SG bass scale length

[ilan]

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.

[Iome]

you can measure the distance between the nut and the bridge saddles, then your'll know the scale.

[leftybass]

Actually, measure the distance from nut to octave fret, multiply by 2.

[Pilgrim]

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.

[Aussie Mark]

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.

[Dave W]

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?

[ilan]

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!

[bassballs]

I have this minute measured my SG Bass, it is exactly 30,5#

[sniper]

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.

[the mojo hobo]

At 33.25" a Rick would be closer to long scale rather than medium.

[ilan]

Thanks guys. 30.5" then. Nice bass, first time since the long-gone '68 EB2C that I seriously considered buying a Gibson bass again.

[Pilgrim]

I really enjoy the SG-bodied basses...but only in short scale.  Too badly imbalanced for me in long scale.

[Droombolus]

Amen brother !

[Pilgrim]

I must admit I like the flamey yellow-to-red on that one on the right.

[bassballs]

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.