Size of Scales!

Generally:

long scale=34" and greater
short scale= less than 32"
medium scale= between 32 and 34"

Scale length describes the "speaking length" of the string (nut to bridge) and is calculated as follows:

distance from nut to the 12th fret X 2

Hope this helps!

Peace,

Matt

 

a longer scale means a more defined low end...i guess

 

It also means a thinner sounding high end. Hence why the norm is the 34" scale. Its about average in terms of those properties compared to others in the extremes at either end. Or some folks like myself prefer a multi-scaled instrument to get the benifit of both sides.

 

Actually the longer scale length helps with string tension. It can make the difference between a "Floppy B" and a "Tight B". With that said, it does not always hold true. I play a 5'er with a very tight B and it is a 34" scale. The scale standards are: Long = 34" or greater.
Short 32" or shorter. I am not sure, but I think that a 33" scale is rare if it exists. But there are all sorts of crazy scale lengths.

 

Have seen everything from 28.75" up to 39" on an electric bass guitar (not EUB). And have seen some 33's, but 33.5 is more common I believe.

 

Opinions on tonalities aside, let's clear up some facts.

Not quite. Are you quoting the D'Addario site? If so, they are referring to the nomenclature for their strings, rather than the accepted nomenclature for bass guitars. And they are talking about the distance from the nut to the ball end on a particular instrument, not the scale length.


As far as has been my experience, these numbers are widely accepted:
long scale = Fender scale = standard length = 34"
medium scale = 32"
short scale = 30" or so

Rickenbackers, at 33.25" are also considered to be long scale.

Scales over 34" are often referred to as extra long scale. For example, a 39" Knuckle would generally be called extra long scale, as opposed to long scale, as your post would indicate.

 

umm... ok

I think we agree.