The Official Short Scale Bass Club -- Part 3

[benlauziere]

Hi guys !

Just heard about the ESP LTD B-5JR, seems a nice little bass ! The only problem is that there's no description online about it... Does anybody owns one and could tell me what's the scale and does the B string sounds good ?

Thanks folk !

[baldy McBalders]

So nothing really thrilling here actually; picked up a Epi EB0 for $190. I have never done the SS thing, so I thought this would be a good place to start. I am a lefty, so this bass would be a good easy conversion for me. Cut a new ebony nut (the stock one was AWFUL), and put some D'Addario 40-100's rounds on it to kind of set a "default" sound for it. Sounds really cool actually!! I'm running it through a VHT Special 6 guitar head and an Ampeg 2X10, and like it so far. I think I may stick with rounds on this bass; Any other suggestions for a warmish NPS string?
Anyway, it was of reasonable quality for the price. The bottom strap button was put in crooked, but everything else is pretty good (other than the nut I already mentioned). LOVE the vintage size frets! I never realized that I liked little ones so much before this bass. Here is the new one, plus it's three other new friends.
Thanks,
B.

[Budman52]

Well, I decided if my Little (25" scale) '71 Lyle can't be all original, I'd rather go all the way to make it "MINE"!

New single string bridges, New Tuners, new paint (& TRICKY masking) plus many layers of clear coat.

Here's before & after.
This little beaut has a neck like a Strat!
I find myself bending notes like it's a guitar!

[funkytoe]

GREAT re-fin. That gold looks fantastic! Love the matching knobs. Really well done.

[Budman52]

THANKS Funkytoe!!!
The hardest part was getting the masking even.
BTW, You're from NoCal?
Where ya at? I'm in San Juan Bautista (South of Gilroy)
Before that, I was in San Jose & Santa Cruz area for YEARS!

[skruch]

Really an amazing transformation. Nice.

[funkytoe]

Originally Posted by Budman52

THANKS Funkytoe!!!
The hardest part was getting the masking even.
BTW, You're from NoCal?
Where ya at? I'm in San Juan Bautista (South of Gilroy)
Before that, I was in San Jose & Santa Cruz area for YEARS!

I'm up in the East Bay. Oakland.

[Budman52]

Originally Posted by skruch

Really an amazing transformation. Nice.

Thanks Skruch!

[danflyfish]

New Short Scale Owner

I recently purchased a Squire Jaguar SS bass. I don't know how to post a picture or otherwise I would.

[aquateen]

Budman, is that you in your avatar? one of my favorie basses

[aquateen]

my shorties

71 Les Paul triumph


72 EB-3


95 Rivoli reissue

[Caeros]

I got this guy here at a pawn shop back in February. it sounds great and makes me feel like a bass god due to the fast, tiny neck, but I don't really have any use for it at this point. Would anybody know more about Kents and short scale basses in general than myself want to help me identify it?

[Budman52]

Originally Posted by aquateen

Budman, is that you in your avatar? one of my favorie basses

Aquateen, YES! I once had a '71 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass. It was in pretty sad shape when I bought it. It was unplayable (broken truss rod), and the finish looked like an old steamer trunk that went down with the Titanic!
I had the truss rod replaced, an ebony fingerboard (Mother of Pearl Inlays to match the original), and professionally refinished with a GORGEOUS "Strawberry-Honey Sunburst". It had a polished brass truss rod cover that was engraved with the name "Bud".
Finishing touch was All Gold Hardware. It was a REAL beauty!
Almost seemed to play itself it was so smooth!
Had it for almost 25 years before I foolishly sold it on eBay when I briefly became a "5 string snob".
Biggest mistake I EVER made!
After 10 years, I'm STILL searching eBay EVERY DAY to try to re-claim it....so far no luck.
It's the ONLY thing on my "Bucket List".
All I have now to remember it by is my Tat.
(If anyone see's it, or has one for sale please give me a heads-up here.)

[Budman52]

Originally Posted by aquateen

my shorties


95 Rivoli reissue

Re: the 95 Rivoli reissue, Interesting use of the 3-point bridge while KEEPING the tailpiece intact!!!!
I'll have to remember that!!
NICE SHORTIES!!!!

[Budman52]

Here's a closer look at the tat. BTW, I did the artwork for the Head stock (I'm a Graphic Designer) the tattoo artist couldn't quite get the detail from my original art)




[quote=aquateen;13450080]Budman, is that you in your avatar? one of my favorie basses

[funkytoe]

Those are all beauties aquateen - But this one is my favorite.





We all love seeing these pictures of everyone's short scales. Feel free to post as many as you like. You are all certainly part of the brethren. But, if you are posting for club membership - please say so in your post so that we can assign you a club number. Thanks.

[funkytoe]

Originally Posted by Budman52

Aquateen, YES! I once had a '71 Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass. It was in pretty sad shape when I bought it. ... I had the truss rod replaced, an ebony fingerboard (Mother of Pearl Inlays to match the original), and professionally refinished with a GORGEOUS "Strawberry-Honey Sunburst". It had a polished brass truss rod cover that was engraved with the name "Bud"....Had it for almost 25 years before I foolishly sold it on eBay...Biggest mistake I EVER made! After 10 years, I'm STILL searching eBay EVERY DAY to try to re-claim it....so far no luck.

I feel your pain Budman. I did a similar "frame off" restoration on an old Mosrite Ventures bass. Perfect refinish in a metallic silver/blue with white pickguard. Unfortunately, I routed it for angled Dimarzio Jazz pickups. Not a correct restoration, but it sounded HUGE. Sold or traded it 15+ years ago for something I had to have at the time. Now, I search Craigslist/EBAY and TB classifieds every week for that bass. I'll keep an eye open for yours if you watch for mine.

Also, maybe post that photo of your tattoo and description in the Gibson Bass forum over at the FlyGuitars website. Lots of Gibson folks check that board as a resource. Someone may know something about your Triumph.

[aquateen]

Originally Posted by Budman52

Re: the 95 Rivoli reissue, Interesting use of the 3-point bridge while KEEPING the tailpiece intact!!!!
I'll have to remember that!!
NICE SHORTIES!!!!

yeah, I put the tail piece on so I could use 34" scale strings on it. I've taken it off since that photo but keep it in the parts box if I decide to use it again.

thanks for the comments on my shorties. some guys can't get on with them, but I like 'em just fine!

funkytoe, no memebership is needed. just wanted to show 'em to the short scale fans.

[Budman52]

Originally Posted by funkytoe

I feel your pain Budman. I did a similar "frame off" restoration on an old Mosrite Ventures bass. Perfect refinish in a metallic silver/blue with white pickguard. Unfortunately, I routed it for angled Dimarzio Jazz pickups. Not a correct restoration, but it sounded HUGE. Sold or traded it 15+ years ago for something I had to have at the time. Now, I search Craigslist/EBAY and TB classifieds every week for that bass. I'll keep an eye open for yours if you watch for mine.

Also, maybe post that photo of your tattoo and description in the Gibson Bass forum over at the FlyGuitars website. Lots of Gibson folks check that board as a resource. Someone may know something about your Triumph.

Thanks Funky! I'll watch for your Mosrite.
I DO check eBay & Craigslist every day, but I haven't thought to look at TB Classifieds, I'll add it to my "Search List".

Since you live in the SF Bay area, you might have heard of my luthier. Kent Perkins of C.B. Perkins did the Strawberry/Honey Sunburst finish on that LP Triumph back in early 80's.
INCREDIBLE WORK!!!!
I can't afford him now, His refinish costs are well beyond my means, but well worth it. Kent & his son are my go-to guys for tech issues though.

[Caeros]

The scale of the neck is 24". it packs a surprising wallop but it kinda feels like a toy in my hands.