Short scales under £180-200?

[Rich44]

Hi, I'm looking at buying my second bass in the next month or two. I currently play a Yamaha RBX170 which is a 34", but want to downsize to a short scale for a few reasons:

-I have small hands and find fretting octaves etc a nightmare (even using index+pinky)
-Lighter weight would be a plus
-I have recently had bad problems in my wrists and finger joints due to having to stretch, so I'd like something a bit easier to play

I'm looking for something that meets these sort of requirements:
-Ideally priced £150-160 or under, but I'm willing to go up to £180-200 max
-30" scale preferably, or max of 32" scale
-Soundwise, something of a similar level to current bass

The actual neck width of my yamaha is fine, I can reach most things across except for maybe E string with my pinky, however its the fret spacing that really bothers me.

I've heard shortscales have issues with tone, but I'm not really worried about things like that, I only play for practice really, I'm no where near band-level playing. I'm looking for comfort more than anything, something that is fun to practice with.

I've looked at the Squier Bronco which is about £100-120, but it does sound quite "clanky" on the fretboard, so maybe if there were some basses just a bit higher in sound/build quality than that, would be perfect. I like the sound the Ibanez Mikro puts out, just a shame its not available in UK.

[Buzz]

I think Danelectro '63s come in at around £160, which come in at either 30" or 32" short (one or the other) and a 34" normal.

Edited May 26, 2009 by Buzz

[andy67]

Epiphone EB0

well made and sounds pretty good! highly upgradeable if you can be bothered!

link: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=epiphone+eb0&x=0&y=0"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?u...amp;x=0&y=0[/url]

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Epiphone-EB-O-short-scale-bass-guitar_W0QQitemZ280348223879QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item41460e6987&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Epiphone-EB-O-short-...93%3A1|294%3A50[/url]

[url="http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=EG00209"]http://www.imuso.co.uk/ProductDetail.asp?StockCode=EG00209[/url]

[url="http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/shop/view_product.php?product=epiebgoebch1"]http://www.absolutemusic.co.uk/shop/view_p...ct=epiebgoebch1[/url]

[Dom in Dorset]

I was goig to recomend the Stagg fusion bass (about £120) but , I've looked it up and I the blurb implies that it's a 34" scale. I was convinced that it was short scale as it's so dainty. It's worth trying one in a shop , there is also a 3/4 size version, that must be 30" scale ?

[Guest]

A glut of shorties here, no personal experience but they are well respected here.
[url="http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitars4.html"]Rondo music[/url]

[biro]

+ 1 for the sx's. Even marloweDK used to have a short-scaled jazz bass. You can even listen to its sound in his vids - even if, as far as I can remember - he used to add plenty of FX to the original tone of that lil' bass on his videos. Which may happen, otherwise, to be kind of hard to find since YT shut down his channel.

[Kongo]

Squier Bronco...LOL!

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

There's nothing wrong with broncos that can't be fixed with a few upgrades. Some of the hardware is a bit crap, but it's a nice playable little bass. You should be able to pick up a secondhand one for next to nothing and then upgrade it with a set of Wilkinson tuners and a kent armstrong cool rails strat pickup, switchcraft jack & CTS pots etc.

[dannybuoy]

As said earlier, Epiphone EB-0, or for a bit more money, the Ibanez Artcore AGB200. Also try searching for short scale bass in the basschat classifieds or ebay an see what turns up!

[Adrenochrome]

Bronco/Mustang style basses don't [i]have[/i] to sound clanky. A lot can be done with set-up, diffferent strings, different gauge strings, upgraded bridges etc.

[lozbass]

I'd have a look at a Danelecto Longhorn re-issue - you can pick them up for around £150 second hand (though you don't see too many of them). I've used one for a few years - they're incredibly light, easy to play, have a slender and narrow neck, low action and low string tension. The downside, for me at least, is that they don't sound too great.

[redstriper]

Cort Action Junior is an excellent quality, very playable little bass with a modern sound.
Recommend you try one before settling for a bronco or EB-0.

[Rich44]

[quote name='redstriper' post='498685' date='May 27 2009, 12:51 PM']Cort Action Junior is an excellent quality, very playable little bass with a modern sound.
Recommend you try one before settling for a bronco or EB-0.[/quote]

I think the Cort looks the nicest out of those recommended, sounds alot like my rbx, and I do prefer modern looking basses (canny stand pickguards! ). Bit pricy at £205, but maybe if i could find a second hand i'd go for it.

The SX shortscales are £115 (with shipping), its a bit too expensive for me to buy without ever even held one (im a student so £115 is a bit too much to "risk" so to speak). I'm not sure I'd be really skilled enough to do too many mods (pickups would be the max really).

I quite like the bronco, and it'd be a safer bet than the SX, but again it would need a couple of mods to get it to match how my yammy sounds.

Edited May 27, 2009 by Rich44

[redstriper]

Go for the Cort if you like a modern sound, it's much better quality than the Squier and more versatile than the EB-0.
You can get it within budget [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_action_junior_bass.htm"]here[/url].
Thomanns are very good to deal with and I think they will give you a refund (less postage) if you don't like it (check first).
I've bought various gear from them and always been pleased with their service.
There's a review of the Cort [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Cort/Action+Bass+Jr/10/1"]here[/url] which I didn't write but totally agree with.

Edited May 27, 2009 by redstriper

[henry norton]

In My Humble Opinion, the main reason short scale basses have a bad reputation for tone is because they are virtually always made as budget instruments, with the associated crap hardware, pickups and strings. You couldn't accuse Stanley Clarke of having 'tonal issues' with his 30" scale bass. I think talk of 'sustain' and 'versatility' surrounding short scale basses are usually confined to people who've never tried one against the other, rather like people who compare cars by looking only at the horsepower. My Epiphone EB-0 is brilliant - light, really easy to play, versatile if I take the time to adjust the tone controls on my amp and perhaps more than anything else, isn't just another Fender. I got mine in the basschat classifieds and haven't touched my Precision since.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

[quote name='gareth' post='499128' date='May 27 2009, 06:20 PM']Best value/sound is fender squire vista series musicmaster bass.

They used to sell used for around £100 but recently they've been selling for more as people catch on to how good they are.[/quote]
I'd agree with that. I have a squier vista musicmaster bass (but its a funky shell pink with matching headstock, so not everyone appreciates it). There's not really a lot of difference between it and my mustang, although I do prefer the mustang. Its different, but no better or worse than my '72 Fender musicmaster. I would probably sell it if the price is right.

Edited June 10, 2009 by Jean-Luc Pickguard

[Rich44]

[quote name='redstriper' post='499105' date='May 27 2009, 05:56 PM']Go for the Cort if you like a modern sound, it's much better quality than the Squier and more versatile than the EB-0.
You can get it within budget [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_action_junior_bass.htm"]here[/url].
Thomanns are very good to deal with and I think they will give you a refund (less postage) if you don't like it (check first).
I've bought various gear from them and always been pleased with their service.
There's a review of the Cort [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Cort/Action+Bass+Jr/10/1"]here[/url] which I didn't write but totally agree with.[/quote]

Thank you so much! Think i'll be going for the cort then, lets just hope it stays like that for another month so i can get funds! Hopefully I can get £85-100 for my yamaha (year old, pristine, bought for £125)

[redstriper]

I agree with Henry Norton about short scale basses, they're cool and not just for kids.
You might not notice such a big difference though, try playing your full scale bass as if the first two frets don't exist (use a capo if it helps), detune by a tone and it's suddenly a short scale - you still need to stretch those fingers!
Short scale can mean a more clanky sound because the strings have less tension, this can be alleviated by fitting higher gauge strings.

I've used Squier Bronco, EB-0 and Cort and my quick review would go like this -

Bronco - plays well with a punchy tone but let down by poor electrics and cheap fittings.
EB-0 - better build quality and great for 'that' traditional deep growly sound.
Cort - beautifully made, highly playable, smaller and lighter than the others with more tonal options.

I think you've made the right choice with the Cort, but I haven't tried every short scale bass out there by a long way and there could be something more suitable for you - there's so much choice these days!
The price at Thommans depends on the exchange rate and can go either way, hopefully it will move in your favour.

Good luck.

[henry norton]

[quote name='redstriper' post='499998' date='May 28 2009, 05:20 PM']You might not notice such a big difference though, try playing your full scale bass as if the first two frets don't exist (use a capo if it helps), detune by a tone and it's suddenly a short scale - you still need to stretch those fingers![/quote]

That's what I did! It'll give you a good idea of the differences. The EB's playing really well by the way, and I've managed to keep it away from my router so far

[Rich44]

[quote name='henry norton' post='500022' date='May 28 2009, 04:46 PM']That's what I did! It'll give you a good idea of the differences. The EB's playing really well by the way, and I've managed to keep it away from my router so far [/quote]

Yup, I did a bit of maths when deciding to go for shortscales and worked out its a shift down one fret for every 2"s off the overall scale length. Thats why I think 30" is ideal, as it takes nearly an inch from the 1-4 fret span (my most hated area ).

[redstriper]

[quote name='henry norton' post='500022' date='May 28 2009, 04:46 PM']The EB's playing really well by the way, and I've managed to keep it away from my router so far [/quote]

Glad you're enjoying it, I thought it was well meaty without any need for uprades and just wanted a good playing in - which it sounds like it's getting now