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

[Bruiser Stone]

34" and a 1 5/8" neck is the fit for me.
I have a short scale, an Epiphone EB-0, but I find it more challenging to play. My fingers feel like they're in a traffic jam. But I like the sound with a heavy set of flats, so I keep it.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

My first bass was a Gibson sg. It happened to be short scale but I didn't know it at the time. I didn't really like the sound so I switched to a PBass. I didn't know that the fender was a 34 but I did know it sounded much more to my liking. Neither was difficult to play and it never occurred to me to consider one more "playable" than the other.

Fifty years later I do find the SS and medium scale basses a bit easier on the hands. For me it's an age thing or maybe early stages of arthritis thing.

I find the medium scale is perfect for me.

 

[lfmn16]

Learn proper technique. Then you don't have to worry about scale.

 

[JoeWPgh]

I like both. Short scales tend to have a rich softer tone (some might even call it muddy) Long scales can deliver a clearer, punchier tone. You can roll off the highs on a long scale and get close to the sound of a SS, but not so much the other way around. They both have their places.

 

[brianrost]

So why do you guys play 34"s?

I will undoubtedly be the 1,000,000th person to say because the longer scale improves the sound. I play a DB with 41-ish inch scale and I've played a 35" scale "1/4" DB that my daughter used in middle school. The difference in sound and feel of the E and A strings was remarkable.

I still play a 30" scale Danelectro/Silvertone, used to own a 25" scale Airline Pocket Bass and currently play a 35" scale fiver. I have a left hand injury that makes it more difficult to play below the 5th fret because of the stretch but that still hasn't led me to switch to all 30" scale basses and ditch the DB. I've had tendonitis (tennis elbow) in the past and after therapy learned how to alter my playing technique to prevent reoccurences. In my case it was the right hand that was the problem.

People should make their own choices and not concern themselves so much as to why other people made different choices. I'm sure a lot of TBers would scratch their heads at my gear list, but I use what works for me. Everybody should do the same, after firing the drummer

 

[johnson79]

What an odd post.
I'd like to expand on this, but I don't want to be rude.
In any case, here's a picture of some short-scale dogs.

 

[TNCreature]

I prefer 24 frets. So unsatisfying being one fret short of the high E.

 

[2saddleslab]

Because I have man hands.

 

[JakobT]

I started out with 34", and am comfortable with that. Never saw the need to change just for the sake of it.

 

[mellowinman]

Because I don't really like to play tennis.

 

[Duanestuermer]

Although with active electronics fundamental can be boosted, I've always felt short scale basses lacked innate fundamental.
I started on a preCBS P back in a 60s, and anytime I tried short scale basses from then on, they sounded slightly wimpy in comparison.
Then in the 70s studied string bass, so after that I find the size, and physical challange of any bass guitar a bit Toyish.

 

[wmhill]

I've never played a short scale (anything less than 34") that didn't feel like a toy.

 

[mcnach]

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?

Hey, why stop at 30"? Try a bass ukelele or an Ashbory!

I guess I started playing 34" mostly due to availability & selection. I then continued because I saw no reason to change. When I play 30-32" scale basses they feel odd and not significantly easier to play.
I play guitar also (24-25") and switch between them without thinking the scale length in one is easier or harder.

I can't see how 34" scale instruments are a significant factor in injurying yourself, assuming you're a human of a roughly normal size and shape, unless you force yourself to play with postures that force your joints to very unnatural shapes, and you should pay attention to that regardless of the instrument.

Image? I don't think so. If anything a 30" scale instrument looks easier to pose with

In the end, to me, it comes largely to habit, and selection. If through injury or illness I found that playing a smaller instrument would help me, I'd switch. Until then... I'll play what feels comfy to me and gets me the sounds I want. Currently, it's 34-35" scale basses. No esoteric reasons beyond those.

 

[two fingers]

I'm 6'2" tall. I have large hands and long arms. A 30" scale would be a toy in my hands. Heck, I really only get comfy with 19mm spaced 5 strings.

My main player is a 35" scale 19mm (wide) spaced 5 string. I also sing lead. It fits me fine.

But if short scales make you smile, I'm glad they are available for you to buy.

 

[t-ray]

An upright 3/4 size (that most of us use) is about 42" scale. Why would anyone labor with that? But they do.
34" may be the perfect scale (I guess Leo thought so) but as I get older, I'm drawn to shorties more and more.
All things relative.

 

[bassdude51]

May I flip your question? "Why would anyone play a bass shorter than 34"?" Answer, there are many reasons. A 30 inch scale is comfortable to play. It has less sustain which can be a good thing for certain kinds of music. It'll save your hands in the long run. It is lighter. The strings are less taunt. The reasons go on.

The king of them all......................

 

[LoTone]

THE TONE IS DIFFERENT

The whole premise of the OP is that it is all about the ergonomics of the bass. Well, I have a few shorties in my arsenal and I have them because they sound different than the long scale ones. The fact that the frets are closer together is just added bonus.

 

[FugaziBomb]

So why are you still playing a 34" bass?

Because it's comfortable, typically has better response and feel on the lower strings than a 30", there's more availability for strings in 34", there's more availability for basses in 34", a large segment of the short scale market is lower end beginner instruments, and the number one reason I play 34" scale basses; EBMM doesn't make a short scale Stingray.

This whole thing comes off like a guy who constantly defends the fact that he drives a Miata, despite the fact no one mentions that he drives a Miata or even cares

 

[bassliner50]

Why would anyone wish to play an 8' grand piano? You could fit 10 spinets in that same space. Seriously my friends, it is about vibrating string length and fundamental pitch perception in the lower registers.

 

[MonetBass]

Because 34" scale is the most comfortable to me. Simple.