• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What scale bass do you play and why? A Poll

what scale do you prefer?

  • 36" and longer

  • 35"

  • 34"

  • 32/33"

  • 30"

  • Shorter than 30"

  • Multiscale (I.e. fanned fret)


Results are only viewable after voting.
A rabbit nibbled my widest carrot so it's skewed 35" to 31"ish, and my narrower carrots measure 35". I've eaten carrots of all sizes without problems, but I've stuck with the long ones because they fit my mouth nicely. I'm kinda interested in trying some mini-carrots (and genetically modified MIDI-carrots), but haven't grown any yet.
 
i play 30" and shorter scale basses due to shoulder injuries. i played my 34" scale bass last week (for the most part, i really like the feel of a 34" scale bass), but after half an hour i had shoulder pain that didn't go away for several days :(
 
You didn't put carrots.
Normally a "full size" bass plus a lighter weight bass go to all shows. If my lower back(motorcycle accident 40+ years ago) starts complaining, the light one gets used for the rest of the show...usually a short scale.
My answer would have been 34" EXCEPT WHEN......
 
A rabbit nibbled my widest carrot so it's skewed 35" to 31"ish, and my narrower carrots measure 35". I've eaten carrots of all sizes without problems, but I've stuck with the long ones because they fit my mouth nicely. I'm kinda interested in trying some mini-carrots (and genetically modified MIDI-carrots), but haven't grown any yet.
My poll and I say no carrots.

My wife forgot to get carrots for Canadian Thanksgiving dinner tonight (true story). So if I can't have carrots, nobody can have carrots.:p
 
  • Like
Reactions: cannedveggiessuck
30" for me. I've got a scoliosis and short arms, so end up twisting my shoulders and back (painfully too, especially when you add the weight of the bass hanging on that shoulder) to get to the further frets on anything longer :( Makes me sad cause there's very little bass options for short scale players, everythings 34"

The only exception I've come accross where longer scale works, is a 35" LTD which must just be very ergonomically designed and is the only long scale I'v tried that didn't cause the above issues...
It's weird. But I'm not complaining :D
 
Started on 30's but they were muddy (Teisco-Delray and EB0), switched to Fender (telecaster, jazz, Precision). The hands are getting older, I'd like to try a 32", and I have a fond memory of a Mustang, but in the DC area, there isn't much selection in basses (or amps). GC, Chuck Levins has a half dozen, and everybody else seems to just sell vintage. I'm very reluctant to buy something I haven't played.
 
I play several basses of several different scales. I always seem to come back to a P bass, so I said 34. I have a fanned fret that I used exclusively for a few years, and I was locked in with a 32" Urge bass for a long time.

Recently, though, I picked up a 33" Ibanez. I have to say, there is something magical about this scale length. It is a pretty uncommon scale (outside of the Rick world), but well worth checking out.