The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: ilan on May 23, 2011, 10:56:11 AM

Title: SG bass scale length
Post by: ilan on May 23, 2011, 10:56:11 AM
The official website says 30.5" but it felt like medium, the store didn't have a measuring tape so I put it opposite a Fender J, bridge saddles to bridge saddles, and the scale was not more than 2" shorter. BTW - I hope you don't flame me for saying this here - IMO it sounded way better than EB3's.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Iome on May 23, 2011, 12:16:02 PM
you can measure the distance between the nut and the bridge saddles, then your'll know the scale.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: leftybass on May 23, 2011, 12:33:29 PM
Actually, measure the distance from nut to octave fret, multiply by 2.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Pilgrim on May 23, 2011, 01:15:00 PM
I have about a half-dozen basses with scale length shorter than 34", and about a half-dozen 34" scale basses. I don't feel "a difference" between the 30 and 32" basses, but I can feel a difference between either one and the 34" scale instruments.  I sure wouldn't notice the difference between 30" and 30.5".

Scale length really doesn't make a difference to me when I play, although I have to stretch less on the shorter scale instruments.

I think the Epi EB-0 models sound just fine, but they sure don't sound anything like my '64 Gibby EB-0 with da mity mudbuckerizer.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Aussie Mark on May 23, 2011, 04:47:53 PM
I hope you don't flame me for saying this here - IMO it sounded way better than EB3's.

No argument from me.  The SG Reissues sound great - much more tonal range from the TB-Plus pup at the neck than the old mudbucker.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Dave W on May 23, 2011, 09:52:18 PM
Ilan knows how to measure scale length, that's not the issue. He just didn't have a tape measure with him.

Looks to me like he's wondering if the SG Bass scale length is really longer than the stated 30.5" since it appeared to be no more than 2" shorter scale than a Fender J. Has anyone here with an SG Bass actually measured its scale length?
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: ilan on May 24, 2011, 05:17:22 AM
Thanks Dave. Maybe that was a medium scale J in the store, only 2" longer than the SG scale... they're out there. I don't know for sure as it was in a music store and I couldn't measure. And yes, I would appreciate if an SG bass owner would measure the scale length and post here. Thanks!
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: bassballs on May 24, 2011, 06:44:48 AM
I have this minute measured my SG Bass, it is exactly 30,5#
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: sniper on May 24, 2011, 08:05:34 AM
hmmmm, via Rob on his LP (30.5) = 777 mm or 30.59".

breakng it down from a 34" fret board = 30.29" with two fret spaces lopped off, then plus the string width plus a smidge = close! should intonate about 30.4" or a bit better.

works the same with 32" = with one fret lopped off = 32.09 plus string width plus a smidge = close to 32.25 or very close to a Rick or medium scale. should intonate about 32.25" or maybe plus a smidge.

thanks Dave for posting how to do it in the old pit. i remembered this all these years.

Dear Lord, grant me Daves wisdom to design, Doc's ability to create and Fang's ability to spray. Amen.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: the mojo hobo on May 24, 2011, 10:55:23 AM
At 33.25" a Rick would be closer to long scale rather than medium.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: ilan on May 24, 2011, 04:38:51 PM
Thanks guys. 30.5" then. Nice bass, first time since the long-gone '68 EB2C that I seriously considered buying a Gibson bass again.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Pilgrim on May 24, 2011, 04:47:41 PM
I really enjoy the SG-bodied basses...but only in short scale.  Too badly imbalanced for me in long scale.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Droombolus on May 25, 2011, 03:17:17 AM
Amen brother !

(http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/8791/evolution005.jpg) (http://img821.imageshack.us/i/evolution005.jpg/)
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Pilgrim on May 25, 2011, 01:36:31 PM
I must admit I like the flamey yellow-to-red on that one on the right.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: bassballs on May 26, 2011, 12:38:59 AM
Is there a difference in sound between the middle and the right Gibsons? I believe the one to the right is with a maple top and not all mahogany as the Standard in the middle.
Title: Re: SG bass scale length
Post by: Droombolus on May 26, 2011, 01:54:31 AM
I must admit I like the flamey yellow-to-red on that one on the right.

She's a real eye-catcher and even much more beautiful IRL .......  :-*

Is there a difference in sound between the middle and the right Gibsons? I believe the one to the right is with a maple top and not all mahogany as the Standard in the middle.

Yes, there's a distinctive diffrence in sound. The Supreme's got much snappier highs because of the 50/50 ( mahogany/maple ) body.....