kevvo66 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) It's probley been asked a thousand times before , I'm really tempted to switch to short scale basses due to a on going medical condition with my hands a thing called havs , I won't bore you with the details , been looking at Chowny bass for starters , but tone wise is some of the tone and growl sacrificed on shortys, my main weapons of choice are as follows mayones jabba 4 and g&l tribute full scale but after a 3hr gig the other night my fingers gave up the ghost ,I alway warm my hands up ,should I struggle on or make the switch to the short side , my live rig barefaced cab 2 of with streamliner 6.0 depends on where I'm playing or do shorts just look like toys that guitarist play because they can't handle real basses ? Please don't take offence at the last comment it's done in jest 😀 Cheers me dears Edited December 29, 2015 by kevvo66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I don't think it's possible to generalise about tone on short-scales, as it is dependent on so many other factors - construction, pickup choice, pickup placement, strings, and of course your playing style. As for looks, no a short-scale won't look like a toy, unless you are a massive bloke! I do recommend you try to borrow a short-scale for a gig. After a 34in bass, a gig on a 30in feels like a 'night off'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Kevvo, I've become a short-scale specialist for similar reasons and the switch has basically allowed me to keep gigging. Although I love all 3 of my current short-scale basses (see below), they are very different from the standard-scale 'norm' - and from each other. The most 'standard-looking/feeling/sounding' one is definitely the Fender Rascal (provided its 9.5lb weight isn't an issue for you). They're still available new at around £600 - a used example would be a great buy but there aren't many out there. Others worth considering would be the Fender Modern Player short-scale Jazz (no longer in the Fender range and pretty rare second-hand) and a short-scale Jaguar (still current I believe). [url="http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]http://[URL=http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/scrumpymike/media/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o598/scrumpymike/007_zpsapwoedu4.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMcKay Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) Had never heard of Chowny basses, but after a brief bit of background reading on the web I am seriously interested. I'm looking to 'downsize' and will be sad to see my Stingray go, but 34" just doesn't agree with me. I can vouch for the short scale Squire Jags though. Pickups aren't much to write home about but otherwise you get a lot for your money. At just under £200 you can't go wrong - and one was up for sale on Basschat not so long ago. The thing sold in a couple of hours so if it isn't for you, you'll have no problem passing it on I would imagine. Edited December 29, 2015 by DavidMcKay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Could you tune a shorty down to get more beef? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzbass2000 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) Shorties... love em... Hofner Club / Dano '63 / Mustang Japanese Reissue. All fit in a mono guitar case, so nice and easy to fly! Some shorties don't though, if that's an issue for you (it was for me), I do find the Mustang is the one that feels the "smallest" if that makes sense. Tuning down - I don't normally but it might get a bit flappy if you get much lower than Eb Edited December 29, 2015 by Fuzzbass2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I have recently acquired a Squier Musicmaster Vista Series and it has absolutely no shortage of growl. Aggressive little beast, all things considered, but tamed to something very interesting with the tone rolled off 3/4 or more.. I reckon these Vista models are absolute gems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Try All thumbs on here. Top bloke based in Burnley who has quite a collection of SS basses as well as his own model now being produced, I have played several of the prototypes and they are fabulous. Scott is a top bloke and I'm sure would be more than happy for you to drop round to try a few things out. He has a green Chowny too, plus a few Richwoods and others I can't remember now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I have owned a fair few short scales, I don't think there's any tone sacrifice they can sound different but it's no sacrifice. Any well set up bass and amp should get growl. Even on my bronco bass with its squire strat pu I can get good tone and growl, it's a little weak maybe but useable. I think it's worth a go trying a ss bass see if that helps, buy something cheap though see what you think. Some shorts do look stupid though! Tiny body's stay away from. I like the mustang body shape just large enough not too look stupid and a classic comfortable shape. Sg shape much the same. Hofner violin bass is tiny but a classic. Takes me a little while to adjust to the different scale lengths in many ways you have to be more accurate with the shorter scale when playing the higher notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 If you want a rough idea of how a short scale feels and sounds then take a 34" scale bass. Downtune it by a whole tone to DGCF. Put a capo at fret two and you have a 30.3" scale bass tuned EADG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMcKay Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1451405388' post='2940220'] If you want a rough idea of how a short scale feels and sounds then take a 34" scale bass. Downtune it by a whole tone to DGCF. Put a capo at fret two and you have a 30.3" scale bass tuned EADG. [/quote] Thanks Essential Tension - I'm pretty sure that qualifies as a life hack! I'll give it a try. Cheers, David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswareham Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I find twin humbucker short scales don't lack growl. I can thoroughly recommend the [url="http://www.gretschguitars.com/products/basses/jet/g2220-junior-jet-bass-ii-rosewood-fingerboard-black/"]Gretsch Junior Jet[/url], made in China but very good quality and excellent value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) At the moment I alternate between a Warwick Corvette and Gibson SG bass. Chalk and cheese you may think, but with TI flats on both I get a remarkably similar tone. SG (short scale) is faster to play (5'3" small hands), the Warwick has a touch more 'authority' on the lower E string notes (noticeable when recording, not so when played live). In my view the quality of modern strings makes short scale basses a viable proposition (unlike in my youth). Edited December 29, 2015 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='DavidMcKay' timestamp='1451412285' post='2940302'] Thanks Essential Tension - I'm pretty sure that qualifies as a life hack! I'll give it a try. Cheers, David [/quote] What is a 'life hack'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1451586367' post='2941714'] What is a 'life hack'? [/quote] [b]Life hacking[/b][color=#252525][font=sans-serif] refers to any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life. -[i]Wikipedia[/i][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1451586753' post='2941721'] [b]Life hacking[/b][color=#252525][font=sans-serif] refers to any trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method that increases productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life. -[i]Wikipedia[/i][/font][/color] [/quote] So, that's a new phrase for something not new at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1451587142' post='2941724'] So, that's a new phrase for something not new at all. [/quote] And it's not a life hack. The easiest short-cut or trick would be to play an actual short scale by buying or borrowing one or trying at a shop instead of farting about with a long scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMcKay Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1451588011' post='2941737'] And it's not a life hack. The easiest short-cut or trick would be to play an actual short scale by buying or borrowing one or trying at a shop instead of farting about with a long scale. [/quote] Which would render it a full scale solution as opposed to a life-hack. Or I am being a pedant? Anyways - it allows me to fart about with a long scale whilst I try to get hold of a short scale. I don't even have a capo! So I will need to make one out of some typical household items. Anyone have a life hack for an impromptu capo?!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1451588011' post='2941737'] ...by buying or borrowing one or trying at a shop instead of farting about with a long scale. [/quote] But I'd have to catch a bus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1451588011' post='2941737'] And it's not a life hack. The easiest short-cut or trick would be to play an actual short scale by buying or borrowing one or trying at a shop instead of farting about with a long scale. [/quote] Especially if you didn't possess a capo and had to go to the shop to buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='DavidMcKay' timestamp='1451588385' post='2941744'] ... I don't even have a capo! ... [/quote] See! Told you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfretrock Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='DavidMcKay' timestamp='1451588385' post='2941744'] Anyone have a life hack for an impromptu capo?!?!? [/quote] Cable tie, but it may damage the neck? (pad it with something) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1451588642' post='2941749'] But I'd have to catch a bus. [/quote] If I suggest getting a taxi, or maybe walking, is that a life hack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 [quote name='DavidMcKay' timestamp='1451588385' post='2941744'] ... Anyone have a life hack for an impromptu capo?!?!? [/quote] Invite a friend to barre all four strings at the second fret while you play at the third fret and above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Actually forget the friend and the barre and the capo. Just tune down to DGCA and then never play open strings or fret one. Hey presto! It's a life hack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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