| Author | Message | ||
| rjmsteel
New Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2008 |
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
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 470 Registered: 4-2004 |
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
New Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2008 |
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
New Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2008 |
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
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1127 Registered: 11-2004 |
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
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2008 |
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
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2509 Registered: 10-2002 |
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
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2008 |
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
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 472 Registered: 4-2004 |
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
Advanced Member Username: briant Post Number: 387 Registered: 12-2004 |
35" scale. Don't be a wee little girl. (I'm joking of course) | ||
| rjmsteel
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2008 |
Brian, I`ve long admired that Rogue of yours, and the controls/layout... pretty cool blue LED`s too! | ||
| rjmsteel
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2008 |
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. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9032 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2311 Registered: 4-2004 |
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
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4233 Registered: 7-2004 |
Flax: Great to have you back posting in these here parts! Bill, tgo | ||
| rjmsteel
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 16 Registered: 7-2008 |
Yep, went with the 34" scale; confirmed the scale length with Susan on the 4th of December and have ordered the Modified Rogue body shape; going to be an awesome build. Next step is in the choice for the Coco Bolo Top and Back, (which I`m just going to patiently wait for). Jeff, The build will be a Signature "4" string based on the Modified Rogue body with Anniversary electronics. The neck taper is as follows: 1.5" at the nut and 2.375" at the 24th. I determined this taper based on several inputs including the feel between my 4 string Distillate, (Classic Taper; 1.75"/2.25"), and my Warwick bass with the narrow nut, (same as the SC Signature), and 2.5" at the 24th. As I`ve stated above I want to play both slap and fingerstyle on this bass. the Distillate is very quick, Ive found, for certain elements of the slap style and too tight for other aspects. On the other hand the Warwick spacing is just the opposite. Therefore I`ve chosen the taper/spacing "sort of in between the two" for my custom. This fan out from the nut to 24th to bridge I think will be just the right string spacing I desire. Will Gunn also was a great help in sorting out the taper, via his recommendations. On another Note regarding switching between string spacings: It is possible to slap on my 34" six string Elan with the tight spacing it has; however it has obvious restictions, at least for me, and is therefore best suited to fingerstyle. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9043 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats on the order! Sounds like a great build. Are you going to request a Factory To Customer thread? | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 485 Registered: 4-2004 |
Flax, I thought DW and Scarlet were 32".... | ||
| rjmsteel
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2008 |
Thanks! Yes I have requested a FTC thread. |
