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Companies that build 36" basses?

KingRazor

KingRazor

Jun 4, 2010
6,747
415
37
Beaverton, Oregon USA
#1
Before you reply: I did in fact do a search first!

I've so far heard Carl Thompson, Fodera and Overwater mentioned. Though I believe those are full custom.

Are there any other manufacturers you know of that build 36" (or longer) scale basses?

I also know Dingwall of course with their 37" to 34" fanned fret neck. And Knuckle's Quake 39.5".

Any others?
 
#8
KingRazor said:
Because they don't really play or sound like an electric bass guitar.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I find that EUB's don't sound like a DB, so they are kind of in their own sonic funzone.

I do have to ask though: How tall are you to want a bass that big? At 5'5", I know a 34" feels a bit big to me, where as the DB doesn't oddly enough.
 
#10
Fat Steve said:
Fair enough. I find that EUB's don't sound like a DB, so they are kind of in their own sonic funzone.

I do have to ask though: How tall are you to want a bass that big? At 5'5", I know a 34" feels a bit big to me, where as the DB doesn't oddly enough.
Click to expand...

36" scale length doesn't necessarily mean the bass is going to be hugely long. In fact, playing with bridge positioning it's entirely possible to make a 36" scale length bass that's the same overall physical length as some 34" scale basses.

I am 6' tall, though.

I didn't ask the question in the OP though because I was interested in buying one per say, I was mostly just curious. I've heard 36" basses mentioned before but had not really ever seen any.
 
#12
Unless the builder has a jig for 36" then it will be a task to cut the fret slots. Going by math alone is a very complicated process to execute properly. CNC could solve this easily but that also out tools most of the custom builders. I have never seen a 36" fret slotting jig.

OP why do you want that scale length?...what do you wish to achieve?
 
#13
Hapa said:
Unless the builder has a jig for 36" then it will be a task to cut the fret slots. Going by math alone is a very complicated process to execute properly. CNC could solve this easily but that also out tools most of the custom builders. I have never seen a 36" fret slotting jig.

OP why do you want that scale length?...what do you wish to achieve?
Click to expand...

I've just seen that scale length mentioned several times on TB, and had never encountered a bass with that scale length, so I was curious as to who makes them. I'm curious as to how they play and sound.
 
#14
KingRazor said:
I've just seen that scale length mentioned several times on TB, and had never encountered a bass with that scale length, so I was curious as to who makes them. I'm curious as to how they play and sound.
Click to expand...

Search on Youtube for bassist Anthony Jackson. If he's seen playing a 6 string Fodera, he always plays a 36" scale. He established his career on a Fender style instruments, so all his stuff isn't on a 36" scale bass.
 
#19
KingRazor said:
36" scale length doesn't necessarily mean the bass is going to be hugely long. In fact, playing with bridge positioning it's entirely possible to make a 36" scale length bass that's the same overall physical length as some 34" scale basses.
Click to expand...

+1
I own (3) basses with 35" scale lengths and all of them are shorter overall than a standard 34" scale Fender Jazz Bass.
 

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