Not a bad thought. It might be fun to try one; things have gotten so much better and you get a lot more for your money nowadays than you did back then.With the current available string options and the much wider selection of 30" scale basses it might be a good time to try a shortie again! You could go nostalgic with an SG or try one of the many other options that are currently available
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Why would anyone play a bass longer than 30" scale?
- Thread starter MakoMan
- Start date
My main gigging bass is an SX Ursa Jr 5 string 30" scale. Also Birdsong makes nice custom stuff for reasonable money.
I have and play various scale lengths, but by far my best sounding and most comfortable bass is the longest scale instrument I own, a 35" Roscoe LG3005.
If nothing else, trying out different instruments with different characteristics is always fun. It's actually almost less than free to try a shortie. True story... bought a Jag SS a few years ago when they were listed at $179 in Canada. Got it on sale for 20% off.. I think about $140. Played it for 4 years and sold it last year used for $200. So I actually got paid 60 bucks to play a Squier Jag SS for four years
Newer model, 2015. They’ve made some improvements (if you want to call them that because some don’t) since the early days of the EB. What you heard then isn’t what you’ll hear now. It’s a different animal, somewhat like the grandchild of the early Gibson EB. It’s a beautiful bass, and I consider it the hot rod of my basses. It can get very aggressive.
But, light gauge strings are a definite no go for me on this bass. The heavy strings with a heavy attack still makes me smile.
I have one short scale bass and two mediums 32 and 33in. Ive actually really been enjoying them quite a bit. Im also a big fan of a high c on a 5 string so the platform works for me. I also think it's important to make sure your using short or medium scale strings for each scale length. Long scale strings on a short scale bass are a recipe for problems.
That being said I still have my long scale basses and they're staying put.
That being said I still have my long scale basses and they're staying put.
Interesting. What is it that makes the Roscoe more comfortable to play than instruments that theoretically at least would require less extension of the arms and stretch of the fingers to play?
i have a couple great short scales and theyre fun to rip around on but i dont think of them as serious instruments. they feel like toys to me. i actually have to try harder to play them. 34” just plays itself. it is more ergonomic for me and resonates with much more authority
My preference is 32”. My main bass is 34 only because I could not get it as a 32.
I personally prefer basses that are at least standard scale. I used to play one that was very, very short scale. Don’t know what it scale length it was, but I’d guess 30”.
I’m slightly tempted to try out some short basses again. My left wrist pops/cracks/makes noise very loudly when I rotate it. Kinda cramps up, especially when playing faster stuff that moves up and down the neck more.
I’m slightly tempted to try out some short basses again. My left wrist pops/cracks/makes noise very loudly when I rotate it. Kinda cramps up, especially when playing faster stuff that moves up and down the neck more.
I'll play a 32" and be fine with it, but anything shorter just feels kinda wrong to me. I started on a 30" someone left at my school, and while it was fine when I was just learning and didn't know better, the second I picked up a 34" it felt revolutionary to me. It just fit better. I've never had the luxury of trying anything longer, but I'd love to see how I handle a 35" sometime. I suspect I'll stick with 34" though. It just feels right.
I'm serious about this. I see lots of threads about is it OK to play a short scale but never any from the other perspective. Maybe it's because I only started playing bass 6 years ago in my mid-50s and started on a Squier Jag SS, maybe it's because I get tennis elbow if I play anything longer than a 30" scale on a regular basis, or maybe it's because I'm a lead singer and have to try to play everything without looking down (as best I can LOL!). But I don't get it... why would anyone handicap themselves by playing a bass that is longer than necessary.
Short scales are easier to play no question. I don't think that's even worth debating. The selection of shorties is better than ever (and there should be more...). String selection is no longer a problem and tension issues can be resolved with the right strings (again it could still be better and will be once everyone switches to short scale
So why do you guys play 34"s? Do you like clubbing your lead guitarist and/or singer in the head? Are you challenged by the longer scale? Is it an image thing? Is it tone? Is it Machisomo?
I used to think it was an image thing, but in the 200+ shows I've played with short scales not one person has ever said 'hey... your bass is too short'. In fact when I tell people I play a shorter scale than normal they are totally mystified by what I am saying.
So why are you still playing a 34" bass?
I don’t play 34” scale basses. I play 35” scale basses.
I don't currently own any short scales, but I definitely really like them. I think people should just play whatever suits their needs.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I'm serious about this. I see lots of threads about is it OK to play a short scale but never any from the other perspective. Maybe it's because I only started playing bass 6 years ago in my mid-50s and started on a Squier Jag SS, maybe it's because I get tennis elbow if I play anything longer than a 30" scale on a regular basis, or maybe it's because I'm a lead singer and have to try to play everything without looking down (as best I can LOL!). But I don't get it... why would anyone handicap themselves by playing a bass that is longer than necessary.
Short scales are easier to play no question. I don't think that's even worth debating. The selection of shorties is better than ever (and there should be more...). String selection is no longer a problem and tension issues can be resolved with the right strings (again it could still be better and will be once everyone switches to short scale
So why do you guys play 34"s? Do you like clubbing your lead guitarist and/or singer in the head? Are you challenged by the longer scale? Is it an image thing? Is it tone? Is it Machisomo?
I used to think it was an image thing, but in the 200+ shows I've played with short scales not one person has ever said 'hey... your bass is too short'. In fact when I tell people I play a shorter scale than normal they are totally mystified by what I am saying.
So why are you still playing a 34" bass?
THE TONE IS DIFFERENT
I play 34” largely because I don’t see a shorter scale bass as the complete solution and be-all, end-all answer to everything for both me and every other player that never asked my opinion about it.
There’s also something about the hundreds of amazing players over the history of popular music that played 34” scale basses on recordings that sold hundreds upon hundreds of millions of units that seems to suggest that the instruments work. Maybe that’s inconsequential?
There’s also something about the hundreds of amazing players over the history of popular music that played 34” scale basses on recordings that sold hundreds upon hundreds of millions of units that seems to suggest that the instruments work. Maybe that’s inconsequential?
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30” scale.. the only one I’ve ever seen
When my condition improved I sold it and went back to long scale.
I wish I had kept it simply because it was so rare.
It sounded great too
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I'm pretty happy on a 30", but my tonal palette is kind of limited. If I did more slapping or and wanted brighter sounds, I'd want to use a longer bass.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
I’ve had tennis elbow bad (right side though) so I understand.
You need to try a Dingwall.
Multiscale fanned fret basses.
Each string is a different length.
Medium scale 4 is approx 35 - 32
Long scale 5’s are approx 37 - 34
The tone and sustain is unparalleled in my experience.
I have a short scale Epi Beatle bass and a bunch of 34” fenders. The Dingwall’s steal their lunch money and kick sand in their faces for fun. And I like all of them.
You need to try a Dingwall.
Multiscale fanned fret basses.
Each string is a different length.
Medium scale 4 is approx 35 - 32
Long scale 5’s are approx 37 - 34
The tone and sustain is unparalleled in my experience.
I have a short scale Epi Beatle bass and a bunch of 34” fenders. The Dingwall’s steal their lunch money and kick sand in their faces for fun. And I like all of them.
