Favorite scale length(4-string)? ==poll==

[Your41Plague12]

All 3 of my basses, from my first bass to my most recent, have been 35" scale and I love it. 35 for me.

 

[west*coast*bass]

34" on a 4 string, 33" on a 5...

 

[knuckle_head]

39.55" - not on your poll.

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

I play standard tuning except for an occasional drop D on the E string, so 34 is really all I need. I do like the 30 inchers though, but there aren't many nice ones out there besides Songbirds. {Too rich for my blood}

 

[Ian Perge]

35", as I prefer the slight increase in tension and the added "depth" to the D and G strings. I'd also like my 4's (both 34") to match my 5's (all 35"), but it's not a huge issue for me in the long run of things.

 

[fullrangebass]

35" for me

 

[DanielleMuscato]

I like 34" for 4- and 6-string electric basses, and 35" for 5-strings, if fanned frets aren't an option.

 

[lousybassist]

Since I bought my first short scale bass a few years ago, I've never really looked back. 30", or thereabouts, is my preference.

 

[TrooperFarva]

On the subject of action&scale, as a fan of relatively high action, does anyone know if scale length makes a big difference to what you can do with your action?

Yes, scale length is one of the primary factors in how your action is set. For a given set of strings, lets say 45-105, the longer the scale length, the higher the string tension needs to be to tune to standard tuning. Short scale instruments will have lower tension. Consequently, they'll have to be set with higher action, played with a much lighter touch, or strung with heavier gauge strings.

 

[honestjohnny]

Short scale instruments will have lower tension. Consequently, they'll have to be set with higher action, played with a much lighter touch, or strung with heavier gauge strings.

It should be said that heavy gauge strings and high action on a shorty do NOT make it harder to play. The lower tension and shorter reach between frets do make up for the action and gauge. The difficulty is in finding a shorty that has overall decent build, because most are made for students and kids. That just means a greater sense of satisfaction when you find one that works for you.

Don't want to hijack, but while we're on the topic of scale, Cliff maybe you could answer a question? In your opinion what is the shortest scale 4 string bass that can achieve proper intonation at standard tuning?

 

[spade2you]

Don't want to hijack, but while we're on the topic of scale, Cliff maybe you could answer a question? In your opinion what is the shortest scale 4 string bass that can achieve proper intonation at standard tuning?

I'm not gonna put words in Cliff's mouth, but I think about 28" is about as low as you'd want to go and you'd need to have some sort of longer string anchors in the bridge to get the strings in the tuner. I think the main limit would be choices of strings and the higher action required would probably make it very difficult to have great intonation past the 12th fret. Furthermore, it might not sound great in the upper register if the tension is too low.

 

[SwamiRob]

Yes, scale length is one of the primary factors in how your action is set. For a given set of strings, lets say 45-105, the longer the scale length, the higher the string tension needs to be to tune to standard tuning. Short scale instruments will have lower tension. Consequently, they'll have to be set with higher action, played with a much lighter touch, or strung with heavier gauge strings.

A ok, I'm also a fan of 110s so I probably shouldn't be going over 34 cos the feels tense enough for me already...

I assume with a custom build you can still get a relatively high action without the intonation being too bad if that's what it's being built for. Got quite comfortable actions on all my basses now, just from the 5th fret upward it's just a little low for my liking which is obviously to do with the nut, which you obviously can't change the dimensions of if you like your bass to me in tune

 

[Cliff Bordwell]

39.55" - not on your poll.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Who builds a 36" 4-string?

 

[XylemBassGuitar]

Who builds a 36" 4-string?

I just finished one actually...

 

[Chipsonfire]

I said 34" because, well, that's all I've ever really played I might like a smaller scale better because I have really small hands, but I just don't honestly know.