Switching between scale lengths ...

[mlbarlow]

Is it difficult to go back and forth between and 34" and a 35"?

 

[spudmaster34]

I play 34" and 32.5" scales and have never had a problem

 

[GSRLessard14]

I play 34" and 32.5" scales and have never had a problem

That might be because 34" is normal and 32.5" is easier.

My fretted modulus is 34" and my fretless is 35". there is a noticeable difference, but provided your hands aren't really small, I wouldn't think you'd have much trouble. Then again, some people really can't deal with an extra inch.

*shrug*

 

[Dan Knowlton]

I do that all the time and have no problems - Ken Lawrence Brase 5 and Lakland 55-94 - 35 inch scale; Sadowsky 5-24, Alleva Copollo 5, and Warmoth Deluxe 5 - all 34 inch.

Dan K.

 

[HaroldBishop]

That might be because 34" is normal and 32.5" is easier.

How is 32.5" easier?

 

[Munjibunga]

Is it difficult to go back and forth between and 34" and a 35"?

Not for me. I don't even notice it. The distance between the first two frets on a 35-inch scale is only about 1/18 inch (1.4 mm) more than that on a 34-inch scale. The difference decreases as you go up the neck.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I have no problem switching between 34" and 35" on four and five-strings fretteds so long as they are constructed in a similar fashion (ie one doesn't have the bridge placed way up on the body).

I find that extra inch more noticable on six strings and fretlesses.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

You'll get used to it. After years of practice, I bounce between 30", 32" and 34" with no problem.

 

[arbitrary]

Well my Ritter is 35 scale and a 5 string and then switching to the Alembic @ med. scale & 4 string can take some adjustment time.

 

[Lokire]

It's never been a problem for me. I go back and forth between 35", 34.5", 30" fretless, 34" fretless, 41" fretless...

 

[Brad Johnson]

I just play whatever I'm holding and don't dwell on it. the only bass I really notice is my 36" scale Contrabass down at the lower fret positions.

 

[ElBajista]

I have no problem switching from my 34" SX basses to my 35" 55-02. Just don't think too hard about it, and you'll be fine.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I switch back and forth between my 34" Statii and 36" David King. The 36" scale really makes you rethink the 1-2-4 fingering pattern all the way to the 12th fret!

Riis

 

[GM60466]

Most everything I play is 34". However, my Beatle bass is 30", and when I'm done playing it, I have to pay a little more attention when I pick up my JBass. I play a few scales and I'm back on track.

GM

 

[spudmaster34]

How is 32.5" easier?

the frets are all closer so hou have to stretch less

 

[HaroldBishop]

the frets are all closer so hou have to stretch less

That doesnt apply to everyone.
Take me for example, I hate playing on guitars because the frets are too close together.

 

[Baryonyx]

I find it an easy switch between 34" and 32" scale, but it's a big difference playing a 35" scale bass, especially if the bridge is quite far up the body. You can really feel the difference between them.

 

[SBassman]

This stuff messes me up. Then again, I suck.

I really have to bond with an instrument to be comfortable. Forget just the scale lengths - even with same scale lengths, I don't switch basses during a gig. The only time I will is if the primary bass fails and - thank God - that hasn't ever happened to me on bass. [sure did happen on drums years ago ]

 

[bassman10096]

It's pretty shortsighted to try to make judgements about changes like these before giving them a real chance. Most adjustments between scale lengths, fingerboard widths, etc become easy with practice. Every change feels strange till you become accustomed to it. The only challenges are: stretching farther with shorter fingers (may particular issue) and trying to fit wider/longer fingers into smaller spaces between frets/strings. Obviously some things are easier for some than others, but most of these things become second nature with repetition. Like Kungfusheriff said "with years of practice" switching is easy.

 

[ollybarclay]

That doesnt apply to everyone.
Take me for example, I hate playing on guitars because the frets are too close together.

not quite the same thing though, is it?

i know what you mean about playing guitar after playing bass, but a 32" scale bass isn't the same as a guitar by a LONG chalk.