Any disadvantages to short scale basses?

[RockNRollRanter]

Hey, guys. Let's get this over with: I'm a girl. I have small hands. I can manage on a 34", but I feel my abilities might be better translated on a short scale bass. And maybe my left hand won't ache quite as much after playing something like "Face the Face" or a similar stretch-on-the-really-low-frets song.

However, I'm wondering...is there a downside to short scale basses? I'm particularly wondering about sound. Is anything impacted by the shorter neck? Should I learn to deal with a 34"?

Discuss, friends.

 

[jongor]

I'm not a girl, bit I'm old so have moved into medium scale basses in the last year or so.

A custom 33" scale that feels and sounds very similar to 34" but just easier on the left hand, and a 32" Warwick Rockbass Corvette which is much easier to play and still sounds very much like a 34", to me anyway.

I've found that there is a bit more rounded, dubby tone to a shorter scale but I like that!

 

[Raw N Low]

Unless you find yourself constantly playing in the high register...no. Most short scale basses have a pretty good mid-range growl to them. It sounds like you play a lot of songs in the basement end of the instrument. What bass are you playing on now, and if you go to a short scale, can you find one that sounds similar? Some times the 34 can get to me when I play "Geek Stink Breath".

 

[Raw N Low]

...I forgot to mention. Have you tried alternate tuning? Drop D tuning may help.

 

[fjadams]

Absolutely no downside to it in any manner.
Well, there is one. There'll be a lot of people chiming in with the inevitable "I've never actually played a short scale bass, but here are the reasons why you shouldn't either" posts.

But truthfully one should play the bass that feels right to them. I've played shorties since the mid 60s. Have had a few long scales including 60s and 70s P&J basses and a mid 90s Gibson Les Paul and got rid of every one of them as I just never could get used to playing them.

There are many options for the shorty player today from the Squier Jag SS and Ibanez Mikro in the inexpensive range up to ones like Birdsong that are custom built. I'd go to as many guitar stores as possible and try out every short scale bass they have and see if any of them feel right to you. You can't go wrong with the Squier SS Jaguar, probably the best value on the market today.

 

[Treadstone71]

Hi there, as a guitar player who learned bass quite late (then had to get good at it to play in public), I know how you feel about the "four-fret stretch". That said, jongor is right...try playing a medium scale if you're worried about not getting the same tone "depth".

People will argue this point to death around here, but honestly, with the right setup and effects, there's no huge loss to playing short scale versus long scale basses.

 

[pcake]

the strings might be a little lower tension unless you use thicker strings - i don't. and once in a while i miss the extra fretboard length, but i've been playing short scales 90% of the time for the past few years, and am totally used to them. i use ibanez mikros (28.6" scale) and a squier jag ss (30" scale). sound is good, and you can always change out the pickups if you want.

btw, i'm 5' 3", and till i injured my shoulders, i played long and extra long scale and really preferred it, but the reach might have contributed to my injury.

anyway, now i'm used to short scale basses, i really love 'em

 

[j0llysnowman]

Considering all of the other factors that come into sound, scale length makes a pretty negligible difference. The sound clips are gone, but here's a classic thread where someone records several different basses, and no one can tell what is what. It actually comes down to the bass with the most expensive pickups lol.

Personally, I love short scales, and don't feel any need to move elsewhere. They look cool, too. You get out of that "buy a P... no, buy a J" mindset and get sweet stuff like Musicmasters, Violas, EBs, Gretsch semi-hollows, Danelectros...

 

[walldaja]

In a fight the extra few inches of reach may be useful but if you're just playing one it should be fine.

 

[40Hz]

No downsides at all AFAIC. They do have a slightly different sound quality and note attack, most noticeable on the G string. But that's in no way a bad thing in my opinion. 30 to 35-inch scale - I've played and loved 'em all.

 

[LowNloud1]

Only a couple relatively minor disadvantages:

1) I find that tuning a short scale bass with standard tuner gear ratios requires patience.
2) Sustain may be less compared to a long scale.

I love my short scales for faster passages. My average sized hands can cover more ground faster than my long scales.

 

[dalkowski]

Should I learn to deal with a 34"?

If it's as uncomfortable as you describe, absolutely not — this is supposed to be fun. I'm 52, played long scales since I was 14. But then I bought an Epiphone Allen Woody 2 summers ago and haven't looked back. If I can add a Musicmaster Vista to the herd, I think I'll be done buying basses. Lotsa really good shorty choices out there.

 

[pbassjbass]

There is nothing systematically a problem with a short scale, you just have to find one you like. I play 34", but have played short scales in the past. For my two cents, I think a mustang will hold its own with any of the fender long scales. The hofner sound is iconic. I did have problems getting an EB0 to work at volume, but I think that was the pickup and where it was located (up near the neck). One thing I've noticed is that learning to use a pick can pay off big time on a short scale.

One possible issue, I suspect drop tunings could be problematic on a short scale.

 

[Nighthound]

I'm waiting for a 6 string 30" scale vader bass. Tuned Low B to F. All maple with ebony fingerboard.. Hope she sounds good..

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

This guy seems to get along fine with a short-scale... if that's what you need, go for it.

 

[Dee-man]

Some may say the string tension is different, or that you don't quite get the same note fundamental as with a 34-35" scale. Personally, I can't hear any significant differences and, as others have noted, there are a ton of other factors that go into tone besides scale length that can be altered, if desired (strings, pickups, body woods, playing technique, etc.).

If you are uncomfortable, you should either switch scale length, practice more so you develop a better "stretch," or change your technique so you can workaround having to do a 4-fret stretch (I've had a few teachers tell me the 4-fret stretch is unnecessary, and you can just use your pinky for a 3-fret stretch and move your hand when needed). Playing bass can lead to lots of medical issues if you're not careful (e.g., tendonitis), so the sooner you can correct this, the better.

There are lots of great short scale options, including plenty of P's and J's if that's your thing. And there is no shortage of great players who use short scales, as noted above (you can add Jack Bruce to the list too). Figure out what your tone goals are and then try and buy. If you can swing it, a Rob Allen Mouse (30") or a Birdsong anything (31") would be great.

Good luck, DM

 

[Afc70]

The Kubicki ex factor is a fine short scale bass, (although you get a 36" scale when u operate the low d extender) Vail Johnson coaxes some amazing tones out of his.

 

[Winfred]

They're great. The short scale string tension is a little "spongier", but there's not a lot of difference. Some people even prefer them.

I gigged a Fender Mustang for several years - Motown, and Classic Rock. It worked well for me.

 

[ZenG]

I play shortscales as well as long.

The shorts are way faster to play, lighter and more comfortable.

You can buy longscale strings just about anywhere. Shorts not so much. I have to order mine in.

Strings for a short are much more subject to scrutiny than a long.

You put the wrong strings on a short and it will sound like crap a lot of times even though those same strings on a long sound good.

That said when you get the right strings for a short they sound just as good as a longscale per tone.

Also your playing style on the long can affect you. I go 1-2-4 fingering on the long. less pain, more endurance and comfort. 1-2-4 fingering below the 5th fret.

Don't need to do that on the shorties.

There are some awesome shortscales out there. Both solid body and "hollow".

 

[BassHappy]

Hey, guys. Let's get this over with: I'm a girl. I have small hands. I can manage on a 34", but I feel my abilities might be better translated on a short scale bass. And maybe my left hand won't ache quite as much after playing something like "Face the Face" or a similar stretch-on-the-really-low-frets song.

However, I'm wondering...is there a downside to short scale basses? I'm particularly wondering about sound. Is anything impacted by the shorter neck? Should I learn to deal with a 34"?

Discuss, friends.

Hey Ranter

I am a a big time advocate of the "Play the Bass That Fits You" mantra. There is quite a little dissertation on the subject on my site here:

Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?

If you have some time, it may be worth the read. There may be more information on the subject in one place somewhere, but if there is I haven't seen it.