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

[deste]

Just play what you like

+1

 

[tpaul]

Yes. Very, very wrong. And it's too late now. Simply by asking the question you have displeased the bass gods. You will have to do penance. 50 repetitions of Mustang Sally on a 35" neck should do it.

 

[ERIC31]

Not at all! Play what you like and what is comfortable for you. Never mind what anyone else likes or says is good.

 

[diegom]

You would be wrong to let the instrument shape or size (or make or model or number of pickups or...), keep you from playing!

If a washtub bass is what allows you to make music, RIGHT ON, I SAY!!!

Play, play and play some more!!

Diego

 

[40Hz]

View attachment 3167254

Sorry!

I could not resist!

greetings

Wise(b)ass

Yeah. But I can say “no sin” because I started on upright and migrated to electric. I never was a guitarist.

However, I’ve since picked up some guitar, and the guitarists I met were pretty cool with me branching out despite me coming to them from the low end of the sonic spectrum. So at least I can return the courtesy if nothing else.

Besides…one more person taking up bass is always cause for celebration in my book.

 

[BD Jones]

This guy has been gigging with a short scale of a few years now. He seems to be pretty successful (unless you ask Quincy Jones, then he's not that good).

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Only if you use the same string set and the neck pickup is further than "normal". Mustang PJ using a string set 1 up from your preference on 34" is neither less tension or fat tone.

OK, I may be wrong here but how can that be the same (tension) if the saddles are actually closer to the nut/tuning pegs?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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?

No. Have at it and have fun.

 

[jd56hawk]

If you have to ask...

 

[dbsfgyd1]

This guy has been gigging with a short scale of a few years now. He seems to be pretty successful (unless you ask Quincy Jones, then he's not that good).
View attachment 3167416

Never seen him before. Who is he?

 

[Lowcaster]

O

OK, I may be wrong here but how can that be the same (tension) if the saddles are actually closer to the nut/tuning pegs?

ok, I know: you think shorter strings with the same tension means higher note/pitch, right, but if you replace the strings with a bigger gauge string (100 —-> 105) then for the same tension the pitch would be lower. That’s one step forward and one step backwards.

 

[srcTW]

Not wrong to use it. Just know they are harder to buy and sell (less demand).

 

[Kipp Harrington]

This reminds me of the "pick, or not to pick" debate. I use a pick as well as play finger style. To hell with everyone who despises pick players!

 

[Mustang Surly]

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

Not only are you "wrong", you are also "evil". For this reason, we will burn you at the stake with the rest of the witches on this coming Friday.

Short scale is the speaking length of Satan (as if you didn't already know that).

To the ducking stool with him!

 

[SAlcott]

I've been a SS (30") player exclusively for 5-6 years now. After some experimentation with improving cheapos, I invested in a Midwestern 2 from Jake Serek. It's the best bass guitar I've ever owned. The only comments I've gotten are about how great it sounds.

 

[pcake]

Not wrong to use it. Just know they are harder to buy and sell (less demand).

i have not found that to be the case. i sold my short scale jag within an hour of listing it on CL, my hofner ignition within 2 days, my old mikro in about 4 days and my 5 string mikro the same day.

 

[bearfoot]

*patents first 3" scale length bass, is amazed it sounds so much like an upright...*

 

[Craig4003]

"Short scale is the speaking length of Satan (as if you didn't already know that).

Well, duh. Why do you think I started playing short-scale in the first place?

 

[Chrisk-K]

Macca used a Ric for his most iconic bass lines.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

If you’re a guitarist why not try a Squier/Fender Bass VI? It’ll be more familiar to play. I just bought one on back order from guitar center, can’t wait for it get here.