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NON-Dingwall 4 String Multiscale?

Outshined91

Outshined91

Supporting Member
Aug 23, 2019
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#1
I'm thinking of giving up my 5 string in exchange for a 4 string multi-scale. I'm a high school student, but I already have tendonitis, albeit mild, in both wrists thanks to bass and viola (yikes). The 5 string involves a little more stretching than I would like (it's also 35") but I would still like the low B range because I use it quite a lot. That being said, I wish as much as the next guy that I could afford a Dingwall but without any hope of summer jobs, it's not realistic at all. Anyway, I figured a multi-scale might be the way to go since I can have a nicely tensioned lower string while cutting down on the stretching. That being said, what are the best 4 string multiscale basses out there for under $800 (used or new)? I'd be trading in my 5 string and I have a entry level Ibanez that's also going. Thanks for the help! :)
 
#2
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#3
fauxtoe said:
You might still consider a 5 string in the form of the Ibanez SRMS805. The scale length is from 34-35.5, but it's a very comfortable neck with 16.5mm string spacing. Otherwise, Ibanez has the SMRS800 with 4 strings. Here's a used one on Reverb right in your range Ibanez SRMS800 2018 Deep twilight open box special mint multi scale fan fret | Loud Bass Shop | Reverb
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Thanks so much! I've read a bit about the SRMS basses, and they seemed like what I need but I was curious as to any other possible options as well. Did not see that one on Reverb - thanks :). The 5-string SRMS neck does still seem a little on the wide side for my hands at this point... I'm looking to probably tune this bass down to BADG or something similar to avoid having to read over an extra string to hit the B - which I use extensively. Thanks!
 
#4
Outshined91 said:
Thanks so much! I've read a bit about the SRMS basses, and they seemed like what I need but I was curious as to any other possible options as well. Did not see that one on Reverb - thanks :). The 5-string SRMS neck does still seem a little on the wide side for my hands at this point... I'm looking to probably tune this bass down to BADG or something similar to avoid having to read over an extra string to hit the B - which I use extensively. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Totally happy to help! I did a quick search to see if I could find anything else coming in at your budget and a used Ibanez SRMS is pretty much all that there is at the moment. I would say to try out the 5 string version if you ever get the chance. I'm fairly picky when it comes to neck size, shape, and string spacing, and I find that one to be very, very comfortable.

Question though, is it the width of 5 string neck that is your problem, or the slightly extra finger stretch per fret of using 35" scale? Reason I ask is that the 4 string version is still going to have a similar (34.5" vs 35.5") finger stretch that the 5 does (because of being multiscale), but obviously without the width of the neck and the extra string. It's not much, but it is something to consider.
 
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#5
I've been eyeing one of these: Ibanez SRMS800 Multi-Scale. Didn't know Ibanez made a Multi-Scale bass. The fanned frets don't seem to be angled as much as a Dingwall?
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Ibanez Bass Workshop SRMS800 Multi Scale Deep Twilight (980) | Willcutt Guitars | Reverb
 
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#7
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#8
fauxtoe said:
Totally happy to help! I did a quick search to see if I could find anything else coming in at your budget and a used Ibanez SRMS is pretty much all that there is at the moment. I would say to try out the 5 string version if you ever get the chance. I'm fairly picky when it comes to neck size, shape, and string spacing, and I find that one to be very, very comfortable.

Question though, is it the width of 5 string neck that is your problem, or the slightly extra finger stretch per fret of using 35" scale? Reason I ask is that the 4 string version is still going to have a similar (34.5" vs 35.5") finger stretch that the 5 does (because of being multiscale), but obviously without the width of the neck and the extra string. It's not much, but it is something to consider.
Click to expand...

My 5-strings neck is reasonably wide, so I would say it's the width and the little extra finger stretch. I have to use my pinkie a lot to hit frets that normally would be fine with 3rd finger on a 34" for me, even though my fingers are reasonably long. This is pretty bad as it's mainly my ring/pinkie tendon that's shot. So I want to minimize stretching anyway I can - I chose multiscale to have a nicely low B on a 4 string width neck. So it's mainly the 35" stretches, but the neck thickness is also a factor.
 
#10
The ESP B-1004 and B-1005 are exceptional instruments that punch way above their price point. I really love the rosewood topped versions. The Nordstrom pickups are excellent and the ESP preamp is surprisingly versatile. It can do traditional sounding tones and has a lot of gain on tap of you want to grind. They can be found used in your price range. I see them pop up on ebay and reverb fairly regularly and it would be well worth the effort to track one down.

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#12
Opening this thread again, as my budget just opened up to around $1k, new or used, and I have a couple questions. Is it at all realistically possible to get a Dingwall for $1k used? Also, I was looking into the Chapman MLB-1 FF, and it seems really good, and a couple used ones fit my budget - since its 35" on the low side and 32" at the G, that would mean reasonably less stretching than other multi-scales while still maintaining tension. Has anyone had any experience with or know about this bass, and could maybe lend their opinions on it?
Thanks!
 
#13
Outshined91 said:
Opening this thread again, as my budget just opened up to around $1k, new or used, and I have a couple questions. Is it at all realistically possible to get a Dingwall for $1k used? Also, I was looking into the Chapman MLB-1 FF, and it seems really good, and a couple used ones fit my budget. Has anyone had any experience with or know about this bass, and could maybe lend their opinions on it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I was going to mention the Chapman earlier, but it wasn't in your budget. That's the only 4 string multi-scale I've played on so far and it was pretty well built from what I remember. It's passive, so I don't know how much that matters to you.
 
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#14
fauxtoe said:
I was going to mention the Chapman earlier, but it wasn't in your budget. That's the only 4 string multi-scale I've played on so far and it was pretty well built from what I remember. It's passive, so I don't know how much that matters to you.
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Personally, I prefer passive basses. My Warwick is passive, and I love the tonal qualities. But thanks for the good word - its really hard to find one for sale though (in the U.S.; Chapman's website makes things way too expensive)... There was a really prime sample of one here on TB but missed it by a couple months. :cautious:
 
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#15
Hello Outsined91, are you still looking for multi-scale bass? Ibanes has short-scaled headless multi-scale bass, in 4, 5 or 6 strings. If your concern is with the stretching to get the low notes, the EHB1005SMS has the B string at 32". Its pickups have both passive and active mode. Neck is their typical thin D: 19.5mm at 1F, 21.5mm at 12F. It's a little over $1k, maybe this could be your ticket?
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