Could a short scale be for me?

[Evil Undead]

I love my P bass (MIA) to death, it sounds incredible. But, due to one wrist injury too many, playing lower than the 3rd fret has become quite painful.

But do I really want to sacrifice the glorious tone of my P bass for a "nice but not quite as nice" sound of a Fender Mustang?

I play all sorts (covers) from disco and funk through to hard rock and old school metal (maiden, metallica) but matching the tones of the bassists I'm playing along with isn't vital.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Thanks

[Nashrakh]

If a short scale feels better to you, by all means go for it. I think there must be short scale Ps out there too, maybe custom built as a last resort.

But in my opinion, if you're struggling with health issues, ergonomics come first by a long shot. If matching tones is not a big concern, getting in the ballpark is a good compromise.

[Wallace320]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I love my P bass (MIA) to death, it sounds incredible. But, due to one wrist injury too many, playing lower than the 3rd fret has become quite painful.

But do I really want to sacrifice the glorious tone of my P bass for a "nice but not quite as nice" sound of a Fender Mustang?

I play all sorts (covers) from disco and funk through to hard rock and old school metal (maiden, metallica) but matching the tones of the bassists I'm playing along with isn't vital.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Thanks

Well, actually, back in 2006 there was a MIM 28,60" Precision Jr. bass in catalogue (I own a Torino red one on which I place a DiMarzio ModelOne neck pickup) and it's true alder body with
19mm string spacin', so standard split pickup and Mark Hoppus stringthru tinfoil bridge, maple neck, 20fr rosewood fingerboard

But it's no way as punchy as true full scale Precision especially
MIA
Whereas a MIJ Mustang, despite its appearance, deliver a true
poundin' tone.

Think about it.

Cheers,
Wallace

[Barkless Dog]

I would definitely try to get a short scale. depending on your budget I would get a Fender Mustang or a Gibson SG reissue faded bass. I have seen both at Sam Ash or GC. go check them out. If you do drop tuning then a short scale may not work.

[agent77]

I love my CIJ Mustang. It doesn't have the same overtones as a full scale but it has a sound all its own. I doubt the average Joe in the audience can tell the difference between a Mustang and a P.

[funnyfingers]

Have you tried a Jazz bass? Not saying you shouldn't go with the Jaguar, but the Jazz neck would probably be a lot easier for you and still be 34" if you would concerned about keeping the longer scale. Also the P bass Deluxe is a P bass with a Jazz neck.

[ram936]

I used to have a P-bass, but I sold it because my wrist and thumb on my fretting hand would start to ache after I played it for 10-15 minutes. I have 2 Jazz basses and a Squier Vintage Jaguar, though, and never have that problem. I also have other basses that I can play comfortably all night. There's something about the necks on P-basses that just don't agree with me. My first bass was a '68 Gibson EB-0 w/short scale neck, btw, and while it was a great playing bass, it didn't record well in the analog studios of the day (70's). Don't know about short scale basses in today's digital studios because all my basses are long scale now. That's my two cents worth.

[PaperbackRyder]

Have you tried raising the bass/ shortening the strap? This will allow you to lower the elbow and straighten the wrist. Might help...
Other than that, it seems the Mustang will be a great option and offer the least change in flavor.
Best of luck!
=JR=

[Meddle]

Maybe tune lower and capo your bass at the third fret to see how you get on first?

[JoeWPgh]

How about a used Squier SS Jaguar? They can be had for dirt cheap, and you can see how you feel about the scale length. They're not bad little basses either.

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by PaperbackRyder

Have you tried raising the bass/ shortening the strap? This will allow you to lower the elbow and straighten the wrist. Might help...
Other than that, it seems the Mustang will be a great option and offer the least change in flavor.
Best of luck!
=JR=

I wear it like a bow tie anyway I don't think I can comfortably raise it any more.

[IronLung1986]

Originally Posted by Meddle

Maybe tune lower and capo your bass at the third fret to see how you get on first?

ha! that's actually a pretty good idea.

[mazareth]

Try the Jag SS. To my ears it sounds pretty much like a 34" P-bass. IMO, once you're in the mix with the rest of band, whatever differences there are in the tone will be unnoticed.

In the end, you'll be more motivated to practice if it doesn't hurt to play notes on the first 3 frets.

[Mushroo]

Try tuning DGCF and slapping a capo on the 2nd fret; that will give you a sense of whether short-scale is right for you. I personally doubt the average listener can tell the difference between identical 30", 32" and 34" basses in the context of a full-band mix.

By the way, here's one of my favorite videos for safe left-hand wrist technique; whether you're on long scale, short scale, or ukulele, proper technique is essential... the pain is a warning from your body!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA

[backtobass]

I actually was in the same boat. Started back at bass and was playing shorties to build my hand up. I have two of the Fender P Bass Jrs and they have really good punch if you can find them. But not as good as a 34".

[bassbully]

I love my SS and they are a breeze to play, are fun and a cool change up for gigs. I would look into them and try the Squier line to see if you like them.

[Bunk McNulty]

Check this out:

Birdsong Cbass

This one, obviously, was sold. Scott Beckwith, the mastermind at Birdsong, told me he sold only 20 of them. If you asked, he might build another one for you. I have one (no, it's not for sale), and when they say it's a short-scale that sounds like a P-bass, they're not kidding. Not cheap, but not "boutique" expensive, either.

[Formula144]

Originally Posted by JoeWPgh

How about a used Squier SS Jaguar? They can be had for dirt cheap, and you can see how you feel about the scale length. They're not bad little basses either.

Yup. I've got one that sounds great. Standard pickups drop right in if you want to swap/upgrade.

The Ibanez Mikro bass is another SS option that sounds surprisingly good, and is dirt cheap used.

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I love my P bass (MIA) to death, it sounds incredible. But, due to one wrist injury too many, playing lower than the 3rd fret has become quite painful.

But do I really want to sacrifice the glorious tone of my P bass for a "nice but not quite as nice" sound of a Fender Mustang?

I play all sorts (covers) from disco and funk through to hard rock and old school metal (maiden, metallica) but matching the tones of the bassists I'm playing along with isn't vital.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Thanks

I have both a MIM P with a Classic 62 pickup and a Mustang RI. I have hand/thumb/wrist problems that have been gradually improving over the last couple years (depending on shots/physical therapy, etc.). Although the tone starts slightly different between the two, it doesn't stay that way in a live setting IMO. I add some lows to the Mustang--moving the bass knob about 1:00 clockwise on my BDDI--to have them both sound the same to my ears. I play whichever one fits my mood and/or comfort levels that week.

[GIBrat51]

If they are easier/ more comfortable/ more fun to play for you. then, of course they are for you. Which one to get? I can't really help you there. I have 4 of them (all leftys), but they're all hollowbodys/violin basses. I got mine to fill niches in my collection (and yes, I do play them), but I much prefer long scale. Lots of good suggestions here so far; try to play as many different ones as you can and see what you like.the one for you is out there somewhere.