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compatibility of 34" & 35" scale fretless

B

Bass Geezer

Jul 2, 2008
4
0
#1
This may have come up before but I can't find it. I have a 5 string fretless 35" scale and I'm thinking of finding a 4 string jazz fretless which is going to be a 34" scale. How much difficulty in hand and finger memory is it going to be to adjust from one scale to the other when switching basses. My instinct tells me it could be difficult and having the same neck length for both the 5 and 4 would make more sense. Anyone out there have any opinions or experience to share regarding this. Thanks for your input.
 
#2
Having the same neck length helps at the start, but ultimately it's not that hard to go from one to the other if you're not set in a pattern due to decades of playing the same scale.

All my basses are 34 inches, but my buddy only plays 35s, cause he likes the feel of a .125 low B on a 35 inch. I've gigged and recorded with his bass before without issue. Takes some time to get used to it, but it's very doable.
 
#3
Bass Geezer said:
This may have come up before but I can't find it. I have a 5 string fretless 35" scale and I'm thinking of finding a 4 string jazz fretless which is going to be a 34" scale. How much difficulty in hand and finger memory is it going to be to adjust from one scale to the other when switching basses. My instinct tells me it could be difficult and having the same neck length for both the 5 and 4 would make more sense. Anyone out there have any opinions or experience to share regarding this. Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

It's really tough to switch. I am primarily a fretless player, and had to let a beautiful 34" scale MTD 634-24 go because it was causing me no end of grief. I'd either scuff up all the time on the fretted bass by missing my mark and misfretting, or thefretless would be even more difficult to play in tune. When I stick with one scale length, things are fine, and I can make the switch much better.

sloasdaylight said:
Having the same neck length helps at the start, but ultimately it's not that hard to go from one to the other if you're not set in a pattern due to decades of playing the same scale.

All my basses are 34 inches, but my buddy only plays 35s, cause he likes the feel of a .125 low B on a 35 inch. I've gigged and recorded with his bass before without issue. Takes some time to get used to it, but it's very doable.
Click to expand...

Seems like kind of a self-contradictory statement...so it helps at the start but not later on...? I guess it depends how fussy you are, but I certainly would be changing 1" scale lengths just because they are so close, but far enough away to really throw your playing on both basses off.

IMHO.

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#5
Bassflute said:
Seems like kind of a self-contradictory statement...so it helps at the start but not later on...? I guess it depends how fussy you are, but I certainly would be changing 1" scale lengths just because they are so close, but far enough away to really throw your playing on both basses off.

IMHO.

Cheers,
Cameron
Click to expand...

I don't really think it's that contradictory. Whenever you play a new instrument, there is an adjustment period to the neck, body shape, weight, body balance etc. Scale length is one of those things that factors into the playability of the bass just as much as any other aspect. If you remove the scale length variable from the equation, then the transition is easier, but once you get used to it, playing a 35 inch scale bass is just like playing a 34.
 

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