music man basses with 35 neck scale

[Tonkpils136]

i was just curious if anyone else thinks that music man/olp basses should have a line of basses with a 35 neck scale for people who feel more comfortable with them instead of a 34 neck scale

 

[Masamax]

Not particularly. The B string sounds fine in the 34" scale, which is the main reason why most companies go 35. Frankly, I'd recommend a Cirrus for lovers of 35" scale basses. There simply isn't the market IMO for that, as the main reason people need it is the B string, or for downtuners on a 4 string. When a bass already has the first one in hand, and the market for the second one is limited, why bother?

 

[basscat]

I second that. I can't see any other advantages with a 35" scale over a 34" other than the higher tension of the B string. All the other strings sound worse and the B string of an SR5 is on par with most if not all good 35" scale 5 strings. I used to play the most high end Ibanez BTB five string which sports a 35" scale. The B string was far more wobbly and I had to have much higher action on the B string than the other to avoid fret buzz at the forst couple of frets. I hated the feel of the G and the D strings. With my SR5, all strings feel and sound excellent and they blend well across the whole range. The action of the B string feels natural compared to the E and A strings and the sound of it is alot fuller than the Ibanez even though the Ibanez had a .135 B and the SR5 has a .130 B string. The SR5 is a bargain.

Basscat

 

[Tonkpils136]

im not talking about for a 5 string bass,im talking about for a 4 string bass

 

[Masamax]

I mentioned that in my post and basscat's. IMO the only good reason for a 35" scale 4 stringer is if you downtune heavily, and frankly the market for that is not exactly large. There is already one fairly highend bass, the Cirrus, that has that scale in 4 strings, and I don't think Ernie Ball needs to expend production time on a bass with so little market potential.

 

[Tonkpils136]

well they have a place on the site where you can make and order a custom bass or guitar,you put whatever you want on it and you send them payment and wait the 9-12 months it takes to make it

 

[Masamax]

What's your point exactly? That's not specifically there for a 35" scale bass. Ussually it has to do with different electronics and woods.

 

[Tonkpils136]

also that but im saving have the option to have the custom bass with the 35 neck scale and you pick the pick ups,the material,the body shape,ect.

 

[Masamax]

I think that might just be a little more difficult to do. You could probably get them to do it, but the cost would be slightly prohibitive.

 

[Tonkpils136]

well of course it would be costly but you can't deny have a custom made bass by company you know will make a bass or guitar of good quility makes the price worth it

 

[Masamax]

If someone really wanted it it's possible EB might do it but somehow I am doubtful. Changing from 34-35 is a lot different from changing woods and pups. It can modify then entire sound of the bass and I am not sure the way it would modify it would be worth it.

Frankly, if I wanted a 35" scale bass that was MM quality with the same electronics I would just order a custom one from a luthier and have them install the same stuff in the bass.

 

[hands 5]

I second that. I can't see any other advantages with a 35" scale over a 34" other than the higher tension of the B string. All the other strings sound worse and the B string of an SR5 is on par with most if not all good 35" scale 5 strings. I used to play the most high end Ibanez BTB five string which sports a 35" scale. The B string was far more wobbly and I had to have much higher action on the B string than the other to avoid fret buzz at the forst couple of frets. I hated the feel of the G and the D strings. With my SR5, all strings feel and sound excellent and they blend well across the whole range. The action of the B string feels natural compared to the E and A strings and the sound of it is alot fuller than the Ibanez even though the Ibanez had a .135 B and the SR5 has a .130 B string. The SR5 is a bargain.

Basscat

What do expect ?it was an Ibanez but I do agree with you,it's not really necassary to have a 35'inch scale if the instrument is well constructed however I tbink it would be interesting if the SR5 had a 35'scale but I doubt that it will happen

 

[hands 5]

well they have a place on the site where you can make and order a custom bass or guitar,you put whatever you want on it and you send them payment and wait the 9-12 months it takes to make it

I can tell you right now that Ernie ball so called custom shop will not do much of anything different than the basses that the company has already i.e.different neck scales.electronics(hell! you can't even order a bass without a pickguard).

 

[Masamax]

Not that I can see anyone really wanting one. My main problem with 35" scale is it causes a much more defined tone. It sounds a lot like a piano IMO and that is very bland for me. I like a dirtier sound that has personality.

 

[Psychicpet]

ahhhh.. the ol' 35 debate. After playing 35" scale basses for the last 5years I am happier than anything to get back to 34". Options are great and this whole topic is much of a personal preference but a 34" scale bass does seem to sit more "naturally" in a track and you also get less suspicious looks when you pull out a Fxxxxx or MusicMan style bass out. There are a whack of great custom made beauties out there, but it's nice just to have some great functional wood under my hands.

psychic-p


ps. Anthony J is switching back to 34" from 36" and I like to trust his opinion with a little less salt than others

 

[hands 5]

ahhhh.. the ol' 35 debate. After playing 35" scale basses for the last 5years I am happier than anything to get back to 34". Options are great and this whole topic is much of a personal preference but a 34" scale bass does seem to sit more "naturally" in a track and you also get less suspicious looks when you pull out a Fxxxxx or MusicMan style bass out. There are a whack of great custom made beauties out there, but it's nice just to have some great functional wood under my hands.

psychic-p


ps. Anthony J is switching back to 34" from 36" and I like to trust his opinion with a little less salt than others

He is switching back to the 34"inch for health reasons of which he said he did not have the strength in his left hand as he use to.But look who's going to build it for him (Fodera) for what these babies cost it better damn well rival any 35"or 36"scale thats out there.

 

[Psychicpet]

... and be able to play itself!
But i think even with the health reasons aside;of which I was aware; a 34" bass feels better to me and I dig the tone that's inherent with that scale length. But to rally get a proper 'piano-like-tone' you all really have to try a Dingwall bass by Canadian luthier Sheldon Dingwall. It's really easy to get used to the fanned frets but if you want to start talking evenness of notes and timbre from string to string, his basses are the ones.... but they still ain't no StingRay!!!

 

[hands 5]

... and be able to play itself!
But i think even with the health reasons aside;of which I was aware; a 34" bass feels better to me and I dig the tone that's inherent with that scale length. But to rally get a proper 'piano-like-tone' you all really have to try a Dingwall bass by Canadian luthier Sheldon Dingwall. It's really easy to get used to the fanned frets but if you want to start talking evenness of notes and timbre from string to string, his basses are the ones.... but they still ain't no StingRay!!!

Agreed.