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Full Scale or Short Scale?

#82
I just started playing bass recently, coming from guitar, and started with a regular 34" Ibanez. But, being north of 50, having had a couple shoulder surgeries, and having small hands, I made the jump to short scale a couple weeks ago when I got my Rumblekat. Loving it so far, way easier on my shoulder (the Kat is a pound lighter than my Ibby), and I find it much easier to get around the fingerboard, especially the first few positions.
 
#83
I like both for different reasons. SS for playability and that classic almost bouncy tone and long scale for that deep bassy growl. Both have advantages and i could never limit myself to just one.
 
#84
I play only 35" 5ers. I prefer the higher tension for the B and E clarity and plucking hand feel. If you have trouble hearing a difference between scales, try playing double stops and it will become obvious. However, that may or may not matter depending on the sound you are seeking.
 
#86
I play mostly 34" scale basses. I have played on a couple of different short scale basses... they are fun, but I don't like them as much.

I recently got a great deal on a 35" 4 string, and love playing it out live... I thought it would be more uncomfortable and strain, but eventhough I have short or normal length fingers, I find it more comfortable to play.
 
#87
I just started playing bass after years of playing a guitar like it was a bass. I looked at a lot of basses in different scales before settling on the long scale Yammie in my avatar. The long version of how and why I chose is on my blog complete with an analysis of scale and string gauge and tuning and all that stuff.

TLDR version of the blog post: it's cheaper to buy a capo than it is to stretch a neck.
 
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#89
I've found that using the same brand and style of strings along with the occasional eq adjustment does more to get a certain tone than scale length. I think that neck stiffness does as much for string tension as scale length as well. I have a Brice 30" with a very good neck that holds as much tension as my 34" Ibby SR. Same brand, same style, same size strings and they sound very similar. The Brice is a touch brighter, but you'd never notice unless you play the same song twice in a row to compare.

I am talking about the main 4 strings EADG. The 34 is BEADG, and the 30 is EADGC.
Another disclosure, I do notice a tension difference on my Squier Bronco, but I attribute that to the style of neck without the bend as my full length Jaguar didn't hold as much tension as my other 34's. Again, same strings on all across basses.
 
#90
blue4 said:
I think that neck stiffness does as much for string tension as scale length as well.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you must mean string feel and the "tautness" of the sound here, because neck stiffness has nothing to do with the amount of tension on a string of a particular length and gauge tuned to a particular pitch. Given the same gauge and pitch, the shorter string has to have less tension on it than the longer string. That's just basic physics.
 
#92
Pilgrim said:
Strange, I just looked around this week and discovered that only two of my 12 basses are 34" scale. All the rest are 30" except for a couple of 32" basses.
Click to expand...

EDIT: Gaaaahh, I'm an idiot. Scratch my question. I completely overlooked that he had stated his total number of basses. Stupid multitasking. :(
 
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#97
i used to play long scale basses, but had to switch due to injury. to my surprise, i really enjoy short scale basses - i had a bronco, a hofner beatle bass and i currently have a jag SS, and i really have fun playing them :)

these days, i have not only short scale instruments but also extra short scale. i have some 24" scale guitars, a 24.9" scale guitar, a 21.25" scale 3/4 classical, a kala u-bass and a traveler ultra light bass.
 
#98
LoudBadBass said:
I'm guessing you must mean string feel and the "tautness" of the sound here, because neck stiffness has nothing to do with the amount of tension on a string of a particular length and gauge tuned to a particular pitch. Given the same gauge and pitch, the shorter string has to have less tension on it than the longer string. That's just basic physics.
Click to expand...

Yes that's what I'm referring to. I don't really care about the science involved TBH. As long as its feel and sound is similar. Also I would think in practical application, the thinner or weaker neck would have a little give when you press the string down.
 

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