• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Five String Scale Length

NevadaNed

NevadaNed

Nov 28, 2010
74
54
Dayton, NV
#1
I've shopped for fivers a couple of different times, and I've noticed that with the exception of a handful of manufacturers it's really hard to find a fiver with a 35" scale length. I've owned an ibanez with a 34" scale length, a Peavey Grind Bass V with 35" scale, a Johnson Catalyst with 35" scale, and a Lakland Skyline with 35" scale. I think the tone and resonance of the B string is far superior on a 35" scale than it is on a 34" scale, which makes sense because the B string has an inch more of length to vibrate. That doesn't sound like much, but that extra inch makes a big difference in tone in my opinion. I'm shopping again, and I'm having a very hard time finding something with a 35" scale. Why isn't 35" scale length the standard, instead of the exception? Why are there so few manufacturers who build fivers with a longer scale length?
 
  • Like
Reactions: deff
#3
I recently got a Skjold Skjoldslayer 5, 35”, best B I’ve ever played.

AB494582-F4FA-4A67-BC1D-965AEA654E35.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassbully
#5
chris_b said:
I've owned Wal, Music Man and Sadowsky 5 string basses and they were all exceptional. They were all 34" scale. IMO quality of the build and materials is more important than the scale.
Click to expand...

^^This^^

Plus string choice to a point.

I've owned and played 35s and 34s. One does not require a 35 for a good B. Even though the one shody B I;ve ever had was on a budget 34" bass I've sold all my 35s and just have 34s now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chris_b
#6
deff said:
Pretty much every Schecter 5 string is 35". This isn't surprising as they make excellent basses designed to work as intended.
Click to expand...

I’ve had 3 Schecters that were 35” scale and they were superb. BUT

The most focused B on any bass I’ve owned was on a 32” scale bass built by a TBer, FBB Bassworks (unsure if that’s exactly the company name) that I sold while under financial duress.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassbully
#7
chris_b said:
I've owned Wal, Music Man and Sadowsky 5 string basses and they were all exceptional. They were all 34" scale. IMO quality of the build and materials is more important than the scale.
Click to expand...
I agree. The build quality seams to make a difference in scale length for a good B. I prefer 35” scales myself. There was a post about scale length and B string tone and tightness on here recently. I talked about how a ACF Customs P bass I just bought off of fellow TBer and bass builder rojo412 floored me with a great sounding B. It’s a 33.5” scale with an awesome B string.
 
#8
Immigrant said:
I’ve had 3 Schecters that were 35” scale and they were superb. BUT

The most focused B on any bass I’ve owned was on a 32” scale bass built by a TBer, FBB Bassworks (unsure if that’s exactly the company name) that I sold while under financial duress.
Click to expand...
There are certainly factors other than scale length that can have an effect on how well the strings play. If the OP is looking for a 5 string 35" there are plenty and also a few companies that make all their 5's 35".
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassbully
#9
Maybe not the majority yet, but it seems to have a good foothold.
Some people still strongly prefer 34". So if you're a luthier it's just another can of worms you get to deal with (along with wide vs narrow spacing and lined vs unlined fretless...)
FWIW it gets a big thumbs-up from me.
It might help if builders pay extra attention to ergonomics - and tonal response. I wouldn't have noticed my latest 5-string was 35" if they hadn't told me. But apparently that's not always the case.
 
#10
NevadaNed said:
I've shopped for fivers a couple of different times, and I've noticed that with the exception of a handful of manufacturers it's really hard to find a fiver with a 35" scale length. I've owned an ibanez with a 34" scale length, a Peavey Grind Bass V with 35" scale, a Johnson Catalyst with 35" scale, and a Lakland Skyline with 35" scale. I think the tone and resonance of the B string is far superior on a 35" scale than it is on a 34" scale, which makes sense because the B string has an inch more of length to vibrate. That doesn't sound like much, but that extra inch makes a big difference in tone in my opinion. I'm shopping again, and I'm having a very hard time finding something with a 35" scale. Why isn't 35" scale length the standard, instead of the exception? Why are there so few manufacturers who build fivers with a longer scale length?
Click to expand...
I used to be a big fanboy of 35” scale, thinking it sounds so much clearer. I no longer think so. A 35” scale is only 2.94% longer than 34” and I think you will find using a much larger string will tighten up your tone, tension and feel. I use a .145 and it’s like the voice of God.
 
#13
I've played 30" scale B strings that sound great. The problem is the B on shorter scale instruments start sounding bad sooner than on longer scale instruments. Alternatively, you can drop the gauge down, but then you deal with the decrease in tension and the feeling of a floppy string. I have 34", 35" and 37" B strings and the 37" is the best by a noticable amount.
 
#14
Root 5 said:
I used to be a big fanboy of 35” scale, thinking it sounds so much clearer. I no longer think so. A 35” scale is only 2.94% longer than 34” and I think you will find using a much larger string will tighten up your tone, tension and feel. I use a .145 and it’s like the voice of God.
Click to expand...
Good point, and a good idea on the larger strings. I hadn't thought of that, and it's an excellent suggestion!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Root 5

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back