HarryPotter Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Aside from the obvious mustangs I'm just wondering what my options / shortlist should be, or is it really as simple as Mustang, mustang or mustang? Basically I'm clearing my long scales out to make way for a 'main' shorty and I'm deciding where to look - £5-600 is my max budget and then that will be a stretch, circa £400 is more realistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 What a about a really good nick Musicmaster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='410452' date='Feb 15 2009, 09:14 PM']What a about a really good nick Musicmaster?[/quote] I'm more than happy to go with an old instrument, I wouldnt care if it looked like hell as long as it played and sounded sweet, in fact I'd prefer it - I loves my mojo Thats certainly one to consider, cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 The pickups on my '71 musicmaster were very weak & wooly. I put in a Kent Armstrong enclosed dual cool blade. I still prefer my CIJ mustang for the slim neck though. My original Korean reissue danelectro longhorn is cool, but still not as nice to play as the Mustang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Still got a BIN @ £450: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Musicmaster-1978-Electric-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ200310670995QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item200310670995&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Musicmaster-1...A1%7C240%3A1318[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 Cheers JLP, that's the kind of feedback I'm hoping for - the comparative kind. I love the neck on my Epi EB-0, it' just not a good enough instrument for 'serious' use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I guess I could let you have my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=41381"]shortscale[/url] for £400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 How about the Ibanez ART B100 short scale. It`s got a set neck and looks kind of Les Paulish. Not played one yet but Merchant city music and Guitar guitar have them for £320. Should be well put together as its an Ibby. Jez [attachment=20362:3014_large.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='jezzaboy' post='410512' date='Feb 15 2009, 10:03 PM']How about the Ibanez ART B100 short scale. It`s got a set neck and looks kind of Les Paulish. Not played one yet but Merchant city music and Guitar guitar have them for £320. Should be well put together as its an Ibby. Jez [attachment=20362:3014_large.jpg][/quote] How comes everyone can make Gibson basses better than Gibson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agroupuk Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='jezzaboy' post='410512' date='Feb 15 2009, 10:03 PM']How about the Ibanez ART B100 short scale. It`s got a set neck and looks kind of Les Paulish. Not played one yet but Merchant city music and Guitar guitar have them for £320. Should be well put together as its an Ibby. Jez [attachment=20362:3014_large.jpg][/quote] Ooooh GAS attack ..... argh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leowasright Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Mustang....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Ibanez .... daisy rock ..... I've gone off the idea of funding the Fender machine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2x18 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 What about a Dean Evo XM. They get good reviews on Basstalk, and you could upgrade with decent pickups etc! [url="http://www.musicstreet.co.uk/dean-black-satin-string-bass-guitar-p-2898.html"]http://www.musicstreet.co.uk/dean-black-sa...tar-p-2898.html[/url] Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='The Burpster' post='410701' date='Feb 16 2009, 08:04 AM'].... daisy rock .....[/quote] My Daisy Rock elite is the most Rock n Roll bass I have, slightly longer scale at 32". It sounds very agressive, but the looks aren't to everyone's taste. The Short scale heartbreaker bass 30" my daughter has sounds as good as my mustang and has a very playable neck, (not as slim as the mustang though) but its, er Heart shaped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 A 16 stone ex rugby player playing a pink heart shaped bass would look pretty unusual to say the least Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 This is what you want: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=39574"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=39574[/url] Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 For 500 quid you could buy a used DeArmond Starfire or an Epiphone Rivoli (the reissue) - both nicely made and if you're lucky you might have enough change for an upgrade or two. Steves Starfire went for not much more than your budget and it had two Darkstars. The nature of these basses means Fender type players buy them 'cos they're so different but find they don't have much need for them as a working bass and they tend to be cosseted at home. The other advantage is they won't lose value like a new bass will. Do it. Join the short scale revolution!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='henry norton' post='410823' date='Feb 16 2009, 10:27 AM']For 500 quid you could buy a used DeArmond Starfire or an Epiphone Rivoli (the reissue) - both nicely made and if you're lucky you might have enough change for an upgrade or two. Steves Starfire went for not much more than your budget and it had two Darkstars. The nature of these basses means Fender type players buy them 'cos they're so different but find they don't have much need for them as a working bass and they tend to be cosseted at home. The other advantage is they won't lose value like a new bass will. Do it. Join the short scale revolution!!!![/quote] The last Rivoli to sell on eBay went for £900. Whether or not that means it'll be back up for sale due to non-payment remains to be seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='410737' date='Feb 16 2009, 09:16 AM']My Daisy Rock elite is the most Rock n Roll bass I have, slightly longer scale at 32". It sounds very agressive, but the looks aren't to everyone's taste. The Short scale heartbreaker bass 30" my daughter has sounds as good as my mustang and has a very playable neck, (not as slim as the mustang though) but its, er Heart shaped.[/quote] I must say i think you can get more for £500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Fender Urge 1, if you can find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='EdwardHimself' post='410924' date='Feb 16 2009, 12:02 PM']I must say i think you can get more for £500.[/quote] Correct. I paid £135 for mine on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2x18 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='Rich' post='410953' date='Feb 16 2009, 12:23 PM']Fender Urge 1, if you can find one.[/quote] I have one in the for sale section! Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boneless Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 There's the Epiphone Rumblekat as well (don't know if they make it still), the Allen Woody signature bass. Or, a Dano. Or a semiacoustic hollowbody (as in, completely hollow-bodied, without the centerblock or what's it called). If you have a look around, there's plenty of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 +1 on the Fender Urge Mk1, although this is a 32" scale. I've got a Mex and a US one and they are both good instruments. You might get the mex one for 2-300, and on a good day you might get the US one for a little over your 500 limit. The Mex is fine, but the US one has an extra pickup, string through body, different electrics, screening, micro tilt etc. I also have a Westone quantum which is 32" headless, and is great for lugging around hotels etc. these don't come up very often, but only fetch 125 to £175 ish. Passive, but with immense output and tone. Aria make both 32" and 30" basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 The thing with short-scale basses (under 31" scale, 32" is medium scale) is that they fall into basically 4 categories. Beginners instruments - some good some not so. Designed to be grown out of. By the time you're ready for a full-sized bass you'll also be looking for something that's better quality. Retro styled - generally better than the beginners instruments, but you pay a premium for the styling, so on the whole more expensive than a similar quality 34" scale bass Vintage - again you'll pay a premium depending on how collectable the bass is. Some are simply old beginners instruments - not particularly good, but a few a decent instruments in their own right. Custom - [url="http://www.birdsongguitars.com/"]Birdsong[/url] are pretty much the standard by which all other short scale custom basses are measured. Unless you can find one second hand probably outside your budget. What you will find is that on the whole until you hit the last category you won't get as good a short scale bass as one with 34" scale length for the same money. If you can live with the looks (and mostly hollow bodies) the retro styled ones aren't generally bad. Or alternatively wait for a custom to come up second hand. If your budget was under £250 then you can pick up some decent short scales that compare favourably with similar priced 34" scale basses. However £500 buys you a much better long scale bass than most easily available 30" scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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