A few weeks ago I bought my first 5-string, a Schecter Stiletto 5 Elite (from the Club's dannobasso).  Can't afford an Alembic 5 at this time, but the Schecter is neck-through and a really nice bass.  
 
I have been practicing only on that bass for the last three weeks.  It's a 35 scale instrument with through-body string loading, so the string tension is quite high, which makes for a nice, solid low B with no flappiness or floppiness.
 
Last night at rehearsal I played my regular Alembic Stanley Standard and found, much to my surprise, that my hand speed had somehow greatly increased after substantial hours on the higher-tension Schecter.  Is this a question of slightly getting acclimated to a high-tension bass and then moving to a lower-tension one?
 
I am NOT complaining, and plan on continuing that practice regimen, but was wondering if anyone has thoughts or has had a similar sort of thing happen.
 
Cheers!

I would think that the difference in scale length would be a major factor - you're going from 35 which is longer than the normal 34, down to close to 30 - that's about as extreme as you can get! (Without switching from bass to guitar or upright bass to electric bass)

That's what I initially thought, but my right (plucking) hand speed also ramped up.  Weird, but cool!

Aha, good call on the right hand! That's cool that you are that aware.

Muscle memory...it's all to do with the autonomic nervous system and the special mechano receptors,touch and pressure nerve endings in the fingers.
You have memorised in your brain the speed and positions on the 5 string and your nervous system has learnt this so you can play the 5'er without having to think about how much pressure and position of the fingers and hands.
When you go to a different instrument configuration, although you know it is different your nervouse system doesn't catch on straight away so it it is working in 5 string mode.
I have a Honda Fireblade which I know very well but when I ride my friends Blade it seems different even though they are the same model.
It would be the same from the short scale to the longer scale except it would seem harder to play(obviously)
 
(Message edited by TerryC on March 17, 2011)

Terry,     Yes I agree; Muscle Memory . When I still played Upright Bass (Double Bass) I would encounter this quite a bit.  
 
 Wolf

Scale length changes can make a big difference in speed. Imagine how fast you could be on one of them 25 gee-tar things...

I have 31 to 35 scale basses from 4 to 7 regular string and the new 10 string and a Hamer 12. Each one requires a different approach, touch and even attitude. Since the 10 arrived when I go to another bass like a 32 or my 31 it seems so much easier. The same experience would occur when I moved from the wide 6 and 7 to a narrow 6 32 scale.  
 
Some folk really like the consistency of using the same bass all the time. I have become attached to playing anything that comes along. It keeps me on my toes. I must confess the 10 is a fairly demanding mistress. Glad the schecter is working out for you. Pretty good bass for the price.

LOL!  Too many skinny little strings too close together, Bob!

Bob__ I fool around on them gee-tar things but I don't consider my self to be any kind of gee-tar player ! I have a custom Stratocaster like  that I keep around for visiting guitar players for jams .  I have decided to express my musical energies to Electric Bass ; fretted & fretless and various Brass instruments.
                        Wolf

YES , strings to close together !

When I go from my Alembic's to my Hofner it gets weird, i think the Hofner is a 30.5 scale and the Alembic's are not !!!!
 
Sir David T

Have you guys ever tried a classical guitar?  Nice string spacing there. Still skinny though.

Yes , I had a classical Guitar for a while and actually have tried to use  thumb &  3 or 4 finger picking technique on 4 string Bass . I like do that on an Alembic Bass as it works out well with the extended frequency response.   I gave my Classical Guitar to a friend who's daughter had expressed an interest in learning how to play. It was a good cause as he is one the the most sincere folks that you would ever meet and he is also my plumber ! No regrets.

It's always wise to stay on a Plumber's good side, and furthering the cause of music is always a noble endeavor.