Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
1981 Fender Bullet Short Scale
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Please don't tell anybody about the short scale Bullet Basses, because I am looking for them for years now. In Germany only very rarely B34 (aka Deluxe) show up and the rare B-30 Bullet Basses even in the US don't show very often and then usually aren't shipped to Europe, aside of the outrageous costs...
I read about an easy way to distinguish the US made B30 short scale, the US made B34 Deluxe Longscale and the Squier Bullet Bass (only long-scale): how the pickguard matches the body. As the US Basses have the same pickguard only on the B30 it fits on the bottomside the shape of the body. The B34 always have the pickguard seemingly off to the body countour. The Squier Basses have a fitting pickguard with the contour of the body. So all longscale basses with matching pickguard are Squier ones.
Sorry to reveal all secrets...
B30, B34, SQ
I read about an easy way to distinguish the US made B30 short scale, the US made B34 Deluxe Longscale and the Squier Bullet Bass (only long-scale): how the pickguard matches the body. As the US Basses have the same pickguard only on the B30 it fits on the bottomside the shape of the body. The B34 always have the pickguard seemingly off to the body countour. The Squier Basses have a fitting pickguard with the contour of the body. So all longscale basses with matching pickguard are Squier ones.
Sorry to reveal all secrets...
B30, B34, SQ
Attachments
FWIW my 80s E-series Squier Bullet guitar neck has a square heel. IIRC Fenders have an oval heel like yours. Not sure if bass and guitars followed the same formula but it was a common distinction on guitars.
ps: Its a Fender B34, the pickguard/body shape reveals it -> see me upper post...
Last edited:
They are really nice. I would own one if they did rosewood boards, but I hate maple too hard. They are a sleeper fender you can find under 1k like the Musicmaster (what I own and gig with)
@matt-o- there is a sunburst b30 on reverb right now
@matt-o- there is a sunburst b30 on reverb right now
Thanks. This seller isn't offering shipping to Germany and even if, with shipping and import tax it would cost me at least $1300, which is a bit outside my possibilities in the moment. And also: the sunburst doesn't really appeal to me :-( ... although I very much like the tele headstock...
so for now I stay with my musicmasters. completely happy. The bullet bass is more a thorn in my heel, more than that I really need it.
I do like the look of maple fingerboards, they have something very puristic and elemental.
But for playing I prefer rosewood as well.
I'm right there with you. I even sold my 69 Tele because I didn't like the maple board. I do have a Squier Bullet neck that finish was removed from the back, so I scotch brite-d the board and now it's tolerable. These necks just feel good.
yeah im not a sunburst guy either. that Mocha that Dr. CHeese is playing in this thread is my favorite color though!!! i'm definately thinking about it lol. i wonder how different that pickup sounds to a muscimaster pickup.
The Fender branded Bullet came in both 30" and 34" scale. They used the same pickguard on both models so as you can see the pickguard doesn't seem to fit quite as well on the full scale version. It doesn't extend all the way to the end of the bass. The Squier version was only available in 34" and because of that they pickguard fits the body a bit better. Clear sign that the bass in the photo is the 34" Fender version. That said i like the Fender neck a lot but the Squier neck profile is way nicer IMO.
Fender made a USA 30" and a 34" Bullet. I was there, in the music store, at the time, deciding between the two.
A 30" Bullet was my very first bass. $399 with hardshell case @ Hoffman Music on Monroe in Spokane.
A 30" Bullet was my very first bass. $399 with hardshell case @ Hoffman Music on Monroe in Spokane.
My brother has one of these, sitting junked in a closet. It was the very first bass I ever picked up and tried to play.
The 34" scale Fender branded bullet basses are pretty hard to find. The short scale version is a rare bird and seemingly impossible to find.
I've never seen one in person or for sale. I've wanted one for years. Even if one came up for sale now, it probably would be out of my price range.
I've never seen one in person or for sale. I've wanted one for years. Even if one came up for sale now, it probably would be out of my price range.
I own one of the 34's so I can also attest to their existence. It's a fun bass. @Dr. Cheese how well did it seem like it would balance on a strap? My 34 has a bit of neck dive due to the shorter upper horn, and I'm wondering if a shorter scale would help that issue.
I only played it sitting, but I doubt if it would have neck dive.
Nice to hear. My only experience with a short scale is a Gibson EB-3 that dives like the Red October.
The one I played today is $700 for local purchase. If you are not local, and I put you in contact with the dealer.
