All thumbs Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I've recently made a start on a new Facebook page dedicated to Short Scale Basses! I've got a small collection myself now including a Fender Mustang, Fender Jazz Short Scale, Scott Whitley SWB-1, Kala Ubass, Squier Jaguar Short Scale, several Richwoods, a Revelation SG style bass etc. Over time I'll shoot video reviews of each of my basses & talk about the various pros of using short scale. Not a great deal on the page just now but probably worth 'liking' so you can follow it as things take shape. I'm also currently working on getting a Standard version of my SWB-1 produced at a starting price of £199 details of which will be posted on the Short Scale Bass page as they develop. Here's the link - https://www.facebook.com/shortscalebass Many thanks in advance for dropping by!! :-) Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iheartreverb Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I'll head over right now mate. Recently bought my first short scale this week! A fender musicmaster with new/added pickups. I love it so much I'm already looking for another for different tunings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Chapple Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Liked! Mustang player here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Liked it. The SWB-1 looks good value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Signed up Scott Will be following the SWB-1 as ir develops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqs Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Liked it I have a Squier Jag short scale and also the Fender Modern Player short scale Jazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) Liked! Noticed that the link to the website doesn't work. Think there's an extra c in there. Edited May 22, 2016 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Liked 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Liked x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alittlebitrobot Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I don't have one, but I like short scales (attempting to make one at the minute). I'll watch you review any bass. Your video about your own SWB blow me away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyV Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Liked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Can this group be used to sell shortscales too? My Dad has a Hofner he wants to sell. Edited March 16, 2015 by Machines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All thumbs Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1426450165' post='2718184'] Liked! Noticed that the link to the website doesn't worked. Think there's an extra c in there. [/quote] Thanks for the heads-up!! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All thumbs Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Thanks very much for the likes. I'm really hoping to create a right little buzz about all things short scale lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All thumbs Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1426441891' post='2718097'] Liked it. The SWB-1 looks good value. [/quote] Thanks! The hand-made model Brian Eastwood builds for £2,200 which is about right I think. However my real dream has been to have a 'Standard' version of the bass produced at a price pretty much [u]anyone can afford[/u], yet it still be a genuinely [u]professional-quality instrument[/u]. Brands like Farida have proved it's possible to achieve high quality at the right price but there's still not a 'modern', 'grown up' short scale available that fit's this bill (i.e. is a joy to play; doesn't look like a toy/kid's bass; has 24 frets; active electronics option; balances perfectly; sounds just as good as any long scale; isn't seen as a 'budget' brand but IS affordable!). The nearest I guess would be the Squier Short Scale Jaguar but some folks (sadly) will be put off by the 'it's not a proper Fender' thing (not me of course - I own a Jaguar lol). The Squier Mustangs, Broncos etc are fabulous little basses too but are essentially like small P-basses which don't fit the bill for everyone. Maybe a bold statement but I'm hoping to change that! :-) Edited March 16, 2015 by All thumbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I'd seriously consider buying one at the right price. Scott, will they have a solid finish, or a nice ish top (not as nice as yours of course @ £2k+!) Glad to see they'll have a fixed bridge, I wouldn't have much use for a trem personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 So how close will the production model be to the "prototype"? I like the fact that it's not really like any of the traditional bass models. I would't be particularly bothered about the fancy top woods, but would definitely be interested in a model with the vibrato! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 (edited) Yeah i want a trem too and like the above post am not too concerned about the top woods. Edited March 17, 2015 by Number6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Scott, like everyone else I'm interested in the SWB-1 but I'm a bit curious about how it balances on a strap. With such a short top horn the strap pin looks to be around the 17th fret compared with the 12th fret on a regular jazz type. Doesn't this make it a bit neck heavy and mean the reach to the lower frets feels much the same as playing a long scale? Will the production model have exactly the same body shape or do you have any thoughts to extend the top horn a bit? It looks great as it is, just wondering about the ergonomics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I'm in the same boat as ikay - I like a lot about the SWB-1 design - especially the tone with those DiMarzios. However I have a question about the upper horn. If the SWB-1 is to produced at a modest cost - wood weight consistency will have to be more flexible than the Eastwood beaut. I know the look might be compromised, but a "long horn" or extended upper horn version, or option, might allow for lighter woods in the body (or greater ranges of body weights) without compromising either the ergonomics, fret access, or the instruments balance. My 2c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I don't do Twitface so the layout kind of confuses me but nice to have some promo on the shorties. I have two at the moment and really like playing them - Fender Musicmaster modded with a Precision pickup and Danelectro Longhorn. Especially the Dano which I am currently head over heels with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Regarding the top horn strap button. I own 2 short scale basses and neither of them have the strap button anywhere near the 12th fret, yet both balance perfectly. You need to look at the overall design rather than concentrate on any one particular feature in isolation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All thumbs Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1426542103' post='2719223'] So how close will the production model be to the "prototype"? I like the fact that it's not really like any of the traditional bass models. I would't be particularly bothered about the fancy top woods, but would definitely be interested in a model with the vibrato! [/quote] The cheaper end would be a solid alder or basswood painted or lacquered solid body. Higher up the range would be an ash body with maple cap. The 5-layer body on the hand made version would escalate costs too much and for me is more of an aesthetic thing tbh. I'm looking into alternative trem bridge options for those who'd like one fitted. The Kahler is fabulous but costs around £200!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All thumbs Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1426599707' post='2719682'] Scott, like everyone else I'm interested in the SWB-1 but I'm a bit curious about how it balances on a strap. With such a short top horn the strap pin looks to be around the 17th fret compared with the 12th fret on a regular jazz type. Doesn't this make it a bit neck heavy and mean the reach to the lower frets feels much the same as playing a long scale? Will the production model have exactly the same body shape or do you have any thoughts to extend the top horn a bit? It looks great as it is, just wondering about the ergonomics. [/quote] [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1426601929' post='2719725'] I'm in the same boat as ikay - I like a lot about the SWB-1 design - especially the tone with those DiMarzios. However I have a question about the upper horn. If the SWB-1 is to produced at a modest cost - wood weight consistency will have to be more flexible than the Eastwood beaut. I know the look might be compromised, but a "long horn" or extended upper horn version, or option, might allow for lighter woods in the body (or greater ranges of body weights) without compromising either the ergonomics, fret access, or the instruments balance. My 2c. [/quote] I can see what you're thinking, but it does actual balance perfectly! :-) The main reason for this is that there's quite a lot of body behind the bridge compared to most basses and it's pretty wide here with no contouring (see pics here - https://plus.google.com/photos/101842369164677848079/albums/6127523475361234225). In fact I can honestly say the bass 'fits' and balances better than almost anything else I've owned! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks for reply re the issue of balance. I guess that depends on having quite a dense body then. Out of interest what does your custom SWB-1 weigh? On the question of reach though, with so much neck to the left of the upper strap button doesn't it feel much the same as a 34" for the left hand? Sorry to labour the point, I'm not trying to be awkward. I really like the idea of the SWB-1 but one of the things that attracts me to a short scale is having to stretch less for the lower frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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