• 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.

Why isn't 33" scale more popular?

#21
Inara said:
Scott Devine (of Scott's Bass Lessons) has 33" scale on his signature bass models from Overwater:

Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed

I may end up trying one of these. Starting to get some left hand issues as I'm getting older. I left 35" scales behind a number of years ago, but my 34"s are starting to cause similar strain.
Click to expand...

FWIW I got a 32" Aria fretless a short while ago and found that was a magic scale length for me when it comes to fretless. I thought the notes might not be where I expected them to be after years on a 34" fretless and I'd need to reacclimate. But my hands didn't notice - and actually seem to prefer that slightly shorter length for a fretless neck. Go figure.

I'm going to have to track down a 32" fretted bass and see if it yields a similar result.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pbassmanca, BassHappy and Inara
#22
As long as I've been buying basses,I have never knowingly picked up a bass and KNEW that it was a short scale bass.
Why?
Because they aren't labeled as such.
Plus they aren't sectioned off from the long scales.
So I don't notice a difference.

I didn't even notice that a 35" scale bass that I used to have was 35" until I was playing it a week later an THEN noticed "something" was different from my 34"scale bass.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jim Carr
#24
Watchootognbout said:
As long as I've been buying basses,I have never knowingly picked up a bass and KNEW that it was a short scale bass.
Why?
Because they aren't labeled as such.
Plus they aren't sectioned off from the long scales.
So I don't notice a difference.

I didn't even notice that a 35" scale bass that I used to have was 35" until I was playing it a week later an THEN noticed "something" was different from my 34"scale bass.
Click to expand...

That's a a pretty strange statement IMO, but if that's your experience....:roflmao:
Ho-Kay.

There's a major difference in the feel of a short-scale bass as compared to a Std. 34" long-scale. To suggest otherwise...IDK. Even a 32" Medium scale has a significantly different feel.

I had a Gretsch SpectraSonic, an amazing bass, (look it up) with an incredible THUMP, but the scale...Wasn't working, didn't feel tight.
My Jerry Jones Shorthorn-same
Birdsong, the "ultimate" SS builder- too bad, great build
Gibson SG- wanted to like it, but sorry!
On and on, about 3 or four more.

Haven't had a 35" only because there is nothing I've seen that I've wanted built to that scale, I'm absolutely sure I could feel a difference.
 
#25
I must admit that the one 33" scale bass I owned/gigged (Fodera MGS) was one of my all-time favorite instruments, in large part due to the 33" scale length. I do experience some challenges swapping between different scale length instruments on a gig, and I struggle on and off with tendonitis. These days 34" is as long as I'll go, and I'd go shorter but I have a pair of 34" scale instruments that just slay me so I can't abandon them. I did just get a Mustang 30" and it is interesting. Haven't gigged it yet though. I have owned Rob Allen Mouse basses in the past that were 30" scale, and those are awesome but again, gave me fits when swapping within a set.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tleebassist11
#27
B-line said:
That's a a pretty strange statement IMO, but if that's your experience....:roflmao:
Ho-Kay.

There's a major difference in the feel of a short-scale bass as compared to a Std. 34" long-scale. To suggest otherwise...IDK. Even a 32" Medium scale has a significantly different feel.

I had a Gretsch SpectraSonic, an amazing bass, (look it up) with an incredible THUMP, but the scale...Wasn't working, didn't feel tight.
My Jerry Jones Shorthorn-same
Birdsong, the "ultimate" SS builder- too bad, great build
Gibson SG- wanted to like it, but sorry!
On and on, about 3 or four more.

Haven't had a 35" only because there is nothing I've seen that I've wanted built to that scale, I'm absolutely sure I could feel a difference.
Click to expand...

So you are a dedicated long scale guy, obviously there is no shame in that.

Play the bass that fits you, by all means! But for many of us:

Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BassBuzzRS
#28
BassHappy said:
So you are a dedicated long scale guy, obviously there is no shame in that.

Play the bass that fits you, by all means! But for the rest of us:

Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?
Click to expand...

Well, nobody ever said you shouldn't, and I'm dedicated to what feels right for me.
The statement "in question" was that the poster said there was no way he could tell the difference in a short/med/or long scale if they weren't marked. Say wut?

That warranted my reply.
You good with that?
By all means!:roflmao:
 
#29
B-line said:
Well, nobody ever said you shouldn't, and I'm dedicated to what feels right for me.
The statement "in question" was that the poster said there was no way he could tell the difference in a short/med/or long scale if they weren't marked. Say wut?

That warranted my reply.
You good with that?
By all means!:roflmao:
Click to expand...


Hey B Line

I would be very happy to list all the long scales that don't work for me too - but what's the point? Not sure anyone would care. You good with that?
 
#30
BassHappy said:
Hey B Line

I would be very happy to list all the long scales that don't work for me too - but what's the point? Not sure anyone would care. You good with that?
Click to expand...
:rollno::poop:

No I'm not good with that, mostly because I could hardly care less about "what long scales don't work for you"

What are you missing are do you like to post to tap the keyboard.

Read thread: about 33" scale. I illustrated w/ a 33" I own, stated that several short-meds don't work for me.
You come back with...what now?

You good with that, or you want to tap some more?:roflmao:

Feel free, not interested.
Tap away!:roflmao:
 
#31
B-line said:
:rollno::poop:

No I'm not good with that, mostly because I could hardly care less about "what long scales don't work for you"

What are you missing are do you like to post to tap the keyboard.

Read thread: about 33" scale. I illustrated w/ a 33" I own, stated that several short-meds don't work for me.
You come back with...what now?

You good with that, or you want to tap some more?:roflmao:

Feel free, not interested.
Tap away!:roflmao:
Click to expand...

Yawn.

Let's see a link to your albums, I am sure there are many.
 
#33
BassHappy said:
Yawn.

Let's see a link to your albums, I am sure there are many.
Click to expand...

Here's a couple: World-Class projects, w/ my short-scale basses!

Gigs and Ensembles:
Happy the Man, Vision

:roflmao:

Yawn

images.png

Keep tapping, "Shorty"

"Happy the Man"
:roflmao::roflmao::D
 
#34
BassHappy said:
Wow, what a mature dude you are, although somewhat misguided.

You do know that our albums were produced by Ken (Beatles, Bowie, Jeff Beck, Supertramp, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham) Scott?

Funny... I happen to know all about my track record. One of the top fifty albums of all time actually....

Link here: Invalid Link Removed

View attachment 1188530

And geeeez, how about that? My shortie (it's a medium bozo) was published in Vintage Guitar Magazine, I guess right next to your mighty long scale?

View attachment 1188531

Link here: Paul Reed Smith #11

I was curious about all of your highly acclaimed albums and the links? Let's see em, Einstein!
Click to expand...

Not impressed IN THE LEAST w/you or your music, sorry... (prog rock-oh wow)
Shorty!:roflmao:

EDIT!!!!

1977????
:roflmao::roflmao:

#50????
:facepalm::eyebrow::meh:

THE WORLD REMEMBERS "HAPPY THE MAN"
Really?:facepalm:




images.png
 
Last edited:
#37
40Hz said:
FWIW I got a 32" Aria fretless a short while ago and found that was a magic scale length for me when it comes to fretless. I thought the notes might not be where I expected them to be after years on a 34" fretless and I'd need to reacclimate. But my hands didn't notice - and actually seem to prefer that slightly shorter length for a fretless neck. Go figure.

I'm going to have to track down a 32" fretted bass and see if it yields a similar result.
Click to expand...
For some reason I find my intonation better on fretted regardless of the scale.........
 
  • Like
Reactions: BassBuzzRS and 40Hz
#38
While i currently only have 4 string basses, I think a cool idea would be a fanned fret 6 string with a compact design where the C string is at 32" scale length and the strings progress down to either 34 1/2" or 35" scale length on the B string using the single rail style bridge pieces.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back