Am I "wrong" for wanting a short-scale bass?

[mike1123]

Yo. I'm a guitarist (10+ yrs) trying to get the hang of bass. I also happen to be a pretty small dude.

I want to play bass, and have found short-scales (Ibanez Mikro) super easy to play, even compared to really nice 34" basses. If I had to do a last minute gig, I'd definitely feel MUCH more confident playing a short scale bass.

Should I just suck it up, and get used to a normal bass? Or should I embrace the short scale?

 

[DocTT]

Get one of each! The Ibanez micro and an inexpensive full size won't set you back much, and you'll probably like playing both .

 

[mongo2]

I've gigged short scale 4 string basses for decades along side long scales. For about 20 years I've gigged short scales exclusively.

I know I'm not wrong for using short scales. You wouldn't be wrong either.

If anyone tells you you're wrong, ignore them, they don't know what they're talking about.

 

[Rib 13]

Just play what you like

 

[Craig4003]

If you're happy with the sound and feel of a short-scale bass, go with that. There's nothing wrong with it at all. The Ibanez Mikro Bass is possibly the best value-for-money bass in the world, though I find the factory strings a bit too light for its 28.6" scale length. The D'Addario EXL-170S set is a good replacement.

 

[blue4]

Are you wrong? No. I could run through a list of famous musicians who used them, and famous songs they were used on but by now I think we all know them.

 

[pcake]

why would you be wrong for wanting to play a short scale?

i have 2 mikros, and one has been my go-to bass for a couple years. i also have a 30" scale mustang, and until recently had a 30" squier jaguar short scale. so if you wanted to try short but not mikro short scale, you could go for the jag - it's a nice bass, and there's also the hofner ignition club bass (i think it's still $100 off at sweetwater) or the hofner ignition violin bass. let's not forget the epiphone EB-0.

or if you wanted to spend a bit more, you could get a fender mustang P/J - really great tone, more of a P bass look.

 

[mike1123]

spend more

Okay.

 

[secondbestcody]

+1 for the Mustang. Either the nice MIJ Mustangs or the MIM Mustang PJ. The MIJ feels like it has a smaller neck, which you may like. Guitar Center is bound to have at least one Mustang PJ hanging on the wall since they’re fairly new.

 

[zontar]

You are not wrong--try both though--and if you find a short scale that does it for you--get that one.

 

[pcake]

Okay.

i think you'll get along here just fine

 

[TobyTheBass]

Nah you do what's comfortable. I know a guy who only plays Ibanez Mikros no shame. He does have the nickname Mikro T though.

 

[Axstar]

Short scale basses still carry a stigma from older players who remember when shorties were fairly exclusively the cheaper and more student-focussed basses available. Combine this with inefficient amplifiers, and badly designed strings, and shorties earned a reputation for sounding muddy and for feeling flabby under the fingers.

I play shorties exclusively. I jump between a Dearmond Starfire and a pair of PJ Mustangs. I've modded the Mustangs a lot, and they sound pretty much like P basses on recordings. I'm using Status 'Hotwire' flatwound strings on all of them, and have a very even string-to-string performance from all of these basses.

 

[chris_b]

The answer is play what you prefer to play, but all the "issues" you mention boil down to lack of confidence, a lack of experience and probably a less than perfect technique. Size only matters if you're not doing it right! Get some lessons so that you can fix all these "problems".

 

[flatwoundjohn]

There's no right or wrong.it's all preference.I own a hofner violin bass that's in dire need of repair lol. If it worked it would be my main bass.

 

[_sky_]

Got a Harley Benton shortscale (the one who is similar to the hofner) just to have a short-scale. Now with some time play it...let´s just say that a Mustang is in my christmas list

 

[Bodeeni]

Do what works and feels best for you. I am a long scale guy, that dabbles in short scale. I have trouble with the fret spacing of shorter scale, not as much the sound. I don't think playing guitar, or not, had much to do with it. So, my choice is comfort driven. That is my recommendation.

 

[Ronnie681]

I switched from a 5 string to Precision 4 string and I love it. I am not the expert on technical terms but i been playing 35 plus years and go for whatever is comfortable.

 

[JACink]

I think you would only be wrong if you picked a bass you didn't like, regardless of the scale.

 

[lfmn16]

You are not wrong for wanting one. You are wrong if you think you need one. Barring some physical abnormality, you should be able to play a 34" scale bass with no problem, using proper technique. Some people, even with excellent technique, prefer them; what you want is personal preference.