Why aren't medium scale basses (32") more popular?

[Boneless]

I'd like to have some choice when it comes to medium scale. There isn't any. And it does make a difference: half a step down in string tension (approximately) is a good middle way between long scale (taut, rings out clearly) and short scale (thumpy, full-sounding treble strings), and the slightly shorter neck, while not as noticeable as on a short scale, still makes it more comfortable to play. (I say this after having done some experiments with a capo on the 1st fret of a long scale bass). There was only one offering (that I know of) on the market, the Eastwood Black Widow, a bass that was also really poorly marketed (just a one-minute video of somebody playing a palm muted part).

 

[fermata]

Medium scale is the Goldilocks scale: not too long, not too short.

You’re right that there are fewer choices than long or short scale, but there are quite a few nonetheless. You can learn about many (all?) of them here: The Official Medium Scale Bass Club

 

[wagdog]

Or, medium scales fall into the uncanny valley. They are neither here, nor there.

 

[Les Fret]

No idea why. I like them better than short scales. If you want a 24 fret medium scale there is very few choice.

 

[Jefenator]

If you already have a long scale and a short scale, covering medium scale might be overkill.
If the right 32" were to come up - like a hollowbody with bi-sonic pickups - I would make room for it.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

They’re popular enough with me. The last couple of basses I’ve built/assembled have been medium scale and if I ever get some other projects done I’d like to make a fan fret 32”-30” 5 string. Ok the EB1 obviously isn’t a “build” but it is 32” scale and the one is an in progress shot. I also have an SD Curlee and a Hondo that are 32” scale. Just don’t have pics right now.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I bought a Warwick Rockstar that was a 32" scale.... and I bought it for the medium scale. Mine is the Chinese model that's a hollow body and shaped like a 335. It as online and on sale, so I bought it. It's a nice bass, and I've gigged with it several times.

D'Angelico use to have a 32" LP shaped bass that was semi-hollow but they're out of production. I could never find one of them on sale.

I've had several 30" scale basses and I prefer the 32". My main bass to gig with is a Rickenbacker.

Not sure why the 32" scale is not more popular. Could be that there's just too much history with a Fender 34 and Gibson 30 inch scale length.

 

[Killing Floor]

A lot of bass guitars are based on the early electric models designed by a guy named Leo Fender. I know, it sounds like a car part but that is his real name. He made basses with 34” scale and all the basses you have played are designed to mimic his design details to some degree.

 

[MartialDylan]

The reason why 32” basses haven’t become more popular is that the 34” instruments and the 30” instruments have unique & desirable tones to them.

Where as the 32” sounds like a mix of both worlds; which is not a good thing.

A 32” bass sounds like a weak 34” or a tighter 30”.

A person sitting at a bar having a beer will be able to hear the difference between a 34” and a 30” bass.

If one wants a tight tone that swells a bit they’re going to play a 34”.

If one wants a darker tone that hits instantly, that person will play a 30” instrument.

A 32” bass does neither

 

[JimmyM]

The reason why 32” basses haven’t become more popular is that the 34” instruments and the 30” instruments have unique & desirable tones to them.

Where as the 32” sounds like a mix of both worlds; which is not a good thing.

A 32” bass sounds like a weak 34” or a tighter 30”.

A person sitting at a bar having a beer will be able to hear the difference between a 34” and a 30” bass.

If one wants a tight tone that swells a bit they’re going to play a 34”.

If one wants a darker tone that hits instantly, that person will play a 30” instrument.

A 32” bass does neither

Huh? Where does that idea come from?

 

[A Bass And Its Boy]

My very first fully-custom bass is a 26-fret medium scale. If I could only rescue one bass from a burning building, this’d be it.

 

[frankie5string]

The reason why 32” basses haven’t become more popular is that the 34” instruments and the 30” instruments have unique & desirable tones to them.

Where as the 32” sounds like a mix of both worlds; which is not a good thing.

A 32” bass sounds like a weak 34” or a tighter 30”.

A person sitting at a bar having a beer will be able to hear the difference between a 34” and a 30” bass.

If one wants a tight tone that swells a bit they’re going to play a 34”.

If one wants a darker tone that hits instantly, that person will play a 30” instrument.

A 32” bass does neither

What absolute bollocks. Check out the Spector Bantam 5, which is a 32" scale 5 and it absolutely roars, although the demo video has it running through some mushy distortion pedal. Most of the 32" basses I've heard have a punchy, fast tone.

If you're tight and swelling, you might want to loosen your belt a notch.

 

[Wfrance3]

My 32” warmoth just rocks. It’s 4 string pj vvt. It has a nice clear, punchy tone with flats, and can push it to p bass rasp. It’s super versatile, and has nice compact fret spacing. Am pretty happy with it.

 

[Killing Floor]

My short scale thumps (30.7”) but my 35” only plays C#. That’s why no one should play 35”. Facts.

 

[superheavyfunk]

A person sitting at a bar having a beer will be able to hear the difference between a 34” and a 30” bass.

I laughed out loud when I read this. I’m sorry (not sorry) for that. I’ll put money down against this - honestly. I’ve got $100 Canadian dollars that I’m willing to lose if there’s a way that we can test this theory and you can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that some rando at a club can tell the sonic difference between a 30” or 34” scale one, blindfolded and without prodding or some other kind of assistance.

 

[rj1972]

I play only 32" at this point. I have made 4 of them and own another 6. 2 Alembics and 4 Tom Clement basses including a fretless 5 and a headless 5. Everyone of them sounds incredible. Here are the 4 I have made.

 

[ac100X]

I have three 32" scale: Original Baldwin /Burns Jazz bass (as seen on the Wild Thing video), a re-issue Burns Jazz and an Alembic Exploiter (around 1984)

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

32" basses are like 432 hz tuning. They should be forbidden, nay, banished from Earth. For they are objects of wickedness.

JK. I love medium-scale basses. The real reason there aren't more... I bought them all up. Other than that... it's 440 or fight.

 

[Topkat13]

I would be interested in knowing how you were able to determine they are not “more popular”?

 

[gtirard]

I have a long scale and a short scale, I like both. I wouldn't search for a medium scale specifically, but if a bass that I like was medium scale, why not?

I don't think we can say "medium scale is the best of both worlds" or "It's a bad idea because it's neither one nor the other". I consider the instrument as a whole…