Bridgehouse Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 I don't have a short scale bass - mine are all 34's. I feel I may be missing out. Am I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 I always regret selling my Fender Mustang. It was easy to play, great for long rehearsals and quite cool to gig with (IMO). Bit of a different presentation to a 34, but well worth trying. When the subject comes up I always end up pointing out that I'm 6'2" and quite comfortable playing a short scale. I'm currently casting a covetous eye over Hofner Club basses... the contemporary version with the centre block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) Just been listening to 1996 re-master of Deep Purple's album Fireball, and inside are 3 pics of Roger Glover toting a Mustang. Here's one: Took mine out on a blues gig on Saturday and it worked really well, especially as stage room was very limited! Edited August 7, 2017 by JapanAxe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 I have one and enjoy it when I play it, but for some reason it's not ever my go to bass and I have never gigged with it (or taken it as a backup for that matter). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 (edited) The only shortscale I've ever played was a friend's unmarked fretless a few months back. I have to admit that gave me a few problems. Must be easier with frets though. Edited August 7, 2017 by Cato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I know there are a few helpful shortscale threads on BC - worth a look through. However, to answer directly here, I simply find shortscales easier to use (reduced tension, increased compliance), usually lighter, ergonomically efficient (less stretching for arms and fingers), and the tone lacks nothing - at least with a decently built instrument. I find that shorties are fun - quick and light - easy to pick-up and wander around with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 [quote name='three' timestamp='1502184320' post='3349769'] I know there are a few helpful shortscale threads on BC - worth a look through. However, to answer directly here, I simply find shortscales easier to use (reduced tension, increased compliance), usually lighter, ergonomically efficient (less stretching for arms and fingers), and the tone lacks nothing - at least with a decently built instrument. I find that shorties are fun - quick and light - easy to pick-up and wander around with [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Listen to Jack Bruce playing with Cream and his bass sound lacks nothing in the tone department. Ditto Andy Frazer with Free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naxos10 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Can only agree with the comments above, you lose nothing in tone and gain an ease in playing. Only need to get rid of my 5 string Spector and all my basses will be short scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 (edited) Years back, in my first era of bass playing, I had a Fender Musicmaster. It was quite old back then (early 80's) At the time, I sold it to get a 34" scale bass. Now wish I'd kept it. At the time, I felt it lacked a bit of bottom end Though that was probably due to string choice, set-up and my inexperience with amps / EQ'ing I've got a SS Jazz that I don't use much - its just nice to have it there lol It certainly lacks nothing a 34" has. Yes, it's lightweight and I don't have to stretch my left hand as much But short scale feels a bit odd to me - I can over-stretch or over-shoot notes if I'm not concentrating I've got a 32" Medium scale P bass, and I find that's an effortless switch from long scale EDIT: Some of my "problems" re scale length may be due to the fact I also play DB Edited August 9, 2017 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burno70 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 To the op: I wouldn't say you were missing out - they sound exactly like a regular 34er. But they do feel different at the low end. I've got small hands and I find them way easier to get around the first few frets - they''re very comfortable for me to play. But other than this I wouldn't say it was necessary to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I tried a Gibson SG bass last year. Owned it for a few months - it was just kind of, well, okay. The neck dive was ferocious. Never really understood what that meant until I played the SG! Tone was again, okay....it was nothing special on any level. Maybe I was expecting the massive 60's EB3 vibe, which sadly, this bass did not have. Best thing was the neck - played very easily. Worst thing was strapping a 'regular' bass back on - it made it feel like I was playing an upright around my neck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorsetBlue Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 My Chowny shortscale is my main bass, nice and light and easy to play. Great tone too, helped by fitting flatwounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Very surprised at the suggestions that a shortscale sounds just like a longscale. Quite clearly YMMV, but every shortscale I've owned (= lots) sounds markedly different to a longscale, with a greater degree of "thuddiness" which works very well for some things (blues, reggae, quite a bit of light jazz) but not so for other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1502269142' post='3350296'] Very surprised at the suggestions that a shortscale sounds just like a longscale. Quite clearly YMMV, but every shortscale I've owned (= lots) sounds markedly different to a longscale, with a greater degree of "thuddiness" which works very well for some things (blues, reggae, quite a bit of light jazz) but not so for other things. [/quote] I agree. I'm terrible at describing tone, but it does seem a bit different to me. Doesn't put me off, though, just a bit different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
converse320 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I mostly play the Ibanez Micro that i bought for my daughter. Its just easier all round and doesn't sound like its missing anything to me. Needed quite a bit of work on it to get it playable though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1502265728' post='3350257'] Years back, in my first era of bass playing, I had a Fender Musicmaster. It was quite old back then (early 80's) At the time, I sold it to get a 34" scale bass. Now wish I'd kept it. At the time, I felt it lacked a bit of bottom end Though that was probably due to string choice, set-up and my inexperience with amps / EQ'ing I've got a SS Jazz that I don't use much - its just nice to have it there lol It certainly lacks nothing a 34" has. Yes, it's lightweight and I don't have to stretch my left hand as much But short scale feels a bit odd to me - I can over-stretch or over-shoot notes if I'm not concentrating I've got a 32" Medium scale P bass, and I find that's an effortless switch from long scale EDIT: Some of my "problems" re scale length may be due to the fact I also play DB [/quote] Part of my original thought re a short scale was seeing an old music master bass and wondering if it would be a fun addition.. My understanding of the lack of bottom end on the original ones was because they used a guitar pickup - you can swap them out and get a lot more low end thump apparently.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 You need a hum-bucker pickup then.... No issues with my Ibanez Artcore V short scale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 [i]"Very surprised at the suggestions that a shortscale sounds just like a longscale. Quite clearly YMMV, but every shortscale I've owned (= lots) sounds markedly different to a longscale, with a greater degree of "thuddiness" which works very well for some things (blues, reggae, quite a bit of light jazz) but not so for other things." [/i] May I ask which are the musical styles that you consider a short scale to be less suited? - just curious.. My Mustang does a mean P Bass tone and I'm yet to find a musical style where a P bass doesn't work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob MacKillop Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 My Danelectro Black Longhorn Dead On 58 (what a name!) is short sale, 30.5, but has extra frets, which somehow give the impression you are playing standard scale. I love playing this bass, though the controls don't seem to do much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I've just seriously over-indulged myself in a 1966 Gibson EB2. Short scale, but the neck is pretty much the same length as a standard P - the bridge is roughly where it would be on a "normal" guitar. Semi-hollow body. The sound is quite crisp and light until you hit the bass/ baritone pushbutton which switches it to a seriously deep punchy growl. Much loved by reggae players in its day apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
project_c Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 I've been thinking about buying one of the new Mustang basses but the lack of access to the upper frets is a big problem for me, I use that area of the neck a lot. It's really hard to get anywhere near the last 3 frets at the top of the neck. Other than that it felt great, and would have been perfect. Might still get one at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 9, 2017 Author Share Posted August 9, 2017 Great replies so far everyone. I guess it was curiosity tbh. Maybe I should find a cheapie short scale to see if I like them...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmayhem Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 There is a nice short scale Greg Curbow bass for sale in Sweden for £1600. Not the Cort version, but the real deal: https://vend.se/408903-curbow-international-petite Nothing for me, though. I prefer going the other way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 [quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1502276175' post='3350377'] [i]"Very surprised at the suggestions that a shortscale sounds just like a longscale. Quite clearly YMMV, but every shortscale I've owned (= lots) sounds markedly different to a longscale, with a greater degree of "thuddiness" which works very well for some things (blues, reggae, quite a bit of light jazz) but not so for other things." [/i] May I ask which are the musical styles that you consider a short scale to be less suited? - just curious.. My Mustang does a mean P Bass tone and I'm yet to find a musical style where a P bass doesn't work [/quote] I have no doubt that your Mustang is a great bass, and plenty of great rock songs have been recorded using one. The same is true of Hofners, Mosrites, and any number of shortscale basses. But if I got a call to play on a rock gig I'd be more inclined to reach for a Precision or a Thunderbird than for a Mustang. No bass does a meaner P bass tone than ... erm ... a P bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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