35" scale 4-strings

[KJung]

I happen to like the additional tension, myself, but to be honest, I have nothing against a 34" scale bass. Heck, I have two 32" scale basses and a 30.5" scale, but this brings me to my thought on why you would want a 35" scale 4-string: muscle memory. If you play a lot of 35" scale 5/6/7 string, and you want to play a 4 string for a song or two (or whatever), if your hands are used to the 35" scale, you may find it easier than playing a 34" 4-string. I've gotten fairly used to switching scale lengths, but still, the first couple of times I reach for the upper positions on a 32" scale bass after playing on a 34" or 34" scale bass it's quite the eye opener! Then again, I also trade off on a 40.5" scale bass, too, but that's a horse of sufficiently different color...

That's actually a great point and very valid. The reason I got my Rob Allen MB2 fretless in 35" scale 5 string version is because that's the number of strings and scale length I'm most used to and I find it easier to go back and forth between instruments (especially between fretless and fretted).

 

[Droog]

I have been looking for a 35" 4 string to replace my P-bass. I tune CGCF and the P-bass is not digging it, even after having it setup by a pro luthier its still just does not sound right, intonation pretty much hit a ceiling and won't get any better. Granted it may just be the bass, but I know a 35" scale would do the trick. I just can't find what I want.

Warwick now offers 35" scale 4 stings on any of there bolt-on's.

ESP makes the LTD B-2005 which is 35" for about $700.00, I would want to play one before I bought one though.

Moses graphite makes a replacement neck thats 35".

That is about all the new info I can add.

 

[Dincrest]

Ibanez BTB's are all 35" scale

I believe the bottom rung BTB is actually 34" scale. But all others are 35" scale.

ESP's LTD F and DF series have 35" scale 4-strings. The DF is even strung BEAD from the factory. However, they have a very metal/rawk look. I believe Bass Player reviewed an LTD F254 and restrung it BEAD and said it sounded fine.

 

[bass-shy]

I have an LTD C-304, which has a 35" scale. It is the best feeling and sounding bass I have played. They don't make this particular model anymore, but some of their other designs look interesting, IMO. Good luck with your search.

 

[j-raj]

As a follow-up question...why on Earth would anyone want a 35" 4 string bass (other than BEAD tuning)?

one of Carl Thompson's personal 4 string basses is something like 36 or 38 inches (tuned EADG)...

 

[ninepointedsean]

Really?! When did he start doing that?

According to the BP article about a year and a half ago. . .maybe two years now. . . the one with him on the cover, he said he's going BEAD. Maybe he changed back. I assume he's got a few guitars he runs with tho.

 

[ninepointedsean]

I happen to like the additional tension, myself, but to be honest, I have nothing against a 34" scale bass. Heck, I have two 32" scale basses and a 30.5" scale, but this brings me to my thought on why you would want a 35" scale 4-string: muscle memory. If you play a lot of 35" scale 5/6/7 string, and you want to play a 4 string for a song or two (or whatever), if your hands are used to the 35" scale, you may find it easier than playing a 34" 4-string. I've gotten fairly used to switching scale lengths, but still, the first couple of times I reach for the upper positions on a 32" scale bass after playing on a 34" or 34" scale bass it's quite the eye opener! Then again, I also trade off on a 40.5" scale bass, too, but that's a horse of sufficiently different color...

I like 34"ers just fine also, nothing is butta like a vintage standard axe. I'm just looking to play around and experiment. I played a Peavey Cirrus a while ago that was so alive in my hands, I couldn't stop playing it. And it was used for ~ $600. . . man oh man. . .

Another nice touch with a 35" scale is I can go extra-extra thin strings and maintain tension.

Good point about muscle memory though. I didn't think of that. And I sing and play also so I need to pay attention to that.

Anyways eveyrbody THANKS FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS and keep em coming if you got them. Love this forum! You rock!

 

[Marcus]

I have a Modulus Q4 that's 35 inch scale. Great instrument. I really am not particular about scale length so to me, it's just another difference between it and the rest of what I play.

 

[CaptainWally]

I have a Modulus Q4 that's 35 inch scale. Great instrument. I really am not particular about scale length so to me, it's just another difference between it and the rest of what I play.

If the Q4 was offered in a 34" model, I'd own one. Instead, I play a Modulus Flea bass, which I like a lot.

Does Modulus do custom 34" Q's? I know they do for Phil Lesh, but what about moi?

 

[lucas vigor]

Tombowlus,

Let me get this correct: you own 48 amps, 59 basses and 187 effects?

I just wanted to make sure I read your profile correct.

Also curious as to why you would have GAS....is there anything you don't already own?

 

[mbulmer]

Darrin Huff is building me a 35" 4 String. My reasoning behind this was that with drop D tuning I'll have a less floppy low D.

 

[Moving Pictures]

The Peavey Cirrus BXP is a 35" scale.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[tombowlus]

Tombowlus,

Let me get this correct: you own 48 amps, 59 basses and 187 effects?

I just wanted to make sure I read your profile correct.

Also curious as to why you would have GAS....is there anything you don't already own?

Let's just say that I am a sick man...

But, on the upside, I do think that it beats having a drug addiction!

 

[jja412]

I believe the Schecter California Custom Jazz is 35" scale.

 

[CaptainWally]

Let's just say that I am a sick man...

But, on the upside, I do think that it beats having a drug addiction!

Did you see 'Raiders of the Lost Ark?' You know the last scene when they put the ark in that crate in the basement filled with millions of other boxes? That was actually Tom's basement...

 

[Dude]

EDIT: I was wrong, I thought Lakland only made 35" but I now found out they only make 35" in 5 strings.

Sorry.

Actually, Lakland has made three 35" four strings. One is Lakland Luthier Carl Pedigo's personal bass with single Dark Star that was on display at this past January's NAMM show.

The other two are prototypes of a new model made for Tobin Esperance of Papa Roach called the "XS" model (extended scale). By the time they were completed Tobin decided to jump back to 5 strings.

One is black with ebony board and the other is Candy Apple Red with ebony board.

I have the black one here right now tucked under my bed as a long term investment piece. I had it on eBay a few times without a single bid so under the bed it went.

AFAIK the CAR one is still available at the factory and have any Lakland dealer call them up to see if it's still available.

 

[Spikeh]

Im pretty sure he still has a Jazz bass in Standard and DADG for the RATM songs and some of the songs from the first Audioslave record. Unless he has some "super" hipshot tuners on there, He would have to use a another bass or play the riff like this.


D-------------12-
A-7-7--77-7--11-
E-----------0----
B----------------

Ah... fair enough. I'm afraid I'm still limited to playing at one place on my fretboard... not quite got into note placement yet! Suppose I should expand my horrizons...

 

[tombowlus]

Did you see 'Raiders of the Lost Ark?' You know the last scene when they put the ark in that crate in the basement filled with millions of other boxes? That was actually Tom's basement...

LMAO!!! Dear lord, that is too close to the truth! Man, my ribs are hurting!!!

 

[lucas vigor]

Let's just say that I am a sick man...

But, on the upside, I do think that it beats having a drug addiction!

Your wife needs to have a talk with my wife...she has a small problem every time I walk into guitar center with her..."don't you already have one of those?"

I have to patiently explain "But this one goes to eleven"

 

[tombowlus]

Your wife needs to have a talk with my wife...

Careful, there, man! Let's leave the wives out of this!