Medium Scale 32"

[Bassamatic]

I truly LOVE the 32" scale. So comfortable! I truly HATE the very small selection of 32" strings. i.e. - No T.I. flats, No Sunbeams (my faves) and few others. As you probably know, installing 34" strings and tuning them down doesn't work well, as they are not at proper tension.

At this point, I have sold off most of my medium scale basses and have only a Japanese Squier P and an Aria Pro II TSB.

 

[macmanlou]

I truly LOVE the 32" scale. So comfortable! I truly HATE the very small selection of 32" strings. i.e. - No T.I. flats, No Sunbeams (my faves) and few others. As you probably know, installing 34" strings and tuning them down doesn't work well, as they are not at proper tension.

At this point, I have sold off most of my medium scale basses and have only a Japanese Squier P and an Aria Pro II TSB.

The "short scale" TI Jazz flats are longer than most. Check with Jason at bassstringsonline. I've used them on an older 32" scale Squier P bass, and they fit fine.

 

[grrg63]

Wow, I never heard of a 33.

Rickenbackers are 33"s. I have a 33" Bacchus 5 string, and 3 32" 4 strings. Big fan.

 

[ric4682]

Serek Basses seem to have some really cool offerings. Retro-cool with modern appointments without being cheeky or cheesy. Very classy IMO. If I buy another expensive bass (let's face it, why not) I'll probably getting one of his. The problem is which one?

 

[pbass2]

I'm not big--about 5'7" and feel fine on my 30" and my 34"s, so I make the decision based on sound as opposed to playability. That said, I do find I play a little differently on a short-scale bass. I tend to play my Jerry Jones a little differently than my P for example--hard to explain it but ya'll probably know what I mean. The only bass that I determined was too big for me was a Dingwall with the 37" low B. I tried to love that bass but that reach just never worked for me.
Anyhow, I'd love to have a 32" of some kind--that might be next...

 

[dharmashawn]

 

[ThisLisa]

They've been discontinued, but there are probably a few Squier 32" scale VM Telecaster basses out there.

View attachment 1110107

I like.

 

[CooWoo]

View attachment 1109829

All 32" custom made.

Thats the nicest looking headless bass I've ever seen!

 

[J-Bassomatic]

I have a 32" Elrick. It's thunderous.


View attachment 1109910

Excellent photo, got a smile out of that one. Nice bass too.

 

[BassmanM]

Thats the nicest looking headless bass I've ever seen!

Thank you. Here she is in her full glory.

 

[DDXdesign]

I've had a couple 32s in my time, and I think if I had a custom made I'd make it a 32" - I keep thinking I want a medium-scale version of my black eagle, with proportionately slimmed-down body size to go with the neck.

 

[neo 7]

I played medium scale for a while, then for some odd reason I convinced myself to move to full scale. I sold off all my medium scale basses except for my Fernandes and played my P-Bass for a year. Then one day I picked up my Fernandes and I haven't touched my P-Bass since. Now I have four medium scale Fernandes.

 

[ThisLisa]

I played medium scale for a while, then for some odd reason I convinced myself to move to full scale. I sold off all my medium scale basses except for my Fernandes and played my P-Bass for a year. Then one day I picked up my Fernandes and I haven't touched my P-Bass since. Now I have four medium scale Fernandes.
View attachment 1110403 View attachment 1110406

I am glad you are back in the club.

 

[ThisLisa]

So is everyone's experience that 34" scale strings don't work well on a 32"? I haven't put new strings on yet.

 

[reddog]

Where price and quality intersect . . . !

Link Removed

 

[77stingray]

My 32" scalers. The newest is the Martin Keith Elfin fretless and the other 2 are Brady Muckelroy HMC's fretted and fretless. Brady does a great job with 32" scale B strings.

 

[BTL]

This is a 32 conversion using a Brad Lowe neck.View attachment 1109945It's my main gigger, very easy toplay

Thanks!

The interesting thing about the conversion necks is the player gains the entire 2" improvement in reach at the first position.

It's like playing a standard 34" bass with a capo at the first fret.

 

[makaspar]

My first bass was a 32" scale Japanese Squier P-Bass. I have a certain fondness for them because of that, but I feel more comfortable on a 35" now - not sure why

 

[nalapit13]

So is everyone's experience that 34" scale strings don't work well on a 32"? I haven't put new strings on yet.

I have a set of standard length Elrick strings on my 32" Elrick and they work perfectly.

 

[BassHappy]

Strings?

Not sure what all the fuss is about. I have been using long scale D'Addario half rounds on PRS #11 since 1977 without incident. They work perfectly. Was delighted to find out a few years ago that they even made medium scale strings. I never hesitate to use full scale strings on any of my mediums. Folks talk about the "break point" at the E string tuner or about the string becoming unwound there - but I have never had the problem. I always use several wraps around the peg and the string ends up at the bottom of the peg. Just the way Paul taught me years ago - and it seems to work fine for me. YMMV.

A few mediums I am proud of: