The Short Scale Bass Appreciation Society!

[mikebass456]

Here's my pair of short scale (30") basses - one with Kent Armstrong humbucker, the other one with a Tonerider precision pickup......

[ajkula66]

5 hours ago, mikebass456 said:

Here's my pair of short scale (30") basses - one with Kent Armstrong humbucker, the other one with a Tonerider precision pickup......

 

A lovely pair indeed. A strong Gibson LP DC flavour/inspiration for sure.What are these, if you don't mind me asking. 

[mikebass456]

5 hours ago, ajkula66 said:

A lovely pair indeed. A strong Gibson LP DC flavour/inspiration for sure.What are these, if you don't mind me asking. 

They're a couple of self-build projects from last year.

The lighter one is a cheap short scale Chinese neck on a body made from an old mantle piece, and the darker one is a full self build, again with the body from an old mantle piece and the neck from old oak window ledge.

Yes, they're both based on the Junior DC, as I missed out on getting one when they were on sale, and have never managed to get hold of a second hand one since.......

[Obrienp]

Great job @mikebass456! Necessity is the mother of invention!

 

I reckon Gibson could sell a lot of the double cuts if they reintroduced them now. Only problem for me would be the nut width.

[Bone Idol]

This is what I call my EB0.5 😀

 

This may divide opinion but with 2 volumes and a global tone, this modification opens up a whole new world for the EB0 player whilst retaining the original sound by simlpy killing the volume to the 'new' bridge pickup.

I also much prefer plugging-in on the body's edge too, which means that any old jack lead will do, rather than trying to find one with a right-angle end in the dark!

 

[LeftyP]

Apologies if this has been covered before but, is there such a thing as a short scale, lightweight, 5 string bass?  I play a short scale 4 string which does the job very well but we do some songs at church where I need to drop down to Eb.  I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

[JohnDaBass]

2 hours ago, Bone Idol said:

This is what I call my EB0.5 😀

 

This may divide opinion but with 2 volumes and a global tone, this modification opens up a whole new world for the EB0 player whilst retaining the original sound by simlpy killing the volume to the 'new' bridge pickup.

I also much prefer plugging-in on the body's edge too, which means that any old jack lead will do, rather than trying to find one with a right-angle end in the dark!

 

That is a lovely upgrade, you have increased the range of tones hugely.

Would you be kind enough to share details of the Pup you added?

[Woodinblack]

12 minutes ago, LeftyP said:

I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

There is no reason that a 4 string has to be any lighter than a 5 string - all of my 5 string basses are reasonably light (except my acrylic one). The lightest bass I ever had and played (spector RST) was a 5 string. Heaviest bass I ever played (that was wood) was a precision.

 

Yes, there are 5 string short scales, I had a Ibanez TMB35 which was 30, there is a ibanez 5 string that is 27.5", and obviously a lot of customs.

[Bone Idol]

Just now, JohnDaBass said:

That is a lovely upgrade, you have increased the range of tones hugely.

Would you be kind enough to share details of the Pup you added?

You're too kind... But you're also quite correct!!!... By blending the the two pickup volume controls it transforms the EB0 away from being a 'one trick pony' into quite a versatile bass.

 

Amongst all the stuff that one holds onto over the years, I knew that I had an old Teisco single coil guitar pickup from the 1970's.

I used the innards of this pickup and an un-drilled 'Dog Ear P90' pickup cover, together with the original Teisco 100K volume pot that I'd kept and hey-presto... It works... And probably more by luck than judgement, it sounds great!

 

I forgot to photograph my pickup before the installation but here's the exact same thing I found a photo of on the net... I lost my cover years ago, hence the P90 one I bought for about £3... Plus the Telecaster type jack socket & plate... The whole modification cost me less than £15 😃

 

 

[ezbass]

3 hours ago, Bone Idol said:

This is what I call my EB0.5 😀

 

This may divide opinion but with 2 volumes and a global tone, this modification opens up a whole new world for the EB0 player whilst retaining the original sound by simlpy killing the volume to the 'new' bridge pickup.

I also much prefer plugging-in on the body's edge too, which means that any old jack lead will do, rather than trying to find one with a right-angle end in the dark!

 

Quality work. I’d love to hear that.

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, LeftyP said:

Apologies if this has been covered before but, is there such a thing as a short scale, lightweight, 5 string bass?  I play a short scale 4 string which does the job very well but we do some songs at church where I need to drop down to Eb.  I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Ibanez Talman https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/191223353058008--ibanez-talman-tmb35-short-scale-bass-mint-green?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD76p-3Bmjp-C-6Rl9fJ1ITLEK5x5&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-67BhBlEiwAEVftNuU078T61nwH7Bp5gU4jcXvuJ9s0Jotn5ADh6MdwvuL9n-lTGMfd-xoCJqQQAvD_BwE

[LeftyJ]

2 hours ago, LeftyP said:

Apologies if this has been covered before but, is there such a thing as a short scale, lightweight, 5 string bass?  I play a short scale 4 string which does the job very well but we do some songs at church where I need to drop down to Eb.  I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

If you're as left-handed as your username suggests I bid you luck, as I can't think of any lefty shortscale 5-strings. 

 

If you play right-handed however, there are several options out there. As mentioned above, the Ibanez TMB35 is a great and affordable option, as is their even shorter GSRM25 (but maybe not ideal with its 28.6" scale, I would sooner pick that one for using it with a high C rather than a low B). Ibanez also build a nice medium scale (32") 5-string in their Mezzo series SRMD205. Ibanez also did some semi-hollow 5-strings with a 30.3" scale (AGB205 / AGBV205A) but they're rare to come by and if you struggle with a heavy bass they're probably not ideal.

 

More expensive options could include the Atelier Z ZPO-5 (not in production anymore, but pops up used once in a while) or its successor the Baby Z-5J. They're high quality Japanese basses with familiar Fendery looks but with modern build and electronics. And further up still would be something like a Serek

Edited 6 hours ago by LeftyJ

[mikebass456]

 Kala do a solid body 5 string electric uke bass (bit jazz/precision looking) for about £300. Scale length of 23.5".

I've not played one myself, but I do play Kala acoustic ukes and they sound immense when amplified!  

[fretmeister]

On 31/12/2024 at 09:20, dmckee said:

Apologies if this basic question is somewhere else, but I can’t find it. 

 

I’ve recently put some DR Legends on my Mustang. I really like them, but I know they’re long (34” ball to taper), which is fine on the Mustang with through body stringing, but can I put them on my Fallout? Ie will a flatwound be ok if I wind past the end of the taper onto the tuner (as I think I’d need to do with the E string at least).  I assume not and don’t want to trash a string unnecessarily. 

 

A bit annoying that DRs short scale isn’t actually short scale…. 

 

How are you finding the Legends? they are one of the few flats I have not tried.

 

Apparently they are roundcore so they are supposed to be a bit more flexible than the equivalent hex core strings - is that your experience?

[spyder]

2 hours ago, LeftyP said:

Apologies if this has been covered before but, is there such a thing as a short scale, lightweight, 5 string bass?  I play a short scale 4 string which does the job very well but we do some songs at church where I need to drop down to Eb.  I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

I use a Serek Midwestern 5 string which is only 3.5kg. I'm a resent short scale convert and wouldn't go back unless forced.

 

[Telebass]

Oooops, I seem to have just bought a Markbass Yellow Little bass!

Only my second foray into short scale since 1972-ish!

The plan is to leave the rounds on it and use them for the reunion gigs at the end of March, then put flats on as per my other basses.

Really if these are even half-decent, then the price including bag and strap is something of a bargain!

Anyone else have/had one?

[AlexDelores]

1 hour ago, Telebass said:

Oooops, I seem to have just bought a Markbass Yellow Little bass!

Only my second foray into short scale since 1972-ish!

The plan is to leave the rounds on it and use them for the reunion gigs at the end of March, then put flats on as per my other basses.

Really if these are even half-decent, then the price including bag and strap is something of a bargain!

Anyone else have/had one?

I think @JohnDaBass picked one up a little while back and seemed very happy with it! 

[JohnDaBass]

2 hours ago, Telebass said:

Oooops, I seem to have just bought a Markbass Yellow Little bass!

Only my second foray into short scale since 1972-ish!

The plan is to leave the rounds on it and use them for the reunion gigs at the end of March, then put flats on as per my other basses.

Really if these are even half-decent, then the price including bag and strap is something of a bargain!

Anyone else have/had one?

Here you go 

 

[bassist_lewis]

5 hours ago, LeftyP said:

Apologies if this has been covered before but, is there such a thing as a short scale, lightweight, 5 string bass?  I play a short scale 4 string which does the job very well but we do some songs at church where I need to drop down to Eb.  I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

I also recommend a Serek 5 if you can swing the cash. However, Ibanez do a short scale 5 called the Talman TMB35. Not seen any reviews but they are under £300.

[dmckee]

3 hours ago, fretmeister said:

 

How are you finding the Legends? they are one of the few flats I have not tried.

 

Apparently they are roundcore so they are supposed to be a bit more flexible than the equivalent hex core strings - is that your experience?

 

I think the Legends work nicely on the Mustang, tonally. Pretty mellow. It came with LaBella DTFs on it, which I find a bit too thuddy and dark. The Legends sound somewhere between the DTFs and the Chromes I have on my Fallout, but possibly closer to the DTFs? Tension-wise, I would say they’re quite similar to the Chromes actually. I do prefer them with a decent bit of tension, I have to say…. I like the feel of them too. 

Interestingly, I’m just trying a set of Legends on one of my long scales, and they seem to have perceptible difference between the E string, which sounds pretty dead, compared to the other 3. This isn’t a problem with the short scale ones, which are nice and even across the strings. 

[Obrienp]

 

49 minutes ago, bassist_lewis said:

I also recommend a Serek 5 if you can swing the cash. However, Ibanez do a short scale 5 called the Talman TMB35. Not seen any reviews but they are under £300.

I’ve had the TMB35. I think they vary quite a bit because I’ve heard them described as light with a thin neck. Mine was a boat anchor with a chunky neck and a 45mm nut. The Jazz pickup was really weak but the precision was OK. It was quite noisy because the graphite paint only covered the cavity for the precision pickup (easily cured with some copper tape). It’s also got a Stratocaster type jack socket that meant I couldn’t use my Boss wireless system with it. It was a real neck diver as well. That said, the B string was OK through the Precision pickup and they are quite easy to mod, should you feel the need. In a world of very few options, you get a lot of bass for the money.

[RichT]

6 hours ago, LeftyP said:

Apologies if this has been covered before but, is there such a thing as a short scale, lightweight, 5 string bass?  I play a short scale 4 string which does the job very well but we do some songs at church where I need to drop down to Eb.  I normally just play up the octave but would like to try a 5 string.  One of the other bass players was using a full scale 5 string this weekend and I struggled to pick it up!  Why are these things so heavy?  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

Several mentions of Ibanez Talmans above, but as weight is one of your concerns I have to say I never found Talmans particularly light. For their size they're often surprisingly heavy.

 

The Ibanez EHB line are more pricey but generally very light for their size. Peach Guitars have a 1505S short scale 5 string on their site currently weighing in at 6lb 10oz although they're not the cheapest option for them. 

 

If you're indeed a lefty as your name suggests, you're unfortunately out of luck as far as short scale EHB's go. I believe the only lefty they make is a multiscale 5 string. Still fairly light comparatively though, I have a 1505 34" 5 string which weighs 7lbs.