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35" Scale 4-Strings?

#21
Originally posted by McHack
I'm curious why you'd WANT to do this... After all, didn't the 35" scales rollout, as a mechanism for fixing B-String slop on 5-stringers?

Without the B string, there's no need.
Click to expand...

I can think of two reasons (for me anyway)

one is that it just feels better to keep my hand extended and shift positions, etc. when I play. maybe it's because I started on upright, and am used to a longer scale.

the other is because I play a 35" 6-string, so I don't want to have to re-adjust to a 34" four string when I switch. For some reason a different scale length bothers me more than two less strings.... :hmm:

Another reason might be a tighter drop-D tuning (or complete detuning...)

Of the 35" 4-strings I've tried, the btb1000e has so far felt the best to me...I may get one if the price drops, or if there's a closeout somewhere.

-Aram
 
#25
Originally posted by McHack
I'm curious why you'd WANT to do this... After all, didn't the 35" scales rollout, as a mechanism for fixing B-String slop on 5-stringers?

Without the B string, there's no need.
Click to expand...

All I know for sure is that my Cirrus 4 feels simply awesome in my hands. I suspect that the 35" scale and resulting higher string tension allows me to set my action lower than I would a similar 34" scale, given my personal tastes for minimal fret buzz/rattle. I use a round core string (DR Fatbeams) that is relatively slinky and so the bass doesn't *feel* as stiff as it might with common hex core strings.

:)
 
#26
Originally posted by McHack
I'm curious why you'd WANT to do this... After all, didn't the 35" scales rollout, as a mechanism for fixing B-String slop on 5-stringers?

Without the B string, there's no need.
Click to expand...

Although some people will argue against this, longer scale will equal better tone and string response due to higher tension.

34" has become the generally accepted norm because that's what Fender ultimately went with. If a 50" scale Bass Guitar was practical/comfortable to play, we'd have a lot of 50" scale bass guitars (and this same debate when the first 51" bass came along ;) ) once people heard the tonal difference.

34" was a compromise between the guitar's (about 27") scale and a 3/4 upright bass' (about 41") since Leo (Fender) was trying to market his electric bass to guitar players so they could increase their work oportunities. He would have liked a longer scale (he did try 36") but decided it would be too much for guitarists used to a much shorted scale, not because the tone wasn't better.
It's like the trade-off many upright, especially Jazz players, make in using a 3/4 upright over a full 4/4 instrument. On average, all things being equal a 4/4 instrument will have better tone, but the 3/4 instrument is much easier to play and deal with.

Anthony Jackson has recently lamented having to go from a 36" scale on his signature Fodera to a new 34" scale Fodera (due to a hand injury). Although he's confident Vinnie Fodera will be able to build him a great instrument at 34" scale, he does realize that it won't be quite as good.

34" scale will always have it's own characteristics (and thus, it's fans), but I've played and owned several 35" scale instruments at this point and the tonal difference (using the same strings, same gauges, just longer scale) is very obvious (to me anyway :D :p ).
 
#28
This is my first post on TB, so I do feel as if I should introduce myself before I add my $.02. My name is Jeremy and I have been playing bass long enough to stop keeping track. Okay.
I recently bought a Yamaha TRB 6P that constantly shifted intonation on me. It sounded AWESOME but I couldn't rely on it at all. While it was in one of many shops I was playing on my sons ghetto little "Encore Slammer Bass". It's just a sorry little imitation P-Bass with a 28" scale, but it sounded sweet as hell through my Warwick Protube IV and Eden 210 cab. Any single one of you could look at this bass once and tell that it's a total piece, but it does have to make you wonder if neck-through, rare-wood, long-scale extremely expensive basses are any improvement whatsoever. I've found myself on too many occasions worrying about not having the perfect rig for what I want to do with my playing. I, personally, have spent so much time that I have lost focus on the real point which is to become the player that I want to be. When the song is done, notes are just notes.
 
#29
Originally posted by streamerstii
Hello,
I know warwick makes 35" scale length 4-strings but does anyone know a cheeper company that makes them? I will be tuning to CGCF and it just sounds tight that way.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware of any 35' scales in the Warwick arsenal, even in the 5 and 6 strings. I know they have a custom shop though, so I guess anything is possible. I think you can get away with a 34' scale even on that type of tuning. I'm pretty sure that Ryan from Mudvayne tunes the same way, and all of his Thumbs are 34' scale. If you use a heavier set of strings, you should be able to do this with a 34'scale.
 
#31
Originally posted by McHack
I'm curious why you'd WANT to do this... After all, didn't the 35" scales rollout, as a mechanism for fixing B-String slop on 5-stringers?

Without the B string, there's no need.
Click to expand...

By this logic Fender should go to Gibson's 24.75" scale on their guitars too, since there's really no need. Maybe it gained exposure because of 5 strings and folks discovered they liked it. I know people's expectations of what a bass guitar is supposed to sound like has changed a bit since Leo introduced the P. Heck it's even changed since he died.

I know I really loathe the Gibson 24.75" scale on guitars - I can't get a clean sound I like on em and I think it's 1) scale length, and 2) humbuckers. I can see 35" complimenting the modern bass tone as well.
 
#32
Originally posted by secretdonkey


All I know for sure is that my Cirrus 4 feels simply awesome in my hands. I suspect that the 35" scale and resulting higher string tension allows me to set my action lower than I would a similar 34" scale, given my personal tastes for minimal fret buzz/rattle. I use a round core string (DR Fatbeams) that is relatively slinky and so the bass doesn't *feel* as stiff as it might with common hex core strings.

:)
Click to expand...

I have reached the same conclusion with my Rick Turner Electroline fretless 4. Especially on a fretless, 35" scale with correspondingly higher tension allows for ridiculously low action while retaining excellent playability and tone.
 
#36
mrcrowUK said:
trb 4II
good move by yamaha.:)
Click to expand...

Here's Mine!

Yamaha.gif

I Love It!
 
#40
Quadzilla said:
Nice Yam Anthony (used to be mine ;) )! I also have another one of my 35" 4 bangers for sale right now. My Peavey USA G bass (graphite neck, 35" scale) is up for grabs. 35" makes for tighter strings in drop or stepped down tuning. A lot of metal guys love 35" scale for this reason...
Click to expand...

Yup, my dropped D is very solid. Since tension is higher, the vibrational pattern is narrower and allows for touch bass action.
 

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