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36" scale length

ped

ped

User
Commercial User
Aug 30, 2006
1,210
1,316
York, England
www.basschat.co.uk
#1
I am close to ordering a 5 string Bacchus bass from Japan which has a 36" scale length. Would I have problems finding strings for this? I use Elixir strings usually. I have never played a 36" bass before, does anyone have any experience with one, how different does it feel?

Cheers
ped
 
#2
Hi ped,

I've been playing several 5string Schack basses for more than 10 years, all 36" scale. I have small hands but never had any difficulties or felt uncomfortable playing this 36" basses. For me 36" has become "normal" long ago, so I sometimes feel a little bit uncomfortable when I play a 34" bass.

I don't think that you will have problems finding strings for this bass, as long you don't need double ball ends! This, from my experience, can be realy difficult...
 
#4
I've been able to get Elites and D'Addario Extra Long strings no problem. Just make sure you check that the B and E are long enough.

I also have pretty small hands but find a 36' 6 not too much bother over a 34'. Those two extra inches are spread out over the whole length so each fret is only a tiny bit farther away than you'd expect.

Plus, to me, an open E on a 36 just sounds so much better than on a 34. More overtones and better feel, IMO.
 
#7
My David King 5 is 36" and I've had no problems finding strings...although, for the life of me, I can't recall which brand I'm now using. The DK bridge is located at the butt-end of the body and the unique neck-thru / cutaway design makes her feel more like a 35". One nice thing about the 36" scale is you can pretty much use 1-2-4 fingerings clear up to the 12th fret; fairly handy if you do a lot of "pattern" playing.

Riis
 
#8
Thomastik Infeld has most of their strings in 36". They have the best flats on earth IMO. And you can really pull some great sounds out of their jazz rounds.
Light and flexible strings, and I think that's why they are so darn good. Right when you first put them on, they suck eggs. But after you play them for a couple days, they start sounding perfect. I swear, they get better and better with time. Definitely worth a shot if you never used them before.
good luck
 
#12
Zooberwerx said:
My David King 5 is 36" and I've had no problems finding strings...although, for the life of me, I can't recall which brand I'm now using. The DK bridge is located at the butt-end of the body and the unique neck-thru / cutaway design makes her feel more like a 35". One nice thing about the 36" scale is you can pretty much use 1-2-4 fingerings clear up to the 12th fret; fairly handy if you do a lot of "pattern" playing.

Riis
Click to expand...


I used to own that DK--what a great bass, and what a killer low B! The 36" scale did require a little more stretch than a 34", but definately not unplayable. I used Fodera strings on it.

Mike
 
#13
Nearly every manufacturer has strings that will do the deed....

Look for a string spec that delivers a 38" wind, and provided you are top loading or have a short distance between ball end and saddle you ought to be golden. Most makers call these strings 'super' or 'extra' long.
 
#18
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The last picture has been deleted so here is the picture again
 

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