5 string basses should be 35” scale

[A9X]

This is physics, folks.

But tone and feel are subjective.

The rubberyness of a string is a function of 3 things with a forth modifying factor. 1 String diameter, 2 string length between nut and bridge saddle, and string tension as appliedby the tuner. Forth is string construction. La bella deep talking bass strings feel stiffer to me than daddario chrome flats, gauge, scale and note being the same.

5: Rigidity of the structure between the witness points, you know, physics.

Have you ever tried and heard a plucked or slapped low D on a Kubicki Factor Ex’s 36” scale on the 4th string? If so, you know what I mean.

I owned one for a long time. Consider me unimpressed.

 

[Marine57]

Floppy B strings are intolerable.

Leo made the modern bass at guitar 34” scale to accommodate 4 strings. It is perfect for that specific purpose. Years ago I switched to 5 string and got an American Deluxe Jazz V. It was beautiful, sounded great, but the low B felt a bit like a rubber band.

Years later, Musicman Stingray 5. I loved that bass. It was slightly better with the low B. Still didn’t feel right. At the same time I played an Ibanez 6 string for solo bass arrangements. The high C was fun but that low B was rubber city.

Then I got a Lakland 55-02. Dammit, they got it right. The 5th string is taught, clear, and feels like a natural extension of the bass. It’s big, no doubt. I had to adapt to it but it’s the best 5 string I have ever owned.

My query is, what’s next? Does Sadowsky make a 35” 5 string? I want to get my high end, forever bass at this point in my life. I have pondered owning a Sadowsky for the build quality and tone. Does the B string sing with clarity? Should I go with an American Lakland? What are your thoughts?

The B string on the small body Am Dlx J was a problem. Mine was an ‘05 or ‘06. I loved the sound of the bass and tried many different strings. I gave up the bass because I just couldn’t justify keeping 5 with a terrible B. I have a Schecter Stiletto and it’s the tightest B I’ve had.

 

[JonEHop]

This is my answer for any 5 string issues. A Stephen Sukop 5 string. This baby plays and sounds fabulous. I selected it a Bass Player Live convention after playing all the big name Bass manufacturers who were there. I string it with La Bella Stainless Steel Flats, 45/65/85/105.

 

[A9X]

This is my answer for any 5 string issues. A Stephen Sukop 5 string.

I string it with La Bella Stainless Steel Flats, 45/65/85/105.

But you only put 4 strings on it?

 

[JonEHop]

Here is my answer for any 5 string bass blues. My Stephen Sukop Bass. Great feel, great sound! Not floppy!

 

[Terry Thump]

Love my Jazz now . I went with a 128 b string. Flats.

 

[JonEHop]

Oops, I string it with 45/65/85/105/125

 

[Terry Thump]

I was wondering about that.

 

[Bengal1]

Play what you like! My position is controversial for sure. It’s also purely experiencial. Maybe I haven’t found the right 34” 5 string yet…

If you can find a Fender Roscoe Beck V I suggest you check it out. I bought mine new in 96’ and love it. 34” scale. A tad heavy but… bass players aren’t girly men. Seriously Ive played other 5 strings but always go back to my RB V. I own another 34” five string that I drag to rehearsals and jams a Fender Squier deluxe jazz 5 string loaded with Seymour Duncan pickups. That is my $200 pawn shop find.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Switched to 5 string in Y2K, originally on 34" (Fender RB5), but I then owned a few 35" because that 3% increase was supposedly magic. These were high-quality 35"ers: Lull, Modulus, MTD USA. Excellent basses, excellent B strings. Also, I had no trouble playing 35" scale.

Then I got a Sadowsky NYC P5 and discovered that a 34" bass could also have a magic B string. On top of that, 35" basses had a slightly different timbre to my ears, across all 5 strings -- most readily apparent when comparing Lull and Sadowsky. I would say it was "different", not better or worse, but my ears preferred the traditional 34".

So right now I own 34" fivers and am thrilled with all of them, B strings included. Sadowsky, Zon, Nordy are the best of my bunch. (I'd put my Martin Keith up there too, but it's 34.5" scale, my only exception).



P.S. I did not mean to throw shade at the Fender RB5 B string... it could sound great, but the lockdown Gotoh bridge was a PITA to set up so results could be inconsistent.

 

[Baron von Basso]

I have a 43" B string on an upright. Not the most responsive thing in the planet, but it can still sound rather epic in a full orchestra.

 

[Possum Willy]

Floppy strings.... Had that problem and all of the ensuing issues that follow.

I started plucking closer to the bridge and like magic, no more floppy strings!
Was able to go to: lighter gauge, lower action and got a beautiful sound, try it!

 

[Geri O]

Jaco said “You don’t need more strings, you need more practice.” That being said, my MTD 535-35’s B string it top notch. Clear, tight and responsive. My Lakland 55-94 was also pretty good! Cheers

Unless you've found a direct quote and documentation of Jaco saying that (and can show it here), that's just another one of not-funny memes people use to push forward their opinion on string count.

There's enough mis-information in this thread without adding that.

 

[Bassist30]

Sadowsky makes. a great bass with a low b. Have a 89 5 string musicman and it has a great low b. Stop listening to the fake media.

 

[PeckBass]

Sadowsky is perfection and has no need for the extra 1” in string length. Im not a scientist but IMHO the string length not nearly as important as the overall build, quality of materials and construction. Try a Sadowsky NYC 5. After that there’s no going back!

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I have a 30" Alien Audio 5 string. B string is great. I have a 37" Canadian Dingwall. B string is great. I have several 34" 5 strings. B strings are great.

I have a 35" Warmoth Gecko, a 34" Heartfield, a 34" Spalt Terminator 5, and a 30" Wombat. While I gravitate towards the Gecko, each has it's own allure, as do all the other basses I have. That's why I have them!

 

[Geri O]

If you can find a Fender Roscoe Beck V I suggest you check it out. I bought mine new in 96’ and love it. 34” scale. A tad heavy but… bass players aren’t girly men. Seriously Ive played other 5 strings but always go back to my RB V. I own another 34” five string that I drag to rehearsals and jams a Fender Squier deluxe jazz 5 string loaded with Seymour Duncan pickups. That is my $200 pawn shop find.

I would love to have a Roscoe Beck Fender 5-string bass.
Because I think it's a wonderfully different and kinda unique bass. I doubt it would get played a lot. But I’ll certainly give one a good home.
Not because it’s a 34”.
Not because it’s not a 35”.
I couldn’t care less.
In fact, the one I get to plunk on occasionally really needs new strings. But I can tell the B string is solid.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I’m considering myself a 5 sting player . I’ve owned many . 35 scale doesn’t work for me. 34 is ideal for me and my StingRay5 Special is the best B string feel and sound I’ve ever encountered. MASSIVE!! My Sandberg Ida 5 isn’t too shabby either.

 

[metron]

Disagree I had a 35” and hated it.

5 string bass scales should be a choice!

 

[dkelley]

I use piano type winds over the bridge..single core.
I also clean the strings and will re-use the 4 or 5 times. I can hear when to retire them.
It takes a long time to retire 5 rotations on a rosta of basses and I can't remember the last set i binned.

I use 120 B with tapered core, which means right down the core.
I have balance and tone up the neck.

I dont think Ive heard a better 5..or very very rarely.
34 inch scale with a light B should not in any way be wolly sounding.

Most of the comments about my sound come from my B string.
No idea what I'm doing right.

not sure if someone else asked already (catching up on several pages here), but what brand of string do you get please? I'd LOVE a 120 taper that goes to the core over the witness points, as I too have found that to sound by far the best, regardless of scale length.