Short Scale 5

[JimmyM]

Short scale 5's will always have a terrible B because no company make short-scale B-strings with a heavy enough gauge for short scale

You know, I've debated this with people and they sometimes think I'm nuts, but I've found that within reason, a lower gauge string usually sounds better on a 5 than a higher gauge. It's certainly the case on my 5'er, which is a 34" scale, but still... I started off with a 130, not it has a 120, and even though the lower tension is kind of odd, I think it sounds better. And I think a short scale would have the same results, maybe even more dramatic. But I don't have a shortie 5 to try it so I couldn't prove it in a court of law

 

[Tim Skaggs]

You know, I've debated this with people and they sometimes think I'm nuts, but I've found that within reason, a lower gauge string usually sounds better on a 5 than a higher gauge. It's certainly the case on my 5'er, which is a 34" scale, but still... I started off with a 130, not it has a 120, and even though the lower tension is kind of odd, I think it sounds better. And I think a short scale would have the same results, maybe even more dramatic. But I don't have a shortie 5 to try it so I couldn't prove it in a court of law

I definitely agree with what you are saying. The lighter gauge string is more flexible (at least those strings made by the same manufacturer with the same core), so it's probably a little brighter with more sustain than the same string in a heavier gauge. As long as the player is disciplined enough to play the string with limited force, it should sing a little more clearly than the bridge cable gauge.

 

[Cutter8]

No contest, in my opinion... Muckelroy! He is truly a master craftsman and the B-strings on his shorter scale basses are fantastic. My 32” scale 5-string Muckelroy HMC5 has a better B than any of the four full-scale 5’s I own. I actually spoke with him a couple of months ago and asked him how he does it. He gave me an explanation of the various build factors that go into making a shorter scale bass with a great B-string, and it sounded logical, but I would need to take a physics class to really appreciate what he was saying (and I still think he may be using witchcraft!). I think, in part, that his basses are what they are because he is not only a gifted luthier, he is an amazing extended scale bassist.

 

[design]

Kala and others make 5 string U-basses. Scale length is 23.5 inches. You can get rubber or round wound strings.
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[Starflyer59]

Mensinger - Custom Guitars & Basses sells Mensinger basses and he's based out of Niagara Falls, Canada.

 

[hieronymous]

I was going to say the Fodera
Imperial Mini – MG
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But looking at the specs realized it's tuned E-C - though it is equipped with a D-Tuner that can go to low B?!!

I've got a 5-string Alembic Stanley Clarke bass - not sure what other people would think of the low B but I'm enjoying it!

 

[Stellvia]

Kiesel’s only Short Scale model is the Vader which they do in 4, 5 & 6 string models. Reasonably priced and Made In America. I got a four string version a few months now and it’s easily the nicest bass I’ve owned. Plays great and sounds great. Previous reviews suggest that the B string on the 5 & 6 is quite good for a short scale.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

You know, I've debated this with people and they sometimes think I'm nuts, but I've found that within reason, a lower gauge string usually sounds better on a 5 than a higher gauge. It's certainly the case on my 5'er, which is a 34" scale, but still... I started off with a 130, not it has a 120, and even though the lower tension is kind of odd, I think it sounds better. And I think a short scale would have the same results, maybe even more dramatic. But I don't have a shortie 5 to try it so I couldn't prove it in a court of law

There is a lot of variety between strings, even within one brand. I love the .118 Labella Low Tension Flatwound B-string, but I also love Kalium's .142 B-string.

In general though, I prefer a B-string over 40 lbs of tension. Around 42-43 lbs. Bridge cables.

 

[fauxtoe]

This one just popped up on my Reverb feed - MBJ Hudson 32" 5-String Fretted Bass | Carl Thompson

 

[funkinbottom]

Don't own one, but have read good things about these.

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[burgerdj]

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I have been nagging for serek to start making five string versions! Let’s put the pressure on!

 

[Axstar]

You know, I've debated this with people and they sometimes think I'm nuts, but I've found that within reason, a lower gauge string usually sounds better on a 5 than a higher gauge.

There might be something in this! I guess that the fundamental of the low B is beyond the limits of human hearing? Therefore good B strings simply fake it the best with harmonic overtones? Cabs generally are not tuned low enough anyway?

 

[Anders Barfod]

I would not recommend going down this route. Short scale and extended lower range is not a great recipe for success.
With regular metall strings I think the Ibanez micro bass (28.6" scale) set the limit for a standard bass with a low E. Scale limitation for a low B should be much longer. The 32" Muckelroy that somebody mentioned has probably gone through a lot of research to get a decent low B so anything below 32/33" scale length should be avoided for a low B. In my humble opinon.

Another thing to consider is that if you do not need the lowest three notes on a 5 string (C#,C and B) which often to my ears gets lost in the mix, just buy a set of heavy daddarios (55-110) and tune you 4 string 34" scale bass to D-standard. Intonate, truss rod adjustment, and now you got a 30.3" short scale bass in E when using a bass capo, remove capo down a notch for D# and remove capo for the low D. I promise you that a low D# note will be tighter on your 110 D string on the 34" than on a B string on a shorter 32" scale bass.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

A member on the worship team I play on has a 5 string Ibanez. I have seen it only once but it looked sharp and sounded great. Check into Ibanez to see if they still make them. Good luck.

 

[macmanlou]

Here's a video about the Birdsong Hy5 from the maker, Scott Beckwith.

 

[BassJuju]

OK... So, I'll probably get some flack, but I have a 5 string short scale bass and the B string is really nice. It came with D'addario's installed and a .145 B I think. That same gauge string on a Fender J was so boomy as to be scarily unusable, but on the short scale it was nice. Even better, La Bella flats. I came to this conclusion after putting the beetle flats on a viola and it was quite lovely. Anyway... there have been some good suggestions along the way and the one I am suggesting is a scavenger hunt at this point as they are discontinued. Still, if you can find one, you might like it.

 

[Solude]

Short scale 5's will always have a terrible B because no company make short-scale B-strings with a heavy enough gauge for short scale

And why would you limit your choices to short scale strings? I personally don't run short scale strings because if I want a balanced set I need to use long scale. Even a .145 will fit into the tuner centre hole so this would also work for a 5 or BEAD tuning.

 

[gt96g]

Many of the builders mentioned here are good options. I would also consider mensinger guitars, the company is owned by the same people behind Maruszczyk basses. I actually have a 32in scale 5 on order. I think it should be done sometime next month. I already own a 4 string 30in scale mensinger and they are excellent! Rings as loud as any full size I have and is super comfy to play. They are also super reasonably priced, even when factoring in shipping and exchange rates. My build came in well under 2k.

 

[Jebberz]

Eastwood does one too:

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[diglo]

LowEnd Basses