Any *conclusive* downsides to short scale?

I noticed that darkness unplugged as well, though dark may not be as accurate as "not-treble-y".

It could totally just be an EB-0 thing though, that was literally the only short scale I've played.

 

Hey RedHotFuzz

We meet again!

Hey, I understand your questions and concerns. I am not much of a short scale guy, but hopelessly addicted to medium scalers - but I DO have a short scale Rob Allen that I love for writing and drilling parts. My fingers are pretty short but they are chubs and I don't get around in the upper registers on a short scale the way I like to. Just a little cramped for me.

I would love to have a "shoot-out" and it would be VERY easy to do - you could find someone with a long scale MIJ JB62, I could bring my medium scale MIJ JB62 and someone else could bring the smart scale or short scale MIJ JB62. Since all the basses are absolutely identical - except for scale length - you could string them up identically (I ONLY use long scale strings on my medium scalers) and I think I could string up a short scaler with the same strings without a problem. It's tricky, and I have broken the wrap on a few - but definitely doable.

Put them in a studio with the exact same signal path and the exact same volume/tone settings on the basses and fire away.

Then bring in your buddies with the golden ears and chuckle when they can't tell the difference....and they start naming the wrong ones...

I did this in a less controlled setting and fooled a bunch of folks but that was only with my medium scaler vs. a long scaler. Maybe you would hear the difference between a long scaler and a short scaler - I am not sure - but it would be interesting to see and hear!

I would love it. I am in New York but I would travel for this - who has a JB62 MIJ long scale and MIJ smart scale? Let's do this thing.....

Here they are:



Oh yeah, and make sure you film it for posterity's sake. Would never want to overlook an opportunity to potentially embarrass someone.



BassHappy
www.innertainment.net

 

interesting remark about fret size. for my warmoth medium scale, i chose the 'vintage' smaller frets. i like to think they help with the intonation, but that's probably my imagination. really, i just like the feel and playing ease with the smaller frets.

 

I thought the "shortcomings" of SS basses were true until I bought my Reverend. Everything I loved about my Precision is there, along with the short scale and smaller body I was looking for. IMO, the failings of short scales are generally that they're thought of as toys, so companies don't release high quality models. And it becomes a self-fulfilling cycle.

Regarding strings, yes, they have been difficult to find. But I did learn a few things from Jason at BassStringsOnline.com. You probably only need a short scale E string. You can likely get away with medium scale A and D strings. If you've got a Fender style headstock, you can use long scale for the D string. And you can use long scale G strings because there's no additional overwrap. Now go build your own pack.

 

To put it simply, no.

 

I used to play short scale all the time. And I don't agree that tone is not a problem! What I'm getting at is the E string on my short scale basses was just a the absolute limit of getting decent tone. The E strings on 4 strings was at the limit but fine (just as people are saying). The proven con, however, is if you wish to push that to 5 strings. Then you push the whole thing over the edge. I have not played short scale since I now play only 5+ strings. But as Sotua says if you only want 4 strings I say go for it.

The thing I loved best about short scale was the way you could reach things that were impossible on longer scales. My hands are not small and that meant I could get some really great patterns going and without straining my joints to do it! And that is a proven pro!

 

On four strings, there are no conclusive downsides, aside from personal preference. I think most would say that a low B at 30" would not be optimal, but you could probably found some who liked it. As long as you like it, and it doesn't sound like rubbish, I say play what you want.

 

Do YOU like how it sounds? Do you get fired from gigs because of how it sounds? If the answers are yes and no in that order, then you have nothing to worry about.

 

This.

The "You can't play X on Y instrument" is nonsense and always has been. You're a guitar player. Are Strats only for rock? No one told SRV. Are Teles only for country? Don't tell Keef. You can play anything on any bass. It may not sound 100 percent like the guy in the actual band, but screw him and everybody that looks like him, I say.

And no one's ever going to say you can't play in their band because you own X or Y instrument and not a Z. Tell them to remove their heads from their butts if they do. I mean, Alex Lifeson and BB King both play a Gibson ES-335. Opposite ends of the music spectrum. It's all about what you do with it.

 

There are none. It's simply a preference. If you prefer short scale, play short scale.

 

Hmmmmmm, I would be surprised if they didn't have a Fender/Squire Vintage Modified Telecaster bass around. They have been steadily gaining in popularity and one of the dirty little secrets is that they are medium scale. I have been in several stores here in New York and they don't even KNOW it is medium scale! Street is like $299 for the standard model.

Give em a ring, bet they have one.....

This is mine before I modded it:



At least you can check it out first and see how the neck feels.....

Good luck either way, I think Warmoth is a fine idea for you....

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net

 

Congrats!

May you have thousands of hours of enjoyment playing that honey of a bass to be - and it will be so much more rewarding doing it yourself!

Since the body is finished - basic tools are all you need, install the tuners, bolt the neck on, install the bridge, the pickups and then solder in the controls....

String her up and set the intonation.

I have learned a lot from the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Bass-Manual-Maintain-Guitar/dp/1844258173

I found it well worth the 20 bucks. You may find a few things above your pay grade along the way, and if so - don't be afraid to seek out a pro or some pro advice here or with a local shop.

New necks can settle pretty quickly with changes of temperature and humidity and you may need to have the frets leveled and dressed. Don't be afraid of it - it sometimes happens. Neither process is difficult but it's really good to learn your limits!

All the best,

BassHappy
www.innertaiment.net

 

Good on you for getting the SS
I had an Epiphone Viola as my main gigging bass for several years (and I still use it often). That's a 30.5" scale IIRC.
So easy to play and really fast (if you want).
No real downside I think, but certainly different in some ways.

 

That's hot.

 

^^^ not sure why my whole post is highlighted in a quote?? Sorry the bottom paragraph is my answer to the top one lol

 

Cannot wait to see the finished product. Now you've got me itchin' to build a short scale bass.