Why are basses longer than guitars?
Why is 34" scale better than 25.5" for bass?
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40" scale Quake bass in production (2000USD)
- Thread starter ixlramp
- Start date
Why is 34" scale better than 25.5" for bass?
Have you actually tried downtuning to F# or C#? I agree that buying a 40" scale bass and tuning it to E standard would be overkill and likely have diminishing returns, but as soon as you start down tuning a significant amount, the longer scale length is extremely helpful for improving note definition and clarity.
You seem to be implying that using thinner strings will remove all the bottom end. That is not the case. You do not lose low end, but gain more harmonics that make the lower notes easier to perceive.
Why do you think guitarists that droptune play baritone guitars? Same idea.
Because bass is one octave lower than a guitar.
On the other hand, 40' bass is the same octave as a regular bass, but it has longer and thinner strings to get "more clarity".
Why does that matter? Why not just use thicker strings on a 25.5" guitar to get the lower tuning?
Because if you are going one octave lower its more comfortable to play with a bass lenght.
But playing a 40' bass for a few tones down is not more comfortable than playing a normal bass.
Thats the point.
Oh, so it's just about comfort? I don't see why the pitch of the note you're playing would make a longer neck more "comfortable".
So what was all that stuff you said about thick strings and thin strings and tone, and clarity, etc.?
- Of course its all about comfort. We are talking about a 40' bass!!!
- Its more comfortable to play a 34' bass than a 25' guitar with trees as strings...
- IS NOT more comfortable to play a 40' instrument just for a few tones down...
I prefer a slightly thicker string and keep playing the 34 or 35' bass.
Yeah, imagine that, a 40" bass! Crazy, right?
You know how long a double bass is? You know how people have played double basses for hundreds of years?
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The thing is, you're making a lot of assumptions based on some theories and ideas you have that aren't really correct.
A lot of people here have actually played basses with extended scale lengths (36"+) and have found them to have better tone in the low registers (more even tonality with the higher strings) and better feel (more consistent tension from low to high strings).
Have you ever heard the saying "don't knock it until you've tried it"? You might want to try an extended scale length bass before you decide that they have no advantages.
A lot of people here have actually played basses with extended scale lengths (36"+) and have found them to have better tone in the low registers (more even tonality with the higher strings) and better feel (more consistent tension from low to high strings).
Have you ever heard the saying "don't knock it until you've tried it"? You might want to try an extended scale length bass before you decide that they have no advantages.
Seriously had no idea those were even a real thing until I saw Nathan Navarro (or at least to my recollection I believe it was him) playing one just last week. It sounded like spaghetti IMHO..
Wrong. The 40" bass is tuned up to an octave lower than standard. You haven't been paying attention this whole time.
You are clearly only thinking about the first playing position. I usually play a standard 5 string, from the 5th fret on the B it sounds like crap. The frequency and note are there but the sound is not the same as the other 4 strings. If the low B is very true and clear more fingering positions become viable. The distance from the 5th fret to the bridge is less than 34" which would give you all of range of a standard bass with more playing comfort, if your brain can adapt. If you choose to delve deeper it is there, where going deep on a standard bass gets you a weird floppy note with no definition and fret noise and it doesn't get any better when you fret a note.
If you can not figure out how this works there are quite a few other basses you could choose from. If you only use the B string for the first 3 frets there are quite a few other basses you can choose from. If your idea of playing bass is having a good time and playing what the people like, just forget the internet exists and buy a P bass. If open notes were all that mattered and this was a sub-contra harp you would not be able to deny the facts. This bass isn't for you.
It doesn't have to be. Even at standard tuning there will be pros and cons to having this long of a scale length. Whether the pros outweigh the cons will vary from person to person, you can't deny the physics involved.
Having a beautifully clear A (10th fret for my fellow layman's) on my low B can open up new playing positions that may be more comfortable than playing a standard or even short scale bass.
I wish I could go back 20 years and teach myself that Timbre has more of an effect on bass tone than timber.
Shhhh, don't tell. We'll keep that a secret so the thread remains fun
You're pretty sure that the Quake will sound better than most 5 strings at 5th to 12th fret on the B string right?
(technically it should be right)
The reason why my bass are almost all 5 strings is because of the playing position. I am not a big guy with big hands. I play at the 5th fret on B string a lot due to comfort.
Quake would be great if it can pull off what other bass can't.
Oh, you didnt know a double bass is played vertical with the plucking hand at the middle of the instrument lenght...
Shhhh, don't tell. We'll keep that a secret so the thread remains fun
Oh, you also didnt know a double bass is played vertical with the plucking hand at the middle of the instrument lenght...
Yeah, sure. The pros play Quake basses not that bass for amateurs called P bass.
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