Short Scale Fender/Squier Bullet Bass years?

Din Of Win · #1 01-29-2013, 01:55 PM

Hi all,

What years were the shortscale versions of the Bullet bass made? Also, were there Squier AND Fender versions, or just one of the two?

Thanks!

Din Of Win · #2 01-30-2013, 10:30 AM

Bump for answers!

**DeanT** · #3 01-30-2013, 11:34 AM

The Fender Bullet bass was made 1982-1983.

The Squier Bullet bass was made 1983-1988.

Din Of Win · #4 01-30-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanT

The Fender Bullet bass was made 1982-1983.

The Squier Bullet bass was made 1983-1988.

Were those the Short Scale versions, specifically?

**DeanT** · #5 01-30-2013, 02:27 PM

No. Bullet bass in particular. I'm not sure if the short scales were made during the entire run or not. I think they were, but I could be wrong.

Cadfael · #6 01-30-2013, 02:46 PM

There was the "B-30" short scale and the "B-34" long scale version ...
They were first produced by Fender and then by Squier.

The Bullet Pickups were copies of the Mustang Bass PUs ...

NYCbassist · #7 01-30-2013, 02:53 PM

I've had a few Bullets and still have one. All have been long scale. I bet the Shorts are more rare and valuable. JMO

Din Of Win · #8 01-31-2013, 10:06 AM

Thanks, all!

I never knew there was a B-30/B-34 differentiation identifier!

That will help my search...

the art guy · #9 01-31-2013, 10:15 AM

I'm not sure I've ever seen info on whether the short scales were available at the same time as the others always, or not. Good question. I do feel pretty confident saying that the short scale ones are less common, at least at this point.

Cadfael · #10 01-31-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the art guy

I'm not sure I've ever seen info on whether the short scales were available at the same time as the others always, or not.

They were!
As I have an image of a Fender ad on my PC which shows both B-30/-34. This image also proves that both basses had the same pickguad - which makes the long scale look a little bit strange because the "up turn" of the pickguard begins "too early".
On a 30" the same pickguard follows the body rounding ...

I made some research on the Fender/Squier Bullet bass when I wrote my 30 pages "Fender Mustang Bass History" (only available as PDF in German).
You can argue about it but to my mind, the Bullet is a "cousin" of the Mustang bass. Same Pickup and a try of Fender to replace the Mustang with a "cheaper to build" and more modern (but also very vintage) follower ...