First time I picked up my SS Ray it felt like it was playing itself - remember those days? - days when playing was effortless, days before playing became physically strenuous - age does that - I joke with my aging friends that the MOT on this body has run out and it requires fixing up. Bad back? Got one...arthritis - yep, that too. Father Time conspires to take away that which we have always relied on.
If a short scale bass allows us to cheat Father Time for a short while then so be it - I'll take any time or anything that allows me to keep playing.