SteveXFR Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I like my Mexican standard P bass but tuned down to A# it's a bit wooley on the lowest string compared to 5 strings I've used previously. The obvious difference is the 1" longer scale length. Is there a 35" scale neck I can get put on the 4 string precision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan63 Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Are you using strings designed for tuning down ? I think they exist for bass, I know they do for guitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 3 minutes ago, Aidan63 said: Are you using strings designed for tuning down ? I think they exist for bass, I know they do for guitars I'm using the heaviest 4 out of a 5 string set so they should be right. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_dinger Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 41 minutes ago, SteveXFR said: I like my Mexican standard P bass but tuned down to A# it's a bit wooley on the lowest string compared to 5 strings I've used previously. The obvious difference is the 1" longer scale length. Is there a 35" scale neck I can get put on the 4 string precision? Won't the bridge also have to be moved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 58 minutes ago, bass_dinger said: Won't the bridge also have to be moved? I don't know. Not something I'd thought of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I'm not sure there's any off the shelf neck that does this, but it should be possible. If the scale is calculated correctly I don't see why you'd have to move the bridge. I thought Warmoth used to make something along these lines for guitar but I can't see it now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_buoninfante Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I think a different bridge might help too, if you don't wanna go 35" scale (that'd change playbility too). MusicMan for example, make 34" scale long 5 string basses and I remember them saying in the video below that "they don't need to use 35" scale because 'the secret (for a tight B)' is in the bridge". https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCtATs02B4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Looks like Novax do (or did, not sure if that's current) an aftermarket fanned fret neck with a 35" E: http://www.novaxguitars.com/parts-accessories/necks-bass.html Headstock looks dreadful though 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 12 minutes ago, velvetkevorkian said: Looks like Novax do (or did, not sure if that's current) an aftermarket fanned fret neck with a 35" E: http://www.novaxguitars.com/parts-accessories/necks-bass.html Headstock looks dreadful though That's not cheap. I can live with ugly,I'm no oil painting myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Carbon reinforced neck and/or higher tension strings. A stiff neck will help reduce a floppy Bb, and tension is not only down to gauge - check d'addario's tension chart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dclaassen Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I think it is down to string choice. The B on my Spector with a 35” scale is much floppier than the B on my MPV with a 34” scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 4 hours ago, SteveXFR said: I like my Mexican standard P bass but tuned down to A# it's a bit wooley on the lowest string compared to 5 strings I've used previously. The obvious difference is the 1" longer scale length. What were the five-string basses you've previously used, and in particular did they have bridge pickups? That could be another difference, perhaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 I'd be looking at installing a Dimarzio Split P pickup and a Gotoh high mass bridge if it were my bass. That would sort you out. Cheaper and easier too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 Don't waste your money on a neck, just get a string appropriate for that kind of pitch. I use a .145 for A and occasional dropped G on a 34" scale jazz bass. https://www.amazon.de/dp/B000OR75QQ/ref=pe_27091401_487027711_TE_SCE_dp_1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Reading some of the other replies made me think my reply might look like it missed the point. If your Bb (sorry, can't ever think of it as A# having played with horns many years ago) is already good tension then I have. However, from previous 5 string experience I have found that the biggest cause of woolly B string tone is a floppy string, hence my take on the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted January 9, 2023 Author Share Posted January 9, 2023 9 hours ago, jrixn1 said: What were the five-string basses you've previously used, and in particular did they have bridge pickups? That could be another difference, perhaps. I've used a Peavey Zephyr (2 humbucker passive 5 string 35" scale) and a couple Stingrays (single humbucker active 35" scale) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 12 hours ago, SteveXFR said: I don't know. Not something I'd thought of I guess that depends upon how it sits in the pocket. Assuming that a 35" scale length neck will be 17.5" from nut to 12th fret, it will have to be 17.5" from 12th fret to the saddle. Assuming the same number of frets, the bridge would have to be shifted 1/2" backwards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 12 minutes ago, Paul S said: I guess that depends upon how it sits in the pocket. Assuming that a 35" scale length neck will be 17.5" from nut to 12th fret, it will have to be 17.5" from 12th fret to the saddle. Assuming the same number of frets, the bridge would have to be shifted 1/2" backwards. A proper conversion neck would take this into account and move the nut out an inch, and move the frets accordingly, surely? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Most of the whole wide world manages quite fine with 34" scale. It's all about the strings and pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 2 hours ago, SteveXFR said: I've used a Peavey Zephyr (2 humbucker passive 5 string 35" scale) and a couple Stingrays (single humbucker active 35" scale) Did they make a StingRay with 35" scale length? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 9, 2023 Share Posted January 9, 2023 IME adding a single inch to the length of the neck does little to improve the clarity of anything tuned down below D, and less so on any bolt-on necked instrument. You need the right strings along with a super-stiff neck and rock solid neck joint (or ideally neck-though construction). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Personally I'd avoid spending a load of money essentially devaluing your bass when the outcome is such an unknown, as others have said I'd try different strings and a higher mass bridge and setup or just get a 35 incher , I've got a bassmods 6 string jazz 35inch and the B does sound better than my shuker and sire 5 strings , I realize they may be other multiple factors contributing to this but it seems like it makes a difference to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 On 09/01/2023 at 08:07, SteveXFR said: I've used a Peavey Zephyr (2 humbucker passive 5 string 35" scale) and a couple Stingrays (single humbucker active 35" scale) My Peavey Zephyr 5 had a 34" scale - the later Grind had a 35" scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 It's worth bearing in mind that lots of doom bands play Ric 4001 or 4003, beyond the point of it being cliché, who don't have this trouble and those Rics are 33.25" scale. An extra inch isn't a silver bullet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted January 15, 2023 Author Share Posted January 15, 2023 23 minutes ago, Doctor J said: It's worth bearing in mind that lots of doom bands play Ric 4001 or 4003, beyond the point of it being cliché, who don't have this trouble and those Rics are 33.25" scale. An extra inch isn't a silver bullet. Maybe it's the stiffer neck that does the job. Doesn't the ric have a super wide neck and 2 Truss rods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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