Short vs long scale bass in a full mix - new video!

[aarontunes]

What you think?

And for convenience, here is the full song with the final mix:

 

[Hodgo]

I like the test and ultimately I agree with the point you made in the opinion section that some EQ could bridge the gap even with the different pickups.

For the SSB I built, I went to a 49-109 gauge set of strings to offset the loss of tension which I think contributes to the longer scale bass sound. It sounds great to my ears, but more importantly it has inspired my dad to play more often because the bass is so light and the stretches are less intense.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I agree, tonal differences can be engineered to match.

“Feel” of the instrument will differ dramatically in my opinion.
I’m so used to 34” scale when I bass that going to 32” is noticeable and 30” feels utterly unnatural. That’s totally subjective from player to player however.

With this in mind, bass is not my primary instrument. I can only imagine the feedback from true bass players.

 

[rockandroller]

That was a good test! I heard the SS immediately, and wrote it off as soon as it was soloed with the drums. Long scale much better in that mix, for sure. I've owned several of every scale length up to 35 and only play 30.0s now cause I prefer the feel. (I do make sure that pickups, strings and amps are optimized for the twangy sound I like best).

That's a cool tune, BTW!

 

[mayfly]

I absolutely could not tell the difference. I think that the bass preamp brings the best out of every bass

 

[rauchman]

Great vid. Was hoping something like this was coming.

Agree the short scale sounded more bottom heavy with the longer/standard scale having more pronounced mids. I guess it's kind of like a 24.75" guitar scale vs 25" where the 25" sounds "spankier", but agree in that it seems counter intuitive.

Like the song, and schnazzy solo.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Very cool song.

 

[aarontunes]

I guess it's kind of like a 24.75" guitar scale vs 25" where the 25" sounds "spankier", but agree in that it seems counter intuitive.

100% IMO. It seems the longer the scale, the snappier the sound.

 

[bonesofwrath]

I could absolutely tell immediately from the first few solo'd notes. And absolutely not in the mix.