It's not about "needed", it's about "better".
This, of course, applys more to the guys (like me
) who are going for the modern, mega sustaining, piano string, tone/feel/response. If you're going for a more traditional or old school tone, not so much.True, some players just can't deal with a 35" or longer scale, and that's understandable.
But all things being equal, if you want max sustain and modern, piano string like tone, 35" will get you closer than 34".
The longer the scale, there is a point of diminishing returns. Like being so long it's unplayable physically. 34" was just the median Leo decided on at the time. Many manufacturers have decided that even 34" is "unneeded" (there are quite a few 30"-32" basses out there). While Fodera (don't tell me they "need" 35" scale
) and others have even gone beyond 35" for those of us brave enough (and large handed enough 
) to physically handle it. Anthony Jackson had Fodera build him a 34" scale contrabass a couple years ago. He quickly went back to his 36" scale contrabass because he said although the tone was still very good on the 34", it just wasn't as good as his 36" scale instruments.Needed? Needed is relative on this issue.
Damn, that is a good idea though, I should install Hipshot's on my Euro's.
