| The short scale bass guitar was made popular by | | | | longer scale neck because it gives better sound to |
| guitar makers that wanted to offer a 30" option | | | | the lowest string. On short scale models, the G |
| for players with smaller hands or arm length. | | | | string will sing out and the tonal quality is perfectly |
| Typical long scale versions have a neck length | | | | acceptable. |
| between the nut and bridge of 34", which is still | | | | When it comes to choosing the neck length on |
| the standard for electric bass guitars. | | | | your bass guitar, the number of strings is an |
| There are extra long scale bass guitars that have | | | | important consideration, besides the size of your |
| neck lengths up to 36" and these provide higher | | | | hands and arm length. The neck on 5 and 6 string |
| sting tension, which gives a more defined tone on | | | | bass guitars is wider, so smaller hands should |
| the lowest string. While some bass guitars have | | | | consider a 4 string bass and it is also the reason |
| gone longer, some have also gone shorter | | | | that many chose a short scale bass guitar over |
| offering bass guitars with 28" scale necks, which | | | | the longer, and 5 or 6 string models. |
| are perfect for younger players with small hands. | | | | Paul McCartney of The Beatles played a short |
| A short scale bass guitar is popular with adult | | | | scale bass and it was a large part of the |
| players, too. Many like them because they are | | | | distinctive sound their music had. Some describe |
| lighter and offer the ability to play fast. The | | | | the shorter scale guitars as a "plinky" type of |
| players that switch hit between guitarist and | | | | tonal quality, although it might be better described |
| bassist find them especially user-friendly, because | | | | as clearer high notes than long scale bass guitars |
| of the shorter neck. To understand why some | | | | have, but the longer neck models offer better |
| prefer the shorter neck, it is important to | | | | lower tonal qualities than a short neck does. |
| understand scale length. | | | | Because of the distance between frets on the |
| Scale length refers to the vibrating length of the | | | | long scale models, many bass guitarists prefer the |
| string, which is determined by the distance | | | | short scale models on 4 string models because |
| between the nut and the bridge. With this in mind, | | | | they can move much faster between frets and |
| the fret placements are a ratio based on the | | | | manipulate the neck easier. The longer necks and |
| scale length, so there is more distance between | | | | wider 5 and 6 string bass guitar necks demand |
| frets on a long scale bass guitar versus less | | | | quite a stretch for some guitarists, which feels |
| distance between frets on a short scale bass | | | | uncomfortable or makes for awkward moves. |
| guitar. This makes it quicker and easier to play a | | | | There are many different models of short scale |
| short neck version. | | | | bass guitars on the market and they still remain |
| Another difference in long scale and short scale | | | | the most popular 4 string bass guitars for many |
| models is the tonal quality. Because the scale | | | | performers and they are necessary for the |
| length influences the tonal value due to the | | | | younger students. Many manufacturers offer |
| tension of the string at a certain pitch, the tonal | | | | them in a variety of styles and shapes. |
| quality on 5 string bass guitars is enhanced with a | | | | |