Scale Length preferences

[rjmsteel]

Scale question: I just placed an order for a 4-String Custom Rogue with Anniversary electronics and submitted/TBD the bass built with a 33 scale.
I want to play both slap and fingerstyle on this bass. I\m also the original owner of both a \81 Distillate with a 32 scale which has a very quick neck, (although the width at the nut = 1.750 {1 3/4}), and a \89 6 string Elan with a 34 scale which is well a normal 34 scale.
 
Therefore what are the pros/cons of having built a 33 scale considering the above criteria??
Note: this bass has been ordered with a 1.500 {1 1/2} nut and 2.375 {2 3//8} at the 24th.
 
Note II: (I\ve ordered this axe though Will Gunn Guitars who\s done an tremendous job of guiding me though this exciting process)!!

[pace]

Hi Richard,  
 
Do you really need the super-extended upper horn of the Rouge body shape for a 33 scale bass? That's the one thing that doesn't jive~ I've never seen a Rouge with a scale length less than 34, and even then it looks out of proportion to me. Perhaps they can alter the length of the upper horn, because other than that, the specs sound great. What woods do you plan on using?

[rjmsteel]

Thanks Mike,
 
You are absolutely correct! However I have already ordered the Rogue bass with a Modified shorter upper horn & lengthened lower horn, similiar to the Purpleheart 5 string on Will\s website.  
 
Coco Bolo front and back is the wood choice for the bass with blue LED\s (and Maple accent layers at this point to try to highlight the LED\s blue color).

[rjmsteel]

I\m thinking now I\ll need to go with the 34 scale after reading a ton of posts on medium scale basses and the fact there are not any 33 scale Alembics with the Rogue body shape.  Really liked the idea of having a neck length in between the speed of the Distillate (32) and a regular long scale. I guess I\ll make it up with the thin width of the neck at the nut.  
 
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
 
Rich

[tbrannon]

Why not 33?  If that's what you want, why not?  Just because there aren't any 33 Rogues that you can find doesn't mean you shouldn't be the first.  
 
If there were any concerns, Mica or Susan would have told you they didn't think it was a good idea- additionally, Will Gunn knows his stuff (I ordered a custom from him too), if he thought it was a good idea, it probably is.
 
Go for it- if you're concerned, call Alembic or call Will and talk about your concerns.  They'll make sure you get what you want AND need.

[rjmsteel]

Thanks Toby,
 
I haven\t talked to Susan or Mica yet as I placed my order for this bass, via Will, right before the Thanksgiving break.
 
Will and I decided this custom build would suit me in the Rogue body style after he learned of my 20 year ownership of my Elan 6 and how comfortable it is to play, and with the modified Rogue shape would be a great fit since I\ll have a master volume added to the Anniversary electronics.

[jacko]

My 2 cents... If you've spent 20 years playing a 34 scale, you're going to be VERY used to that scale. You may find some difficulty swapping to 33  - or maybe not - I've never tried changing scale length so I'd have no idea how a change feels.
 
Graeme

[rjmsteel]

Good point, Graeme:
 
But I\ve also had the 32 scale Distillate since 1981. Also the 34 Elan is a sixer and feels different-string spacing and all, (than a four), anyhow. Shortening the scale, to me, seems easier, than say, when I occasionally play my 35 beater bass. I do think that you have a good point though... Thanks.

[pace]

Richard,  
 
Don't be dissuaded by what you don't see here on the site..... This is your custom, and by all means, do what you feel is right..... My only concern was the proportion of the body shape and the scale length, which you seem to have nailed.... I have Alembics in all three standard scale lengths, and don't have a problem switching between them. If I had to order another custom, there's a good chance it'd be a 32, just because that's the perfect medium of all the basses I play (no pun)..  
-Mike

[briant]

35 scale.  Don't be a wee little girl.
 
(I'm joking of course)

[rjmsteel]

Brian,
 
I\ve long admired that Rogue of yours, and the controls/layout... pretty cool blue LED\s too!

[rjmsteel]

Mike,
 
I too do not really seem to have any issues going back and forth between scale lengths during a rehearsal/performance. I do however like to practice/ get into the mode of playing my six string Elan before hand, or it can tend to get a little dicey at times. Really need to pay attention to the positions if I don\t, which takes away from listening to other players performing/rehearsing.

[David Houck]

It's been two and a half weeks, so I'm guessing the decision has been made; but I thought I would throw in a mention of strings.  If you go with a 33 scale, would you use 34 or 32 inch scale strings?  For me, how the strings feel under my fingers is very important; but that's not necessarily the case for everybody.

[flaxattack]

both direwolf and scarlet are medium scale 33  
to me- the most important thing is the spacing and thats where i noticed differences in finger placing memory. my ribbecke 5 string is 34 and i dont have any problem switching back and forth. remember if you were to divide that 1 inch difference by say 24 frets, the difference is minimal.  
you might consider changing the string spacing.
which you dont mention.  
my custom 5 strings are 1.75nut-2.45 at the 24th with .500 spacing.  
mica has a program that will give you the dimensions at various spacings.
i asked mica for 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 as i knew that the std .625 was too wide for me.
after getting the dimensions from mica i then went to staples and bought oak tag paper. i laid out the dimensions, drew the string lines, sort of made fake necks and tried to pretended to pluck the strings and chose .500 inch because i have very short fingers.
 
i ordered medium because i was concerned and also advised by val that the b string would be floppy in a short scale.  
 
ps- you use 34 inch strings and clip them. 32 inch strings may leave the wrapping hanging on the nut saddle esp on the e string

[lbpesq]

Flax:
 
Great to have you back posting in these here parts!
 
Bill, tgo