Long scale vs Short scale

[deanbean502]

I have been looking recently at a few very nice short scale basses and i have played a few and quiet like them, but is there technically anything you can't do with a short scale rather than with a long scale or is it just personal preference?

Technically I mean things like drop tuning and tuning down a step.

[henry norton]

The strings can get a bit floppy when tuning down but if you don't mind raising the action and tweaking the intonation and truss rod (or just playing with a lighter touch) they don't work too badly. Most of the complaints about short scales come from people who've never played one

[lozbass]

As a convert to short-scale (I play them almost exclusively), I haven't found there's anything that I'd want to do and can't. To echo hn's point, strings can feel a bit floppy with down tuning but I'm a big fan of high-compliance, low-tension and play with a very light touch anyway. If you have large hands or thicker fingers, you may also feel that 30" scale can get a bit tight higher up the board, and especially on a 24 fret instrument. Again, this has never bothered me at all - it may just take a bit of adjustment. I've nothing against 34" scale and have retained a couple - I just find short scale easier, and to be honest, a bit more fun.

[Prime_BASS]

I prefer a few 32 inch scalers I've had before. The main reason I don't use 32 incvh scale at all is because ernieball don't make one.

[algmusic]

I love the fender mustang, it has a great sound. I play full scale basses in general, so I only use a 3/4 for a particular sound (mustang) however, it is a bit confusing, if I don't do it often as the notes are physically in a different place to my body.

But if you like the short scale, go for it..

[fender73]

I've often looked at the Birdsong basses on the web - only shorter scale bass i've owned was a 32" (Status KB). I like the idea of a 33", reckon it would suit me down to the ground.

Drop tuning will make things go a bit floppy (!) i reckon, but again, can be tweaked to adress some of this.

My advice - Go for it

Graeme

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='algmusic' timestamp='1316686220' post='1381319']
I love the fender mustang, it has a great sound.
[/quote]

Ooohh you shouldn't have reminded me of that, now I'm gassing for one again. They do have a distinctive sound ... last time I picked one up in a shop I nearly bought it on the spot ... with tapewounds on, just the sound I was aiming for with another bass I already own.

If they only made a 5-string mustang I'd be all over it

Andy

[algmusic]

[quote name='BigBeatNut' timestamp='1316686630' post='1381333']

Ooohh you shouldn't have reminded me of that, now I'm gassing for one again. They do have a distinctive sound ... last time I picked one up in a shop I nearly bought it on the spot ... with tapewounds on, just the sound I was aiming for with another bass I already own.

If they only made a 5-string mustang I'd be all over it

Andy
[/quote]

you don't need a 5-er.. I used 5's for years.. and now rarely use them now. Using a bass like this will make you say, what 5?

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='algmusic' timestamp='1316688623' post='1381396']
Using a bass like this will make you say, what 5?
[/quote]

Possibly. OTOH, past experience tells me that 5's get taken to gigs and 4's stay at home.

[Chris2112]

I wouldn't think too seriously about detuning a short scale other than half a step or maybe a step at a push. And even then, you'll likely need some thicker strings to keep it sounding a feeling good. They are neat items on their own but not ideal for detuning. Can you imaging Stanley knocking out low B's on his Alembics?

[Wotcher]

I played long scales until I found this 73 Musicmaster - really enjoy playing the short scale now and looking at the new Squier mustang that's just come out. Had an issue getting the low E to sound good and needed to go for a thicker string, but it sounds fine now, though it's not loud compared to other basses. There's room for both in your collection...

[Wotcher]

I played long scales until I found this - really enjoy playing the short scale now and looking at the new Squier mustang that's just come out

[Wotcher]

this one...

[Vibrating G String]

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1316704988' post='1381736']I wouldn't think too seriously about detuning a short scale other than half a step or maybe a step at a push. And even then, you'll likely need some thicker strings to keep it sounding a feeling good. They are neat items on their own but not ideal for detuning. Can you imaging Stanley knocking out low B's on his Alembics?[/quote]Yes, I could. Matt Garrison plays short scale with light strings and drops his E to an A with a Hipshot.