A well respected luthier's comments on scale length...

[ggunn]

Every bass manufacturer (every manufacturer of anything, actually) is looking for an edge, something that gives his product the perception of superiority in the marketplace so that he can increase his market share. I don't want to start a war, so I won't mention any feature in particular, but we could (and frequently do) argue until the mods lose patience with all the vitriol and shut the thread down about any feature and whether or not and how much difference it makes in the sound, feel, etc. of a bass. The bottom line is that any such feature is first and foremost a marketing idea, and it's the perception of superiority that is most important to the manufacturer.

 

[john turner]

Listen to Anthony Jackson or Steve Swallow's tone. That ain't the EQ. Clarity of a grand piano!

rickenbackers have also been known to have the clarity and tone of a piano. and they're 33.25" scale length, iirc. there's more than one element that goes into the tone of an instrument. that's the point of this discussion.

 

[Jerzy Drozd]

Hi again,

Hi John ( Turner ), hi Tom (Bowlus) and everybody thank for warm welcome

I very appreciate all comments and thoughts, this is really useful.


Jerzy

http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com
[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[lamarjones]

Hi again,

Hi John ( Turner ), hi Tom (Bowlus) and everybody thank for warm welcome

I very appreciate all comments and thoughts, this is really useful.


Jerzy

http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com
[This invalid link has been removed]

Hi Jerzy, it's a real privellege to have you up here. There are valid opinions that vary on this board, and of course I have found many straight up invalid opinions. Sure they are opinions, but some of them are straight up wrong

Regardless, I don't think there is anywhere else in the world that you will find the kind of information and opinions than up here at Talkbass. Most guitar players dream of having such a great resource. You may find it useful, as we find it useful to have people like yourself participating.

Thanks and love your work!

 

[Rune Bivrin]

The luthier in question is Jerzy Drozd. Being Spanish, we can forgive the spelling, but the concepts are sound. I'm not the only one who has found numerous well-made basses with fantastic B strings with < 35" scale necks.

This quote is taken from his own forum Invalid Link Removed

Why should we forgive the spelling just because we're Spanish? And how did you know that we all are Spanish in the first place?

Personally, I hate it when people are sic all over my text...

 

[Fuzzbass]

I would like to thank RAM for the excellent quote from Jerzy, JT for putting the (polite) smackdown on those who read too much into it, and Jerzy for his additional comments and clarification.

I completely agree with Jerzy. I've seen LOTS of posts in which someone claims that bolt-on is inferior to neck-thru, 35" scale gives a better B than 34", etc. These claims are stated as actual facts, but that is flat-out wrong: they are nothing more than opinions. And it ticks me off when folks go trotting their opinions as if they were facts!

 

[spade2you]

And it ticks me off when folks go trotting their opinions as if they were facts!

Welcome to teh interw3b!

I guess the low B debate has been around for about 30 years and we're still not winding down.

Besides, TB's usual #1 recommendation for a low B (other than Dingwall) is basically the antithesis of what I like. Your average 35" scale and well made 34" scale will most likely sound good. Anything shorter requires an expert.


Back to the original post, I guess I read a little too much into it.

 

[Woodwolf]

Luthiers do have opinions! I have seen scales getting longer too; big deal? Let them grow. Everybody doesn't have to agree or play the same scale bass. I am searching for a new signature sound, and at this point I am not swayed by opinions in the least, I'm swayed by experiences in the search, which is fun! I'm having a ball. Scales? try it all. See what happens. Forget about the numbers?

 

[RAM]

Hi again,

Hi John ( Turner ), hi Tom (Bowlus) and everybody thank for warm welcome

I very appreciate all comments and thoughts, this is really useful.


Jerzy

http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com
[This invalid link has been removed]

Hi Jerzy,

Just thought I'd chime in with a "thank you" for your comments! Sorry for having to drag you through this muck, but it sounds like you quite enjoy it!

I can't wait until Dan gets your new single cuts in stock!

RAM

 

[Jerzy Drozd]

Hi Jerzy,

Just thought I'd chime in with a "thank you" for your comments! Sorry for having to drag you through this muck, but it sounds like you quite enjoy it!


RAM

Hi RAM,

Ouch! Sorry my fault. I should have said firstly hello to you at last you are responsable for this topic which without doubt I do enjoy!

I can't wait until Dan gets your new single cuts in stock!

You know, he start to bomb me with emails asking for availability, prices delivery time for this new bass- that´s good sign I must say that Dan had a big part of responsability for this topic, he positively contributed to the idea of the book and all story started with some conversation me and Dan we have had after NAMM 2008.

Needless to say that your opinion about this new bass will be of great value to me.

Take care ;-)

Jerzy

 

[RAM]

Hi RAM,

Ouch! Sorry my fault. I should have said firstly hello to you at last you are responsable for this topic which without doubt I do enjoy!



You know, he start to bomb me with emails asking for availability, prices delivery time for this new bass- that´s good sign I must say that Dan had a big part of responsability for this topic, he positively contributed to the idea of the book and all story started with some conversation me and Dan we have had after NAMM 2008.

Needless to say that your opinion about this new bass will be of great value to me.

Take care ;-)

Jerzy

Maybe one of these years I'll take up Dan on his offer to meet you at NAMM! I hope you don't tire too much from doing it, as I know how much work it is and how it takes away from your overwhelming production schedule...

 

[Eight_Stringer]

Just for clarity, how are the "scale" lengths measured? With string compensation at the bridge end on most basses there is an incremental change in the tuned string length. Fixed XX.x inches does not cover for this physical attribute. You can approximate the scale length by averaging out the compensation differences of course. So over to the experienced persons to clarify this question that i have not seen addressed as yet? Regards.

 

[Jerzy Drozd]

Just for clarity, how are the "scale" lengths measured? With string compensation at the bridge end on most basses there is an incremental change in the tuned string length. Fixed XX.x inches does not cover for this physical attribute. You can approximate the scale length by averaging out the compensation differences of course. So over to the experienced persons to clarify this question that i have not seen addressed as yet? Regards.

Mathematical scale is a distance between the nut and 12th fret multiplied by 2. The thicker the string the longer it should be, with some exceptions to compensate the scale. This is due to stifness of the string, generaly: the stiffer string the bigger error. The exceptions are tapered or exposed core strings where this error generaly is less present due to enhanced flexibility on the exposed core.

Jerzy

http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com
[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[RDUB]

Very good read, gentlemen! I'm always fascinated by how many times the so-called 'obvious' truths don't really hold out. I pick up and play basses every time I'm in a music store - and I've been doing it for many years. It's amazing how good some instruments sound, despite their scale or neck construction.

Jerzy, thanks for your time and experience. I've never had the opportunity to try one of your instruments, but I'll keep looking!

 

[Eight_Stringer]

Mathematical scale is a distance between the nut and 12th fret multiplied by 2. The thicker the string the longer it should be, with some exceptions to compensate the scale. This is due to stifness of the string, generaly: the stiffer string the bigger error. The exceptions are tapered or exposed core strings where this error generaly is less present due to enhanced flexibility on the exposed core.

Jerzy

http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com
[This invalid link has been removed]

Jerzy, thank you for taking the time to answer a basic question. Also the extra information about string type effecting compensation, that i was not aware of, previous to your reply. Know just that little bit more today than i did yesterday All the best, Regards John.