funkle

Here's hoping....

I basically agree with what you say. Upper strap horn changes make a big difference; I have in fact fitted an extender to my Modulus. Completely reversible but it works reasonably well. The issue around number or frets largely relates to the overall design of the instrument; it doesn't change to overall scale length that you have to manage. The issue with most 24 fret 5 strings is how they deal with it, at least in my experience.

It's a matter of increments. The TRB above is better than some of the earlier TRBs, but could in fact get the tailpieces a little bit closer to the end of the bass; there is room for a little bit of shift (though small). The upper horn doesn't quite reach the 12th fret; it's in between the 12th and 13th. The ideal is probably sitting between the 11th and 12th, though very few basses do this. (And I happen to find those necks a little wide, as well as the string spacing not quite being narrow enough.) All the little things add up to where the 35 inches of scale ends up sitting, and how far over to the left it is shifted. At least in my experience. I guess my reach is just a little bit shorter than others.

Scored a Peavey GV from the USA. Still some time before it wings its way to these shores...but I'll report in once I've had a go. I'm hoping its pretty sweet. I like graphite necks!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1490795447' post='3268086'] If you're going for a 35" scale what's the problem with having 24 frets? the neck won't be shorter! If you're looking for a short bass you should look in to short scale basses. [/quote] The issue is that manufacturers tend to shift the neck over (by moving the bridge away from the end of the bass) to get you upper fret access to those extra frets...at the cost of first fret access.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I was mainly seeing if there were any stock builds apart from what I knew about already. Custom, like I said, is not currently an option. The Godin was new to me. But the others by and large I've tried and left behind. I'd go back to the Peavey Millennium 5 I sold if I could find it. lol. Or a Peavey GV. Both of those 35" 21 frets. Easy reach to 1st fret and ergonomically well made. D'oh Yamaha TRBs I love the sound of but end up with a wide neck nearer the body end and 18mm spacing. I've drawn a lot of 'red lines' because I know what I'd like. It's not a straightforward spec, but that's the point.

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1490781165' post='3267855'] Since I figured out the 'across rather than up and down the neck' strategy with my 5's I find I hardly ever ever do anything below the 4th or 5th fret, unless it's on the 'B' string. [/quote] A reasonable strategy.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1490782892' post='3267883'] Put Nordstrand pickups in a StingRay or get ACG to make a bass for you. [/quote] Maybe. But it's a pricy and uncertain option...I'd prefer to find a stock bass that doesn't need expensive pickup replacements. So far G+L looks like the main contender. And my experience of custom basses is that if your requirements change, you take a massive bath on them. I'm not interested in custom.

I've only tried one 16.5mm...Gerald Veasley bass. Pretty damn tight! And 24 fret rule maybe isn't an absolute...but as I've explained above people often shift the neck off to the left a bit (and move the bridge away from the tail of the bass) to improve upper fret access....at the cost of first fret access. So in general it's safer to look at 21/22 frets...

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1490774994' post='3267778'] With such specific requirements how about custom build (eg. Maruszczyk) and get exactly what you want? [/quote] Maybe. But I'd far prefer to find someone who makes what I want stock. G&L and Godin look closest so far; G&L I can order from Thomann and send back if I don't like it or whatever....

Slick. Expensive bass to mod, but slick.