34" v 35" scale on 6 string

[J Gold]

I know the physics and theoretical differences, but in practice does the low B sound that much worse in 34"?

I have a 35" 24 fret 6er, am looking at getting another, and some only come in 34", thats why Im asking.

 

[honeyiscool]

Having switched from 35" to 34", it feels worse than it actually sounds worse. When you're playing unplugged and the 34" feels comparatively floppy, it's very worrisome because you're convinced that it's going to result in crap action and awful fret clanking noise. But then you plug it in and there's no real difference.

I love the feel of a 35" B string, but they sound fine at 34".

 

[Double Agent]

I know the physics and theoretical differences, but in practice does the low B sound that much worse in 34"?

I have a 35" 24 fret 6er, am looking at getting another, and some only come in 34", thats why Im asking.

The low B is better in 35" but I prefer a 34" scale no matter what. On a 35" scale bass, all the strings will be brighter and I don't like what that does to the D, G, and in your case, C strings. I find it easier to get a warm, full tone from those strings on a 34" scale bass. It's much easier for me to get a satisfying result from a .130 B-string on a 34" scale bass than to get the tone I want from the high strings on a 35" scale.

Of course, there are a variety of basses in both scales that will yield different results so YMMV. But, if you have your heart set on a 34" scale 6er, I wouldn't worry about getting a good B-string. The proper string and gauge and a proper set up should give you the results you are after.