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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive through October 27, 2011 » Scale length of Mark Kings bass in Live at Isle of Wight 2000 « Previous Next »

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willie
Intermediate Member
Username: willie

Post Number: 193
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2011 - 2:16 pm:   Edit Post

Does anyone know the scale lenght of the Series 2 quilted Maple bass Mark King is playing in the DVD called "Grupo Mark King Live at the Isle of Wight 2000? Is it a medium or long scale?
Thanks
Will
tubeperson
Advanced Member
Username: tubeperson

Post Number: 211
Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2011 - 2:19 pm:   Edit Post

He prefers a medium 32 inch scale.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1701
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - 1:14 am:   Edit Post

medium scale with 90 guage strings so he can bend them as far as he can
willie
Intermediate Member
Username: willie

Post Number: 194
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post

OK , Thanks, I knew he had both long and medium scale standard point basses. Just wanted to know what he is playing in that video. I'm having one built and was trying to decide on which scale length to get. I've heard the long scale standard point body basses are a long reach to 1st position and that medium are much easier to play.
Willie
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1704
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - 10:18 am:   Edit Post

well 12 years ago I walked into Manny's in NYC and played a standard 34" scale MK but I found reaching for the first fret rather awkward, the next day I went to Rudy Penshur's and he had the one I now own hanging there, a 32" for a mere $1800..it is much easier to play the 32" (unless you have long arms that is then go for the 34") but tension wise I can hardly tell the difference
murray
Member
Username: murray

Post Number: 62
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - 3:06 pm:   Edit Post

I only have 4 basses and two not very long arms and even smaller fingers. My basses are:-
1) Fender BG29 Acoustic-Electric. 20 frets = 30"
2) Fender Victor Bailey Acoustic-Electric. 22 frets = 34"
3) Jaydee Custom Supernatural. 24 frets = 34"
4) Alembic Orion 4. 24 frets = 34"

They each have their own characteristics and uses. I can thankfully span them all and get different sounds depending on the part of the fret board and proximity to the bridge and pick-ups that I play. My input to the thread is use whatever you like and if you don't want to reach down to the first bottom fret on a long scale all the time, then don't worry - play it somewhere else. As Mr. Clarke said basically (no pun intended) on a recent thread - it is your fingers that are the end effects. On a logistical point, more people crash into you if you have a longer scale guitar neck- especially melodian players who are a bit sniffy about non-traditional bass instruments!

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