I had a medium scale for a while, but donated it. I didn't have an issue with the scale, but the string spacing was a bit awkward for me - I have huge hands, and a P width neck just works for me. I would have the same issue with any J width neck, regardless of scale. It's not that I couldn't play it, but when I did, I had to practice a bit beforehand with it, so my brain would adapt.
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Does short-scale weaken your technique?
- Thread starter project_c
- Start date
Unfortunately your right arm will wither away into oblivion, if you start playing a shorter scale 
Seriously tho, go for it.. Like others have also mentioned, I regularly switch between 35” & 34” scale instruments (with 18mm, 19mm spacing as well). I have no issues playing completely different feeling instruments & actually enjoy it very much. Enjoy!
Seriously tho, go for it.. Like others have also mentioned, I regularly switch between 35” & 34” scale instruments (with 18mm, 19mm spacing as well). I have no issues playing completely different feeling instruments & actually enjoy it very much. Enjoy!
No problems with switching. Personally I find the medium scale perfect for bass 32”
I play a 36 as well as an old Mustang bass tuned piccolo.
For upright 42.5 to a 38 which most upright bass pedants shun
For upright 42.5 to a 38 which most upright bass pedants shun
I found that it weakened my instincts for playing above the seventh fret, for the simple reason that on the short scale bass I could hit intervals on the bottom third of the fretboard that on a normal scale bass I'd have to play higher up. Not a big deal, but I did go back to normal scale because of it. Eventually I just compromised and got a 32".
Never harmed mine. In fact, after playing long scale solely for the past few months, I may need to go back to my short scale due to my forearms becoming sore, like tendon sore. Sucks. But, it’s one reason why I’m glad I have it, it’s easier to play and sounds great as an added bonus. The switch will affect me none.
Switching between different scales is a non issue. It only is when you over think it needlessly. I got 'em all. Shorts ,medium and long scale. I don't give it a thought.
So, is the violin an easier instrument than the viola because the violin’s scale is shorter?
Doi. This is Talkbass. We always say “buy it!”
I agree with all the folks that say it is not an issue. @arbiterusa does make a good point and I would probably struggle in the same way. On the other hand @Groove Doctor seems to have broken through any scale length challenge (thinks about drinking that beer before handing it back
).
If all you play are short scales, after a few years give or take, I think you lose the "stretch" to play a longer scale in the lower register (which is a reason why some folks like me play a SS in the first place). But maybe I'm just lazy. I also only play SS basses, so being able to switch is a non-issue for me.
I play short scale, 34inch scale and upright basses. It doesn’t impact my technique but there are small adjustments to be made when going from one to the other.
I bought a Ibanez Mezzo to deal with some shoulder issues. Now that the honeymoon period is over, I think I don't like it that much... so I should get a custom Warmoth medium scale build that more closely resembles my 34" JBass 
(or maybe an electronics upgrade on the ibanez? It's very comfortable and light but the tone is a bit harsh and not really digging the active EQ... perhaps rip everything out and turn it into passive dimarzio Model-Js?)
Now that physical therapy has taken care of most issues in my shoulder, I don't see any significant problems going back and forth between the 32" and the 34" basses. I don't think 30" would be much worse.
(or maybe an electronics upgrade on the ibanez? It's very comfortable and light but the tone is a bit harsh and not really digging the active EQ... perhaps rip everything out and turn it into passive dimarzio Model-Js?)Now that physical therapy has taken care of most issues in my shoulder, I don't see any significant problems going back and forth between the 32" and the 34" basses. I don't think 30" would be much worse.
I agree that it is a tolerance varying widely from person to person.
I play 35" fivers down to 30" shorties with no problem. Then again, I play just about anything with strings on it, from the tiny soprano uke to the 4/4 double bass, and all points in between, guitar, banjo, mandolin, a little violin, et. al. So quickly adapting to different scales and neck dimensions is part of the deal.
I will say that if you are a guitar player, going from a long or standard scale bass to a 32" or 30" immediately feels really fast and easy. I think the adjustment is less about technique, more about conserving motion. I believe most players, short of physical issues, could vacillate between electric bass scales fairly easy with only a little determination. And that ability opens up a whole new world of some pretty amazing instruments.
I play 35" fivers down to 30" shorties with no problem. Then again, I play just about anything with strings on it, from the tiny soprano uke to the 4/4 double bass, and all points in between, guitar, banjo, mandolin, a little violin, et. al. So quickly adapting to different scales and neck dimensions is part of the deal.
I will say that if you are a guitar player, going from a long or standard scale bass to a 32" or 30" immediately feels really fast and easy. I think the adjustment is less about technique, more about conserving motion. I believe most players, short of physical issues, could vacillate between electric bass scales fairly easy with only a little determination. And that ability opens up a whole new world of some pretty amazing instruments.
