Standard schmandard. Do what you want.
That said, 4 string 34" is still the biggest seller.
That said, 4 string 34" is still the biggest seller.
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What's considered 'standard' for a bass nowadays?
- Thread starter EvoMan
- Start date
The standard for who?
The standard for everyone else is not the standard for me.
The standard for everyone else is not the standard for me.
I'm into 37" multiscale. 2006 Dingwall AB1 5, 2022 Dingwall Combustion C3 6, 2018 Payson P 5 Multiscale fretless. I have a 35" 2014 Dingwall Super J and a 35" Sire m7 6
4/34 is the standard. But standard here just means the most common, it's not a level of quality that others must aspire to achieve or anything like that.
For me it will always be a 34" four string. Having said that for me, I prefer 34" five string basses as for me they are easier to play.
IRL, 34" 4 strings are everywhere.
On the internet, 5 string multiscale is everywhere, but it's a fad.
On the internet, 5 string multiscale is everywhere, but it's a fad.
4 string I would consider standard. If playing 5 string, a low B I would consider standard. In any case, I would consider 34" scale standard.
I would choose one of those based on what's used in the music he wants to play. Simple as that.
IMO it would be best to learn on a 34" scale, since that is the most common. Once he's proficient on that, he can always explore things like longer or shorter scales, fanned frets, fretless, etc.
I would choose one of those based on what's used in the music he wants to play. Simple as that.
IMO it would be best to learn on a 34" scale, since that is the most common. Once he's proficient on that, he can always explore things like longer or shorter scales, fanned frets, fretless, etc.
While I no doubt numbers will indicate the 4 string is still the Standard, I might add that the answer to this sort of query is not the amount of strings, but do you have the best bass for the music you play. for instance I've been playing in a Motown review band for the last 12 years the music we cover does not require notes below and E concert.,
A lot of music written since the 80's is arranged to include the low B. There are all sorts of work arounds, alternative tunings, pedals that can get those notes. That said, over the last 8 years I've also worked with a corporate event-wedding band gig, where a 5 string was required.
The deal is, your can get anything your can get out of a 4 string on a 5 string. And yes, you can get those low notes out of a 4 string jumping through some extra hoops and or giving up the upper range of your bass.
IMO, I think today playing commercial music is going to require those low notes. If your son is playing in the high school band he will need to read music, (a tool that allowed my son to have a 20 years career as a professional bassist in the Marine Corp). It would be best for him to have the right tool for the job.
I never got one and I've been here for 20 years. Bitter disappointment, but I carry on.
"Bass" refers to the tonal range, not the neck length or number of strings or even the weight.
Standard bass depends on what the standard music is. 4 string 34" is the historical standard (for many genres), but it's not the most modern. Maybe a synthesizer could be his standard.
I have a 34" Stingray and a 35" Lakland - both have a pretty good B string; I wouldn't say either one is better than the other.
5 strings with BEADG tuning is my preference, but 34" versus 35" doesn't bother me as long as I like the individual instrument in question.
I think in some cases the reason 35" sounds better is that it tends to be used on more expensive instruments, so really it's not so much the scale length making the difference as the overall construction quality.
