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

#41
rgarcia26 said:
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.
Click to expand...

See post 15.
 
#43
Two words: fanned fret. In the end, it is the only way. Now, it doesn't have to be a full 37 inch fan like Sheldon Dingwall does, but something more like fanning from 34 on the G to 35 on the B, with a square nut so your elbow traverses the fretboard ergonomically. This keeps everything flowing, keeps the player in the realm of conventional strings, and gets the advantages of the longer scale with none of the disadvantages. This is what I did for my 4-string bass. The thread about it is out there somewhere in the luthier section.

My other pet peeve with 5-string basses: why do most manufacturers do 3+2 instead of 2+3 to get the B tuner away from the nut so there is room for the leader. The G string doesn't matter, so get it up close to the nut with the B & E on one side and the A, D, G on the other, instead of the way most luthiers do it.
 
#45
iiipopes said:
Two words: fanned fret.
Click to expand...
That's my choice.
In the end, it is the only way. Now, it doesn't have to be a full 37 inch fan like Sheldon Dingwall does, but something more like fanning from 34 on the G to 35 on the B, with a square nut so your elbow traverses the fretboard ergonomically.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't assume that that's the best ergonomic choice. On a standard instrument, your wrist is pretty tweaked up by the nut.
This keeps everything flowing, keeps the player in the realm of conventional strings, and gets the advantages of the longer scale with none of the disadvantages. This is what I did for my 4-string bass. The thread about it is out there somewhere in the luthier section.

My other pet peeve with 5-string basses: why do most manufacturers do 3+2 instead of 2+3 to get the B tuner away from the nut so there is room for the leader. The G string doesn't matter, so get it up close to the nut with the B & E on one side and the A, D, G on the other, instead of the way most luthiers do it.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
 
#59
pilotjones said:
That's my choice.I wouldn't assume that that's the best ergonomic choice. On a standard instrument, your wrist is pretty tweaked up by the nut.Agreed.
Click to expand...

Fanned fret; Well here's one I prepared earlier... 31"-34"

fboard2.jpg


http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/bass build 3/

It sounds great, the tension across the bass is excellent. The Low E/D is SUPER tight. However, the thing I learnt from this bass was,

multiscale + fretless bass = bad intonation squared

I'm thinking even a small change from 34-35" across the strings makes it that much harder to stay in tune while you're not looking. Now sure I could 'get used to it'. But I've spent a month or so playing the bass above and I'm still struggling to get the upper register in tune. Contrasting that, I picked up my 34" fretless the other day, which has no fret markers (only side markers) and I was in tune pretty well instantly.

So I have a choice really. 34" or, longer. I'm thinking 34" with a high tension B for the best of both worlds. After all, it's not like I spend my whole life on the B string and everything is, at some level, a compromise. Besides if I hate it...

I can always sell it and build another one. :D

Thanks for all your thoughts and help!

P.s. HaMMerHeD, I soooooo dare you to build a 36 mile base! That would have a SUBSONIC B string! :)
 

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