Alembic Spoiler 5 - scale length?

[clarkybass]

Given that the Spoiler (like mine) has a 32 inch scale length, what was the scale length of a 5 string Spoiler? Many manufacturers sell 5'ers with 35 inch scale lengths so I am guessing the Spoiler 5 had to be more than 32 inches or there would be a serious problem with the low B?

[dannobasso]

Nope. I have Spoilers in 4,5.6 and 7 strings. All are 32 scale. No problems.

[bsee]

Many, and probably the vast majority of, Spoilers were made in 32 scale. I have seen a few at 34 as well, but Alembic has been known to custom build an instrument here and there on occasion.

[clarkybass]

Thanks for your answers - I am surprised as a fair few bass players on the UK web forum I frequent(BassChat) suggest that even a 34 inch scale length produces a B string that is not tight or flabby. I love my Spoiler 4 and was mulling over getting a matching 5'er, hence my question.

[mica]

As an experiment, throw a B string on your bass and see how it feels and sounds. Even without a properly slotted nut and saddle, you can have a rough idea of how it might work our for you.  
 
It's not going to have the tension of a 35 scale string of course, but it might surprise you how nice it both feels and sounds.  
 
There are so many variables in how the strings feel - including the strings themselves to how good the setup is and what material and how massive the anchors are, etc. etc. It's more than scale length, on Alembics anyway.

[bigredbass]

However the B feels is just part of how multiple string basses feel after most of us came to them from fours.  35 or even 36-inch scale axes are an answer some players prefer.  For me, the greater overall size and the smaller selection of strings made me decide to stay with a 34-inch scale.  
 
I think this 'floppy-ness' business is overdone:  For me, all five strings feel different in tension, just as previously all four strings felt different.  I have two 34 fives, a Series-shaped Spoiler and an Elan.  
I have lots of other concerns playing-wise that come before me splitting hairs about string tension !
 
As Mica said, there's lots of things that go into this, and it's very subjective.  There's an adjustment period involved that involves way more than just 'gee my B-string sure feels loose'.  For me, adding one string changed everything, and I couldn't wait to get away from fours as I wanted to play across the fingerboard more than up and down the fingerboard.
 
J o e y

[keith_h]

I have a 34 5-string. I found that going to a .128 or a .130 B string (basically going to a medium gauge set) gave me what I was looking for. Overall the string gauges are not that far from my preferred medium-light and were easy to adjust to.    
 
Keith