how to measure scale length

[phbrown]

when measuring the scale length of a bass is it okay to measure from the nut to the 12th fret and multiply by two?


When measuring to the 12th fret would you measure to top, middle, or bottom of the 12th fret?

Is there a better way to measure the scale length?



I just realized that my bass may only have a 30" scale length. Starting to wonder how that will affect me if my next bass will have a 35" length. Thus I want to check what my scale length is and then hit up my local music store to play some that measure 35".

[ddwilkins]

The scale length is the distance from the nut to the saddles of the bridge. (well, its kinda tricky)

[funkStrat_97]

when measuring the scale length of a bass is it okay to measure from the nut to the 12th fret and multiply by two?


When measuring to the 12th fret would you measure to top, middle, or bottom of the 12th fret?

Is there a better way to measure the scale length?



I just realized that my bass may only have a 30" scale length. Starting to wonder how that will affect me if my next bass will have a 35" length. Thus I want to check what my scale length is and then hit up my local music store to play some that measure 35".

The "standard" scale lenght is 34".  What kind of bass do you have?  BTW, don't assume that a 35" scale will guarantee a killer low B.  There are numerous factors that must be taken into account and you may very well find a 34" scale bass that delivers the goods all the way down to B (FWIW, Yamaha's John Pattitucci 6-string had an odd scale; I think it was either 32" or 33 1/2").

[phbrown]

I have a Rouge LX205B Series I

What made me wonder was the fact that the Series II has a 31" scale length.

[dremy2006]

http://www.stewmac.com/fretscales