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5 string basses should be 35” scale
- Thread starter bobknowsbass
- Start date
My 34” scale Sadowsky basses … PJ5, Modern fretless 5, German Metroline WL5 … have pitch-perfect, devastating B-strings. Every note from Low Eb to low C (the business notes) to Low B sound perfect in a mix.
I must just be a superior human to all you scale length theorists. And more handsome.
Unless your 35”/36” basses also get it done, in which case who gives a crap
I heard The Greyhounds the other week. Left hand keybass all night. Better than all of us have ever been.
I must just be a superior human to all you scale length theorists. And more handsome.
Unless your 35”/36” basses also get it done, in which case who gives a crap
I heard The Greyhounds the other week. Left hand keybass all night. Better than all of us have ever been.
D
Deleted member 165050
Guest
My MM SR5, Wal and Sadowsky were all 34", had no issues and were equally balanced across all strings. My Lakland and Mike Lull were 35" and sounded equally good. My experience seems to indicate that the way a bass is made and the materials it's made from are more important for good tone and playability across the strings than the scale.
The only B string I didn't like was on a 34" Fender Am Std Jazz V. I doubt anyone else would have noticed, even the band, but as I had already owned basses with no issues I sold it.
That's what she said.
Y’all stop those shenanigans right now, dagnabbit!
I believe that when a person buys an instrument, that person wants everything about it to be great overall. Tone, playability, aesthetics, etc.
I have owned more than a few great basses from several builders, at virtually every price point, with 4/5/6 strings, and in 34/35/36 scale lengths. Something I think I have learned is that it is not particularly difficult to build a great 4 string bass in EADG tuning. However, it is quite a bit more difficult to build a great 5 or 6 string bass including a B string .
Every builder has their own recipe cooked up to maximize the chances of turning out a great 5/6 string, but because of the inherent difficulty there is no guarantee of success. Their personal recipes just up the odds for them given their particular designs and goals.
So what does this mean for a potential 5/6 string buyer? If you want to be happy with your choice, you will have to judge each instrument individually to determine if it is right for you. You can't base the decision on scale length, string gauges, wood combinations, electronics packages, etc. Going with a renowned builder will definitely up your odds of getting a great instrument. Still, you have to taste the finished product to know if it's great.
I have owned more than a few great basses from several builders, at virtually every price point, with 4/5/6 strings, and in 34/35/36 scale lengths. Something I think I have learned is that it is not particularly difficult to build a great 4 string bass in EADG tuning. However, it is quite a bit more difficult to build a great 5 or 6 string bass including a B string .
Every builder has their own recipe cooked up to maximize the chances of turning out a great 5/6 string, but because of the inherent difficulty there is no guarantee of success. Their personal recipes just up the odds for them given their particular designs and goals.
So what does this mean for a potential 5/6 string buyer? If you want to be happy with your choice, you will have to judge each instrument individually to determine if it is right for you. You can't base the decision on scale length, string gauges, wood combinations, electronics packages, etc. Going with a renowned builder will definitely up your odds of getting a great instrument. Still, you have to taste the finished product to know if it's great.
When you go shopping for basses, they have "regular" B strings on them (what came with the set - often a 120), which are too small in diameter. Put a big enough B on there to have decent tension, and it'll be much better. Floppy B strings are a string problem.
In over 300 shows with my Precision V and/or my Dimension has no one ever come up and said "man, those low notes would have much better distinction and clarity if your bass was a 35"".
Depends on what you got. Email me photos and I’ll tell you which ones I will dispose of for you.
You’ll need to cover shipping, as I’m already doing you a big favor. Also, please make sure they have a fresh set of strings and a good setup.
See my post just above yours. I ain't changing a thing.
I’m adamant that it ain’t the bass, it’s the player. But having said that I’d be checking out a Dingwall Lee Sklar.
My offer still stands, just in case you suddenly are convinced over the internet that everything you know from experience was an illusion.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Lakland has the best B in the business. Sadowsky can do a damn good B being 34” scale. Note about the Sadowsky is the B is incredibly even with the rest of the strings.
