1) Your criteria regarding recorded bass lines also goes against most anything outside of a Fender Precision or Jazz. Popularity is not a measure of quality; please refer to McDonald's, Walmart, and Justin Bieber for clarity on this concept
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The comment was, "think of all bass lines PLAYED or recorded since 1955", or you could say all bass lines played or recorded in the past 62-63 years. McDonalds & Wal-Mart are examples of the pinacle of quality for achieving the purpose of their existence. Popularity is an excellent measure of quality when it comes to music, otherwise it's just a matter of taste that varies greatly. Not too sure about the Bieber example.....
2)As far as string tension inconsistency, it is the omega (not the alpha). The alternative to equalizing tension is increasing the string gauge, and by the time you get equal tension all the way across a 34" 5 string you've got a B string that feels and behaves more like a rod than a string. You can get a B string with better tension at gauges lower than that, which will feel more consistent with the other strings, but it will be lower tension and feel a bit looser. Usable? Sure, maybe, that's a matter of opinion.
No arguement here. I'd actually prefer lighter tension on all strings of my 5 string basses, but I've played flats on them the past couple years. Love the tone.
2a) String tension is actual physics; you can mathematically calculate the tension of a string that is a specific gauge, tuned to a specific pitch, at a specific scale length. Please don't argue that your 34" .130 gauge B string is just as tight as a 37". It isn't. Really, it isn't. It may sound fine - a stiff neck goes a long way here, as does good solid hardware, electronics, and a good setup.
I didn't make any mention of 34", .130 gauge,or 37". I do agree on the physics aspect. I did some aerial fiber optic plant construction years ago and tension required to achieve proper sag is directly proportional to the diameter of the carrier strand, but unlike bass strings, you have to pay attention to the temperature when you "tune it" up to the correct sag height.
2b)If you still want to argue the string tension thing, please go argue with the folks that have been making things like pianos and harps for the last few centuries. Multi-scale stringed instruments aren't anything new, it's just something that was only applied to guitars and basses in the last 20-30 years.
Never wanted to argue string tension at all. My general point was whether multi-scale length was the optimum way to equalize string tension on bass guitars. But while we are discussing instruments with different scale lengths, next time you have the opportunity, press the lower pitch strings of a piano or harp against its frets.....
3)If scale length doesn't really make that much of a difference, why aren't we all just playing down-tuned Strats and Les Pauls?
I think this specific question would deal more with string gauge than scale length. Short scales are enjoying quite a popularity surge these days, along with multiple micro-scale basses of 21" & 23" scale length.
Sure, there's always a few people who chime in with "all my 34" B strings are perfect!!". And there's also always people who chime in that they've never encountered a dead spot around 5th fret on the G string of a Fender bass, and everyone else's hearing is defective.
Definitely not me. I don't have anything close to perfect, except maybe my wife (well, at least she's much closer than me), and I don't think I've ever played a 34" scale Fender bass that
didn't have a noticeable dead spot.
Qualification for all this "in my opinion" stuff - I've got 3 35" Modulus basses, a custom built 36", and a Dingwall AB1. Dingwall's got the most equal tension of them, and the clearest, most consistent B all the way up and down the neck, and it feels exactly like all the other strings. Not even a tiny bit less tight, and totally focused. But the others are very, very good, certainly usable, and have their own strengths. None are for sale
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Great for you, but I've gotta sell something before I can try out a multi-scale length bass. May have to sell two or three somethings.....
The next big thing in equalizing string tension will likely be electronic. Then, string tension AND diameter can be identical across any string count instrument. Electronics will interpret the vibrations & output any selected pitch. Actually already available in guitar-like instruments / effects that can easily put out bass frequencies at the flip of a switch (or touch of a screen). In fact, the tuned down Strat or Les Paul can be a reality now without having to tune down, or tune at all.
Floppy B-string heathens failing to achieve their full potential:
