Recommend me a short scale!

Evil Undead · #1 03-19-2013, 02:28 PM

Due to a wrist injury, I need to downscale to 30"-32" basses.

I am a bedroom player, and play all sorts from hard rock to disco. Mainly finger style but with a little pick and slap thrown in.

I'm a big Fender/Squier fan, but open to all other suggestions. Though I'd like to stay away from any neck divers.

I have around $800 and will buy new or used.

agent77 · #2 03-19-2013, 02:39 PM

I love my CIJ Mustang. A little bit of neck dive, but the right strap will fix it.

The Squier Jag SS is a nice bass too, and cheap.

birdman14 · #3 03-19-2013, 02:45 PM

I just finished rebuilding a Fender Musicmaster from the early 70s. The original electronics are what let these basses down, since they were originally installed with a 6-pole guitar pickup. I put new CTS pots, a Switchcraft jack, shielding, and an Aero musicmasterer pickup in it, and it sounds really great. Not super cheap, but mine came to a total of 400 bucks, cheaper than any other quality vintage bass on the market.

bassmeknik · #4 03-19-2013, 02:46 PM

I have recently looked into this and the Squier SS Jaguar seems to be the ticket in the "inexpensive 30" scale bass" category at about $180. Ibanez Mikro is 28.6" scale and also $180. Both use a P/J style pickup arrangement.

**logans59** · #5 03-19-2013, 02:48 PM

Squier Mikey Way or /fender Pawn shop mustang

JoeWPgh · #6 03-19-2013, 02:49 PM

The Jag is a P/J setup, with the J in the '70's position' It's actually a surprisingly nice bass for the price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmeknik

I have recently looked into this and the Squier SS Jaguar seems to be the ticket in the "inexpensive 30" scale bass" category at about $180. Ibanez Mikro is 28.6" scale and also $180. Both use P style pickups (though the Mikro has a P/J setup).

Alexlotl · #7 03-19-2013, 02:51 PM

Jag SS can be neck-divey, although there are plenty of suggestions in the Jag SS thread about how to counter this, including lighter tuning heads, thick leather straps, heavier bridge hardware and even tyre weights in a bridge ashtray. There seems to be a fair variation in weight, so some of the heavier ones don't dive.

Sounds sweet as though, and has a slim fast neck.

Koog · #8 03-19-2013, 03:01 PM

Drake Custom. Website info here: www.drakecustombass.com .

I play and endorse these basses. Andrew does an exceptional job with 32" and 33" scale basses, and they weigh in the 7.5 - 9 pound. range. Great quality of workmanship. Playability is the best I've ever experienced. The sound can be made to what you want, but is always big, bold and punchy. These basses cut a live mix exceptionally well.

I have a 34" for sale: Drake Custom....Marilyn but it's likely not for you, since it is a 34" scale.

These basses might exceed your budget, but if one can help you recover from the injury and keeps you playing long term, it might be worth it.

I'd encourage you to visit the website and contact Andrew to check basses that may be available and to see what he can build for you.

Hope this helps.

Koog

TheEmptyCell · #9 03-19-2013, 03:44 PM

Squier Bronco with an upgraded pickup, pots, and maybe tuners.

Evil Undead · #10 03-20-2013, 07:01 AM

Thanks for the ideas

Any more? Strongly prefer something without neck dive

Kawai-chang · #11 03-20-2013, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Thanks for the ideas

Any more? Strongly prefer something without neck dive

I have an SX ss Pbass, easy to play, sounds fine for bedroom noodling (I did upgrade the guts with US Fender), has a little neck dive, but really not noticable with a decently grippy strap. Plus, it'll save you about $600.

iiipopes · #12 03-20-2013, 07:17 AM

Rickenbacker has a 33 1/4 inch scale.

It's not necessarily the scale length. It's the entire ergonomics of playing bass guitar. My custom fanned fret bass has a combination scale which I developed to cope with my own injuries:

A Different Custom P-style Bass

bassbully · #13 03-20-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdman14

I just finished rebuilding a Fender Musicmaster from the early 70s. The original electronics are what let these basses down, since they were originally installed with a 6-pole guitar pickup. I put new CTS pots, a Switchcraft jack, shielding, and an Aero musicmasterer pickup in it, and it sounds really great. Not super cheap, but mine came to a total of 400 bucks, cheaper than any other quality vintage bass on the market.

I have a 74' also. I put in a 78' P bass wiring harness and got rid of the 2 cap setup and it sounds great now. The Squier Vista Musicmaster's pop up here and there. I have one and its a great bass with a loud, growly pup in it.

Peepaleep · #14 03-20-2013, 07:54 AM

Sub'd. I'm looking for a SS too.

khutch · #15 03-20-2013, 08:06 AM

I can't help you with neck dive, I've played all kinds of basses that supposedly have it and never noticed any problems. I guess some of us just are not sensitive to it. You can probably find a SS Jag to try somewhere and form your own opinion, the only one that counts, about how well it is balanced. Fender/Squier also make various short scale Bronco and Mustang models. I like the looks of the Squier VM Telecaster basses which are 32 inch. The last three basses on the Eastwood Guitars website are short scales.

Now they are a different sort of beast but would a 30 inch bass VI or a 27-28 inch baritone guitar make an interesting choice for you? They can be played fingerstyle and picked but I think slapping is out of the question. Baritones are traditionally tuned higher but many guitarists tune them as low as a bass and some tune them down to D. Fender makes the new Pawn Shop Bass VI and a Blacktop Telecaster Baritone. On Eastwood's web page the last two guitars just above the basses are Sidejack Baritones and the first bass is a Sidejack Bass VI. Schecter has made some bass VI models recently, I don't know if they make any currently. Many guitar makers have a baritone or two sprinkled in their catalogs but they are often hard to find. Rondo/Douglas/Essex/Brice/Agile/etc/etc/etc makes short scale basses, an Argus bass VI, and several baritones.

Ken

Gougedeye · #16 03-20-2013, 08:11 AM

How about a Fender Urge Bass? Search Fender Urge for more options.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Urge-...item3380a2ff1b

Formula144 · #17 03-20-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexlotl

Jag SS can be neck-divey, although there are plenty of suggestions in the Jag SS thread about how to counter this, including lighter tuning heads, thick leather straps, heavier bridge hardware and even tyre weights in a bridge ashtray. There seems to be a fair variation in weight, so some of the heavier ones don't dive.

Sounds sweet as though, and has a slim fast neck.

Yup. Bought a used Jag SS from the classifieds here, and it had a very light body and noticeable neck dive. A set of Hipshot Ultralite tuners solved the problem.

Just bought a used Ibanez Mikro, which sounds great for the price. The neck is even smaller than the Jag.

mystic38 · #18 03-20-2013, 08:33 AM

a +1 for the Ibanez Mikro... i put a set of ground wounds on a friends and whoa!.. stunned at the tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Thanks for the ideas

Any more? Strongly prefer something without neck dive

BassChuck · #19 03-20-2013, 08:41 AM

Smartass answer: Guidoian hexachord.

banditcosmo · #20 03-20-2013, 09:43 AM

Since you are a big Fender/Squier fan I would suggest looking for a used made in Japan 32" Fender or Squier P bass. They popup the in the classifieds here sometimes and on Ebay. In my opinion they blow away the Mustangs.
If you can afford a little more look for a used Birdsong or Landing.
One bass I really want to check out is the short scale Warwick Rock bass