Scale length poll: What and why?

[iiipopes]

Oh, to answer above: Rickenbacker uses a 33 1/4 inch scale.

I use a fanned fret bass with a compound scale length: 33 1/4 for the G string and 34 for the E string, in order to keep it comfortable coming up the neck, and still use readily available conventional strings, which now I'm using Fender 9050CL flats.

Link to thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/different-custom-p-style-bass-755914/

 

[Fuzzbass]

34", and I play five string.

I have no trouble playing 35" scale, but prefer the traditional timbre of 34". And on a decently made, properly set-up bass, a 34" B sounds equally great as 35". My Sadowsky fivers have Killer Bs!

I have too little experience on other scales to comment.

 

[RobJ]

33 1/4" is fine for me though I also have 34 and 35" scale basses that I can easily adapt to.

 

[matt descending]

35". I tune down a whole step. Guitar plays in drop D. Wanna swing up to D occasionally...

 

[behndy]

multi-scale? i bought a Dingwall a year or so ago and haven't touched any of my (admittedly cheaper/mediocre) basses since. with a 6'er the difference is AMAZING.

 

[c4lvint1me]

34" i play 4 string. 34" is standard right?

 

[dave64o]

Contrary to the opinion of many 35" scale players here who insist that it's not a large enough difference that anyone should even notice (I keed! I keed! ... well, sort of, there actually have been many here who argued that. and no, it's not *all* 35" players who do), I find 34" scale noticeably more comfortable. So I play only 34".

Having said that, I'd be interested in trying another 35" some day. But at the moment, I'm very happy with the 34"s I have now.

 

[wideyes]

34" i play 4 string. 34" is standard right?

34" p-bass with 4 strings through an Ampeg B 15 is standard. Don't bother playing anything else

 

[deaf pea]

I voted 34"

that's what I've been using for 44 years now . . . . . .

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I voted for 35" because nearly all of my instruments are. I just prefer to have a tighter B-string that the extra inch provides.

I'd love to own a Quake 39.5" so that I could go sub-contra with some thinner strings, but alas, it's not within my budget.

 

[ghostdog93]

My personal choice is a 32", but given the limited options in that scale length, I usually end up with a 34".

No biggie. I'll eventually pony up for a Warmoth 32" J.

 

[stepswork4me]

35" for a better B.