I have a 30" that I use most of the time and a GT Microbass with a 23" scale. I like the sound I get out of the SS Jag, but if I could get a shorter scale version of it, I would.
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What scale bass do you play and why? A Poll
- Thread starter Baird6869
- Start date
I like the growl of 34" scale better than longer scales, and my hands are too big to be comfortable on a shorter scale. Plus, most strings fit 34" without a problem.
I liked 34" (and still have two).
5-strings, had fine B-strings, no complaints.
But I bought my #1 Roscoe fretless 6 and it was 35" - so the world shifted a bit on its axis.
When I bought a fretted Roscoe, I excluded everything not a 35" - which was not hard, since I was looking for a 3007 SKB...
So - 35" for me.
Yes, I know the difference between a 35" and a 34" is only 0.1" at the first fret.
I can adjust without much issue, but I'd rather not have the issue ;-) ...
I expect more than a few primary-fretless players keep a consistent scale-length preference - whatever it is...
5-strings, had fine B-strings, no complaints.
But I bought my #1 Roscoe fretless 6 and it was 35" - so the world shifted a bit on its axis.
When I bought a fretted Roscoe, I excluded everything not a 35" - which was not hard, since I was looking for a 3007 SKB...
So - 35" for me.
Yes, I know the difference between a 35" and a 34" is only 0.1" at the first fret.
I can adjust without much issue, but I'd rather not have the issue ;-) ...
I expect more than a few primary-fretless players keep a consistent scale-length preference - whatever it is...
All mine are short-scale (around 30"). Longer scale lengths than that are hard on my arthritis-buggered thumbs. Plus I've played guitar far longer than I've played bass, so a bass whose scale length is closer to that of a guitar just feels more natural to me.
34" for a 4 string and 35" for a 5 string. Aside from the Gibson SG I don't know of any other short scale basses and have never seen a 36"+ scale bass in person.
I picked 30". I have 3 and one 34" tuned BEAD that handles drop tuning and stuff like that.
30" is more comfortable to me, and I like the tone better.
30" is more comfortable to me, and I like the tone better.
I played bass for 20 years before I knew what scale length was and that there were different scales available.
Once I did find out, I realized that one of my basses was a 34" scale instrument, and the other was a 35". I had no idea.
So I don't think it matters.
Once I did find out, I realized that one of my basses was a 34" scale instrument, and the other was a 35". I had no idea.
So I don't think it matters.
The answer for me is whatever the scale of the bass is that i like playing. Apparently that happens to be 33.25. My backup bass is 34. Wouldnt have known there was a difference if i didnt just look it up.
Birdsong short scale all the way. I think it is technically 31" but I voted for 30. I play the shorter scales because I find them to be very comfortable, and after finding the Birdsongs I have no reason to go back to longer necks.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Maybe some do. My fretless BG is 34, the DB is 42. That doesn't stop me from playing other scale lengths. I had a Ric for a while, and it had a 33-1/4" scale, or something like that. It was good, but other things called. The scale length wasn't the reason I sold it.
i'm just saying we should call basses shorter than 34"
*puts on sunglasses*
minor scale
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
*puts on sunglasses*
minor scale
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
I switch between 34" and 35" very regularly. I do prefer 35" in most cases but I have nothing against my 34" scale 5 strings either. I have a fairly heavy handed playing style. The slight added tension on the 35" really helps. I can dig in pretty hard to get the different dynamics that I like to use.
Main bass? Mike Lull M5V in 35". I like it because it has everything I want in a bass. Great tone, playability, light weight, versatile electronics, good looks, etc. They are just incredible basses IMO.
Main bass? Mike Lull M5V in 35". I like it because it has everything I want in a bass. Great tone, playability, light weight, versatile electronics, good looks, etc. They are just incredible basses IMO.
Four - 30"
One - 30.75'
One - 28.6"
In the future, I'll probably stick with 30".
It's what I started with, and what works best for me.
One - 30.75'
One - 28.6"
In the future, I'll probably stick with 30".
It's what I started with, and what works best for me.
34". I love the sound of short scale. But, there is less selection in bases and strings. Plus tuning lower than E (standard or with drops) leaves too little tension on the strings for me.
I play 42, 40, 35, 34, 32, 30, 28.6, 24.75, 23, 20, and 18 inch scale basses.
Why? Because I can.
Why? Because I can.
