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Ultra short scale bass round up

R

RDB3

Guest
Nov 4, 2005
99
134
#1
I am eaten up with the ultra short scale basses. 25.5 down to 24".

The ones I know about are Kay Value Leader (am looking for later one with adjustable rod); Carvin (this bass scale was on their 1960s guitar / bass doublenecks but maybe not a single neck Carvin bass had this scale. What killed me that was on an early one (1961) I had both necks said "Made in W. Germany"... so that's Hofner and Framus I guess. And this was back when no one here really knew about Hofner.

Then the Supro/Airline Pocket bass, and then one I just discovered, Mosrite Celebrity. I am not a vintage person per se but still that's when the little shorties were made. I am not inquiring about modern ones, little kiddie P basses, like Samick, etc. I have had the Mexi P Bass Jr. @ 28.5 but if there are any 25.5 and under I haven't mentioned... do let me know.

Bob B
 
#3
RDB3 said:
I am eaten up with the ultra short scale basses. 25.5 down to 24"...
Click to expand...
I see your 25.5/24, and raise (lower) you a Fame M-03 20.5" scale mini, tuned ADGC.
bass tinkerbell fame m-03.jpg
 
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#4
Nice! I have seen the 23" Gold Tones and others but as much as I am eaten up w/ shorties, 24" is about smallest for me. Someone here hipped me that la bella makes really short flats for Gold Tone but I have found they are just 1/2 too short for Value Leader.
 
#5
RDB3 said:
maybe not a single neck Carvin bass had this scale.
Click to expand...
Yeah they did. The #7-BG and #8-BG appeared in 1959, same year as their first bass/guitar doublenecks, the #4-BS and #5-BS:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
25-1/8" scale.

Regarding other vintage models that qualify:
- from Japan, a Guyatone EB-1 and a Kingston, owned (at the time?) by @Rainus and @ejaggers respectively, here
Guyatone 24.5" Super short scale Eb1 bass
- a Mosrite (Dobro) D-100X Californian bass (whose caretaker, @ChristoMephisto is a member here)
Mosrite Dobro Bass - mosriteforum.com
@MakoMan has also experience with one
Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses

RDB3 said:
Someone here hipped me that la bella makes really short flats for Gold Tone but I have found they are just 1/2 too short for Value Leader.
Click to expand...
That would be me. Have you bought them and found out the hard way? If so, I'm sorry to hear that. TBer @kohanmike reported that the winding length of the La Bella/Gold Tone MBLS flats* is 28" ball-end to silk, which I believed to be plenty for any ultra-shortie but, from the looks of it, the Kay has quite the afterlength between the floating bridge and the very small trapeze tailpiece, increasing the length requirement substantially.
 
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#6
RDB3 said:
I am eaten up with the ultra short scale basses. 25.5 down to 24".

The ones I know about are Kay Value Leader (am looking for later one with adjustable rod); Carvin (this bass scale was on their 1960s guitar / bass doublenecks but maybe not a single neck Carvin bass had this scale. What killed me that was on an early one (1961) I had both necks said "Made in W. Germany"... so that's Hofner and Framus I guess. And this was back when no one here really knew about Hofner.

Then the Supro/Airline Pocket bass, and then one I just discovered, Mosrite Celebrity. I am not a vintage person per se but still that's when the little shorties were made. I am not inquiring about modern ones, little kiddie P basses, like Samick, etc. I have had the Mexi P Bass Jr. @ 28.5 but if there are any 25.5 and under I haven't mentioned... do let me know.

Bob B
Click to expand...
Glen Burton 25.5” scale
Glen Burton GBMB-NT Half Scale J-Style 4-String Electric Bass Guitar w/Gig Bag, Strap & Cable
Glen Burton GBMB-NT Half Scale J-Style 4-String Electric Bass Guitar w/Gig Bag, Strap & Cable | The Gator Tone | Reverb
 
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#8
SBassman said:
If you can get it. Has been out of stock for a lonnnng time. Next possible arrival is October.
Click to expand...
They’re made in small limited runs. This is the 3rd run I am aware of since I came across them about a year ago. They’re also listed on eBay.

I think posting about them on TB has greatly improved their sales.
 
#9
RDB3 said:
I am eaten up with the ultra short scale basses. 25.5 down to 24".

The ones I know about are Kay Value Leader (am looking for later one with adjustable rod); Carvin (this bass scale was on their 1960s guitar / bass doublenecks but maybe not a single neck Carvin bass had this scale. What killed me that was on an early one (1961) I had both necks said "Made in W. Germany"... so that's Hofner and Framus I guess. And this was back when no one here really knew about Hofner.

Then the Supro/Airline Pocket bass, and then one I just discovered, Mosrite Celebrity. I am not a vintage person per se but still that's when the little shorties were made. I am not inquiring about modern ones, little kiddie P basses, like Samick, etc. I have had the Mexi P Bass Jr. @ 28.5 but if there are any 25.5 and under I haven't mentioned... do let me know.

Bob B
Click to expand...
Here’s another 25.5” scale bass
De Rosa GBJR-BLS Junior Maple Neck 4-String Electric Bass Guitar w/Gig Bag, Strap & Cable
De Rosa GBJR-BLS Junior Maple Neck 4-String Electric Bass Guitar w/Gig Bag, Strap & Cable | The Gator Tone | Reverb
 
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#10
There are also a number of acoustic basses at this scale length. Some are a bit under 24" (Guild, Orangewood), but Ibanez, Michael Kelly, and Gold Tone have models with scale lengths around 25" +/-.

I sometimes think about building a small bass of this sort using a guitar neck and a cigar box for the body.

I'm curious, @RDB3, what is it about the size/scale length you particularly enjoy?
 
#14
Gold Tone fretless solidbody uke basses have been my main instruments for the past three years. Kind of on the junky side, but good enough to determine that uke basses are the direction for me to go. I just sold off the last of my regular scale basses and am currently having one of my Gold Tones experimentally modded/upgraded. Hopefully it will be a player and keeper, and if the mods work I will have the other Gold Tones upgraded.

Pahoehoes01.jpg
 
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#15
Currently eyeing this, from Maurizio.

https://www.mauriziouberbasses.com/x3m
The X3M takes the Miezo to the next level: five different necks for five scale lengths which fit the same body and are über-easy to disassemble and reassemble.
Scale length available are: 25.5", 22.75" and 18". Take your pick. The 18" scale neck bolted onto the body fits right inside the X3M gig bag. The other two necks fit inside individual pockets in a separate compartments. And that is all within maximum hand-carry size allowed by our beloved airlines.
We also offer a custom 27" and a 30" scale model. They will marginally exceed the maximum allowed length - the 30" by a mere 2" and needs a custom gig bag. Those who do not travel often will find in the super light 27" and 30" long X3M the best companion for long gigs - and fitting inside a guitar gig bag.

f68bd8_243bb898ec304f67b3695c0e621a8891~mv2_d_2232_3653_s_2.webp
 
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#17
There once was this guy named SBassman who actually designed a quality 25" scale bass with a maple neck, had them manufactured overseas, and sold them in the U.S. after setting them up and installing custom Curt Mangan strings sized perfectly. The strings were unique from what everyone typically does with these short short basses. It compensated for the lack of tension and stability at 25" scale by using BEAD gauges - but tuned to standard EADG.

It was a great bass at a great price :) but he doesn't market them anymore. Zero profit unless they were sold at an inappropriate price. So he kept the price as low as it could go, sold about a dozen, and closed the book.
 
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#19
iiipopes said:
Ukulele Bass - Lardy's Ukulele Database
Click to expand...

Yes, that history is accurate. And yes, while the Ashbory came first and perhaps inspired Owen Holt, the inventor of the baritone bass, the licensing is between Owen Holt and Kala - who created the very popular UBass line from what they licensed. I don't believe there is any licensing between the Ashbory and Owen Holt's company, nor Ashbory and Kala.
 
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