In my case, the longer I play one particular scale the longer it takes to switch but if I play different scales on a regular basis it takes no time.
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Can you switch between short and regular scale without constantly being a half step off?
- Thread starter DanAdams
- Start date
When playing in a live act, I’m always trying to minimize the possibility of mistakes, so I usually commit to one or the other for the duration. Switching back and forth messes up my muscle memory just enough to increase the chance of a catastrophically terrible clam, especially during a big position shift, where I’m not looking at the neck.
I have fretted BG’s that are 35” or 34”. No issues there.
I can pickup and play a 30” scale instrument with no issues, though I don’t like the feel.
My DB and EUB are 3/4 scale but are slightly different when measured nut to bridge. The pitch correction is natural because I have been playing many years. I would not like owning a full, 5/8, or 1/2 size DB.
Keep practicing.
I can pickup and play a 30” scale instrument with no issues, though I don’t like the feel.
My DB and EUB are 3/4 scale but are slightly different when measured nut to bridge. The pitch correction is natural because I have been playing many years. I would not like owning a full, 5/8, or 1/2 size DB.
Keep practicing.
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
Sometimes I overshoot a couple notes when I switch back to my Mustang, but I get used to it after a few minutes. Honestly, playing the Mustang after getting warmed up on my Precision makes me feel like I can shred like crazy!
As others do, I play 23, 25, 30, 34 & 41” “scales. Moving back and forth is just another mental exercise, easier than changing tunings, for instance. What’s hard for me these days is a four hour gig on a long-scale or heavy bass.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Sure, and flip between upright, longscale, shortscale, uke, classical guitar, electric guitar (Les Paul and Strat have different scale lengths too), mando, lapsteel, kazoo, whatever. You'll get used to it.
It will just click. Keep at it.
My situation.
Bass Guitar 29.5 to 36. Fretless 35 and 34.
Upright 38 and 42. 5ths and 4ths tuning.
Guitars as well including a 28.5 Baritone. Mandolin and uke
My situation.
Bass Guitar 29.5 to 36. Fretless 35 and 34.
Upright 38 and 42. 5ths and 4ths tuning.
Guitars as well including a 28.5 Baritone. Mandolin and uke
I find a warm up of 3-5 minutes is generally all it takes to realign with the scale length.
The trick, IMO, is to switch back and forth often (daily if you can) so you never get fully accustomed to one or the other, and instead just get used to the one you’re using at that moment.
The trick, IMO, is to switch back and forth often (daily if you can) so you never get fully accustomed to one or the other, and instead just get used to the one you’re using at that moment.
I think it would take a few mins to adjust for me. I even notice the difference between 34" and 34'5" (Fbass), but that is mainly cause it is fretless so there is no margin for error!
I did not read through the thread, so my apologies if this has already been said.
IMHO a big part of the problem can relate to where the nut falls in relation to your body. I have a Daion PowerMark XB that looks a lot like this:
Notice how far towards the center the bridge is placed. This pushes the nut further from my body, which causes some notable problems for me: 1. When I reach for notes close to the nut, I tend to be one fret sharp. 2. The extra reach requires more effort to hold my arm up...so my shoulder gets tired. 3. The extra reach causes the angle of my hand to rotate in a way that makes it harder to spread my fingers. I actually thought this was a 36" scale bass but it's 34.5". The reach across 4 frets feels bigger than my 35" Modulus, but it's not.
With practice, you should easily learn to compensate.
Exactly. Multi scale 33-35.5, 34-37, 28.5, 30, 34, 35 it's all the same for me. Stop thinking about it and just do it.
Practice is what helps me getting use to it, but also never really had a switch issue myself. With upright yeah my short scale felt like a toy.
Maybe it depends on what you are playing, no you do not have to commit to one neck length, life would not be fun if you had to.
Maybe it depends on what you are playing, no you do not have to commit to one neck length, life would not be fun if you had to.
The key is to play both very regularly in the beginning. I alternate between 34 & 35 all the time without issue.
I can go weeks now without playing my 35s but even after a long layoff from a 35 I don’t have a problem.
