What scale bass do you play and why? A Poll

[sotua]

34" because that's all I have tried. Now that I'm getting older and my joints are going, I'm considering switching to 32", but haven't had the time or the money to try one

(fantasizing about building a 32" warmoth PJ - if only!)

 

[Jools4001]

33 1/4" Rick, 34" all the others except my 35" GB Rumour.

 

[BassGreaser]

Voted 30" (actually 31" to be exact) but 30" was closest without going over.

I've played many different scale lengths from 32",34,35" to 42" over the past 18 years I've been playing. In the near future I'll be making a bold leap and only be playing 31" when I place an order for a Kay Pro K162V

 

[Bassmann79]

34 or 35, no real preference I guess

Never paid much attention to scale really, I go by feel but my main Spector is 35" and my latest Wick SS1 5 String is 34"

 

[Dogmatic]

<- This bass was 34", but it was stolen.

My current bass (Dingwall AB1 6 string) is fanned fret, which I find more comfortable to play (frets just seem to be in the right place for wherever my hand is). That, and I really like the way it sounds.

 

[Sweet Willie]

My two main basses are a 34" 4-string (feels right; the scale my first bass was and that I'm most used to) and a 34.5" 5-string. I await a new 34" 4-string fretless. I have a 34" backup 5-string.

I tend to find various scales all reasonably comfortable, and often the build of the bass (e.g., how it hangs) makes a bigger difference to me in how the scale feels than the scale itself. That is, there are other differences in bass construction that affect me more in terms of playability of an instrument.

 

[Hi-End Basses]

34 inch Fender Standard Precisions. You don't need more than 20 frets.

 

[asahisuperdry]

I play 34 inch scale basses just because that's what I have available. In the future I want to go to 30 inch scale instruments because it'll be easier on the hands because I have a family history of arthritis

 

[phillybass101]

I play on 34" and 34 5/8" scale necks and prefer 34's. Funny though after playing on my 34" scale 6 string the 34 5/8" scale seems much more manageable. It has to be a Muscle Memory thing for me.

 

[MasonMinor]

Well, I voted short scale 30 inches, cause my main is a bronco bass. But I would have voted 34 and 30 because I also like long scale basses. I dig the bronco for its sound, not its scale.

 

[Steve Dallman]

I've had 24" (early 60's Carvin), 30", 32", and a lot of 34's. When I switched to 5 string I started looking for a 35, and bought a fretted, and built a 35" fretless. These days I play mostly 34's but do use my 35" fretless. I have no problems switching between 34 and 35. I used to think 35 was necessary for a good low B but have found that to be a function of the strings used more than scale. My 34's have fine low B's.

 

[iriegnome]

My Modulus basses are 35" scale. They chose me. Kind of a coincidence as a matter of fact! The neck and bodies feel good to me. Comfortable. We play sometimes up to 6 hour sets so I need that comfort. The necks are easy and my thumb doesn't stick when I sweat. The scale doesn't matter to me. The basses are comfortable and lip smackin

 

[RaniBrandt]

I chose 34", but I'm pretty happy with anything 34" and below. I have a P (34"), a Rick (33.25"), and a Mustang (30"), and I mainly swap them out for their different sounds rather than their scale lengths.

 

[Scarey Larry]

I have everything from a Dingwall to a Hofner 30". Only the Hofner seems a problem. Love the Dingwall, but most of mine are 34" including my two main players.

 

[nanymoa]

I play 34 inch, waiting for a 30 inch currently being build. Tried 35" but i'm not a big guy and I struggle to play 1st position on those basses.

 

[Gnal]

Voted 35". I play an MTD. The B is powerful and I like the ergonomics and playability. I have 34.5" and 34" scale basses, they are also great but I play the 35" the most.

 

[Dan Knowlton]

No real options to cover my situation -
I use 34 or 35" scale basses and am equally comfortable on them. In addition, I used to have a 32" scale bass and a 34.5" and those were just fine, too.

Dan

 

[bassbenj]

How about the option to select various? I mainly play 30" 32" and 34", depending on the day and mood.

I agree. While most of my basses are 34" (no surprise) I also have two 35" scale basses and a short scale. I loved the short scale (30") when I played 4 string but now I keep looking for a short scale with a decent B string that won't empty my wallet. So until I find it, I don't play the short scale basses (4 string) much if at all.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I've owned many great 35" scale instruments and even one 36", and never really had any problems with the longer scales, but 34" just feels a little more natural and comfortable to me.

 

[bunny10]

Strictly 31 Inch Birdsongs.