reason I play Ricks. It's very comfortable to me.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

Again, I'm not sure how much it has to do with anything but, there's the old story about the pickups being located at the 24th and 36th fret harmonic spots. Just throwing it out there...

 

[SirMjac28]

I always thought they were a full 34"? I guess that does it for me because 33.25" is just too small I have large hands but tiny elbows.

 

[CORBS]

IMO, the scale length makes a big difference in response and sound, and contributes to the "Ric" sound and feel. Even 0.75" can make a difference at the tension the strings are at. I don't notice a difference between my 34" and my Ric when I play.

 

[willsellout]

IMO, the scale length makes a big difference in response and sound, and contributes to the "Ric" sound and feel. Even 0.75" can make a difference at the tension the strings are at. I don't notice a difference between my 34" and my Ric when I play.

So the scale length (even .75) makes a huge difference in feel and sound but you don't notice any difference between the 33.25 and 34" scale instruments?

 

[CORBS]

So the scale length (even .75) makes a huge difference in feel and sound but you don't notice any difference between the 33.25 and 34" scale instruments?

I mean ergonomically, when I am playing, there is no noticable difference. I don't miss frets because my fingers go to the wrong places. The response was meant to mean the attack, and the dynamics.

 

[Jeff Scott]

... if I could get a 4001 in a 30" I'd have to buy it immediately.

IIRC, there was at least one short scale 4001/4003 made.