Low B on 30" scale

[spade2you]

Not sure why you'd come to that conclusion? "Need" never had anything to do with it.

Cuz I've been playing guitar and bass forever. Lots of guys have technique that's holding them back, other injuries or physical limitations aside. I own a 32" scale Cliff Bordwell 7 string. Why 32" mostly because I have small hands and that's a lot of neck to deal with if I went with 34" or 35" scale, otherwise I like 34" and 35" scale 5-6 string basses.

 

[KingRazor]

Cuz I've been playing guitar and bass forever. Lots of guys have technique that's holding them back, other injuries or physical limitations aside. I own a 32" scale Cliff Bordwell 7 string. Why 32" mostly because I have small hands and that's a lot of neck to deal with if I went with 34" or 35" scale, otherwise I like 34" and 35" scale 5-6 string basses.

Well, I can definitely tell you that technique or need or hand size doesn't have anything to do with it. I just want one. My 34" P bass isn't going anywhere, and likely neither is my 35" Schecter 5 string.

 

[Green Knight]

Cuz I've been playing guitar and bass forever. Lots of guys have technique that's holding them back, other injuries or physical limitations aside. I own a 32" scale Cliff Bordwell 7 string. Why 32" mostly because I have small hands and that's a lot of neck to deal with if I went with 34" or 35" scale, otherwise I like 34" and 35" scale 5-6 string basses.

I think it's true that a short scale can LEAD to bad technique just because you can get away with cheating on your fingering so easily on a 30" bass. I've found myself slowly withdrawing my pinky from action when my main bass is a short scale. Having said that, when I'm paying attention to such things I find having more notes available between pointer and pinky extremely useful.

 

[spade2you]

I think it's true that a short scale can LEAD to bad technique just because you can get away with cheating on your fingering so easily on a 30" bass. I've found myself slowly withdrawing my pinky from action when my main bass is a short scale. Having said that, when I'm paying attention to such things I find having more notes available between pointer and pinky extremely useful.

No secret that most guitarists and bassists don't have good technique. In my younger years, I'd troll dudes who claimed to have great technique, knowing dang well that they'd eventually admit they've never focused on technique.

I got lucky with technique. I took classical guitar in college, which I thought would be easy compared to all of the other science classes. It wasn't easy, but I gained a lot. I used to get left hand fatigue when playing my 5 string because I did the typical baseball bat thumb over heavy grip and 1 finger per fret. Needless to say small hands and a 35" scale bass was a bad mix. I was lucky I took the courses when I did because he fixed my bad habits, which saved my hands without a doubt. I've been in enough bands with dudes who have had carpal tunnel surgery and cortisone shots, mostly due to their chosen guitar or bass technique.

 

[funkinbottom]

Why do you need 30" scale? Is it something that technique and/or the right neck could fix?

For me it's a comfort thing. I switched to shorter scale after surgery on my left hand. I still can, and do occasionally play my 34" scale without problems, but the 30" to 32" scale is just much more comfy these days.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I would think a lighter gauge B would be better. Maybe a 110 or 115?

 

[Island Thumper]

110 B on a 30" works--anyone trying this? Maybe it's just cuz they are TI rounds...very clear tone all over.

 

[ajkula66]

110 B on a 30" works--anyone trying this? Maybe it's just cuz they are TI rounds...very clear tone all over.

Sheer curiosity on my end:

1) Which bass do you have these on ?

2) If the B is 110, what are the other gauges in that set ?

Thanks.

 

[Island Thumper]

My bad, it's a 118 B-string (not a 110):

These: Thomastik Infeld Round Wound Jazz Bass Strings ; 43-118 (JR345)

...on this:

Custom 30" shorty by Tom Clement. It works VERY well. The B-string is very defined for a shorty, it just takes a few weeks to adjust the thump. Had to go headless to get the TI JR345's to fit. I tried this out on a cheap Ibanez GSR and loved the strings. They are lighter gauge (like most TI's), but they are very "expressive" if you have the touch. You can check my other posts raving about this bass.

Check out Tom's site and there's a video of an awesome player slapping on a 23" scale (4-string, albeit). If anyone does Jamkazam, let me know and I'd be stoked to jam and let you hear what I got here. It's possible, but you MUST adjust your touch a LOT.

 

[Thud Staff]

Not sure why you'd come to that conclusion? "Need" never had anything to do with it.

Your statement is succinct and is an answer to other posts (here and elsewhere). A narrow view is: choice of decent and high quality short scale basses indicates lack of proper technique.

Could a converse request be made ( ‘you should review your poor technique, bud’) of those who refuse to see a viable option in short scales, even though they have never personally experienced or made a true ‘go of it’ (by their own admission)?

For those who say that they themselves are only able to coax ‘good tone’ and ‘proper tension’ on a 34” or 35” scale, perhaps THEIR technique is lacking, not those of us who choose short scales?

Granted, there are differences. Feel, overtones, etc from one scale to the next. But, broad generalizations based on anecdotal and personal experience tends to cloud impartiality.

The discussion here is to elicit info from those who have experience with the question asked; not a request/invitation to dissect and disparage the OP’s choice and or whether they are ‘playing bass the right way’, calling to question the viability of ones ability to make music the way another feels is correct.

 

[Thud Staff]

My bad, it's a 118 B-string (not a 110):

These: Thomastik Infeld Round Wound Jazz Bass Strings ; 43-118 (JR345)

...on this:
View attachment 4265031

Custom 30" shorty by Tom Clement. It works VERY well. The B-string is very defined for a shorty, it just takes a few weeks to adjust the thump. Had to go headless to get the TI JR345's to fit. I tried this out on a cheap Ibanez GSR and loved the strings. They are lighter gauge (like most TI's), but they are very "expressive" if you have the touch. You can check my other posts raving about this bass.

Check out Tom's site and there's a video of an awesome player slapping on a 23" scale (4-string, albeit). If anyone does Jamkazam, let me know and I'd be stoked to jam and let you hear what I got here. It's possible, but you MUST adjust your touch a LOT.

Great bass, great string suggestion. Thank you!

 

[DECEMBER]

This is the only place I've found that makes custom gauge strings in any length:
Custom Bass String Configurator – Newtone Strings
You input the length of the ball end to the nut when they're on the bass (not scale length), and pick your gauges in any even number size (.126, .128, .130, etc.) You pick stainless steel or NPS, you pick hex or round core... It

 

[DECEMBER]

Your statement is succinct and is an answer to other posts (here and elsewhere). A narrow view is: choice of decent and high quality short scale basses indicates lack of proper technique.

Could a converse request be made ( ‘you should review your poor technique, bud’) of those who refuse to see a viable option in short scales, even though they have never personally experienced or made a true ‘go of it’ (by their own admission)?

For those who say that they themselves are only able to coax ‘good tone’ and ‘proper tension’ on a 34” or 35” scale, perhaps THEIR technique is lacking, not those of us who choose short scales?

Granted, there are differences. Feel, overtones, etc from one scale to the next. But, broad generalizations based on anecdotal and personal experience tends to cloud impartiality.

The discussion here is to elicit info from those who have experience with the question asked; not a request/invitation to dissect and disparage the OP’s choice and or whether they are ‘playing bass the right way’, calling to question the viability of ones ability to make music the way another feels is correct.

I know. It's impossible to have an actual discussion on these forums, very hard to obtain any relevant info, when you have to filter thru pages of condescending snobs trashing anything that isn't their type or their way or their ideal _______.
I Love my Gretsch Electromatic Junior Jet II short scale bass! 30.3", but I didn't consider strings when I bought it: I play drop-D and shorts naturally have lower tension, so you'd think that heavier gauge short scale strings would be more common, but they simply don't exist. The biggest stainless steel shorts that exist are 45 65 85 105. There's 5 string sets in 40-120 and 45-125, so you just can't get a .110 or .115. I found a nickel-plated steel .110 from Stringjoy.com, but a .115 at D would be comparable tension to a .105 at E.
I did recently, finally find a source for actual custom made strings:
Custom Bass String Configurator – Newtone Strings
You input the length of the ball end to the nut when they're on the bass, you pick stainless steel or NPS, you pick hex or round core, and you pick your gauges in any even number size (.128, .130, .132, etc) and they make them to order in the exact length you need!
I haven't tried them yet but am planning on ordering as soon as I get paid. They come out to ~$40-~$50 for a 5 string set.

 

[DECEMBER]

110 B on a 30" works--anyone trying this? Maybe it's just cuz they are TI rounds...very clear tone all over.

I use a .110 for drop-D on my 30.3" scale.

 

[Thud Staff]

I know. It's impossible to have an actual discussion on these forums, very hard to obtain any relevant info, when you have to filter thru pages of condescending snobs trashing anything that isn't their type or their way or their ideal _______.
I Love my Gretsch Electromatic Junior Jet II short scale bass! 30.3", but I didn't consider strings when I bought it: I play drop-D and shorts naturally have lower tension, so you'd think that heavier gauge short scale strings would be more common, but they simply don't exist. The biggest stainless steel shorts that exist are 45 65 85 105. There's 5 string sets in 40-120 and 45-125, so you just can't get a .110 or .115. I found a nickel-plated steel .110 from Stringjoy.com, but a .115 at D would be comparable tension to a .105 at E.
I did recently, finally find a source for actual custom made strings:
Custom Bass String Configurator – Newtone Strings
You input the length of the ball end to the nut when they're on the bass, you pick stainless steel or NPS, you pick hex or round core, and you pick your gauges in any even number size (.128, .130, .132, etc) and they make them to order in the exact length you need!
I haven't tried them yet but am planning on ordering as soon as I get paid. They come out to ~$40-~$50 for a 5 string set.

Thanks for the info on the string configurator. I’m lookin at building a 30” headless 5 and was wanting to throw on my favorite TI JR345’s. Based on some of the feedback here, maybe I should look at some different gauges.

 

[mjmeche]

LaBella has a short scale 5 string in white tape the B is .135

 

[Hank Scorpio]

This is the only place I've found that makes custom gauge strings in any length:
Custom Bass String Configurator – Newtone Strings
You input the length of the ball end to the nut when they're on the bass (not scale length), and pick your gauges in any even number size (.126, .128, .130, etc.) You pick stainless steel or NPS, you pick hex or round core... It

Newtone are great. I use a .112 from them on my Mustang PJ, tuning to Eb or C#, and it works great for me. I really like the tone of their hex core NPS, too.

 

[jonnybass1]

I posted a video on YouTube last year. I tuned my mustang to BEAD tuning using a .135 B string. The trick is you have to unwind the outer wrap to just above the nut. It is actually pretty good sounding.

 

[shoulderpet]

I think it's true that a short scale can LEAD to bad technique just because you can get away with cheating on your fingering so easily on a 30" bass. I've found myself slowly withdrawing my pinky from action when my main bass is a short scale. Having said that, when I'm paying attention to such things I find having more notes available between pointer and pinky extremely useful.

Not sure about this, I mean maybe but tbh ime the lower tension of short scale strings actually requires you to re-evaluate your technique, you cant hammer the strings like you can with a long scale bass, you will get a ton of buzz if you do