Is there any reason to consider a regular (34") scale bass?

[rpt50]

I'm a bass newbie, but longtime guitar player (45+ years). I bought an Ibanez Mikro on a whim, and now I've decided that I really like playing bass! And of course, just like with guitars, I've got the urge to get more basses, starting with a partner for the Mikro.

My question is, is there really any reason to consider a full scale regular size bass? I borrowed a nice Yamaha bass with the 34" scale and for the most part it does not seem to be too difficult to adapt to that length scale. But is there any real reason to get a bass with that scale length, or is it just tradition? The shorter scales (something like a 30" scale) are easier for my "guitar hands".

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

There's no real reason really although IME a 34 scale length bass has a different timbre that sounds tighter which suits better when slapping, etc. On the other hand, a short scale bass has it's unique tone.

 

[redstrand]

Get what’s comfortable. I have short, medium and regular scale. It all works. Even a 35” too.

 

[JRA]

is there really any reason to consider a full scale regular size bass?

one reason: they are more abundant (more choices).

 

[Smith357]

Yes, there is a very good reason to get a 34" scale bass, and also to get a 32" and a 25" mini. Tones, more colors on your pallet is always a good thing.

I started on a 30" short scale bass, and gradually moved to the 32 and 34" scales, now that I'm over 60 and having arthritis issues I am gravitating back to the short scales. They each have their own charms.

 

[chris_b]

My guess is that you will find short scale basses easier to play because you're trying to use your guitar playing techniques.

If you adopt bass playing techniques you'll find there are no problems with long, extra long and multiscale basses.

 

[mongo2]

Over the last 50+ years, the scale lengths of the basses I've used include 42.75", 35", 34", 32", 30", 28.6", 24.75", 23" and 18". Now I mostly use either a 30" scale or 28.6" scale (like your Mikro) and for what I play I see no reason for me to use other scale lengths.

 

[Dan_reeves]

Way more strings to try out if you go 34” although there are a lot made for other scales these days too.

 

[bassdude51]

You could ask a guy named Paul McCartney that question. He hardly ever played a 34" scale bass. The majority of his work done with 30".

If you are not much of a high register bass player, IMO there's no advantage with a 34" scale bass. And at 45+ years, a long scale bass could cause you hand issues. I'm now 69 yrs old and a full scale hurts my left hand after about 60 minutes of playing.

 

[Zooberwerx]

But is there any real reason to get a bass with that scale length, or is it just tradition? The shorter scales (something like a 30" scale) are easier for my "guitar hands".

34" was the forerunner and purportedly derived as "near ideal" per a physics textbook. Not a thing wrong with the shorter-scale offerings. I use Simandl technique (1-2-3&4) and most comfortable with the 34" scale under my left hand. That being said, I would like to re-visit the 32" scale in a 5 string as the 30" is a bit too cramped. I had a Kubicki Ex Factor which I adored and would love to find a fiver in the same style.

Riis

 

[buldog5151bass]

It isn't 1968. You have many choices in a bass. If you are more comfortable on a short scale (especially if you plan on moving back and forth to guitar), a short scale may fit you better. But options are more limited.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

There's no real reason really although IME a 34 scale length bass has a different timbre that sounds tighter

I think that *is* a "real" reason: part of the sound I'm wanting to make includes that tighter quality in the timbre. So 34" for me, with strings which have to be strung at higher than average tension. My poor little hand, I had promised it an Ibanez Mezzo....

 

[Clark W]

I'm a bass newbie, but longtime guitar player (45+ years). I bought an Ibanez Mikro on a whim, and now I've decided that I really like playing bass! And of course, just like with guitars, I've got the urge to get more basses, starting with a partner for the Mikro.

My question is, is there really any reason to consider a full scale regular size bass? I borrowed a nice Yamaha bass with the 34" scale and for the most part it does not seem to be too difficult to adapt to that length scale. But is there any real reason to get a bass with that scale length, or is it just tradition? The shorter scales (something like a 30" scale) are easier for my "guitar hands".

One of the best sounding bass players I've seen locally over the last two years plays a Mikro. I wouldn't want to get on stage after he's done playing on his Mikro.

Myself, I own 7 basses, five are 34" scale, two are 30". I go back and forth between them all the time and never think about what the scale is, I just play them depending on the tone I'm wanting.

Play whatever makes it easiest for you to play and gets the tone you want!

 

[rpt50]

OK great thanks for all the tips! I think it makes more sense to me to stick with a shorter scale given my guitar background and age. I'll keep looking at shorter scales. I did play a couple a levels of Mustang (road worn and American) that really left me oddly disappointed considering that I'm a Fender guy when it comes to guitars. I guess I kind of like the flat necks of the Mikro and the Yamaha 34" that I've borrowed.

 

[starjag]

Relatively speaking, so many short scale options at reasonable prices these days. So much love for the Mikro (and similar) here in TB, check the threads about it. All I play is 30" these days. Much love for short scale.

 

[edthebass]

Scale length matters because it’s actual physics. It’s not subjective because longer scale actually increases the tension of the string. But quality of the instrument, string choice, and playing style are just as important factors in the end. So once again, it comes down to players preference.

 

[Nedmundo]

OK great thanks for all the tips! I think it makes more sense to me to stick with a shorter scale given my guitar background and age. I'll keep looking at shorter scales. I did play a couple a levels of Mustang (road worn and American) that really left me oddly disappointed considering that I'm a Fender guy when it comes to guitars. I guess I kind of like the flat necks of the Mikro and the Yamaha 34" that I've borrowed.

I like some short scales but also haven't been impressed by the Mustangs I've tried even though I like Fenders. If I wanted a shortie, I'd probably go with a G&L Fallout or Reverend Sentinel.

One other thing to consider: If you think you might want a five-string at some point, you'd probably want 34" scale for that. I know shorter scale fives exist, but they aren't common and I wonder how tight those shorter B strings sound because even some 34" fives don't have great B string tone.

 

[BarfanyShart]

It's nice that there are more choices for scale length than ever, and I even switched to 30" in the past couple years. I still don't think a 30" bass is particularly guitar-like - I got a 25" bass and it's still very different from playing guitar. I actually find that guitar players tend to like the most traditional bass sound possible, they get a Fender P Bass, and then start asking how to make it sound like a DB. I guess if they are metal guys, they buy an Ibanez SR. In fact, ibanez makes a cool 30" crossover six-string bass, tuned like a guitar an octave down but sounds much more like a bass than a bass vi.

 

[NoiseNinja]

Acknowledged professional bass players like Stanley Clarke, Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce and Mike Watt have done fine with their short scale basses, no valid reason why a 34" scale bass should be inherently better than a 30" scale bass, based on the scale length alone, they do have each their own inherent signature tonal qualities though, meaning that comparing a 34" scale bass with the exact same bass scaled down to a 30" scale they will sound a bit different to each other, weather any of them sounds better than the other though is entirely up to personal preferences.

If you happen to prefer 30" scale basses, then stick to that, there are more quality options on the market at that scale length at the moment than there ever was before.

 

[Jefenator]

Both scale lengths have their own blend of playability and low frequency articulation. Both desirable traits, but there is also that phrase: "too much of a good thing".
If you are used to the more "vocal" timbre of 30", 34" might seem too deep & easily buried to your ears.
Conversely, for a guy like me who is used to a certain degree of resistance from his setup, when I dabble with 30" it feels too easy to play. I lean into it and fall over!
If you find yourself with a nagging curiosity to experience the different sound & feel of "long" scale then by all means you should. (It is popular for a reason IMHO.) But it is by no means mandatory.
There's not enough time or money to be trying every gear-related thing out there.