4 - 5. - 6. ? Short or Long scale. ?

[dune]

If something were to change physically which required me to go to short scale, I would consider it, but until then I see no point.
Right now, I have no problem playing 34" scale basses. The only short scale I've ever played was my original bass - a '74 Fender Mustang and it just doesn't hold up against any longer scale bass I have had in feel or in sound. I think there's good reason that 34" is the standard. I would love to check out a 35" but have yet to have the opportunity. As far as the number of strings, as long as there are at least 4, I'm good. Right now, my preference is 5, strung EADGC. Not sure I'd have any use I would have for an 8 or a 12.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Ibanez SRH505F. At 7.4 lbs, it works very nicely for me. I am quite happy with this bass.

 

[chris_b]

Do you have a preference.

My preference since 1996, has been 5 string basses. I don't care about scale length. IMO a good technique will cover any scale. Other preferences are 18/19mm at the bridge and 8lbs or less.

In reality these are more like non negotiable requirements.

 

[B-Mac]

Do you have a preference.
OR
Would you play a 4. - 5. - 6. - 8. - 12 string and either short and long scale neck
OR
Just stick to one kind. of bass forever ?

Play'em all!

Scale wise I own:

35" Scale
34.15" Scale
34" Scale
33.25" Scale
32" Scale
31" Scale
30.75" Scale
30.50" Scale
30.25" Scale
30" Scale
28.6" Scale
27" Scale
23.78" Scale

String wise I own:

Twelve (triple course)
Ten (double course)
Eight (double course)
Five (one EADGC)
Four

Body wise I own:

Solid
Chambered
Hollow/Semi-Hollow
ABG
Double Neck Solid (B/G)

Fretted wise I own:

ULFL
LFL
F

Electronics wise I own:

Active
Passive


I like having variety.

 

[Thumpin6string]

6ers only. Both 34" scale.

 

[Ritter667]

I play both guitar and bass, and have a few of each, including a regular long scale bass, a 5 string short scale bass, a Bass VI, an electric guitar, and an acoustic classical nylon string guitar, but I keep coming back to my just 28.6" scale 4 string Ibanez Mikro Bass, tuned to tenor bass tuning, so suppose that would be it.

This one:

 

[GIBrat51]

Do you have a preference.
OR
Would you play a 4. - 5. - 6. - 8. - 12 string and either short and long scale neck
OR
Just stick to one kind. of bass forever ?

All 27 of my basses are 4-string lefties. Most are long scale, since that's what I learned to play bass on - 57 years ago - and so, that's what I'm used to. But, I have medium and short scale basses, too. I personally have no need - or desire - for a bass with more than 4 strings. No music I play - or have ever played - would sound one whit better - or would be one whit easier - to play, on a bass with more than 4 strings. Of course, for others? YMMV...

 

[bigjames]

I have two 34" scale 5s, one fretless 34" 6, and one fretless 34.5" 6. I think overall, the most playable is the 34.5" Fbass, but for me, the factor that feels the most important to me right now at this stage of my life / playing is string spacing...I like 19mm. MAYBE 18mm. Anything less feels cramped.

 

[ajkula66]

I've never played a 12-string bass, or owned a 6-string one.

Everything else has been fair game over the past 45 years, although my preference nowadays are short-scale 4 string basses.

 

[Short4since64]

Keyboard

Played a keyboard first as a young teenager - a large church organ! All my basses have been 4string, longest scale was 32" custom BC Rich. Not comfortable on a 34 scale.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I'm "possibly" stubborn, or at least know what I like.

All 4 basses are 4 string, passive, single vol/tone, short scale, all with the same EB strings. I like to play them all at gigs and like to be able to pick them up without great differences to each one.

 

[dmt]

4 string, regular 34" scale or ~30" short scale

Further regarding scale, I like and own both regular and short scale, but if I were ever to expand my stable back to having a 5th or 6th electric, it/they would almost surely be short scale (i don’t need more 34"ers than the two I own, but I’ll always keep at least one standard Precision bass).

I can easily add to my list of basic strong preferences:
passive electronics, a classic heritage or at least look/vibe, and alnico pickups (though I am happy with a ceramic pickup I have in one of my Ps)

 

[Watchootognbout]

I prefer sixers in long scale.
34"and 35"multi scale.

 

[lordradish]

34" 5's and 6's for me. I always feel like something's missing when I play a four.