Why would anyone play a bass longer than 30" scale?

[MDBass]

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 ). Tone is pretty subjective and for God's sake, most personal preferences can be solved by string choices and amp settings.
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?

It's entirely about tone, short scale basses don't sound like standard scale basses do; if anything in the realm of "piano-like" is what you're going for, a 30" scale is simply the wrong tool for the task.

Changing string brand or amp settings isn't going to bridge that gap.

You may have technique issues that need addressing if you get tennis elbow from standard scale basses, it might be worth your time to have a quick lesson with a seasoned player/teacher.

 

[Marko 1]

Playing 34" fivers (the way a five-string player plays), I'm typically higher on the neck using the B string, so I'm closer to the body, and where the frets are closer together. May be easier than playing a short-scale four-string.

 

[SactoBass]

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 ). Tone is pretty subjective and for God's sake, most personal preferences can be solved by string choices and amp settings.
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?

Mako: you are asking a very valid question!

Everything I am about to type is "IMO/IME" which means it may or may not be technically correct, but it's what I have experienced.

The longer the scale, the more tension you need on the strings to bring them into correct pitch (because the nut is farther from the bridge). And the more tension, the more harmonics there are with each note that is played. Shorter scale basses (at least the ones I have played) sound "thuddier" (for lack of a better term) because you need to lower (downtune) the string tension (because the nut is closer to the bridge) to get them to the correct pitch. That reduces the harmonics which results in a thuddier tone (less highs).

There's no right or wrong when it comes to personal preference of tone and feel. It just depends on the type of tone and feel the player seeks, and we are all different (thank goodness!) For me, I prefer the tone and feel of the three basses I currently own. I have a P bass (34" scale), a J bass (34" scale) and a Ric bass (33.25" scale). I love all three of them equally.

I have tried playing 30" basses. I just don't care for the tone or the feel, but that's just me. I guess that's probably due to me playing 34" scale basses for the past 46 years. It's what feels comfortable to me, and I prefer the tone over that of 30" scale basses.

But I'll say this: for those who "nay-say" 30" scale basses, I like to refer them to the pic below that shows the 30" Gibson bass that Tom Scholz played on the first couple of Boston albums (granted, he shoe-horned in a bridge pickup to get more treble....you can see it in the pic if you look closely). I haven't seen Tom rummaging through the clearance bins at Walmart, so I'd say that bass worked out pretty well for him!

 

[fhm555]

To those of you saying a short scale lacks low end balls, try this on. I play 34" scale but i'm looking at some shorter options.

 

[2112]

Ever notice that alot of times a regular-scale fiver will have a dead-sounding B? You can only go so short before you can't get around this. You will experience the same trouble with the E string once you shorten the scale past a certain point. On the 30's that I've played around with, the E's sounded pretty crummy.

 

[Ric5]

here's my 30" scale bass


This is an 8 string SG bass. This is an Epiphone EB0 body and a maple neck with a paddle shaped headstock. It is 30" scale.

It is wired passive, volume, volume, tone with 500k ohm pots. It has 2 stingray type pickups. The bridge is a Schaller 8 string bridge.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[jd56hawk]

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?

You say you're serious but you've got to be joking with this!

Other than that, why would anyone capable of handling a full-scale bass even consider playing a short-scale?
(Of course, I'm not talking about that guy from Liverpool)

I've only given a second glance to three or maybe four short-scale basses...and though I've played one that was pretty good and another that was even better, neither one had me hurriedly reaching for my wallet. The truth is, I never found one as good as my number one bass.
I did find one almost as good as my backup bass, but still wouldn't choose it over mine.
Guess why?

 

[orichtvuna]

Because that's what's most common and people tend to appreciate what they're used to. Pointless question.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I started on a 34" scale because I could get one cheap that I liked. That's the whole reason. The offer is simply much higher.

 

[Kukulkan61]

You have it backwards, handicaps play short scale..

 

[Charlzm]

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 ). Tone is pretty subjective and for God's sake, most personal preferences can be solved by string choices and amp settings.
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 am a big buy with big hands. My main basses are Dingwall 5 strings with a 37" B string. That tone is godly. The short scale basses I have played seem like toys and sound like angry rubber bands to me.

But I would never criticize anyone for playing one if that was their thing. To each their own.

 

[lug]

So they still do that? Mine was an EB-0. Terrible sound on the E string. The others were not much better. Pretty bass, though.

I tried for years to get my EBO to not sound like a dead cat being beaten against wet cardboard. New pups, bridge, tuners, various string types, nothing seemed to work. Then I found the secret to making these thing sing. You simply put guitar strings on them and they are fantastic!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Speaking from the technical side, the difference in tone between a short scale bass and a long scale bass is in the attack curve of the notes. A longer scale bass has higher tension on the strings, which increases the definition of the shape of the attack curve. More pop and warble and bloom on each note. But....You have to have the action higher and pluck harder and hold notes longer to really get the effect. Old School playing style.

A well built short scale bass will have plenty of bottom end, low frequency response. But it's harder to get that defined attack curve, the complex notes. Because of the lower string tension.

So, what you prefer really depends on your playing style. If you like low action, gentle touch, lots of fast notes, and smooth silky modern notes, then a short scale will do everything you want and may be much more comfortable to play.

If you play with a percussive sound, higher action, plucking hard, that sort-of-like-an-upright bass sound, then a long scale is going to feel more comfortable. You don't have to fight it as hard to get that percussive sound.

Me, my favorite bass is a 35" fretless. It's got that effortless attack curve. I also play a 34 1/4" fretted and sometimes I enjoy playing one of my 30 1/2" short scales. The short scale is more comfortable in overall size and weight. But it can't get that percussive sound of the 35" bass.

 

[Topkat13]

Because they want to?

 

[Mili]

Because the sound is more open and richer in longer scales. If you don't like it or don't able to hear the differences who cares...play whatever you like but please don't try to represent 34" stupid.you can't fight physics!
(I noticed many TBers here refers the openness and fullness of 34" to tension, yes it is true but the length of material which is vibrating is a very important factor too, you can't rech the tone of 34" by put heavier gauge strings on a short scale Bass.)

 

[Thumpin6string]

Trying to be like the OP here. Why would anyone play a short scale bass? Are they a wannabe guitarist? Is it to make them look bigger in perspective? Do they have short or weak fingers? We all know they can't sound like a real bass. They should not even bother making a short scale.

For the record, my last 4 string was a 32" scale Alembic Spoiler. I love my 34 and it is easy to play. Now my question is why would anyone want to play a 4 string bass?

 

[SteveCS]

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?
...
So why are you still playing a 34" bass?

I've not given it any thought until now, nor have I given a monkey's what anyone else chooses to play. But now I know: it's to make sure that when I ram it up the rear of evangelical people who call me out as a vain fool that's been handicapped by doing it all wrong for 35 years, I know I'm finished because the head will poke out the top...

 

[KohanMike]

I started playing bass about 4 years ago when I was 64 because the leader of my seniors ukulele group asked. The previous 50 years that I played guitar, I was often told I should play bass because I had good rhythm and feel, but I never wanted to be encumbered by a big electric bass, forget a stand up.

When I decided to try bass for the uke group, I discovered all the bass ukes and small basses available and I went for it. So my question is, why would anyone want to play anything bigger than 21 to 24" scale, which are all 23 of mine, and they all sound exactly like a "real" bass.

 

[biguglyman]

Because I'm 6'4" and 275 pounds. I look silly playing small basses...actually, I look silly no matter what bass I play...never mind.

 

[CentralCoastBass]

Because Leo Fender said so.