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34" vs 35" B string; what say you?

#21
I personally don't like the 35's because I like a shorter bass. I realize there is only an inch difference, but 34 feels better. I would like to build a 33, but all the comments I have heard in the past have lead me to believe the B would be hideous. Thank you for starting this thread.
 
#25
I personally don't like the 35's because I like a shorter bass. I realize there is only an inch difference, but 34 feels better. I would like to build a 33, but all the comments I have heard in the past have lead me to believe the B would be hideous. Thank you for starting this thread.
 
#26
xmaddogx said:
I personally don't like the 35's because I like a shorter bass. I realize there is only an inch difference, but 34 feels better. I would like to build a 33, but all the comments I have heard in the past have lead me to believe the B would be hideous. Thank you for starting this thread.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Would a shorter scale sound as good? Probably no, but I don't think it would make enough of a difference to call the shorter scale hideous.

Here is a sound clip of a 33" scale 5-string fretless. Now, the intonation may be hideous, but I don't think that has anything to do with the scale length...;)

http://soundcloud.com/fretless_guy/0001-both-pickups-low-notes
 
#29
it's what you like. I've made my own 26" 4 string, 32" 4 string, 33" 6 string, and 34" 4 string. I'm not about playing one bass and ruling the world on it. That ain't gonna happen. It's just fun to play different instruments with different feels and tones. Different basses for different things. It's fun. and my 33" low B has plenty definition and the sustain is seemingly endless. The fundamental note seems to keep "feeding" it's self in waves.
 
#31
rythman6969 said:
it's what you like. I've made my own 26" 4 string, 32" 4 string, 33" 6 string, and 34" 4 string. I'm not about playing one bass and ruling the world on it. That ain't gonna happen. It's just fun to play different instruments with different feels and tones. Different basses for different things. It's fun. and my 33" low B has plenty definition and the sustain is seemingly endless. The fundamental note seems to keep "feeding" it's self in waves.
Click to expand...

If you're able, I'd love to hear a soundclip of your 33" B. What gauge string are you using?
 
#35
Strangest thing, I have a 4 string Sandberg VM and a 4 string Ibanez BTB, both 34" scale, both identical elixir 130tw 5 string sets tuned and intonated to BEAD but the Sandberg feels like it has noticeably more tension.
Makes we think some other factors can affect the way a string feels, the BTB has a much flatter profile neck than the Sandberg...
That said, the nicest B I've played recently was my brother's 35" 6 string BTB.
 
#37
reverendrally said:
Ok, so about to start designing a headless, fretless, 6 string based on the findings of my previous builds. However, I need some help. What about scale length? 34" or 35"?

I've had both and the best B string I've had was on a 35" Yamaha TRB bolt on. So one part of me leans towards this. The other part of me say, longer neck means more timber, higher string tension (wanna use flatwounds) and more weight.

Love to hear people's experiences and wisdom on this.

P.s. if there is a good thread to link me to, please put it up. I did a search but couldn't find anything.
Click to expand...
They sound different.
I like 36'.
 
#40
To stay true to the question, not how good my B is in my super bass:

FACTORS:

Scale length
String gauge
Tension

FACT: The same exact string in a 34" scale bass is going to have less tension (33" even less) than the same string on a 35".

who can say for a fact of how much difference (Lbs.)?
I would love an answer to that…


So if you want a tighter B go for longer tensions (Fact)

FACT: the heavier the string the more tension with require to tune at B

So if you want a higher tension B go for a higher scale bass (FACT). Because a higher scale bass will always offer a higher tension (using the same string) than an lower scale bass (of course if you are using an 2" gauge string in your 23" scale bass it may be the same tension who knows :D)

But is don’t care if your bass cost you $5000 the B tension should be the same as an $150 (again using the same string), unless you are out of tune.

But of course the setup and all that @#%@! you $5000 bass will feel better (1st because you need to justify the huge investment, 2nd you tell that to your friends 3rd it may be actually better)

So as a rule higher scale more tension... if that what you want choose a 35", if you got short arms get an 25" scale baby bass :hmm: with a higher gauge string to compensate.

or we can just use or own opinion and never agreed about this issue! like a previous post said the same discussion about 4x15, 8x10. its about taste.

PS I don’t know how to write well pardon my English. I hope you like this post.
 

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