| Author | Message | ||
| clarkybass
Junior Username: clarkybass Post Number: 37 Registered: 4-2010 |
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
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1274 Registered: 3-2004 |
Nope. I have Spoilers in 4,5.6 and 7 strings. All are 32 scale. No problems. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2477 Registered: 3-2004 |
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
Junior Username: clarkybass Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2010 |
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
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6801 Registered: 6-2000 |
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
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1414 Registered: 9-2002 |
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
Moderator Username: keith_h Post Number: 1639 Registered: 2-2005 |
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 |
