Carl Thompson called me yesterday....

[bench]

He has compelling arguments for why 36” is better, most specifically intonation . He said he’d do 34” but doesn’t feel it’s the best, it’s just the size Leo Fender decided upon.
I play 35” regularly on my 6 strings, and I do love the feel and sound.
I hate 32”, which is Carl’s other go-to scale.
I’m not yet sure I could handle 38”, which he says is on his main bass, even though he’s about 5’8 and quite older than me.
Anyway, it’s my money, and who knows how many more CT basses will be built, so I’m taking the risk and going for 36”. If I hate it, I’d bet someone here will make me a fair offer for it and I’ll go buy 20 Squiers instead.

To all those who are wondering why CT didn´t discuss this at the time of the order: He builds his necks in a way, that before the body wings come on you can still decide the scale length and the number of strings. you can hear him talk about it on the youtube channel with all the CT interviews in his workshop. highly recommended. I think this comes in pretty handy, because more often than not, a customer might change what he wants while the building process is already on its way. So whatever you choose, it will turn out great i guess.

And regarding the playability: CT himself definitely plays with more of an upright left hand Technique (1-2-4) as opposed to one finger per fret, which makes the longer scale more mnageable.

 

[40Hz]

If you play using the Simandl technique on the lower end, scale length will never be an issue for you. However, if you’re a strict one-finger-per-fret player, I think you’re in for a rude awakening.

I also don’t get the whole “The Master” and “who am I?” bit. But if it makes you happy to be in awe of someone, so be it. My personal feeling is that the world’s greatest expert on me is me. I’m always open to receiving advice and criticism. But I’m also not in the habit of invariably agreeing with it “just because.” YMMV

I’d respectfully suggest you try something with a 36” scale before you commit several thousand dollars and a year (or whatever) wait to it.

 

[JRA]

Who am I to argue with a master??

it wouldn't be an argument if you really knew what you wanted.

What makes all luthiers different is their beliefs and their differences.

which is why it's important to know what you really want.

i watched an instrument being made from "the tree." i love it and depend on it, but: the experience taught me that if i really don't know what i want = i'll end up with someone else's ax!

 

[Spirit of Ox]

If Carl recommends 36 as the norm for 4 string is the 32 more for tenor or piccolo basses? The model that Les Claypool used and made famous was originally a Piccolo bass with 32 scale and he used it as his main four string.

 

[MVE]

You gave someone several thousand dollars to make something for you and now six months later he thinks he should make something you didn't ask for? You are the one who should argue because it's your money. If he didn't make this suggestion in May than he never should've made it at all.

I understand your position and I can certainly respect it. But, there is definitely another side to that argument.
You know many of the priests that commissioned Michelangelo to paint the wall of the Sistine Chapel were not exactly thrilled that he painted Christ to look like Apollo.

To the OP, you might want to consider the difference in voicing of a 36. My experience is that the overtones are more prominent in relation to the fundamental, making them sound much more bright and metallic. Which, might be great or perhaps not your cup of tea.
A 32 would be the opposite, a little warmer and bassier.

 

[Snaxster]

He has compelling arguments for why 36” is better, most specifically intonation . He said he’d do 34” but doesn’t feel it’s the best, it’s just the size Leo Fender decided upon.
I play 35” regularly on my 6 strings, and I do love the feel and sound.
I hate 32”, which is Carl’s other go-to scale.
I’m not yet sure I could handle 38”, which he says is on his main bass, even though he’s about 5’8 and quite older than me.
Anyway, it’s my money, and who knows how many more CT basses will be built, so I’m taking the risk and going for 36”. If I hate it, I’d bet someone here will make me a fair offer for it and I’ll go buy 20 Squiers instead.

In addition to feel, sound, and intonation, another consideration is the long term health of your fretting hand. No less than Reggie Hamilton cited that as a concern when choosing the scale length for his custom Imperial in 2016:

...I went with 34". ...36 sounds lovely but the stretching required for me to stay healthy is too great.

 

[two fingers]

So you've comissioned a Carl Thompson bass, right?

Definition of HUMBLEBRAG

The guy is excited. Carl Thompson called him. He wasn't bragging. He's super excited that a legendary builder who is building a bass for him actually reached out to him to ask his opinion and give him some advice.

Now, if you're jealous, that's your own issue.

Personally, I would be geeked out too if Carl Thompson called me to talk to me about my pending custom bass.... so geeked out that I would probably share it with my bass cyber pals here at TB.

So, why don't you just let him have his joy and take you synicism elsewhere?

 

[Double E]

36" scale is his thing... I would go with it. Don't be the guy that goes to a famous restaurant and orders the Chef's signature dish with extra garlic.

It is a bunch of loot to drop though, if you are unsure. I would like to try one first if I was laying down the money. Perhaps there's a TB'er close to you who owns one and is nice enough to let you try theirs?

 

[Timmy-Watts]

36" is literally one fret longer than a 34" scale. If each of the 2 extra inches is on each end in relation to your body, the neck would be 1 inch, or half a fret space longer. Just saying. Dingwalls have a 37" B string and you cannot tell a difference in feel, but the tone... OMG.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Couldn't agree with @two fingers more. I geeked out the other day talking to Melvin Forbes. Sometimes we need to geek out a little to keep out sanity. Nothing at all wrong with that.

If I was in OP's shoes and was comfortable with a 36" scale, I would strongly consider it based on the recommendation. Carl Thompson makes basses all day every day and is considered an expert in his craft. His recommendation is not without merit.

 

[Whippet]

The guy is excited. Carl Thompson called him. He wasn't bragging. He's super excited that a legendary builder who is building a bass for him actually reached out to him to ask his opinion and give him some advice.

Now, if you're jealous, that's your own issue.

Personally, I would be geeked out too if Carl Thompson called me to talk to me about my pending custom bass.... so geeked out that I would probably share it with my bass cyber pals here at TB.

So, why don't you just let him have his joy and take you synicism elsewhere?

You are so right.

If I got a call from Carl, I'd just quickly agree with whatever he says and ask other questions than my order.
You could learn a lot from a guy like him.

Heck, he is Carl Thompson and you are buying his bass. He knows his basses the best. In fact I would change my technique and adjust to the CT even if it takes me till the day I die.

 

[groooooove]

Who am I to argue with a master??

hmm.. who would argue with a master here...

only a reasonable person

you're fine, get that 36" and post pics when shes done!

seriously though, i own 3 35.5" scale basses and i absolutely love them. I have B strings and i use them. If the bass is well designed i find no trouble in the huge scale length. but, 34" is the standard for a reason. I have tried to put strings on my 35.5" basses to find that they either dont fit or barely make it (by barely i mean 2-3 mm)

 

[DanAdams]

I think you did the right thing. CT basses seem to fall outside the ordinary custom boutique bass market, and part way into the art / personality / koo-koo land market.
I wouldn't have asked Picaso what to paint, and if I were to get a build from someone such as CT, and as long as what was proposed was likely to suit me, I would want to own what THEY wanted to create.
Keep the passion alive and let the artist be an artist.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Scale length increases become more and more noticeable the more strings you add. Same with nut width and string spacing. It’s most noticeable in the lowest registers when your hand is at an angle. While it wouldn’t be ideal, I could probably handle the 36” scale 4-string with wide spacing without a whole lot of issues. I wouldn’t even try that on a 6-string anymore (I’ve owned 5 Elrick 6-strings in 33”-36” scale and narrow to wide nuts/spacing). You didn’t mention how many strings your bass will have, but I would seriously consider your own comfort over his recommendation if you’re going with a 6-string...this is likely the only new Thompson you’ll ever get. Also keep in mind that there are other masters who have completely different recommendations.

 

[johnson79]

Carl is a legend and a really unique builder/human. I'd definitely want to try a 36" bass of his just to get a feel for it before going ahead. I know he welcomes customers into his shop and it would be cool to meet him in person. Just a thought.

 

[India_Sierra]

It's funny that some have mentioned that Carl prefers a 36" scale for reasons of intonation. I read an old interview with him years ago where he stated that he didn't like 36" scale for reasons of it making the C string sound too shrill, but he would build them anyway because he liked the voicing it gave to the other strings. I had always thought that viewpoint was reinforced by the idiosyncratic style in which Carl plays. Look at his technique and see how it borrows heavily from upright method and the early electric bassists who held the neck upright and clawed at the strings with a hooked right hand.

I rather think that Carl has become somewhat beatified because of his long career but I don't think that should place him beyond constructive criticism. One does recall that Anthony Jackson was deeply disatisfied with his six string which prompted his move to Ken Smith and then Fodera. Though I expect his craft has come on since then.

I also note that a few years back, Carl essentially stopped doing complex custom builds, opting for a more streamlined process in which he would decide what he wanted to build and in this instance, seek to guide the customer.

Not looking to bash, just being objective.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

If Carl Thompson told you a wolverine would make a good house pet, would you believe him?

Just kidding. Had to modify and throw in the Planes, Trains and Automobiles quote as it popped into my mind!

And, babies, if the Bruce Dickinson wants more cow bell, you should probably give him more cow bell!

In all honesty, I don't know what I would do if I was the OP. It'd be hard to argue with CT!

 

[Spidey2112]

If possible, tell him we said, 'Hey'...

 

[MultiScaleMale]

So, 32” is good, 36” is good, but 34” is bad? Makes no sense to me. Scale length is scale length, just put the frets in the right place. If it’s fretless, intonation is going to suck naturally.

 

[Grahams Groove]

36" scale is his thing... I would go with it. Don't be the guy that goes to a famous restaurant and orders the Chef's signature dish with extra garlic.

It is a bunch of loot to drop though, if you are unsure. I would like to try one first if I was laying down the money. Perhaps there's a TB'er close to you who owns one and is nice enough to let you try theirs?

Agree with the second part of this, but the chef comparison is a stretch. You drop a few hundred, have your morning coffee the following day, and that meal experience is behind you. This is multiple thousands of dollars and (hopefully) a go-to bass in his arsenal. I would take Carl's suggestion seriously, but I wouldn't treat it as gospel.

I try to think of basses like I do my running shoes. When it's all said and done, I don't care what brand they are, what numerical size they say, what specs they have, or what benefits the shoe store & company tout. They have to feel great and convince me that I can do my best running in them. Whatever specs you choose, the bass should be something you feel you can do your best, most comfortable playing on. Of course, there's a difference with a custom instrument that you can't play until it is completed. That said, I would be trying out multiple basses with the same scale and similar spacing before making that decision.