Mr_Bond

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1419283276' post='2638408'] the B string... Just wondered if it's flaccid and useless, or whether it can be very good as long as the bass is well designed? I really like the idea of getting a 32" 5er built, it just seems like it would be so much more comfortable and easy! :D [/quote] In my experience (of two 5-string 32" basses and three 30" 4-strings), the stiffness of the instrument (and the strings) is very important. The bridge and tuners also matter. I had an Aria IGB-36 (which I should perhaps have kept) and the strings were even and taut from top to bottom (there was absolutely nothing wrong with the E). The E on a Cort Action Junior (another budget 4-string instrument) was useless. If I'd experimented with different strings, I'd probably have been able to improve it but it could have never been like the Aria. I tried and was impressed by a 5-string 32" (headless) Status and my Warwick's OK. The problem, as I suggested before, is being able to find a choice of 32" B strings. There are a couple of other things to bear in mind when considering a shorter-scale instrument. (1) Has the body been scaled down or just the neck? If the latter, you can probably forget about 24 frets and easy access all the way to the top (the IGB-36 had a scaled-down body so this was no problem). (2) Because of the shorter scale, the strings will be slightly farther apart all the way up the neck than they would be on a 34" bass with the same spacing at the bridge. You might want narrower spacing than usual. Someone should make a good stiff 32" five-string, with strings through the body (to allow the use of 34" strings), a slim, narrow neck, low frets, a scaled-down body, and narrow bridge spacing. That really would be "comfortable and easy".

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1418838536' post='2633958'] Interesting.... I'm sure I've seen medium scale sets from d'addario and rotosound before, but I may be wrong. [/quote] There's a variety of 4 string medium scale sets available but it's very hard to find a B string.

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1418834315' post='2633877'] When I buy a set of new strings for my 34" scale length basses, I invariably trim a bit off the end as they are too long. Is there an issue I haven't thought of in fitting 34" scale length strings to a 32" - or even 30" scale length - bass and then just trimming off the excess? [/quote] The E A D and G strings are no problem (on my bass) but a 0.130 or 0.135 gauge B string simply won't fit into a tuner without modification. I've read suggestions about cutting away the outer wrap and soldering to prevent unwinding but it's certainly not possible with all strings and isn't practical for me.

The problem with a 32" 5 string is finding strings. As far as I know, Warwick make the only off-the-shelf set. You may be able to have a modification made that will enable you to use 34" strings (the B is the problem). See for example an instrument by Alan Cringean: [url="http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0152-harlot-mkii-6-short-scale/"]http://www.acguitars...-6-short-scale/[/url] I have a barely-touched (kept in reserve) 5 string 32" Warwick that will be for sale within a few months.

Who should I go to if I want an instrument made to my exact requirements? As well as a multitude of details, I want to be able to specify the shape.