Short Scale = 30-31 inches. Medium Scale = 32-33 inches. Long Scale = 34-35 inches (most basses are long scale) Extra Long Scale = 35-36+ inches.
What is considered a long scale bass?
On a modern bass guitar, 30″ (76 cm) or less is considered short scale; standard (also called long) scale is 34″ (86 cm) for a 4-string and 35″ (89 cm) for a B-E-A-D-G 5-string, and extra-long scale basses of 36″ (91 cm) also exist.
What is the difference between long scale and short scale bass strings?
This difference in tone is due to how the instrument’s scale length affects the harmonics and timbre of the notes. A longer scale length has higher string tension and tends to emphasize the mid to high frequencies. A shorter scale tends to have lower tension and emphasize the lower frequencies.
Can you use long scale bass strings on short scale?
Yes, you can certainly make a set of long scale strings work on a shorter scale length bass but you definitely need to choose your strings wisely.
How do I know if my bass is long scale or short scale?
#1 Scale Length
Typically speaking, short scale basses have a string length of 30”, and long scale basses have a string length of 34” inches. To give some perspective, if you are a guitarist interested in playing bass, the scale length of a Fender Start is 25.5”, and the scale length of a Gibson Les Paul is 24.75”.
Is a 34 scale bass long?
Long scale basses are the common standard, measuring 34 inches (864 mm) from the nut to the bridge.
Why are short scale basses popular?
The first and most obvious reason to use a short-scale bass is its physical size. With their shorter necks, less distance between frets, and more compact general dimensions, short-scale basses are an excellent choice for players with smaller hands.
Did paul McCartney use a short scale bass?
Famous Short Scale Bass Players
In fact, arguably the most famous living musician today uses them; Paul McCartney! Relying on a Hofner 500/1 “Violin” bass back in the ’60s when he was a part of The Beatles, McCartney is still often seen playing this distinctive 30” bass in his solo performances; over 50 years later.
Is it OK to play a short scale bass?
Yes, definitely. For one thing, short-scale bass guitars sometimes use a slightly heavier string gauge than their long-scale brothers, which imparts a thicker tone.
Is a short scale bass easier to play?
For me, it’s definitely easier to have 1-finger-per-fret, if your into that way of playing. It’s also easier to play chords and generally just a lot less stressful on my hands. There’s some ongoing tendonitis issues in my left wrist that made me seek out short scales and so far it has helped a lot.
What gauge strings do most bass players use?
The Bass String Gauges
A heavier gauge produces a richer tone that is determined by the strength of your fingers. Additionally, a heavier gauge produces a lower tone. Most bass strings have a medium gauge, a standard 4-string bass guitar ranges between 0.045 and 0.105 inches thick.
Do heavier strings allow lower action?
Yes. More tension, narrower vibration so heavier strings will let you get lower action.
Are long fingers good for bass?
Generally most people will either say big fingers are better or that its the player and not the fingers. To be a great bass player you should be able to stretch from the 1st fret to the 5th fret.
What is the most common bass scale?
1. The Major Scale. The major scale is the most common and important type of bass scale.
What bass scales to learn first?
Scale 1 – The Major Scale
The major scale is the backbone of all Western Music and it’s the number one scale all beginner bassists should know. Here’s what you need to know: The Major Scale contains 8 notes and has a ‘happy’ sound to it. The Major Scale will work over any Major Chord.
Is longer scale length better?
Scale length can have a significant effect on playability. All factors being equal (string gauge, string length beyond the nut and saddle, break angles, and so on), shorter scales produce lower string tension, are more elastic, easier to fret, and require less arm extension.
Is 32 a short scale bass?
In the years since, manufacturers have released bass guitars of varying scale lengths, and players tend to group their instruments into one of three categories: short scale for 30 to 30.5 inches, medium for 32 inches, and long for 34 inches and, occasionally, 35 inches.
Is a Fender Jazz bass Long Scale?
Most basses such as Fender’s Precision and Jazz Bass have a 34” scale—considered a long scale.
How do I know what scale my bass is?
For example if the distance from the nut to the centre of the 12th fret measures 17″ then you double this to find the end of your 34″ scale length.” Above: As you can see the distance between the nut and the crown of the 12th fret is 17″. If we then multiply this figure by 2 we get the scale length of our bass.
Why do old basses sound better?
Wood dries out and resonates more, pickups age and become warmer, more organic sounding. The entire instrument fuses as one whole entity instead of just a jumble of parts. These are just some of the things I’ve heard over the years about why vintage basses sound, play, and feel better than newer axes.
Which bass is the most versatile?
With an Ultra Noiseless Vintage Jazz Bass single-coil in the bridge and its split-coil counterpart in the middle, the American Ultra P-Bass is one hugely versatile instrument.