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How much of a stretch difference is a 35 vs a 34 scale?

A

Acrimonus

Jan 18, 2010
57
0
#1
I currently play an Ibanez GSR205 and from what I've heard and seen the SR series is extremely well known for their thin, fast necks which I see when I play. Though I still have some issues playing at a rapid pace if I'm working in the four upper frets. I CAN stretch my fingers so that my pinky is almost at the edge of the fourth fret, where it's supposed to be, while my index is at the edge of the first fret. This is not the most comfortable of positions but probably manageable.

That being said, I'm looking at perhaps getting a BTB675, as a massive step up in terms of sound and playability in the 21-24 fret area, especially frets 23 and 24 which are lacking on the SR205:D

Is there a large step up from the 34 to 35 scale basses? My hands are not the largest, definitely smaller than the average male but probably larger than the average female, closer to the female than male average though I think.

Again I can get to the proper positions in frets 1-4 on my SR205 currently for the E string (B is a little harder) with an awkward position that does not work well in actual play, I'm typically ending up in the middle of the fret with my pinky or even slightly towards the third fret edge.

The stores near me do not have the BTB675 in stock at the moment so I really cannot test drive it, I need to wait but I'd like some opinions while I wait.
 
#2
Acrimonus said:
I currently play an Ibanez GSR205 and from what I've heard and seen the SR series is extremely well known for their thin, fast necks which I see when I play. Though I still have some issues playing at a rapid pace if I'm working in the four upper frets. I CAN stretch my fingers so that my pinky is almost at the edge of the fourth fret, where it's supposed to be, while my index is at the edge of the first fret. This is not the most comfortable of positions but probably manageable.

That being said, I'm looking at perhaps getting a BTB675, as a massive step up in terms of sound and playability in the 21-24 fret area, especially frets 23 and 24 which are lacking on the SR205:D

Is there a large step up from the 34 to 35 scale basses? My hands are not the largest, definitely smaller than the average male but probably larger than the average female, closer to the female than male average though I think.

Again I can get to the proper positions in frets 1-4 on my SR205 currently for the E string (B is a little harder) with an awkward position that does not work well in actual play, I'm typically ending up in the middle of the fret with my pinky or even slightly towards the third fret edge.

The stores near me do not have the BTB675 in stock at the moment so I really cannot test drive it, I need to wait but I'd like some opinions while I wait.
Click to expand...

I don't notice any difference but I have fairly large hands but honestly since the extra inch is spread out over a very large area there is little variance between individual fret distances.
 
#3
I don't really notice much of a difference but I, too, have fairly large hands.

Until you get a chance to try that bass out, can you play a different 35" scale bass to get a feel for the stretch? It might save you some time if you find that you don't like it.
 
#5
I have a modulus q5 with 35" scale. I also have several 4s and 5s with 34" scale. Even after 10 yrs with the mod, I can still tell the difference in scale. I notice it more on notes near the headstock. It isn't horrible, just noticeable. My hands aren't huge, but are well above average in size. (Wish I could say the same about my talent!)

You will definitely want to try before buying.
 
#6
I played on my first 35" scale last weekend and it was not noticeable to me at all. I had thought the same as you before, but there is nothing to be worried about. My suggestion is the same as everyone else, go try about any 35" it will put your mind to ease very quickly.
 
#9
JZQuantum said:
I have a modulus q5 with 35" scale. I also have several 4s and 5s with 34" scale. Even after 10 yrs with the mod, I can still tell the difference in scale. I notice it more on notes near the headstock. It isn't horrible, just noticeable. My hands aren't huge, but are well above average in size. (Wish I could say the same about my talent!)

You will definitely want to try before buying.
Click to expand...

Hmm, above average hands you say and you notice it? Hmm well I know that my reach at the very maximum allows me to place my pinky over the fourth fret actually beyond position required to get one finger per fret. My hands are indeed small measuring in at about 177-178mm where a male has an average of 189 and a female of 172 however my hand is actually wider across the palm than the average male, so perhaps that assists my fret reach. That and my piano background of about 10 years.

I'll definitely look at playing around with a 35 scale bass, hopefully the BTB675 ends up being comfortable, it looks like a perfect bass for me. Thin neck, nice and comfortable, neck-through and tons of room in that 21-24 range so Orion isn't impossible ;)
 
#12
You may find an issue where you're muscle memory takes you to the wrong position. I went from a G&L L2500 (34") to a Peavey Cirrus 5 (35"). I had an issue where I would fret an E on the 5th fret on the B string on a 34", do the same thing and my hand may naturally positioned itself on the 7th fret of the 35. After about 5 minutes, I couldn't even notice.
 
#13
I've had both. I like some of the extra snap that the increase tension on the 35 gives. However, I like the roundness of the 34 sound. That difference in tension makes it a bit more work to play the 35 (you are pushing down on strings that have more tension). The spacing near the headstock is something I also notice. I'm a hobby player, no pro. I also have some tendinitis from work and bass so I stick to the 34 because it is easier on my hand after playing for 3-4 hours.
 
#17
Between those two basses, you may find that the string spacing makes more difference than the scale length, since the BTB 5's also have somewhat wider spacing than GSRs. So, it's not just about scale length--the BTB will probably feel noticeably bigger.

Some people like wide string spacing on a 5 while others don't, just as some people are fine going from 34" to 35" scales while others aren't. It's really an individual thing that no amount of calculating out the exact difference in fret distances or hand width can really tell you.
 
#18
Darkstrike said:
From the nut to the first fret of a 35" scale bass is 0.056" longer than on a 34" scale bass.
Click to expand...
Or about 3%. ;)

It's a fairly obvious fact that if there's a particular between frets stretch you can JUST, but only just, make on a 34" scale, then you will not be able to make that same stretch on a longer scale, even if the extra distance is small. So, if your playing style and choice of music is such that you're absolutely stretched to the very, very max a lot of the time, then increasing scale length would be a bad move. For most of us, that isn't the case so it probably won't make a great deal of difference. Simples. :)
 
#19
mikezimmerman said:
Between those two basses, you may find that the string spacing makes more difference than the scale length, since the BTB 5's also have somewhat wider spacing than GSRs. So, it's not just about scale length--the BTB will probably feel noticeably bigger.

Some people like wide string spacing on a 5 while others don't, just as some people are fine going from 34" to 35" scales while others aren't. It's really an individual thing that no amount of calculating out the exact difference in fret distances or hand width can really tell you.
Click to expand...

Oh I'm aware of the increased string spacing as well, though as a finger player I would probably enjoy the extra play room and it doesn't seem like a large difference, I'm assuming the values they have listed on the ibanez site of 16.5mm vs 19mm are at the bridge, the fret spacing even at the highest frets will probably be quite a bit less. I already have few issues travelling up and down the fret board already and any difficulties I have are usually positioning or technique related, I don't think the additional 2.5mm per string at the bridge will cause me any difficulty outside of re-training muscle memory.
 
#20
Another major contributing factor will be how deeply the neck is set into the body of the bass. Another words, how far away is 1st position. I've played 35 inch scale basses that are WAY easier to play than some some 34 inch scale basses because the first position is so far away.

Try some, but in general, the difference in the B string may be the only thing you notice.
 

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