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

#41
No significant difference if it has nice fast playable neck and excellent fit to body. For example, basses like gibson/epi thunderbird and bc rich mockingbird tend to have a wearing effect where nut reach feels further away then most basses and its 34 scale. The sound of the isntrument is ussually slightly tighter as only real diff in most cases. The slightly slimmer and little faster neck of my 35 scale esp ltd f series bass making it a little more comfortable to play then my 34 scale bc richs actually.

Mulebagger is completely correct, some 35's are more comfortable reach to nut then some 34's. Most uncomfortable long reach to nut feeling bass Ive owned is gibson and epi thunderbirds. Those being 34 scale.
 
#42
Enough to keep me on 34" scale basses and forcing me to sell many nice 35" basses. Many will say it's in your head but they are just wrong. I don't care if that inch is spread out over a long distance. I can feel it where it counts - the first few frets.
 
#44
I had a a Schecter Riot 5er that was 35". I could tell the difference but only barely.
The difference was so minor to me, that scale length wouldnt be an issue if I ever decide to add a 2nd 5er to the stable.
 
#45
As mentioned, the ergonomics of the particular bass can play a major role. Bridge placement is a huge factor IMO IME. How you play the bass, even how you "wear" it can play major roles too. As such it's not hard to find a 35" that can be easier to play than some 34s and vice versa.

As far as number of fingers used, for me it depends on what tone I'm after since it varies from string to string. If I want the tone of the low E and surrounding notes on my B string I'll use one finger per fret when needed.
 
#47
Yes, the real important thing is to give it a try. I use 1-2-4, and even then I can still feel a difference between 34" and 34.5"....especially as mentioned above, along the first few frets due to the distance between the notes. It's a slight difference, but some players are just more sensitive to it than others.

Another point of consideration...On a 5 string, do you prefer playing right in the first position, or do you prefer to play those same notes at the fifth fret? If you prefer playing at the fifth fret, then the stretching issue will not be as troublesome.
 
#48
I had a 35" Epi Embassey. I never even knew it was 35" till I was reading the specs one day. I always thought it was a little different. There is not a real big difference. However if you want the small thin neck stay away from the BTB the neck is big. I find the SR 300 and up have a real slim neck. I have a SR 370m and the neck is soooo slender it makes my Jazz feel big!
 
#50
I only notice it for about the first minute I play my 5-string. After that, it's not something I'm aware of. About the only problem switching between a 34 and a 35-inch scale has caused me is when I've been playing the 35 for a while and I switch over to my 34-inch fretless. I tend to be "off" in first and second position for about three minutes until my left hand "remembers" where it is. No big deal really. Small price to pay for having that 'extra' string (and a low D) available the rest of the time.
 
#51
Thebiggest difference I notice with 35" scale basses is the grand piano sort of tone that 35" B strings always have. Many fours have great Bs, but none get that grand piano sort of resonance that 35" Bs have.

As for playing, all of the 35" basses I have ever owned like Modulus, Peavey, Lakland, and Roscoe, were very comfortable.
The only time I ever noticed the extra inch was when I played 35" fours. It was not uncomfortable, but it was noticeable.
 

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