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

[Jack Butler]

It's hard to say - I feel a certain tightness with the 34 that I always gravitate back to. I have a new squier mini (~28.5" scale) and it sounds really good. Honestly on a recording it would be hard to tell it's a (very) short scale. I like the feel of my 34 better, but it could be because I'm just so used to it...I have thousands more hours on a 34 than anything else.

 

[Zoffy]

All of my basses are 34", however my band's guitar player has a short-scale that I use if I am lazy and don't want to carry my bass to practice or if I am going to practice from somewhere other than my house and don't want to leave my bass in the car (say at a shopping mall) before going to practice. Honestly, I don't find a measurable difference between the two. I enjoy playing both short and regular scale. The only advantage I can give to the short-scale is that it fits my body better visually. I am short (not Malcolm Young short, but still short) and the shorter scale looks better when I see pics or videos of gigs.

 

[Medicine Man]

Ths science is clear: play whatever you like.

 

[JW56789]

I always say and really think you should use what suits you: There really is no right or wrong answer, so whether it's an Ibanez Micro or a 36" or even longer scale that talks to you, go for it.

Personally, I've always used 34's as that offers me the best choice of strings, seems to me a long enough scale without going bigger, and the most choices in basses and everything that go with them.

But as I said, YOUR results may very, and that personal, subjective difference, is what makes it all special to each of us.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

You get more notes on a 34 inch

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

You get more notes on a 34 inch

 

[sindicado]

In my personal case, I can play a 34" Fender style neck almost by memory. When I pick another neck, lets say 24 frets, I need some time to adapt.

 

[mcgreivey]

Play what you like to play. Sure, try other things out now and then. But don't let anyone else tell you what you should or shouldn't play.

 

[SLPimp]

Sure but I can't think of any.

Short scale mafia for life.

 

[dkelley]

Only reason to consider it is if you plan on working session work or teaching or something where you might be playing other basses often than your own.

If not, then guy've at 'er!

 

[4stringfarley]

I play around alot with different tunings and prefer a fretless. If i find a short scale fretless 5 string that can handle A standard tuning I'd try it out.

 

[W_R]

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".

There is no reason that you must get a 34" scale bass, but as you play bass more and try a variety, you will know for yourself what your preference is... especially if you give it time, and if you can identify for specific things about why you prefer something over another. For me, 34" scale seems just right, for sound and feel. I think I've noticed something that would relate to your question... if I've been playing more 6-string guitar lately, then I seem to re-acquaint with bass and 34" scale briefly, almost like a 30" scale would feel natural for a moment, but then the hands stretch out and then I'm back to everything feeling just right. Also technique differences between guitar/bass... seems like I could probably get away with approaching a short-scale bass just a little more like 6-string guitar, sort of. J bass spacing and 34" are good for me... 35" scale and longer multi-scale all haven't been for me to play when I've tried them in the past but I'd agree a Dingwall 37" B sounds amazing. Plus all the other factors... string spacing, weight/balance, # of strings, string gauges, etc anyway... if you're enjoying your short scale and it holds up in all the ways that matter to you if/when you try other types/etc, then you are on the right track. Every musical instrument is a bit of a compromise in some ways. Nothing wrong with tinkering with your bass too, i.e. I'd generally think that bumping up the string gauges a size or so for short-scale would be helpful. Enjoy!

 

[Outbush]

I have been very impressed with the tone of the Sterling by Musicman Short Scale 4 and the Musicman Short Scale 4 basses. According to reports in these pages they are light, well made and well worthy of the Musicman name. However, that big humbucker pickup positioned closer to the bridge seems to effectively overcome some of the lack of definition that pickups positioned further towards the neck have. In video reviews they have an almost piano-like presence. Certainly well worth checking out.

 

[cnltb]

Different scale-lengths sound different. Other than that...nt really.
Maybe a Höfner would be a good complementary 2nd voice to the bass you already have? Short they come and fun to play they are!

 

[coy garcia]

Play what your most comfortable with. For me adapting to different scale length is only a matter of hours spent with the instrument. No rules.

 

[NoiseNinja]

You get more notes on a 34 inch

 

[swarfrat]

Here's something to think about. If you change positions, you're already used to playing bass with different scale lengths.

If you never play a note below the third fret, your 34" scale bass magically becomes 28.6" scale.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... is there any real reason to get a bass with that scale length ..? ...

None.

With the exception of basses tuned lower than EADG, tho this is changing rapidly as the "short scale 'revolution'" continues.

At this point in Short Scale evolution, it's pretty much a matter of personal preference. The olde skoole Fender purists will insist that only Leo's Length matters, but electric bass scales have always been varied. Before Fender conquered the world, most electric basses were 30"-ish.

 

[Polkatronixx]

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".

I've not played a short-scale bass since the late 80s/early 90s, to my knowledge. I always hated the way they felt - but I never got the impression that there was anything particularly 'different' about them, at least not in a substantive way. It may be true that they aren't great for slapping - but I loathe slapping, so that wouldn't be an issue for me.

 

[Valvehead]

Short scale basses is the current nonsense hype. It will pass.
Better string tension, better clarity, better articulation, tighter lows on a 34"

Don't listen to anything those shortscale dwarves are trying to tell you. Fake news!