Author Topic: 32 inch string length (Read 552 times)

jseitang · « **on:** August 24, 2004, 02:02:19 PM »

anyone had any experences with 32 inch?
the next alembic i'm planning is 32 inch and i wanted to know what peoples opinions are.
thanks

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2004, 02:07:47 PM »

Just great.

pas · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2004, 03:38:07 PM »

I've had 3, still have two & as Tony the Tiger would say, They'rrrre great!

tkotmk42 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2004, 07:21:01 PM »

I am of Japanese descent and have small hand / short fingers. I found regular 34 scale to be too taxing, especially with standard point body.
Now that I have 32 scale bass, I would never go back to 34.
It is all good. Many of my friends played my bass commented on how much easier it is to play and how good it sounds. Then again, they don't own Alembics...

flaxattack · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2004, 07:32:09 PM »

let ya know in 3 months,,, just ordered mine

bassman10096 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2004, 08:57:31 PM »

Depends on the size of your hands. Mine are smallish and fingers are not especially broad. I believe that makes a 32 perfect for me - Easier to reach further, but not so small that my fingertips are too wide for the narrower fret spaces in the upper registers.

Bill

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2004, 11:33:26 PM »

I'm six-foot-one and 160 with big hands and short fingers, and the one full-size Alembic I've played recently (MK Standard) felt enormous, in large part because of how far forward the bridge is set.
My ex-Spoiler 4, which had a 32 scale, fit me really well. My short scale Small Standard fits even better with no loss of tone on the E string. Never tried a medium scale with a B string...is that among your plans?

palembic · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2004, 12:49:47 AM »

Oh huhuhuhuh ...brother Jeff ...3 months ...3 ...three

??
Mmmmm ...don't hold your breath on it!!!
But hey ...it's nice to have this really optimistic people around.
I would make that 6.

Paul the bad one

yep ...that was bad just kidding

the_mule · « **Reply #8 on:** August 25, 2004, 01:47:56 AM »

My EVH is 32 and it's very comfortable to play. Actually, it's the most comfortable bass I've ever played, and that includes the rest of my versatile Alembic 'Rat Pack'. No matter how big or small your hands are, you can't go wrong with 32 IMHO.

Wilfred

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2004, 05:02:01 AM »

My '81 Distillate and my '73 Guild Starfire are both 32 and both are easy to love. Stanley Clarke spec'ed his basses for 30.75 scale. I won't argue with him.

Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2004, 05:36:38 AM »

On my 32, the lower registers are more comfortable. On my 34, my fingering in the higher registers is more precise. The best solution is to have at least one of each .

kevin_k · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2004, 07:21:21 AM »

I have short fat fingers...I played similar 32 and 34 5-string basses...No longer have the 32...I worried needlessly about moving to a longer bass...I would try all the different sizes I could, if I was undecided. Then go with your gut feeling.

Later,

Kevin

bassman10096 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2004, 08:10:33 AM »

I've always favored shorter scales in a 4 string. My old Spoiler was and my new bass is a 32 4 string. I love, em. Very easy on the lower frets, precise, but manageable on the upper. However, I'm leaning toward a 34 (even a 33?) when I Alembic builds my 5 string. Not because of sound, but because of the greater ease of fingering the upper registers on a 34.

I've found that, for me, neck width and thickness are just as important as scale on a 5 string. Alembic's Comfort taper 5 string fingerboard 1.875 nut, 2.930 24th fret) width is a bit wide for me. However, Alembic will build what you want on most models for no extra charge.

I like the width and thickness Ibanez uses on its Soundgear 5 strings better (1.77 nut and 2.6 24th See http://ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=SR405 for an all dimensions diagram). Others have said the same. I plan to try a number of other 5 string necks and dimensions before I'm ready to order, but having owned an Ibanez 5, I'd say it's pretty close to what I want.

The other variation I've considered is building the neck assymetrical, with the thicker part under the low strings. I think that might relieve a little thumb fatigue, but I'll have to find and try one with that shape before I decide.

Bill

somatic · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2004, 07:46:30 AM »

32 scale length is fine, except perhaps for a low B. None of my Alembics are 32's (both 30.75) but my Kubicki is, and I find the short scales easier to move about on and just more fun to play.

(Message edited by somatic on August 28, 2004)

bsee · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2004, 08:25:55 AM »

For the low B on a 32, wood really matters. Or maybe it's age? I played a new MK std 5 in 32 and thought the B felt and sounded awful. I bought a '90 Persuader 5 in 32 and the B both feels and sounds excellent. They were basically the same woods (mahogany core, figured walnut top), but the age and the purpleheart in the neck of the Persuader must be making the difference. I also think that you can't expect to get a great B string tone on light strings and shorter scale. You definitely need a meaty B string to get good tension.

Just my experience...

-Bob