33.25" Ric scale - your opinion?

[MarkoYYZ]

Question for Ric players and non-Ric players alike, regarding the 33.25" scale that is unique to those basses...

For those who play them, is the 33.25" scale part of the appeal, or more the looks/sound? Would you care if they were standard 34" scale, or maybe even prefer it?

For those who don't play a Ric, is the 33.25" scale part of the reason, or more looks/sound/comfort turns you off? If they were 34" scale would that make any difference to you?

This is just a general feedback question about the unique scale. We make 34" and 32" basses, and have had questions about this 33.25" (or just an even 33" scale) but are wondering if this is actually part of the appeal of Rics, or if it's more about the look and sound.

Thanks for your consideration

 

[Bob_Ross]

I've played a lot of Rickenbackers over the past 40 years -- only one of them was mine, but I borrowed a good sized handful -- and honestly, I didn't even know that they weren't 34" scale instruments until I started hanging around TB! Certainly never noticed anything about the scale length that made me suspect it was contributing anything to the experience.

 

[mapleglo]

I play a Ric, and like the 33.25" scale. I've noticed no detrimental effects, but it feels a little easier to play. It's slight, but now when I make a neck, I'll usually do it in 33.25" scale.

 

[msb]

Never really noticed that slight difference in scale . I did notice the lack of taper on the neck , and I like it .

 

[Geronimo Atwater]

Definitely more the looks and sound for me. I've never taken the 3/4 inch difference into consideration.

I've got one Fender ('73 Jazz), several G&L's, and about umpteen Rickenbackers. Oh yeah -- and a Gretsch and a Framus.

And a Squier Affinity Jazz. I think that's everything.

I play the Ricks 90-suttin'% of the time.

 

[Tanner5382]

I play a 4003 and I have another bass that's 33.25 inch scale and I like it just as much as regular 34 inch scale. Really doesn't feel any different to me or require any conscience thought to adapt.

 

[charlie monroe]

I have no issue going from my Ric to 34" and back.

I play my Ric for the sound, not the scale.

 

[Mosstone]

I used to own a Ric and I didn't notice that much of a difference due to the scale length. What I didn't like so much was the wide, nearly taperless neck.

I think that .75" difference in scale is much more noticeable on a guitar (Gibson vs Fender), than a bass.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I don't notice any difference between my Ric and any of my other basses regarding the 33.25 neck scale. It's seeming thus far like most feel the same.

 

[bhunt1]

I don't think the difference between a Ric and a Fender style 34" scale is noticeable.

 

[micguy]

My first bass was a Ric. Went to a 34 inch Kramer without even knowing I'd been playing in a different scale.

Just built a 32 inch scale Warmoth though, and it feels really tiny. So maybe I'd notice now??

 

[Tanner5382]

My first bass was a Ric. Went to a 34 inch Kramer without even knowing I'd been playing in a different scale.

Just built a 32 inch scale Warmoth though, and it feels really tiny. So maybe I'd notice now??

The feel between the 33.25 and 34 is negligible but you can really feel it when you go down to 32 so you still might not even notice with a Rickenbacker.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Id never of noticed the difference if it wasnt told to me, I have always owned a Rick and Fender for over 5 years and changing back and forth i have never noticed. I do notice the 3/4 inch difference between a Strat and a Gibson and I own a MIJ strat that is 24.75 and prefer that on a strat over the standard 25.5

 

[inthebassclef]

Never had an issue with the scale
Just never could get used to the ergonomics of the Ric
But the sound is amazing

 

[Andyman001]

I had a Ric a LONG time ago, before I knew anything about scale length, I did not even know it was a different scale length, so not that noticeable from what i remember.

 

[mindwell]

I bought mine (a 4001 from '81) for the sound and, I will admit, the looks. But that 33.25" scale has me hooked. Fits perfectly and feels so natural.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

3/4" difference spread out over 20 frets is almost imperceptible, kind of irrelevant. The lack of outward taper makes a Ric neck feel faster to me, scale length doesn't really enter into it.

 

[aaronious]

I actually went to Wildwood guitars today for the sole purpose of playing Rick's. I found the scale length comfortable and very playable. I don't notice a difference in that and the 34 inch bass I A/B'd them against. I went there for the look and sound. While I love the looks, upon further investigation, I didn't love the sound or the weird squared off neck of the Laredo or the fat odd shaped neck of the 4003. The scale wasn't even part of the occasion. If you offered that scale and one day I'm not so poor, all things being equal I'd probably go with the 33.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

I've played and owned a lot of basses. The only ones I ended up keeping are my Rickenbacker 4001v63's (3). They're the only bass I'm comfortable with and sound like I want. They respond well to my hands, ears and eyes and body. I have no idea if, or how much scale length is a part of the reason I like them so much. I think it might be that two or three hundred little things in the design, just work for me. I doubt it's one major thing. BTW, I prefer the neck pickup at the 1/2" position, but I'm sure people will say it doesn't matter. Again, it's a little thing, but if you get enough 'little things', they start to add up. I'm not sure exactly why, but they work for me.

 

[willsellout]

The scale isn't the reason i've owned several Ric's. I just like the way they play and sound.