32" Medium Scale Bass Thread

[Obrienp]

1 hour ago, andyaber said:

Just bought an Ibanez srmd 4 string.  Photo to follow aftera clean, new strings and a set up (all badly needed).

 

On the subject of strings, what are we using gauge wise?  I like 40-100 on my 34" bass.  How much difference in tension if I just stick to these or should I consider slightly heavier strings, say 45-105?

 

All help appreciated, I've asked the same question on a new topic in the accessories thread also.

The standard Ibanez gauge seems to be D’Addario light/medium :45-105. I’m pretty sure that was what was on my Mezzo. I thought it worked better (more balanced) with standard D’Addario light: 45-100, flats, which are available in medium scale length. The flats give slightly more tension and are still quite bright. However, I have the nickel round wound D’Addario 45-100 equivalents on a medium scale Maruszczyk Elwood and they work just fine on that, without being too floppy, provided you are not tuning down.

[andyaber]

1 hour ago, Obrienp said:

The standard Ibanez gauge seems to be D’Addario light/medium :45-105. I’m pretty sure that was what was on my Mezzo. I thought it worked better (more balanced) with standard D’Addario light: 45-100, flats, which are available in medium scale length. The flats give slightly more tension and are still quite bright. However, I have the nickel round wound D’Addario 45-100 equivalents on a medium scale Maruszczyk Elwood and they work just fine on that, without being too floppy, provided you are not tuning down.

Thanks, good info to have.

 

I usually use nickel round wound daddarios which are 40-60-80-100 on my 34".  Just saw that elites do nickel round wound medium scale which are 45-65-85-105.  May give those a go.

[andyaber]

Just read a bit about elite strings and I think I'll give them a miss.

Ernie ball do nickel round wound medium scale in 45-65-85-105 though.  Any thoughts?

[Obrienp]

Not tried Ernie Ball bass strings. I am sure someone else on here has.

[whynot]

4 hours ago, andyaber said:

 

 

I usually use nickel round wound daddarios which are 40-60-80-100 on my 34".  Just saw that elites do nickel round wound medium scale which are 45-65-85-105.  May give those a go.

I would save your money. I had the medium Elites on my Sandberg 32.5 scale. Recently put on D'Addario EXL170 Nickel Wound 4-String 45-100 (which I used on other bass) and the sound has so improved, partly due to the increased tension I think.

[neepheid]

Whatever the correct length of D'Addario XL nickel rounds go on my 32" Squier Jag H...

[ead]

My 32" scale AGH has "standard" length strings D'Addario EXL170BTs and they are absolutely fine.

[andyaber]

1 hour ago, ead said:

My 32" scale AGH has "standard" length strings D'Addario EXL170BTs and they are absolutely fine.

Are they OK to cut down?

[ead]

11 hours ago, andyaber said:

Are they OK to cut down?

 

They certainly didn't give me any issues.  No silks on these strings so no issues there.

[Obrienp]

Just acquired a Greco Atomic medium scale: story here, if you are interested. A really dinky little medium scale, with a good sound : 

 

[Obrienp]

New medium scale bass on the block: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Hartwood-Satellite-Bass-Guitar-White/6DVL.

 

The price is very reasonable at £199 and Bass the World think it is good value: 

Personally I would have preferred a 38mm nut and 19mm bridge spacing to the 40mm and 20mm but at this price the bridge is easily fixed and 40mm is manageable for both P and Jazz bass fans.

[RichT]

10 hours ago, Obrienp said:

New medium scale bass on the block: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Hartwood-Satellite-Bass-Guitar-White/6DVL.

 

The price is very reasonable at £199 and Bass the World think it is good value: 

Personally I would have preferred a 38mm nut and 19mm bridge spacing to the 40mm and 20mm but at this price the bridge is easily fixed and 40mm is manageable for both P and Jazz bass fans.

 

Saw that video earlier. Love the look of it, very cool design 😎 

[matbard]

Some medium scale basses (I'm referring to my Alembic Series I) are a pain in the a$$ when choosing strings: having separate bridge and tailpiece, normal medium scale string sets are too short and regular long scale sets are too long (winding on the tuner post).

[Chienmortbb]

18 hours ago, Obrienp said:

New medium scale bass on the block: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Hartwood-Satellite-Bass-Guitar-White/6DVL.

 

The price is very reasonable at £199 and Bass the World think it is good value: 

Personally I would have preferred a 38mm nut and 19mm bridge spacing to the 40mm and 20mm but at this price the bridge is easily fixed and 40mm is manageable for both P and Jazz bass fans.

It reminds me of some of the old Vox shapes, but it is fairly unique. Let's face it, we all buy as much with our eyes as our ears, and it looks cool. 

[0175westwood29]

I do love the squier as a upgrade base 

 

 

[Obrienp]

4 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

It reminds me of some of the old Vox shapes, but it is fairly unique. Let's face it, we all buy as much with our eyes as our ears, and it looks cool. 

Yes, exactly and the asking price is so good. I absolutely do not need another bass and I already have 3 medium scale basses but the GAS is strong! Must resist! 
 

Somebody buy one and give it a crap review please! 🙄

[JJMotown]

On 28/07/2025 at 15:10, Obrienp said:

New medium scale bass on the block: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Hartwood-Satellite-Bass-Guitar-White/6DVL.

 

The price is very reasonable at £199 and Bass the World think it is good value: 

Personally I would have preferred a 38mm nut and 19mm bridge spacing to the 40mm and 20mm but at this price the bridge is easily fixed and 40mm is manageable for both P and Jazz bass fans.

I'd take the spec on these websites with a large pinch of salt. They are usually incorrect, especially at this price range.

[Baloney Balderdash]

My Aria Pro II CSB-300 Cardinal Series, made on the legendary Matsumoku factory in Japan, sometime in the early 80's, that I bought recently:

 

32" scale length, Ash body, 3 piece Maple neck, with a Rosewood fretboard.

 

After a thorough setup it plays non less than amazing, and sounds great!

 

Definitely pleased with this buy!

 

I did have to lower the bridge saddles as low as they go to get them to my preferred just about 2mm string action low E string 12th fret, but it is perfect as is now, so not really an issue.

 

The pickup is a bit noisy when not touching any metal parts, so might need to shield it properly at some point, but as said, it does sound great, and is quiet, as long as touching metal parts or strings.

 

Being used to playing 28.6" scale basses for the last past 10 years or so I am surprised how effortlessly this bass is to play.

 

It does have a pretty chunky neck, but it is pretty narrow, with a string spacing of just 16.5mm, like my main 5 string Ibanez GSRM25 Mikro Bass.

 

Nice to finally have a bass again that can be tuned in regular E standard tuning, without compromising the tone.

 

I am also positively surprised with how little fret wear it got, practically non.

 

I have given it the name "Dud Bottomfeeder Sr.", after my 4 string Mikro, which is named "Dud Bottomfeeder II".

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Baloney Balderdash