Adam in Dayton, OH asks: I am in the market for a 5-string bass, and I've heard that 35" scale basses have a better sounding B-string, that also feels less "floppy." Why doesn't Sadowsky Guitars offer a 35" scale on their 5-string basses?
Roger Sadowsky answers: As a builder, it is important for me to always consider these type of sound and feel issues. I have built 35" scale instruments (for R&D) only, but I still prefer a 34" scale for my 5-string basses. Here are some of my observations:

#1 ... Building a 5-string bass with a 35" scale is not an automatic cure for a "floppy" B-string. I have seen just as many 35" basses with floppy B's as I have 34". Conversely, I have many testimonials from players who have commented that the Sadowsky B, at 34" is tighter than any 35" bass they have played. This does not mean there is no variation from bass-to-bass. Some basses have better B's than others, regardless of the scale.

#2 ... Given point #1, I personally do not prefer the tone of a 35" bass. It changes the character of the bass and does not contribute to the tone that I strive for. I am not saying that 35" basses do not sound good ... but they do sound different. Different enough that they do not sound like a Sadowsky bass to my ears.

#3 ... How a B-string feels and sounds can also be a function of what type of strings are used. We prefer B-strings with a tapered core. Please visit our Library Page and download our article entitled, "Some Plain Talk About Strings." We offer our Sadowsky Bass Strings in both standard and light gauges, and they are available direct by visiting The Sadowsky Store.