TheLowDown Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Because there's a market for them. They have quite a unique tone that people like, and they're really easy to handle and play, less chance of neck dive, generally lighter. There's not much not to like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloney Balderdash Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 (edited) Just now, TheLowDown said: Because there's a market for them. They have quite a unique tone that people like, and they're really easy to handle and play, less chance of neck dive, generally lighter. There's not much not to like. Add to that no dead spots issues on the fretboard. Edited December 1, 2020 by Baloney Balderdash 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 On 01/12/2020 at 21:17, TheLowDown said: Because there's a market for them. They have quite a unique tone that people like, and they're really easy to handle and play, less chance of neck dive, generally lighter. There's not much not to like. I can't agree with the neck dive comment as a generalisation . The 2 shorties I've played recently, a Squier jag ss and my Mustang PJ both head south. With a suede strap the Mustang is just about horizontal but the Jaguar wasn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLowDown Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 2 hours ago, MoonBassAlpha said: I can't agree with the neck dive comment as a generalisation . The 2 shorties I've played recently, a Squier jag ss and my Mustang PJ both head south. With a suede strap the Mustang is just about horizontal but the Jaguar wasn't. I'm not sure what you can't agree with in what I've said. Take 2 basses, one long scale and the other the equivalent short scale. The short scale will have less chance of neck dive. What part of that do you disagree with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpymike Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Re neck dive, I'd say from experience that most s-s basses with their top strap button at F12 are pretty unlikely to dive. The exception would be something with a relatively compact/light-weight body and large headstock with chunky tuners. The latter case can normally be sorted with light-weight replacement tuners. Pretty obvious really. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 On 20/10/2020 at 17:01, P-Belly Evans said: For me, the tone of my Mustang is to die for. I am not fazed by scale length, string spacing, weight, 4 or 5 strings (never played more), active or passive. I love all my basses, but man the Mustang sounds so cool - especially playing funk with a plectrum for some reason........ Same here, I’ve found the tone works really well across multiple genres. I switched from a Jazz to a 4003 to the Mustang and haven’t looked back, plus so easy to get through a long gig (when they return) without your hand cramping up! I have a MIM PJ, which sounds great, but also my fave is my AP which can deliver a real range of sounds. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulFenderJazz Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 On 20/10/2020 at 20:56, ahpook said: Middle-ageing bass players with bad backs and aching joints Count me in there! 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 (edited) Before pulling the trigger on a JMJ Mustang, I checked out many videos (I have played them in the flesh too). A couple I listened to recently had the demonstrators putting it through various effects. I couldn’t believe how well they tracked with analog, octave pedals, even right down at the nut end, no indecisive warble at all. Intrigued as to why this was possible, I did a bit more digging. It seems that SS basses produce more fundamental and less harmonic overtones than a long scale, which I assume is what octave fx and the like pick up when they don’t track correctly. Now I’m waiting patiently for my JMJ to arrive (no, that’s a lie, I’m chomping at the bit). Now thse aren’t the videos I was talking about, but I can’t stop listening to this guy. Edited February 21, 2021 by ezbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 26 minutes ago, ezbass said: ...no indecisive warble at all. Last line of my CV, there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiris Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 16 minutes ago, Frank Blank said: Last line of my CV, there. Not entirely true though, is it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 5 minutes ago, Osiris said: Not entirely true though, is it. My CV is entirely a work of fiction. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 On 17/01/2021 at 14:04, TheLowDown said: I'm not sure what you can't agree with in what I've said. Take 2 basses, one long scale and the other the equivalent short scale. The short scale will have less chance of neck dive. What part of that do you disagree with? The 2 examples I quoted have smaller (lighter?) bodies and standard size heads and hardware. I agree, if the bodies were the same with shorter necks it would be the case. The Bronco balances better as it has a better proportioned head and smaller tuners, for example. I'm considering lightweight tuners for my Mustang, any recommendations? I generally prefer smaller keys. It's tuners are 91g not including the bushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Has anyone watched this (from 4 minutes in). What a great ad for Wilcock basses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 I’d have been all over a Wilcock Mullarkey if my budget could have stretched. The one I tried at The Gallery was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 5 hours ago, ezbass said: Before pulling the trigger on a JMJ Mustang, I checked out many videos (I have played them in the flesh too). A couple I listened to recently had the demonstrators putting it through various effects. I couldn’t believe how well they tracked with analog, octave pedals, even right down at the nut end, no indecisive warble at all. Intrigued as to why this was possible, I did a bit more digging. It seems that SS basses produce more fundamental and less harmonic overtones than a long scale, which I assume is what octave fx and the like pick up when they don’t track correctly. Now I’m waiting patiently for my JMJ to arrive (no, that’s a lie, I’m chomping at the bit). Now thse aren’t the videos I was talking about, but I can’t stop listening to this guy. That first tone is exactly what I am talking about. I got a vintera new for 600 so couldn't justify the JMJ. I still have rounds on it (waiting for a particular shop to honour some custom made flats, when it is back open), but that growl is exactly what I love about my Vintera. I can get it from my lovely chinese 70s CV precision, but I have to dial in a bit more treble to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 5 minutes ago, P-Belly Evans said: That first tone is exactly what I am talking about. I got a vintera new for 600 so couldn't justify the JMJ. I still have rounds on it (waiting for a particular shop to honour some custom made flats, when it is back open), but that growl is exactly what I love about my Vintera. I can get it from my lovely chinese 70s CV precision, but I have to dial in a bit more treble to do so. I nearly went for a Vintera having played one and been most impressed by it. However, I was feeling down/extravagant and decided to go the whole hog, that SD pickup is very nice and not available for retrofit at the moment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 4 hours ago, ezbass said: I nearly went for a Vintera having played one and been most impressed by it. However, I was feeling down/extravagant and decided to go the whole hog, that SD pickup is very nice and not available for retrofit at the moment. Don't blame you. I love a nitro finish too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 1 hour ago, P-Belly Evans said: Don't blame you. I love a nitro finish too!! Funnily enough, I don't usually get on with them, I always seem to find the necks sticky, my Road Allen being an exception. I've played 2 of these and it wasn't an issue, so fingers crossed the new one will be the same. If not, I'll strip it and Danish Oil it, as I did with my old Roadworn P bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 1 hour ago, ezbass said: Funnily enough, I don't usually get on with them, I always seem to find the necks sticky, my Road Allen being an exception. I've played 2 of these and it wasn't an issue, so fingers crossed the new one will be the same. If not, I'll strip it and Danish Oil it, as I did with my old Roadworn P bass. Never had an issue with it myself - yet - and I like the fact that there is a skill involved in the finishing. However, the best thing is..... that the smell when I put this bad boy away will never get old...... mmmmmm 😂😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 2 minutes ago, P-Belly Evans said: However, the best thing is..... that the smell when I put this bad boy away... 10/10 Sir for Euphemism of the Week 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 18 minutes ago, Frank Blank said: 10/10 Sir for Euphemism of the Week Very good!! I am a postman too so can't wait for the warm weather to add a hint of je ne sais quoi to the mix......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 30 minutes ago, P-Belly Evans said: Never had an issue with it myself - yet - and I like the fact that there is a skill involved in the finishing. However, the best thing is..... that the smell when I put this bad boy away will never get old...... mmmmmm 😂😂 See the 'how threads progress' thread from the other day.. This is how it is done. 😎😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 I'm pretty sure there is also an element of short scale basses appealing to guitarists who think that playing bass is easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 24, 2021 Share Posted February 24, 2021 NSSBD! Thread here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnPatroller Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 I had my eye on a short scale Squier last year but I decided against it because it just didn't feel like the real deal ... No opportunity to visit a guitar shop and actually give one a test run due to lockdown did not help but this thread is making me think I should maybe revisit this opinion. As an "average size woman", I'll bet Steve Harris has got hands twice as big as mine! 😆 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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