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Advantages of wide string spacing and long scale length?
- Thread starter vindibona1
- Start date
34 or 35-inch scale?
Some players (and you can see in these few replies, the jury is still out on this) feel like 35 (or even 36") offers a tighter feel on the low strings, you hear this mostly about the big B on five-string basses. Personally, I can't hear a difference I can chalk up to the scale length, and you have fewer string choices from all builders in 35 than 34, so for me 34" is fine. Your results may differ. A mostly subjective or personal choice, not empirical.
String spacing?
This is subjective as well. A lot of early five-strings (the wonderful first-gen BB5000 Yamaha is a prime example) were essentially wide (1.75" - 2" nut width) four-strings that the manufacturers crammed five strings (and tuners and a bridge) onto (the 5000 came from the BB3000) when they were 'testing the waters' over whether or not this 'five-string thing would catch on'. I owned one and the string spread at the nut was t-I-g-h-t, like a 60's Ric or a skinny Jazz bass neck. Then as they really caught on, guys began to complain that they needed w-I-d-e-r fingerboards to do slap-style, so then they went the other way, and Yamaha began making TRB's with five and six string fingerboard widths that made them seem like diving boards, REALLY wide. Whaddya gonna do? There's lots of posts across TB that tout 'GOT to be 19mm spacing, or else!', but again, it's very subjective as to what I like vs. what you like, and on and on.
The bass idols offer no sanctuary either. Stanley Clarke is a tall man with huge hands, yet Alembic will tell you his famous signature four-strings are short-scale with TEENY necks, smaller than a jazz bass neck, yet he seems to slap just fine on a tiny (for him) axe. On the other hand, the great Anthony Jackson's sig Foderas are 36" scale with essentially the same string spacing as a P Bass, making for a VERY large bass with a fingerboard wide enough to launch RC model airplanes. Go figure !
From reading your post, I think basically the BTB is too big to be comfortable for you. They're one of the largest axes as a series I can think of, so I'm guessing for Ibanez, maybe a suitable Soundgear would be the ticket (34 instead of 35" scale, and a far more compact and easier to live with body and weight), or something close to that size overall. BTB's are terrific axes, but I'm 6"1" and a 44 long, and they still feel big to me, so I would suggest trying some other more compact axes, which I think is your answer instead of sweating scale length and fingerboard width: The right axe will FEEL right, despite what the specs and dimenstions say.
Some players (and you can see in these few replies, the jury is still out on this) feel like 35 (or even 36") offers a tighter feel on the low strings, you hear this mostly about the big B on five-string basses. Personally, I can't hear a difference I can chalk up to the scale length, and you have fewer string choices from all builders in 35 than 34, so for me 34" is fine. Your results may differ. A mostly subjective or personal choice, not empirical.
String spacing?
This is subjective as well. A lot of early five-strings (the wonderful first-gen BB5000 Yamaha is a prime example) were essentially wide (1.75" - 2" nut width) four-strings that the manufacturers crammed five strings (and tuners and a bridge) onto (the 5000 came from the BB3000) when they were 'testing the waters' over whether or not this 'five-string thing would catch on'. I owned one and the string spread at the nut was t-I-g-h-t, like a 60's Ric or a skinny Jazz bass neck. Then as they really caught on, guys began to complain that they needed w-I-d-e-r fingerboards to do slap-style, so then they went the other way, and Yamaha began making TRB's with five and six string fingerboard widths that made them seem like diving boards, REALLY wide. Whaddya gonna do? There's lots of posts across TB that tout 'GOT to be 19mm spacing, or else!', but again, it's very subjective as to what I like vs. what you like, and on and on.
The bass idols offer no sanctuary either. Stanley Clarke is a tall man with huge hands, yet Alembic will tell you his famous signature four-strings are short-scale with TEENY necks, smaller than a jazz bass neck, yet he seems to slap just fine on a tiny (for him) axe. On the other hand, the great Anthony Jackson's sig Foderas are 36" scale with essentially the same string spacing as a P Bass, making for a VERY large bass with a fingerboard wide enough to launch RC model airplanes. Go figure !
From reading your post, I think basically the BTB is too big to be comfortable for you. They're one of the largest axes as a series I can think of, so I'm guessing for Ibanez, maybe a suitable Soundgear would be the ticket (34 instead of 35" scale, and a far more compact and easier to live with body and weight), or something close to that size overall. BTB's are terrific axes, but I'm 6"1" and a 44 long, and they still feel big to me, so I would suggest trying some other more compact axes, which I think is your answer instead of sweating scale length and fingerboard width: The right axe will FEEL right, despite what the specs and dimenstions say.
A lot of people tend to think a 35" scale produces a better B. But I strongly disagree with this statement. It just produces a different sound. But to me the main difference is the feeling when playing. 35" scale feels a bit looser, a bit floppier.
I own both a Sadowsky MV5 (34") and a Lakand 55-94 (35"). I love both but the 34" feels better to me as it cuts through better and feels tighter.
I'm even thinking about trading the Lakland for another Sadowsky
I own both a Sadowsky MV5 (34") and a Lakand 55-94 (35"). I love both but the 34" feels better to me as it cuts through better and feels tighter.
I'm even thinking about trading the Lakland for another Sadowsky
19mm string spacing and 35” scale is great if you like it. I will second that BTB series Ibanez basses tend to be large. Their bodies also have sharp corners. The latest ones with Nordstrands sound great, but were not comfortable to hold.
I only play 4 string, which typically (not always, but typically) has 19mm spacing, so I can't speak to that question. Regarding scale length - I have owned 34 and 35 inch scale length basses. There is a difference in fret spacing for sure but not enough to making playing cumbersome, and because the strings have to be pulled more by the tuners to get to pitch, there is more tension. For example, I normally play .40/.60/.80/.100 gauge strings and on a 35 inch bass they are more stiff.
I play 4 string 95% of the time. On the rare occasion I switch to one of my 5'ers, the 19 mm is really appreciated. I get back "up to speed" much quicker.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
All my 5 string basses have 19mm spacing and 35” scales. For me it’s a matter of familiarity. I can move among them all and the feel is the same. Yes there are differences in neck contours but where the fingers are working, the feel is consistent.
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My preference is wide nut spacing and long scale.
As for the nut, it's a matter of comfort. Not sure why but it's probably a combination of having long fingers, starting out on upright and a P-bass being my first and only bass for several years. As for the length, I like the tension of longer scale. I also like 4 strings so there are rather few instuments that fit this.
These prefferences have become so pronounced that I now have 3 custom/customized instruments that have 35" scale and 1.75 nut and the remaining basses all have at least 1.625 nut with. All are 4 string.
As for whether you'll grow into a bass, I'd give it a bit of time but don't force it. If you know what you like there's far to many great instruments -in a wide variety of specs- out there to reason to force yourself into something you don't. Further, if my experience is any indicator -I tried for over a decade to like J necks and couldn't do it- you'll just end up coming back to what you actually like.
If you aren't loving the bass in month sell it to someone who will and find something that you love. Life is too short to not love your bass.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
My latest 5 string has 16.5mm spacing. I was shocked to measure this, because it certainly didn’t feel that tight/close! The bridge has roller saddles that adjust side to side, so I can get a 17mm if I wanted to, but right now the strings are near perfect over the pickups.
Nut is 1 7/8”, which feels very wide. I prefer a more Jazz spacing at the nut.
It’s a 34” scale with a 10” radius, so perhaps that is where the tighter spacing doesn’t feel as cramped, due to that radius. My last 5 had a much flatter radius and wider spacing and felt very comfortable. My latest 5 is comfortable in a different way.
Nut is 1 7/8”, which feels very wide. I prefer a more Jazz spacing at the nut.
It’s a 34” scale with a 10” radius, so perhaps that is where the tighter spacing doesn’t feel as cramped, due to that radius. My last 5 had a much flatter radius and wider spacing and felt very comfortable. My latest 5 is comfortable in a different way.
- Jan 12, 2011
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- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Hi vindibona1
When you switch basses, there will always be a "what 's that?" effect.
It can take a while to get used to a different neck profile or string spacing.
In this case, I would stick to the bass I am used to. Don' t force it!
Return to the new one later, when you don' t need to stress your muscles!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Thanks for a well thought out reply. The truth is that ANY 5 string bass would have felt foreign to me. I showed up at an acoustic gig once and was told that I was playing bass that night and was handed a Zelinsky Mule 5 string. What bothered me was that I could tell I oriented myself from the low string and was constantly having to think about where my left hand was all night. My right hand seems to like the string spacing on my BTB. At least I'm not bothered by it. It's the width, almost more than the extra stretch of the 35". While I can't palm a basketball, I do wear XL gloves, a bit oversized, though large are a bit snug even though I have relatively slender fingers.
Show the four day show opened last night and after 3 hours+ of playing (and days of long rehearsals) on my Squier my fingers hurt a bit. So it's a little hard to tell if the Squier or the BTB is more difficult to play. I have an acoustic gig tonight that I'm playing bass on, so the BTB will get it's performance debut.
Based on everything so far, I'm wondering if a smoother string might be a game changer at this point? But I don't want to change the sound all that much. I'm thinking La Bella tape wound? Any thoughts there?
I use a lot of different plucking hand techniques, both fingerstyle and pickstyle, which I developed on a standard 19mm-spaced 4-string. I don't play a lot of 5-string, but when I do having it wide-spaced makes the transition much more natural for me. If I was going to permanently switch to a narrow 5 as my main bass I'm sure I could adjust my technique to suit, but otherwise I see no reason to bother with it.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply.I agree with everything. The problem is I'm too new to serious bass playing to really know what I "love". I know that I don't find anything particularly annoying or significantly horribly more difficult- though it requires a longer reach. I'm finding that finite setup is critical for my comfort. Just yesterday I felt I was working a bit too hard so lowered the relief a bit and that made it easier and faster. I'm wondering if the strings aren't contributing to some discomfort because my fingers are laying on the BTB differently than the Squier? I just put DR Pure Blues strings on it, but wondering if a tape wound like the La Bella set might bring a better level of comfort to help ease me into a bigger bass?
I have 8 days left to return it for a full refund. But I don't know that I'll even find a bass of this quality for what I paid (which was 2x the budget that I originally set for myself). I *think* I could love it in time. I'll see how I do with it tonight.
Hi vindibona1
I am a die hard "stainless steel roundwound player"!
So I better don' t tell you, what I think about tape wounds and their sound
Changing strings, can of course change the feeling...
(tape wounds make me shiver when I think of them
)greetings
Wise(b)ass
My basses have been 34" and 35". I don't notice any difference with the better (more expensive) ones but the less expensive (cheap) 34" didn't have a good sounding B string and the cheap 35" did have a good sounding B string. The only conclusion I draw from this is, build quality and scale might have an effect on the B string but to be certain, don't buy cheap 5 string basses.
I don't notice the difference between 18mm and 19mm string spacing. Make that 17mm or 20mm and I would start to get bothered.
I don't notice the difference between 18mm and 19mm string spacing. Make that 17mm or 20mm and I would start to get bothered.
People talk endlessly about scale length and playability. Nobody ever talks about bridge placement, but that has just as much impact.
In this picture, the 6-string is a 35" scale bass; the others are all 34". Pete Skjold put the bridge so close to the edge of the body on that 6-string that it feels like a short-scale bass compared to the others.
I think one thing Leo did get wrong was that he put the bridge too far up on the body on all of his designs.
In this picture, the 6-string is a 35" scale bass; the others are all 34". Pete Skjold put the bridge so close to the edge of the body on that 6-string that it feels like a short-scale bass compared to the others.
I think one thing Leo did get wrong was that he put the bridge too far up on the body on all of his designs.
Attachments
Being a four-stringer, I like a wide spacing. I found a GREAT 6-sting bass in a small town shop for a steal, but didn't pull the trigger because the spacing felt guitar-tiny. Would take me months to even play it.
(tape wounds make me shiver when I think of them
i'm with this idea = we can get used to a lot of differences in 'feel' even though we may have preferences. i don't have any problems playing other folk's instruments...it just takes a minute or two to 'get it'. also: i've never measured string spacing on my instruments: i play within the confines of the nut-to-bridge spacing --- whatever it is. if the strings seem 'awkwardly' spaced then i change that to suit me. i have purchased/used/recommended bridges which allow you to play with the string spacing... if that is a concern. but my point: i agree with others that it's a personal preference issue. if you don't know what you like, yet: you will! be patient! good luck!
