5 string basses should be 35” scale

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I prefer the playability of 34" scale lengths over 35". I do think that 35" scale length B-string generally sound better all else being equal (which is rarely the case), but you can get really good sounding ones at 34".

I will admit that nothing comes close to my Dingwall super long scale models at 37". And the other thing going that long is that the string sounds more in tune as you go up the neck. Many basses can get really "over-tone-y" and muddy sounding when your start going past the fifth fret on the B-String (E). Sometimes that can be good, but most of the time it is not.

The other thing about 35" scale is that while you can improve the B-string, I do not like what it does to the treble strings. The G-string ends up sounding tinny, so it is a compromise. That's why my main bass is a Dingwall (35" - 32").

If you really like your Lakland, I would either stick with it or investigate a US version. Of course, everyone will (and should) suggest to try as many as you can to see what you like best. You may even get variation from the same model from one instrument to another.

 

[Bass Viking]

The B string on my Sadowsky Modern is, however, great. The B string on my 34" MTD Saratoga is just as good as most 35" Bs I've played. If you are looking for Sadowsky quality in a 35" Jazz style bass then you definitely have options (Lull and Valenti come to mind immediately). I love my 35" Lull M5V (with Sadowsky preamp).

I concur on the Sadowsky Modern, my B string is great. Same with my 34" Ken Smith and Warwick Thumb.

My Roscoes are 35" and the B strings are fantastic! I don't know if it's a scale length thing or a Roscoe thing.

 

[pepj]

If the gauge is too large, you invite a muddy B, especially the further up the neck you go.
That is a big fail you've invited, right there.

So for balance, i generally have 20thou between strings, and hence the 120 B.

A BB said, why are you working so hard..?

 

[Joebone]

5 String basses should be 35" - except when they are 34". A lot of 35" basses have a weird-sounding G-string. A lot of 34" basses don't have a great B-string, but many do - especially Sadowsky, and I say that with experience on Japanese Metro and NYC models. Ditto with the Xotic 5-strings - particularly an XB-2 that I'm increasingly seeing as one of the greatest electric basses, ever. Yamaha? Great B-string on old BB5000 and TRB5p. The Laklands are pretty special - great ergonomics and all strings work well, but the electronics never have satisfied me. Horses for courses, good luck to all of us as we search for our desired thang.

 

[shade_1313]

...and the bridge. I totally agree. I have a Zon in a 35" that plays like a 34" because of this design, while on the last Elrick I had, you could really feel the reach for that extra inch because of the bridge's more standard placement. Tone wise, between the 35" and 34" I don't particularly have a preference. All my Bs are as convincing as they are fulfilling regardless.

The bridge on my Carvin XB76 is moved nearly to the end of the body, and while I haven’t checked (I’ll do that when I get back from a trip I’m on) I believe the overall length is the same as my LB76 fretless.

 

[A9X]

All 6 strings should be 36" scale

Why?

 

[AdamR]

Why?

So they have a better b string than 35" scale 5 strings

 

[A9X]

So they have a better b string than 35" scale 5 strings

And they have worse sounding G and C strings. Sure, makes sense in a 6.

 

[cnltb]

5 string basses should be 35” scale
...then get one that is.

Easy

Whilst mine is "36, I have tried many 36, 35 and 34 basses with a very good B string and good balance from one string to the next.

 

[macmanlou]

Birdsong 5 strings are remarkable. They’re short scale.

My Kiesel 5 B is as solid as the E.

It’s not the scale alone. It’s the design and the strings.

Just saying it’s over simplistic to say the scale alone is the factor. There are a lot of builders making shorter 5 and 6. And it’s equally true there are some floppy B strings out there too.

Birdsong Hy5, 5.1 & 5.2

 

[Topkat13]

Countless pro players play Sadowsky 5’s. Play what you like…all you’ll get on here are opinions.

 

[funkyjudge]

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?

I own three 5-string bass guitars (2 Valenti basses and a Muckelroy 5-string fret less), and all three have a 34” scale length. No problem whatsoever with “floppy” B-strings on any of them! I also have owned two 33” scale Muckelroy 5-string basses, and the B-strings on both sounded great and were anything but “floppy”.

 

[Phalex]

Meh. 41” is the sweet spot.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Nah.

 

[kcducttaper]

I agree, the B string on my Ibanez SR's (34") is kinda flubby. With .130's on it, it's not too bad, and has done the job just fine for several years, but it's not ideal.

+1 for the multiscale thing. I've got this unit currently in the mail that's supposed to be here tomorrow. It's 36" - 34" and I can't wait to pluck that low B string! I may even put a hipshot xtender on it to detune to A at some point.

 

[funkinbottom]

Just saying it’s over simplistic to say the scale alone is the factor.

Agreed. I have four short/medium scale 5ers. one 30", two 31" and one 32" scale basses and all have a pretty solid B. Nothing floppy.

 

[rogerbmiller]

I own 33.5" scale basses with low Bs that would put most to shame. The logic that more string tension improves tone is flawed as evident in the resurgence of short scale basses.

I think more important factors are construction, stiffness of the neck, tone woods, PUP, etc.

 

[dkelley]

5 string basses should NOT be 35". scale is what you should choose for your hand size and playing preference. floppy B? I've never had a floppy b on any 34" scale instrument. I've had 32" scale instruments tuned to BEAD that weren't floppy.

So there! LoL that's just my experience and opinion, but I certainly disagree with the OP.

 

[kcducttaper]

I don't think the OP is saying that scale length alone is responsible for tone/playability. However, it is definitely a large factor in the equation.

"Floppy" is also pretty subjective. I've got some DR Lo-Riders (.130 B) on my 34" Ibanez that don't feel terribly floppy, but if I were to put that same string on a 36", it would be significantly stiffer. Therefore, if I was used to playing those strings on a 36" bass, in comparison, my 34" B would be 'floppy'.

 

[dkelley]

I use 34" scale basses or shorter, I use the lightest B I can find. I play very hard at times, very light at others, and pretty much exclusively finger style (including slap when I want to).

Just use hex core stiffer strings.

And I really dislike the tone of the higher pitched strings on longer scale, and I have experienced no benefit in the marginally longer B and E strings on longer scale instruments, so I just don't get it. The difference of one inch isn't making a big difference.

Have you looked at the difference in scale length between different sizes of grand pianos? Concert grands sound notably brighter and with more harmonics on the low strings due to the long scale length. They are SEVERAL FEET LONGER SCALE LENGTH than most grand pianos in people's homes.

34" to 35" makes a difference to finger position in the lowest playing positions on a bass guitar. THAT matters.