NJE Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I had a day in Bath yesterday trying to break the back of the festive season shopping. As a spot of luck I walked straight past a new music shop there, Guitarbitz. What a lovely surprise that was, a lovely little shop with friendly staff and more than happy to let me have a try out and chat without any pressure. Anyway they had a few Fender basses in there at a few price points which was nice. They had a lovely RoadWorn, some squiers, SUB Stingray etc but what caught my eye immediately was the Capri orange Mustang PJ. What a incredibly fun and playable bass and well made for Fender, I was really blown away. I sat and played it for a while, it was so easy to fly around the neck, just sheer joy. I REALLY want one now, but the only concern I have is that I would look like a weirdo playing one. I am a pretty big chap, height and width (I do like a biscuit with my tea) and I worry that I will just look daft, like a giant playing some kids guitar. Most of the guys I see playing Mustangs are skinny/small hipster types and they don't look out of place on them. Are there any more 'substantial' members playing mustangs that can alleviate my concerns of looking stupid? or shall I just give up on my Mustang dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Funny my only concern with owning a short scale bass was for the same reason. But look at guys like Pino or Dave Swift who are SO tall they make normal scale basses look like toys! Would you let it put you off playing a guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 A long long time ago I sometimes used a Gibson SG in my band, it wasn't a good look like an elephant with a stick of rhubarb I remember someone saying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) I like a solid breakfast me, and have the same problem with any bass. I don't care. The main thing is to concentrate on what you're playing and have fun. Edited November 30, 2017 by discreet 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I had a similar problem with a Warwick-Rockbass Corvette when I first started playing fretless. Lovely bass, great starter for going fretless, but one day a photo turned up on the Facetube of me playing it onstage. They're not even short-scale strictly (32"), but the tiny body made it look a bit silly on me, and I've since moved on to fretless Fenders. My 8-string is short scale, but I think it looks longer than it is due to the massive headstock the eight tuners require; it definitely feels smaller when I switch mid-set, but I manage to avoid looking daft... ...but on the other hand, if a Daisy Rock Butterfly Bass ever came up on the listings, I would be tempted. Just to prove a point, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I have a recollection of the (tall) bass player in Cockney Rebel using a Mustang on TOTP for Come Up And Make Me Smile. That looked ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 51 minutes ago, Bigwan said: Funny my only concern with owning a short scale bass was for the same reason. But look at guys like Pino or Dave Swift who are SO tall they make normal scale basses look like toys! Would you let it put you off playing a guitar? I'm glad I am not the only one who thinks about stupid things like this. You are right, Dave and Pino are both very cool individuals and I watched a John Mayer video and he completely dwarfs his strats and doesn't look daft. No one would think it odd if I picked up a guitar as you say.... hmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I gig with 30" scale basses & I'd suggest you don't worry about what people think. If you like the bass, play it. Most punters won't even notice that you're playing a bass and just see it as a bigger guitar; a mustang bass will look more substantial than whatever the band's guitarist is playing. Anyone who does say something is probably trying to be a smartarse so can be disregarded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 20 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: Anyone who does say something is probably trying to be a smartarse so can be disregarded. There's one at every gig! If you enjoy the bass and think you'll get something from it then get it. I was always told I'd look like a n0b playing a headless body less bass but it sounded amazing and the photographer got loads of great shots, more shots of me with that bass than the first half with my precision. I did play in shorts and hiking sandals though and got rightfully slated for that, but never the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 25 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: Anyone who does say something is probably trying to be a smartarse so can be disregarded. They'll be a bass-playing smartarse too, which is worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 The Mustang PJ is a good bass, if you like it buy it. 49 minutes ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: Anyone who does say something is probably trying to be a smartarse so can be disregarded. or indeed hit with the Mustang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danuman Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I love Capri Orange, especially on a Mustang. I’d be tempted if it plays well... And on the flip side of that argument: the shorter scale might make you look even bigger on stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 Cheers chaps, I must admit its only a small tiny voice in my brain niggling at this issue, I normally don't give a monkeys about what people think of me or my choice of instrument. I was just curious to see if any other big fellas were proudly hitting the pubs/clubs with their short scales. On the subject of the bass, I was incredibly impressed with the overall build and feel, they really are doing good things in Mexico. The one I tried had the well known pickup switch issue, (a little intermittent when going between pickups) but by all accounts its a simple fix and a good haggling point for a discount! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Standard 6-string guitars are smaller than that, and if you are a guitarist, you have to play it whatever your size, or how often you visit the salad bar! Remember the band Mammoth?!! Allen Woody was a big bass player, and he often played an EB3 (now SG) bass. I wouldn't have commented to him about it....! I am biased, as a shorty player. However, I am pretty slim (for now!) But that makes no odds - play what you like....a Capri Orange Mustang is super-cool, regardless of stature. Rock it, my man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 52 minutes ago, Meddle said: An inch closer to the bridge or neck resulted in widely different timbres and tones. That's a positive though, isn't it..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Just seen this topic. I popped in Guitarbitz tonight for the first time and my eyes went straight to that Mustang, what a gorgeous looking bass.Unfortunately I didn’t have time to chat or noodle. Nice stylish shop (it is Bath so should be),although relatively small they have made good use of the space. I will be back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 @NJEI'm 6ft tall and often play a Mustang bass. Last time I took mine out on a gig, both the drummer and the guitarist complimented me on my sound. Also nobody came up and said, 'Ha! You look stupid with that titchy bass.' You're right, they are dead easy to play - if it works for you and the price is right, get it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 What's 4 inches between friends... Where's my coat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 10 minutes ago, Bigwan said: What's 4 inches between friends... Can make all the difference. Woof! Woof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 But 6" would be far too long, surely? I'm 5'10", pretty chunky and, before migrating to 5 strings was forced on me, had an array of short scale basses as well as medium scale and long scale. My favourite was a Squier VM Mustang - something about the tone and playability hit the spot for me. I didn't think twice about how a small bass looks. If there comes a time when I sell my 5 strngers I will go straight onto eBay to seek out a Mustang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 (edited) When I'm playing acoustic pub jams, I often take my tiny Tanglewood Elfin bass. It's about 25" scale.... I'm 6' and yes, it does look a bit "toy-like" - but do I care? Nah! Actually, it's often my backup bass too - surprisingly, it sounds like a full size Precision (don't know what pickups they are, but they sound great) and it probably only weighs around a kilo..... maybe even less Edited December 1, 2017 by Marc S 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 4 minutes ago, Marc S said: When I'm playing acoustic pub jams, I often take my tiny Tanglewood Elfin bass. It's about 25" scale.... I'm 6' and yes, it does look a bit "toy-like" - but do I care? Nah! Actually, it's often my backup bass too - surprisingly, it sounds like a full size Precision (don't know what pickups they are, but they sound great) and it probably only weighs around a kilo..... maybe even less That's a great picture! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 It's all relative - JA on Kala U-bass, main man wielding mini acoustic guitar: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tall_martin Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I'm 6"4 and have been playing my 78, 30" scale musicmaster since 96. No one has ever commented on the size of it Looks and tone yes, Size i don't think anyone has twigged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 That must be the definitive reply. How did you choose your online name, tall_martin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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