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35" Scale Basses
- Thread starter randysmojo
- Start date
I forgot to note that the Dingwall fan is absolutely brilliant. I'm very likely to order a fanned 7 by Cliff Bordwell sometime in the near future.
The Cirrus 5 has a pretty good low B and probably one of the best you can get when you buy used. I have a "few" USA 35" scale Peavey basses and they're all very good. I'm not a big fan of the stock Cirrus strings on the fretted basses but I enjoy the Cirrus strings on my fretless. There's not much that can compete with the options and feel within that price point. Having some nice custom boutique basses in my arsenal, the Cirrus and Millennium hold their own. Again, the value is astounding.
The Cirrus 5 has a pretty good low B and probably one of the best you can get when you buy used. I have a "few" USA 35" scale Peavey basses and they're all very good. I'm not a big fan of the stock Cirrus strings on the fretted basses but I enjoy the Cirrus strings on my fretless. There's not much that can compete with the options and feel within that price point. Having some nice custom boutique basses in my arsenal, the Cirrus and Millennium hold their own. Again, the value is astounding.
- Feb 2, 2001
- 12,719
- 1,291
- Disclosures
- Builder: Valenti Basses
+1 The best B string I've heard is on the Modulus Quantum, which happens to be 35" scale, but I attribute the clarity to the graphite composite neck.
I've owned and played a number of 34" and 35" fivers. I can play 35" scale just fine, but currently I own only 34" fivers. As long as the basses are well set up and intonated, the B strings are just fine.
How is the side by side comparison of one of your 5s in 34" scale vs. 35" scale?
the peavey cirrus line is my favorite. they have a beautiful low b IMO and they look great. theyre light weight, have the 35 inch scale neck, and have great sounds for both ends of the spectrum so-to-speak.
My Roscoe LG3006 is a 35" scale and has a wonderful low B. That's one of the reasons I bought it BUT it doesn't hurt that the bass is just bad ass period.
Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? I have three (3) five string basses with a Low B that I really like. And I've owned plenty of others, most for more than a year.
Modulus Q5 - 35"
Lakland DJ5 - 35"
AND in regards to your question
Roscoe LG 3005 - 34"
I can vouch for the Roscoe low B, personally. It sounds particularly juicy!
The 34" scale was a special request, I believe the LG 3005 generally comes as 35" standard. But paying that much for a bass not made to your specs is jive, ya dig?
Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? I have three (3) five string basses with a Low B that I really like. And I've owned plenty of others, most for more than a year.
Modulus Q5 - 35"
Lakland DJ5 - 35"
AND in regards to your question
Roscoe LG 3005 - 34"
I can vouch for the Roscoe low B, personally. It sounds particularly juicy!
The 34" scale was a special request, I believe the LG 3005 generally comes as 35" standard. But paying that much for a bass not made to your specs is jive, ya dig?
It boils down to having good to superb construction as a prerequisite for good tone.
I've got to give a big +1 to graphite. My Status Stealth bass is 34" scale and is made completely of graphite. Without a doubt, the most articulate, piano like B I've ever heard.
I like that the B string on my Status sounds "even" when compared to the other strings. It's like an extension of the bass and it's speaking range, rather than some flabby "nuke" of a B string thats to be deployed whenever extra bass is needed!
+1. I tried a few at the NAMM show. Surprised that the fanned frets were actually really easy to get used to. String lengths on one of the basses went 37" on the b up to 32" on the G. Or something like this. The basses were really wonderful to play. Would have liked to play them in a place that had less than 130db noise.
Longer is better for the lower strings (B, E and A) but not for the higher (D and G). However one inch of difference is not going to be noticeable simply by listening. Especially in a band situation.
If one wants a tighter (tension-wise) B string, there are heavier gauges that will result in more tension than a piddly 1" extra in scale length.
Instrument construction has a much bigger impact on the sound of an instrument than a difference of only an inch in scale length.
- Dave
Used Lakland Skylines (35"), and used G&L L2500's (34") both sport a very nice "b" - plus - they carry very well throughout the fingerboard. Either can be had used for well under $1000, and the craftsmanship is well above average. And yes, I have owned probably 20 or 30 basses. I have owned several basses that streeted out for over $3000, and I have tried many imports. IMHO - Lakland Skylands are running ahead of most all the Asian imports. I can no longer see paying over $1000 for any bass - although I do see a ton of them I would like to have!
I will also point out to the OP (original poster): there has certainly been some very very good advice given here.
I will also point out to the OP (original poster): there has certainly been some very very good advice given here.
It is all about physics. That is the reason that the Dingwalls (fan fret design) are sonically and physically (tension-wise) balanced. And trust me that the Dingwall fanned tone gets heard both in rehearsal, recording and live situation (top-notch construction is a major point to augment the individually longer scales too)
Everyone has definately given some great reviews and information on basses that are available. I have a few good directions to head now and as soon as I get a couple of paychecks under my belt, I think I have a good idea of what to go for. I still believe playability is first and formost in any bass, but after that comes tone. I know tone can be somewhat adjusted by string differences and playing style. Even the amp you play through of course will have a difference in your tone, so if it is the best playing bass I've ever felt, but sound is not quite what I'm looking for, I can try string changes, pickup changes, and preamp settings, etc.
There are some bass specific stores that are within a few hour drive from me that is worth it to find the right one! I will try out samples of each one of your findings and see which fits me the best.
Thanks for a newbie!!!
There are some bass specific stores that are within a few hour drive from me that is worth it to find the right one! I will try out samples of each one of your findings and see which fits me the best.
Thanks for a newbie!!!
- Feb 2, 2001
- 12,719
- 1,291
- Disclosures
- Builder: Valenti Basses
I believe B string on well made 34" scale bass will sound just as good as a B string on well made 35" scale bass.
Just IMO and IME.
Just IMO and IME.
i played my first dingwall the other day as well - i was really
surprised at how easy it was to play, and how much the
fanned frets were a non-issue. it felt very natural and
the neck is quite fast.
dont let the fanned frets scare ya
-carl
surprised at how easy it was to play, and how much the
fanned frets were a non-issue. it felt very natural and
the neck is quite fast.
dont let the fanned frets scare ya
-carl
+1. This is often overlooked. Couple it with a well constructed and well designed instrument and you should get very good results. I know I have and as a result I don't suscribe to the "longer scale is better" mindset... because it can easily not be.
