kevvo66 Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 (edited) Ok people I have a on going problem with hands /fingers ,I posted a thread a few years back on this subject .it's a condition called hand held vibration,or havs or white finger it's brought about by using heavy plant with my job,now I've been looking at short scale basses ,I currently own all long scale basses but unfortunately I think the times come to swap ,only thing that worries me is I love my j bass and my p the others I could live without .I know macca and the late great jack Bruce used shorties in their carears ,I've tried a couple didn't like them any recommendations on a decent one which will be a seriously good one and will give me what I'm after sound wise,cheers Edited January 24, 2019 by kevvo66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storky Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I had a fender mustang (jap). Really nice, similar sound to a precision, maybe better. Wish I still had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Musicman has just announced a short scale passive electronics Stingray (with a series/parallel/single coil rotary control). May be worth considering but won't be available here until September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Danelectro do a couple of shortscale bases... dont be deceived by the cheap prices, theyre very giggable instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Depends on your budget. Anything from £100 up to almost £3000. For a Jazz have a look at the Bacchus mini Jazz. There used to be dealer in Petersfield in Hampshire but I'm not sure if he does them any more. There are several short scale Ps. Also have a look at the Spector Bantam or Shorty, especially if you can find one with a Wimbush neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 1 hour ago, kevvo66 said: ... any recommendations on a decent one which will be a seriously good one and will give me what I'm after sound wise,cheers Hmmmmm. Depends. You don't actually say what you want "sound wise". If you're after something that sounds just like a P or a J, only shortscale, then you're unlikely to get that in an off-the-shelf instrument. Shortscales have a character, a sound, and a feel that's all their own. People who want something that sounds like a Precision usually buy a Precision. Fitting very bright rounds will help of course, but they won't stay very bright for long and that could prove an expensive route. Very generic advice would be to start by buying a cheapish Mustang just to make sure that you get on with shortscales and that they actually solve your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steantval Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 Epiphone do a EB-3 shortscale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 (edited) 37 minutes ago, drTStingray said: Musicman has just announced a short scale passive electronics Stingray (with a series/parallel/single coil rotary control). May be worth considering but won't be available here until September. 🤢🤮 Edited January 24, 2019 by AndyTravis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinnyman Posted January 24, 2019 Share Posted January 24, 2019 I had the Gibson SG bass and loved the sound it made. If the Epi is half as good it’d be great. Gretchen do one as well which is pretty cheap and might be worth a punt, especially second hand. As an aside, a friend of mine had vibration white finger (which I think is what you’re describing) and had it sorted with carpal tunnel surgery. Is this an option for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Which ones have you tried @kevvo66 and what didn't you like about them ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josie Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 This a kind off the wall suggestion, and a bit extreme, but you might consider a u-bass. A friend of mine has gradually developed shoulder problems and arthritis in his fingers, and has gone from a P to a viola-bass to a u-bass. He gets a better sound from the u-bass than he did from the viola, and finds it easier to play. I don't know the make but can find out if you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICbass Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 5 hours ago, josie said: This a kind off the wall suggestion, and a bit extreme, but you might consider a u-bass. A friend of mine has gradually developed shoulder problems and arthritis in his fingers, and has gone from a P to a viola-bass to a u-bass. He gets a better sound from the u-bass than he did from the viola, and finds it easier to play. I don't know the make but can find out if you like. U-Basses are made Kala. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aDx Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I have a Cort action short scale. Love it! Has an amazing sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvo66 Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Thanks people ,I'll have a look at some shorties over the wknd I've looked at Scott Whitley basses but I'm not sure without playing one , operations on my hands is not a option really as industrial related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 11 hours ago, kevvo66 said: Ok people I have a on going problem with hands /fingers ,I posted a thread a few years back on this subject .it's a condition called hand held vibration,or havs or white finger it's brought about by using heavy plant with my job,now I've been looking at short scale basses ,I currently own all long scale basses but unfortunately I think the times come to swap ,only thing that worries me is I love my j bass and my p the others I could live without .I know macca and the late great jack Bruce used shorties in their carears ,I've tried a couple didn't like them any recommendations on a decent one which will be a seriously good one and will give me what I'm after sound wise,cheers You can only try some and get the one that suits you. I have my favorite but that is simply personal choice. Enjoy the time trying out a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I've said it before but I'll say it again. The Gretsch Junior Jet II is superb and not a lot of money. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Danelectros are great, but please don’t tell everyone....... Squier Jaguar basses are a great way to dip your toe into the short scale pool. There are two though so be careful which one to try - the active ones are full scale, but the passive ones are 30” scale, PJ pickup arrangement and a great little bass. Weren’t that expensive too, and s/h ones often crop up for around £120. Most common colours are black and red, although there were some silver ones as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Steve Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I'm a bit similar to the OP in that the one's I've tried haven't done it for me, not for sound, but I can't get on with the lack of tension in the strings, they just din't feel right to play. But that's me, YMMV However, it always occurred to me that for short scale guitars that is solved by putting on heavier strings - I have 12's on all of my electric guitars, but those guitar playing mates with less robust hands than mine will play 8's or 9's on Fender scale lengths, and 10's on Gibsons. Is that a thing with short scale basses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvo66 Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Good point,thanks steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Monkey Steve said: I'm a bit similar to the OP in that the one's I've tried haven't done it for me, not for sound, but I can't get on with the lack of tension in the strings, they just din't feel right to play. But that's me, YMMV However, it always occurred to me that for short scale guitars that is solved by putting on heavier strings - I have 12's on all of my electric guitars, but those guitar playing mates with less robust hands than mine will play 8's or 9's on Fender scale lengths, and 10's on Gibsons. Is that a thing with short scale basses? It is. Like any stringed instrument, string choice and gauge is crucial, both for tone and tension. Lighter also need a lighter touch to avoid fret buzz. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I'm not a fan of shorties generally but was almost tempted by a natural ash Chowny SWB in Bass Direct a while ago. plays very nicely too and not bad at £495 though they're out of them at the mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I had an Ibanez TMB short scale and that was fantastic. Very versatile and not a lot of money to invest in case it’s not for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 13 hours ago, drTStingray said: Musicman has just announced a short scale passive electronics Stingray (with a series/parallel/single coil rotary control). May be worth considering but won't be available here until September. I've googled this but can't find anything, have you got a link please? as I would like to have a look at the spec, Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Another shout here for Mustangs. While I'm happy on long scale I use 2 Mustangs (a Squier Mikey way and a CIJ Fender Comp Stripe Re-issue) for gigging exclusively. Very competent basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 14 hours ago, kevvo66 said: . . . . unfortunately I think the times come to swap . . . Firstly, I'd see a professional bass tutor and ask him to suggest right hand technique changes that might help you continue playing the Jazz. If you have a problem with long scale that a shorter scale would fix, sounds to me you're stretching to reach the notes. Your technique can change so that you move your hand and don't stretch. With such a change you might be able to stick with your Jazz. If that doesn't work, then you have to make the change. You can't think about preferring your old basses and the sound you used to have. You have to move on. There are great short scale basses out there, you've just got to find one that feels good to play and then learn to love the sound. There is always the option to change the pickups and/or pre-amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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