Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What scale bass do you play and why? A Poll
- Thread starter Baird6869
- Start date
What is the scale of your main/favorite bass?
34"
What kind of bass is it and what do you like about it?
1972 Fender P; 1992 AVRI 62 Fender J; 1986 Charvel 3C
I feel like my Hamer Explorer neck is 35"...it feels longer than my other basses, but it also might be the way it sits on me with the heavier body
Until I got onto TB, I didn't realize that I should be worrying about things like neck scale. I just grabbed a bass and played it.
Being a Steve Harris fan, I targeted P basses so my first bass ever was a P bass. Now that I am older and "wiser(?)" I know that I do not like necks shorter than 34" on a bass. On guitar it is fine.
34"
What kind of bass is it and what do you like about it?
1972 Fender P; 1992 AVRI 62 Fender J; 1986 Charvel 3C
I feel like my Hamer Explorer neck is 35"...it feels longer than my other basses, but it also might be the way it sits on me with the heavier body
Until I got onto TB, I didn't realize that I should be worrying about things like neck scale. I just grabbed a bass and played it.
Being a Steve Harris fan, I targeted P basses so my first bass ever was a P bass. Now that I am older and "wiser(?)" I know that I do not like necks shorter than 34" on a bass. On guitar it is fine.
I don't care. I like all types of basses and scale lengths and the little differences that make them unique. Right now I play 20", 32", 331/4", and 34". I have no issues switching between them. I enjoy picking up a junk cheap bass and the challenge of making something musical come out of it. I found an old Greco 30" scale hollowbody in some trash one time. I got it up to playable condition even though it still looked a bit rough and donated to a young lady at Church who wanted to learn to play but had no resources. It was a fun challenge making it playable and it was a ball to play!
I play a 34. Don't have a lot of time logged on any other length (I've only been playing for a few years), but I wanted 24 frets ... even if I never touch those upper 3
All my basses are 34" but one, which is my son's Fender Modern Player 30" Jazz Bass...
They're 12 and they range from acoustic to 4-5-6 string, both active and passive.
In the past I had also 28,60", 32", 33" and sure 35" scale but (just like fretless-different thing yet you got it) it doesn't work...
Cheers,
Wallace
35" because that's what my Modulus Q5 is
34" because that's what the rest of my electric basses are
41.5" because that's what my DB and EUB are
34" because that's what the rest of my electric basses are
41.5" because that's what my DB and EUB are
I just acquired my dream bass, a Carl Thompson, and it is a 36" Scale. Pretty sweet.
I gotta say, it does take some getting used to. However, the tone of an extra extra long scale is soooo worth it. I've never heard a bass actually sound like a piano until now. It's wonderful.
I gotta say, it does take some getting used to. However, the tone of an extra extra long scale is soooo worth it. I've never heard a bass actually sound like a piano until now. It's wonderful.
No multiple answers possible?
Very comfortable with 32 and 34 inch basses here.
Shorter scale gives a warmer sound which I prefer, longer scale is more tight (in feel and sound) which also has its benefits.
Very comfortable with 32 and 34 inch basses here.
Shorter scale gives a warmer sound which I prefer, longer scale is more tight (in feel and sound) which also has its benefits.
I play 34" scale mostly (because that's how long it's supposed to be... So spaketh Leo).
But I've owned 30" scale basses (EB3/Viola) and a 33.25" (Ric). I've never had any problems adapting to shorter scale... There were a lot of awkward things to get used to on the Rickenbacker, but adapting to a scale that was only 3/4" shorter wasn't one of them.
I've never had a desire to own a 5-string, but if I did, I think I'd want it to be 35" scale. I've heard too many 34" fivers with a floppy, awful-sounding B.
But I've owned 30" scale basses (EB3/Viola) and a 33.25" (Ric). I've never had any problems adapting to shorter scale... There were a lot of awkward things to get used to on the Rickenbacker, but adapting to a scale that was only 3/4" shorter wasn't one of them.
I've never had a desire to own a 5-string, but if I did, I think I'd want it to be 35" scale. I've heard too many 34" fivers with a floppy, awful-sounding B.
I have been thinking about this lately, my Spectors are 35" while my Wick SSI is 34" and after playing the Wick for awhile I definitely notice the length difference but not sure what my preference is
Voted 34. I have 2 MTD 5 stings. One is 34 scale , the other 35. I prefer the 34 but the 35 isn't much of a challenge with the asymmetric neck design.
30" due to a long history of hand and wrist problems. Also, honestly, consider myself more of a guitarist these days. Plus, loved the sound of the Epiphone EB-0 when I tried it out.
