rockerbox Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Okay, after recently advertising for a Chowny SWB-1 short scale bass it seems that they don't come reccomended. Can anyone suggest a decent alternative? I already have a Hofner HCT Club bass which is great for the old stuff but was looking for something to stand in for my Fender '60s reissue Jazz. You may be thinking why bother, but age is affecting my hands and I need something a little less demanding to fret when gigging. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 (edited) Really? A chum of mine, and also a fellow BCer, recently acquired one, which he seems very pleased with. However, in terms of recommendations, I recently took delivery of a Fender JMJ Mustang and I’m very pleased with it. During my deliberations, pre lockdown 2.0, I also tried the Vintera Mustang and that was rather nice too. With all that said, the best bang for buck has to be the Gretsch G2220B, good sounding, with good playability, for not many £s. IMO better than the Epiphone EB, Squier Mustang or even the Gibson DC. There’s a lot of love for Sire basses on here as a general rule, but I don’t know of anyone who has one of their recent SS releases. Edited April 25, 2021 by ezbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meterman Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Fender made a short scale Modern Player jazz bass for a time, not sure how easy they are to find now though. A couple I saw on Reverb were €455 and €800. Otherwise for about £107 after currency exchange there’s always the short scale J&D jazz from Musicstore DV 247. These don’t come with a high mass bridge, or Fender pickups etc, of course but... £107! Has to be worth checking out? I’m tempted to try one of these myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Danelectro Longhorn. Nordstrand 'Cat'. Musicman do various shorties now. Spector do a Legend shorty. Fender CV Mustang/Musicmaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat2019 Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 I got a Sire U5 recently. Very happy with it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 I'm a long time Danelectro Longhorn player, but appreciate they may not be for everyone, so would recommend - Squier Jaguar bass short scale. Recently discontinued but they do crop up s/h from time to time. Were around the £180 / £200 range when new, so expect to get one for around £125 ish. Great 30" scale, P/J pickups (which are fine) and overall a cracking little bass. Wish I hadn't sold mine now 🙁 https://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-dept/bass-guitars/retro-bass-guitars/squier-jaguar-bass-special-short-scale-bass-in-candy-apple-red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockerbox Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 Thaks all for the replies and pics it's much appreciated and has given me a lot to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Some great responses above and mention of many of the basses that I'd be minded to recommend. A lot depends on budget of course. If you can be a little more ambitious, the Spector Bantam comes in around £1200. Fantastic European Spector quality and a very high spec. If you're thinking of spending really serious money, then there's the Spector Shorty, ACG and Wilcock (Mullarkey) etc. - indeed, over around £1500 and the higher-end options are numerous. Good luck with it - I transitioned to short-scale seven or eight years ago and play little else - I find it much easier on the back, shoulders, arms and hands 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, three said: Some great responses above and mention of many of the basses that I'd be minded to recommend. A lot depends on budget of course. If you can be a little more ambitious, the Spector Bantam comes in around £1200. Fantastic European Spector quality and a very high spec. If you're thinking of spending really serious money, then there's the Spector Shorty, ACG and Wilcock (Mullarkey) etc. - indeed, over around £1500 and the higher-end options are numerous. Good luck with it - I transitioned to short-scale seven or eight years ago and play little else - I find it much easier on the back, shoulders, arms and hands Ooh, Wilcock Mullarkey for the win IMO, but certainly a premium product. Mmm 🤤 https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/wilcock-the-mullarkey-short-scale Other options if you wanted go up market are:- Maruszczyk do short scale versions of their Jake and Elwood (P&J) models, or you could go down the Sandberg Lionel route, both makes are around the £1300 IIRC. Edited April 26, 2021 by ezbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 I can vouch for the Fender Mustangs being good versatile short scales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Ibanez Mikro £170-ish. I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 I love my short scales. I have a few with 30” scale length: a pair of mustangs (CIJ & JMJ), a pair of early 70s musicmasters, a danelectro longhorn, a guild starfire, and a squier Jag SS. The Squier was my regular rehearsal & gigging bass in a previous band mostly playing blues. I have recently become aware of the very cute squier mini precision which can be found for under £140. I’m currently resisting the temptation to get a black one and add a mirror pickguard, EMG Geezer pickup and Fender HiMass bridge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 On 25/04/2021 at 20:35, casapete said: I'm a long time Danelectro Longhorn player, but appreciate they may not be for everyone, so would recommend - Squier Jaguar bass short scale. Recently discontinued but they do crop up s/h from time to time. Were around the £180 / £200 range when new, so expect to get one for around £125 ish. Great 30" scale, P/J pickups (which are fine) and overall a cracking little bass. Wish I hadn't sold mine now 🙁 https://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-dept/bass-guitars/retro-bass-guitars/squier-jaguar-bass-special-short-scale-bass-in-candy-apple-red Well... I’m not selling my Squier Jag SS. I paid £180 for it. I put a Gotoh bridge on it... just because I had one hanging around... and also put EMG Geezers on it. It has a neck to die for (if you like skinny necks) and is my number one gigging bass. My former number one... a Mustang with Nordy pickups is now reserved for “special duties”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 I have a Chowney and an Ibanez, both excellent basses. No idea why your mate has an issue with his Chowney, great build quality. One thing I will say, don't use Rotosound strings on a short scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, mikel said: I have a Chowney and an Ibanez, both excellent basses. No idea why your mate has an issue with his Chowney, great build quality. One thing I will say, don't use Rotosound strings on a short scale. Mr Short Scale, Scott Whitley, agrees with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt P Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 I was planning to buy an ibanez talman before lock down, I've gone a different route but the tmb30 is a great bass. There's one on ebay right now for 110 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265140919135 Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Matt P said: I was planning to buy an ibanez talman before lock down, I've gone a different route but the tmb30 is a great bass. There's one on ebay right now for 110 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265140919135 Matt The Talman is a great bass, I have two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 Mikro in action https://youtu.be/GYBngZkhqZ4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aDx Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 Cort action junior.... i have one..... best bass i have ever had! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 1 hour ago, Spoombung said: Mikro in action Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyP Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 This is my short scale weapon of choice; an Italia Maranello Cavo. Hollow body and passive electronics fitted with LaBella flat wounds. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplebass Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 had this for a while, super light and comfy with extra upper register accessibility, a bit adventurous visually and sonically though.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 18 hours ago, LeftyP said: This is my short scale weapon of choice; an Italia Maranello Cavo. Hollow body and passive electronics fitted with LaBella flat wounds. Beautiful instrument and nice and light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 4 hours ago, triplebass said: had this for a while, super light and comfy with extra upper register accessibility, a bit adventurous visually and sonically though.. I have the identical bass and love it! Had a few Danos and it is the best one, perhaps due to to it being the ‘Pro’ model, which basically means upgraded bridge and tuners along with just a vol and tone control with a 3 way switch. Featherweight and sounds great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplebass Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 1 hour ago, casapete said: I have the identical bass and love it! Had a few Danos and it is the best one, perhaps due to to it being the ‘Pro’ model, which basically means upgraded bridge and tuners along with just a vol and tone control with a 3 way switch. Featherweight and sounds great too. exactly, and i’m pretty sure my back will miss it in a few years.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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