Any disadvantages to short scale basses?

[Mekana]

How is the B string on the brice shorties? I am ready and willing to take the plunge, just the question of the B that's holding me back. Also, what tweaks would you recommend? Just a set-up sort of thing or is it more extensive? Thanks.

Well, The Brice I have came with active electronics. I took mine to a luthier and had him rewire it passive using the same brand pickups that my Birdsong has (Kent Armstrong). I wanted it to be as similar as possible to the Birdsong, so if I had to switch to the Brice in the middle of a show, it wouldn't sound too different.

The Armstrong pickups were a definite improvement over the original ones.

IIRC, the original active pickups sounded pretty weak. I see on the site that Rondo has upgraded them, so maybe it will sound better right out of the box these days.

Ok- the B string. The SS Brice is string through, and I believe that does help a bit with string tension. To be honest, the B on my Brice is not as nice as the B on my Birdsong. The upgraded pickups helped a lot with the clarity of the B string- it is a lot less flubby sounding than it was. Also string choice will have an effect on both the tension and clarity of the B. IMO, it is fine, but not as exceptional as a Birdsong.

The neck on mine is very nice, and its best feature. It stays in tune, it's comfortable to play (satin finish and nice width, frets are well seated with no sharp ends), the 30" scale reach is comfortable and easy on the shoulder. (Actually, the reach is slightly more comfortable than the Birdsong.) Not even a hint of neck dive on mine.

Overall, I think it's very nice!

HTH!

 

[canuckshort]

Hi Mekana,

I don't think anything is as nice as a birdsong, especially the older design Hy5s. Thanks very much for the info. I might just pull the trigger.

 

[elkhart bill]

i didn't start playing bass until a couple of years ago and i'm in my 60s. a lifetime of work abuse to my hands made it very difficult to play standard scale bass. so i bought a gretch short scale and i love it. the tone is great and it doesn't break the bank. just my 2 cents worth

 

[Michael - NYC]

I have played lots-of American Football, and have shoulder tear's on both sides. I just bought a Sterling Stingray SS-4, and it's much easier and "Less Painful" - playing up around the first 3 frets.

 

[MustangWally]

I'm a smaller guy (5'8", 135) with smaller hands and I do not think that my Mustang PJ gives anything away in terms of tone to a long scale, plus it is fun to play! I have used entirely short scales since probably 1988 and I love them. I think that you will too. Yeah, strings are a little harder to find in stores but online ordering is easy. I have a set of GHS Pressure Wound on at the moment and they are great. No downside, go get one!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

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.

Just realized how much of a zombie thread this is so the OP probably made up their mind and bought / sold a few basses by now.

fjadams is right, in my opinion. Only posts on TB will tell you it's wrong. Those of us who have SS's exclusively aren't looking back.

 

[NoiseNinja]

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

As someone who is almost as big (physically that is, not in terms of being a popular and famous musician) as Mister Stanley (though I have considerably smaller hands in comparison) I can totally relate to that.

My main is a 28.6" scale Ibanez Mikro Bass (not quite an Alembic).

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Short scale basses will sound slightly different, but that's a preference and not a disadvantage IMO. The only thing that comes to mind is that the lower strings might have more clarity on a longer scale bass, but again that can be good or bad depending on what you like.