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5 string bass, is extended scale a must?

#41
It's not a must, but one thing I've noticed with 5's is that the longer the scale is, the better the notes sound up higher on the neck when using the B string. However, my only 5 is a 34" and I play it on a gig so rarely that I really don't care anymore. Last time I used it on a gig was 2 years ago for only 3 songs, and before that, 7 years.
 
#42
cfsporn said:
most people only use the first 5 frets on a B string for which most 34" basses will do just fine.
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I can't speak for most people (obviously) but I play the B string above the 5th fret more than I do below.

My rock band plays some modern rock songs from Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, etc, where I frequent the nether region ("LoLo Land"?), and I occasionally build octaves off the lowest notes for emphasis ("Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd sounds pretty awesome if you add just the right amount of low B underneath).

OTOH, even with classic Motown where I stay inside 4 string territory, I play a lot of songs starting above the 5th fret, including the B string, so I can put more range under my fretting hand.

I set the low B so it's usable up to the 12th fret, and if I'm not lazy I can get even more range from it.
 
#46
Fuzzbass said:
I can't speak for most people (obviously) but I play the B string above the 5th fret more than I do below.

My rock band plays some modern rock songs from Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, etc, where I frequent the nether region ("LoLo Land"?), and I occasionally build octaves off the lowest notes for emphasis ("Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd sounds pretty awesome if you add just the right amount of low B underneath).

OTOH, even with classic Motown where I stay inside 4 string territory, I play a lot of songs starting above the 5th fret, including the B string, so I can put more range under my fretting hand.

I set the low B so it's usable up to the 12th fret, and if I'm not lazy I can get even more range from it.
Click to expand...

Mike Kroeger from Nickelback is known for riffing on the first 5 frets of his B-A strings. Sounds something fierce, too!
 
#50
Fuzzbass said:
I can't speak for most people (obviously) but I play the B string above the 5th fret more than I do below.

I set the low B so it's usable up to the 12th fret, and if I'm not lazy I can get even more range from it.
Click to expand...

The whole deal with 5 and 6 string basses is the cross-neck scales. Hence the importance of higher notes on the B string sounding like the other strings.

But I only own one 35" scale bass and it has a B string to die for. But hey, come on, gimme a break, it's a Modulus for crying out loud! The B string on my Ken Smith or Alembic or even my Ibby sound gears (all 34") would not be pitched off the loading dock.

In my experience it's not so much the 35" scale that does it but the bass. Some basses have B strings that just kill. Some are not so hot. But I don't think that 1 inch is the difference.

So just try basses and don't even pay attention to the scale length. The ones that do it will immediately become obvious. Like my G&L 5ers. 34" but no complaints.
 
#53
hahallur said:
Ok so I've been trying out a bunch of 5 string basses. It's a bass I'm going to be using for recording and live play.

I've tried 34" and 35", both have pros and cons. The 35" is tighter while the 34" is a bit looser and easier to play. My friend thinks getting a 34" 5 string is blasphemy.

I'm just wondering if I end up getting a 34" bass if the low B is going to have problems.
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I think most everything contributes to the quality of a B-string on a five-string bass. Overall quality of construction, nut, bridge, strings, etc. But also your amp and cab. A crappy four-string bass through a budget practice amp isn't going to have a good E string! 34" scale fives can be just wonderful.

IMO, all other factors being equal, longer scale does make a positive contribution to a low B -but it is not a necessity.
 
#56
I think maybe for some slappity poppity stuff the 35" scale is very beneficial. But IMHO you can get much the same benefit by changing to a heavier gauge set of strings and getting a good set up done.
Personally I prefer a looser string tension overall. I'd only go to 35" if I was tuning below B.
 
#57
Jaco Taco said:
35" basses are silly. If you are worried about the B string on a 34" just get it a 135 gauge.
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Thick gauge is no garanty for fat B for its rather dull moving, tone is more a question of the axe's quality to me.
I went back from .135 to .125 and i got quite more definion without big loss of the boom, all a question of EQ and even more of fingerstyle: try different picking angle!
 
#58
awilkie84 said:
When playing walking lines in E, I play up the neck on my B. Makes the lines more consistent, and I can play after and more comfortably.

Where I find the 35" scale really comes in handy is when I need the first 5 frets on the B. I've found MOST, not all, 34" scale basses to be muddy/floppy on the B.
Click to expand...

I've not found this to be true on any of my 34-inch fivers, even the Fenders.
 
#59
I own two 35" 5-strings. The first is a Carvin XB75. The second is a Schecter California Custom (a modern Jazz bass copy with humbuckers). I really don't notice a difference between the Schecter and my 34" 5-strings. The Carvin, however, is in a whole different realm. It is by far the best B string I've ever played on.

I know that's not a real large sample size. But I think it really comes down to the whole, "it depends" thing with scale length.
 

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