How big is the difference between 34" and 35" scale basses

[gjooro]

So, I'm looking for a sixer and when I found a bass that I would maybe buy the fact that it's 35" puts me down. I've always been playing a 34" so my question is how big is the difference between 34" and 35"? Will it affect my technique? Is it harder to play?
I personally think that better B is just not such important factor to do the longer scale but most basses I've been looking are 35" since it's like a standard for 5 and 6 string basses.

 

[conehc]

The neck is a litle bigger but with the time you can adapt with them. It isn't hard to play - IMO the only disadvantage are the more tense strings.

 

[Trevorus]

The difference? About an inch...

It's not too bad. Depending on how much of a stretch 34 is for you, 35 could cause issues. But if 34 is pretty comfy, usually 35 isn't bad either.

 

[bullshark]

Tried a 35 last week-end and, frankly, didn't make much difference. Maybe if you had really really short arms...but even then it's just an inch. And once you divide that inch by the number of frets, the difference in the space between frets is only a very tiny fraction of that inch, so maybe playing first position and going from first fret to fourth your pinky might fall short of ideal position, but for me I haven't really noticed.

 

[gjooro]

how about switching constantly from 34 to 35 since I play 34" string as well
about stretching. My limit is a 2-6 or 1-5 fret stretch on a 34" but than the wrist isn't really in a good position

 

[Bass_Machine]

Well, I play a 35" 6er and a 34" 4. I got used to it reasonably quickly, and in hindsight, I think that it was probably the 2 extra strings that caused the most initial awkwardness.

IMO, it's not too big an issue.

Also, if you poke around, there have been a few threads on TB about scale lengths and string tensions and all that jazz in case you were interested.

 

[Rumblin' Man]

I once played a 35 inch scale and didn't realize it was 35 until the owner told me.

 

[lovemybasses]

that B feels tighter,thats a true!
as for playing in general, if you dont know it's a 35' scale you wouldnt notest anything.

i know a guy,he swears he cant play 34 anymore after spending years with 35 but... sounds like BS to me,frankly.

 

[Andy Brown]

I'm used to 34" and can't play a 35" for too long for some reason. To me it's a big deal. I'd even say that 35" is too much compared to my 34.5" F Bass too. Strange.

 

[Fishbrain]

I recieved a new bass yesterday and thats a 35" unlined fretless six string, i'm used to playin 34" fretted 5 strings. That extra inch is the least of my worries!! seriously though its not my fretting hand thats feeling the change its my right hand with the tighter strings thats feeling it the most. I'd say go for it though, if u like the way the bass looks and sounds and its a good price its a very minor hurdle to overcome.

 

[Bassist4Life]

It isn't much of a difference. The first time I played on a 35" I missed some shifts and it felt a little strange, but after one short practice session I began to feel comfortable. Don't let one inch scare you away from a great bass.

Joe

 

[mccartneyman]

Depending on how much you play, it might take about a week to adapt from 34 to 35. I found the biggest difference for me was over the first two frets. 35 DOES make a difference on the B string. As for tension, that depends on what brand name and gauge strings you use.

 

[spade2you]

Depends on the bass. It matters sometimes, sometimes not.

 

[Turock]

The difference is so minute that you probably won't even notice it.

 

[spade2you]

Depending on how much you play, it might take about a week to adapt from 34 to 35. I found the biggest difference for me was over the first two frets. 35 DOES make a difference on the B string. As for tension, that depends on what brand name and gauge strings you use.

It does with some brands. Heh, we posted at the same time. My general rule of thumb is that a 35" scale bass will almost always have a stronger low B than a 34" scale bass. It certainly doesn't hurt the low B. A 34" scale bass can have a nice low B, but I haven't heard too many that aren't expensive. My friend Mike's Curbows are all 34" scale and have a mighty low B.

The 35" scale comes at a cost. Some simply can't do it. I'm only 5'6" and spend a LOT of time on 35" scale basses without any problems, BUT I need to be a lot more religious with good form or it's not comfortable.

 

[wideload]

I'm recovering from a spinal cord injury, and have had to use my 35" Peavey TL-5 while my 34" Alembic is laid up. HUGE DIFFERENCE. I know this is a special case, but reaching just a little more is killing me. By the way, the Peavey B is nowhere near the Alembic B!

Larry

 

[phat daddy]

I play a 35" 5 string and I love the added tension on the right hand-- and I play over the bridge pickup most of the time. It's really strengthened my right hand over the last 2 years and the response is amazing! It's also limbered up my left hand quite a bit-- I don't even notice the extra scale, and barely did when I bought it. Now my 34" Stingray feels like a toy, and honestly, I really dig what the 35" scale has done for my hands. It's all about what helps us grow, right?

 

[DanielleMuscato]

I was very hesitant to go to 35" at first. It took me about two days (I practice four hours/day) to get used to it. Now I can transition back and forth without noticing. It's really not a problem at all if your technique is good, and 35" sounds better. By good technique, I mean classical guitar "proper" technique, like this:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4358024&postcount=47
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4358068&postcount=50

from this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342596&page=3

If you're really concerned, you can check out fanned-scale instruments, like Dingwall:

http://www.dingwallguitars.com/

There are a few bass-makers that really can make stellar 34" scale 5-strings (Mike Lull, Roger Sadowsky for example). It takes skill but it's certainly not impossible.

 

[spade2you]

I'm recovering from a spinal cord injury, and have had to use my 35" Peavey TL-5 while my 34" Alembic is laid up. HUGE DIFFERENCE. I know this is a special case, but reaching just a little more is killing me. By the way, the Peavey B is nowhere near the Alembic B!

Larry

When was the TL-5 a 35" scale? I haven't seen 'em all, but the ones I saw had a 34" scale neck.

My Cirri have a nice low B, though I'm a bit partial to my Rob Allen MB2.

 

[Rune Bivrin]

My guess is there are two main differences:

1. Perception. If you start off with the assumption there will be a big difference, you'll very likely find a big difference.
2. Balance. The balance in general, and where the upper end of the strap is in particular will mean a lot to how far away the nut is. That's probably a lot more significant than the miniscule increase in fret distance.