Does multi-scale even make sense for a 4-string player?

[Koshchei]

Advantages of a multi-scale?

Better balance of string tension across the neck and improved ergonomics (assuming the fan isn't too extreme and the neutral fret is around the 7-9th fret).

To answer the OP's question: I have no idea. I swear by fanned frets on my 8 string guitars, but have never tried a fanned 4 string bass.

 

[MrLenny1]

Find a 4 string multi-scale and it will change your mind.
I tried a 4 string Dingwall Super J. Strings were really balanced.

 

[JimmyM]

Find a 4 string multi-scale and it will change your mind.
I tried a 4 string Dingwall Super J. Strings were really balanced.

I have and it didn't. No offense, but they're not for me.

 

[UntitledUser]

For me a thing that a 4-Bass really needs is the Evertune bridge.
But the bass version is still under development.
On guitars is a mindblowing tool.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

what do you want to get out of a multi-scale instrument? Just want a Dingwall?

I've been seeing & hearing YT & FB videos of DWs & I like it:



I used to think my Premium Soundgear with the Big-Singles is bright, but wow those DWs sound amazing!
Suppose I could go another route & drop some Nordwall pickups in my Ibanez:

https://nordstrandaudio.com/products/dingstrand-nordwall-4

 

[NKBassman]

I've been seeing & hearing YT & FB videos of DWs & I like it

I used to think my Premium Soundgear with the Big-Singles is bright, but wow those DWs sound amazing!
Suppose I could go another route & drop some Nordwall pickups in my Ibanez

I think you could probably capture the heart of that sound with the mentioned pickups and the Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp. Some of that clarity is going to come from the extended scale length though.

 

[Rnr..........4]

Been eyeing those Dingwalls & TBH it's difficult to find one that's a 4-string.
Even the nearest dealer only stocks 5-string models.

Please don't post links to 4-string Dingwalls, I know they're out there & more interested in multi-scale in general, for this conversation.

Why wouldn't you want a 5-string multi-scale bass if you're going that route? I thought rock or metal players like the sound of the B string on those multi-scale basses? If you're going to invest that money I mean? Is it only because you prefer the slimmer neck?

 

[lowphatbass]

I’ve played a multi-scale and standards for a really long time and have had no issues going back and forth. I’m mainly “playing bass”, not chording for a living or taking burning solos over multiple choruses.
Increased scale length in regards to the low string(however you decide to detune it or not) is a great selling point no doubt, the physics pay-off here...but if you don’t dig the bass it’s probably not going to work long term.

 

[Rnr..........4]

I’m mainly “playing bass”, not chording for a living or taking burning solos over multiple choruses.

Confused over what you're talking about. So playing bass means you prefer Multi scale? Why do these multi scale basses exist? Is there a different tone or something? I guess I'd get a 4 string.

 

[EMoneySC2]

Why wouldn't you want a 5-string multi-scale bass if you're going that route? I thought rock or metal players like the sound of the B string on those multi-scale basses? If you're going to invest that money I mean? Is it only because you prefer the slimmer neck?

I prefer 4 string, and I play in low tunings that are improved by extended scale length

I've got two 4 string Dingwalls, one in BEAD and one in AEAD

 

[chris_b]

The feel, sound and look of fanned frets might be ideal for some and be the spawn of the devil to others.

A multi-scale bass is just another option.

What a great time to be a bass player.

 

[lowphatbass]

Confused over what you're talking about. So playing bass means you prefer Multi scale? Why do these multi scale basses exist? Is there a different tone or something? I guess I'd get a 4 string.

I was speaking to my lack of difficulty switching back and forth between multi scale and standard basses. I wanted to prequalify that statement with the fact that I don’t typically do highly technical playing.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Why wouldn't you want a 5-string multi-scale bass if you're going that route?

all those reasons & more, for me
I don't feel like reading the "that's not an issue because..." posts for the rest of the day, so I will not list my reasons.
IME, a lot of folks on here think that everyone should be like them

I thought rock or metal players

>> Heavy Metal is just Rock & Roll <<

 

[hbabels]

There multiple benefits. At standard tuning you get the increases clarity on the low strings while not getting extra twang on the high strings.
For me personally I just prefer the feel of 4 strings it’s how you can attack the bottom string, it’s never the same on a 5 and I love the wider necks / closet string spacing of most 5’s.

I like have a bass for low tunings. For most rock / metal / alternative music that I play if I need those low notes I don’t need the ultra high notes so much. On the rare occasions I do it’s easy enough to transpose them to higher on the neck.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Since I started this thread I discovered that I can barely make a 2 to 5 fret stretch on the 4th string, so having an even longer scale for that string would be even worse for me.
Tomorrow I'm going to tune our Mikro down & finally prove to myself that I can play that song with the 2-5 stretch.

I also think that balanced-tension string diameter takes away the majority of the issue with a one-dimensional scale-length.
It boggles my mind a little that there are string-sets out there with diameters like 0.05" - 0.10", completely imbalanced tension!

A 0.105" as the 4th string when the 1st string is 0.045" is also imbalanced, just not as badly, but it gets worse when you down-tune to Drop-D or Drop-C.

 

[EMoneySC2]

Since I started this thread I discovered that I can barely make a 2 to 5 fret stretch on the 4th string, so having an even longer scale for that string would be even worse for me.
Tomorrow I'm going to tune our Mikro down & finally prove to myself that I can play that song with the 2-5 stretch.

I also think that balanced-tension string diameter takes away the majority of the issue with a one-dimensional scale-length.
It boggles my mind a little that there are string-sets out there with diameters like 0.05" - 0.10", completely imbalanced tension!

A 0.105" as the 4th string when the 1st string is 0.045" is also imbalanced, just not as badly, but it gets worse when you down-tune to Drop-D or Drop-C.

For what it's worth, I think this has a lot to do with how your bass hangs. On my Dingwall D-Birds, I can manage the 1-4 fret stretch on the longest string pretty easily, but that stretch is hard to manage on my Squier P and J.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I have to do a Bill Wyman to make the 2-5 stretch:

 

[EMoneySC2]

I have to do a Bill Wyman to make the 2-5 stretch:

View attachment 3801485

D-Birds (and D-Rocs) hang very upright, so that kind of move is close to the natural position of the instrument!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

my old BTB300 was perfect for that position:

 

[lug]

Soundwise I believe the shorter scale on the G string especially will have a bit more fundamental. A lot of the time I feel like my G sounds a bit thin compared to the other strings on a "normal" bass. The multiscale could help that. Only theory, have never actually played a multiscale but I do like the way the G string sounds on short scales.