Any disadvantages to short scale basses?

[Max Blasto]

Hello.

It's not really a disadvantage so to speak, but I find that short scale basses don't have the harmonic complexity as the longer ones. Hard to get those piano-like tones that are easy on a 35". But then again, do you use those? If you don't, I say go for the short scale! I started out on a Fender Musicmaster and I think that Gibson EB0s and 3s are great players. Gretsch is great with the short scale basses too. If you want to keep the bright tones, I'd say stick with roundwound strings. If you're going wild, look at brighter pickup replacements for the overwound neck pickup in the EB0/3s if that's the direction you go.

Rock on!

 

[fretlessguy]

As stated by others string selection is really the only drawback. IMO of course.

At juststrings.com and others who advertise here, you can get short scale sets in any string type and gauge for short scale basses. If you like to downtune from EADG to drop D or DGCF tuning you can get larger gauges to do this without flopiness (I kinda like flopiness myself). You can even get 5 strings sets From thelowend.com for the rare 5 string shorties.
I see advantages in shorties over long scales and vice versa. I happen to like both, but at 56 years of age, with arthritis and joint fusions, makes those shorties lovely a lot of the time.

 

[jazzyvee]

You can't go really low with short scale. Thats why all of them are usually standard E A D G tuning. I have yet to play a short scale bass with the same definition as a longer instrument.

I encourage you to try an alembic short scale bass and post your findings on definition.

 

[jonnybass1]

I encourage you to try an alembic short scale bass and post your findings on definition.

My German made Warwick short scale has a ton of definition and beautiful harmonic tones. A good setup and fresh strings is all it needed.

 

[BurningTheAltar]

Maybe a little less sustain,which I've noticed switching between my other bass's. I primarily play a short scale EB-0 that's been modded a bit. Switched out the mudbucker for active EMG's and sustain isn't an issue anymore...not that it was a huge one to begin with. Also, Rotosound makes some sweet flat wound short scale strings.

 

[Bassplayer315]

I purchased a medium scale Aerodyne and find its a great middle ground. Great quality bass and really can't tell in the mix. I have not picked up my 34's since. This is a non-export aerodyne from Fender Japan. A few remain on the bay.

 

[felis]

...for example, the warwick rockbass bridge is a 2 piece design that "takes off" 2 or so inches of the string length because the ball end of the string is a fair distance from the actual bridge saddle. That means you can buy standard length/gauge strings and get achieve lower tuning's. plus, you're not limited to the small choice in short scale strings.....

That's good to know. I just picked up a used Warwick RB shortie. I didn't know that long scale strings would work on it.
I've got long scale strings on my Jaguar SS, but the thick part of the string wraps around the tuner.
I've found it's generally OK to use long string on a bass with the larger diameter tuners.
I tried it on one with the small tuners and broke a string. Don't know if that holds true in all cases though.

 

[oatsoda]

Biggest disadvantage is not being caught up with all your chiropractor's gossip.

 

[Ballin'bass]

To Everyone saying "scale length doesn't make a difference in sound", I'm sorry but you don't know what you're talking about. (not that there's a ton of people here claiming that, but for those who are...)

It completely does. In fact it has more effect on the sound and resonance of your notes than whatever woods you make it out of, or whatever hardware you have.

Try playing a 35" or 36" Scale bass and then tell me how it compares to a standard or short scale bass. If you can't hear a night and day difference, your tone deaf.

Carl thompson, among other great builders, will tell you up and down what a difference scale length makes in the sound of an instrument. Whether or not the difference is good or bad is all opinion.

 

[40Hz]

So, I"m walking around Sally's {Salvation Army} a few weeks ago and there, laying on the counter, is a short scale bass going by the brand name Memphis. It was obviously older and set up in a P-bass configuration. They were asking $40.00 for it and hey, just like any TBer there was no way in hell I wasn't taking it home. It wound up needing pots, a set of rounds, and a dust off.
Full disclosure, I am a long thin necked sort of fellow, Ricky's, Tbirds, EB3, Fury, Jazzers, and the like, I've got a big fist.View attachment 757957
I took the little sucker to this coffee house gig [Rockin' Blues] I do where I stand for three hours on a 12"X12" tile kickin' it like a bobble head stuck to the dash.
Oh my gosh, sounded sweet through a Markbass 210 combo. Weight- 7.3lbs. I wasn't clobbering the guitar players mike stand all night and it was as easy to play as a Tele. I worked hard on the intonation before taking her out and walked it up over the 12th plenty. The overtones rang true to life. The "P" pick up on this thing is ridiculous. I had a blast with it.
There are a lot of good choices out there, and we've seen some beauties on this thread, but if you or anyone else happens to see one of these dogs running around ebay for <$100. bring it home! (make sure it's a shorty!)

Congratulations! They're great basses.

I've got an early 80's Memphis. It's one of their neck-thru "hippy sandwich" models with a single P-type pickup in the sweet spot. A bit of neck dive, but nothing that's a problem since the whole thing is very light to begin with. That little thing sounds awesome IMO. And it's pretty!

 

[Mechayoshi]

I'm a girl, and I initially regretted my long scale bass. However it turned out that my technique was bad, I had a non optimal strap hight, and I didn't have a good set up. As I learnt more about bass I gradually fixed these issues and now I could play my long scale all day with no discomfort. Remember just because you are covering four frets doesn't mean your figers need to actually be stretched over them. Also sometime it's not the scale length but the bass itself not agreeing with you. You may not like the neck shape and there's no way to known if that's the issue until you try ore basses.

Tldr: If you switch to SS make sure it's because you want to. Not because you are covering up bad technique, because I imagine issues like that will carry over and you can be put off of bass in general. Just because the word "short" is in short scale bass doesn't mean it's still not a big instrument. Bigger than guitar at least.

 

[StudioGC]

In my (admittedly limited) experience it has seemed like the low E strings on basses with a scale of about 30" or less feel and sound a little flabby. That may just be personal bias, since I personally prefer 34", but that's how it's seemed on the few I've played.

End of the day, though, the increased comfort of playing on the bass that fits you best will more than compensate for any marginal disadvantages that instrument may have.

There is some truth to the E string being a bit "flabby". However, I have found good tension with flats (Chromes). I even tune down a whole step with one band I play in and I don't loose too much tension on my Gibson SG.

 

[garmenteros]

I encourage you to try an alembic short scale bass and post your findings on definition.

I had a 32 scale 5 string spoiler for a couple of years (great bass), and the B was ok with 135 45 strings, but I personally liked the Bs on my other instruments better. The first 4 strings were tight though.

 

[felis]

....Try playing a 35" or 36" Scale bass and then tell me how it compares to a standard or short scale bass. If you can't hear a night and day difference, your tone deaf...

What kind of differences do you hear? It's a serious question - I've never tried 35 or 36.

 

[Immigrant]

Wow. You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the great comments! After reading everything (and doing some pondering on the train home from work) I've come to the conclusion that perhaps staying long-scale would be better for my technique and just more convenient, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for a thinner neck for my next bass--my Ibby Gio's pretty fat. So, compromise. Someone here mentioned a Thunderbird and its thin neck...I've always adored the look and sound of the 'bird. There's an Epi at the local music store so I may just try it out. (I'm strict on trying before buying.) Glad to hear ahead of time that the neck is thinner. I may just end up snatching one!

Gibson made a short scale T-Bird for a year or two. It just may be your holy grail bass.

 

[BassHappy]

I just wanted to state for the record - my medium scale PRS bass which I used exclusively for over 20 years on 25 albums, and is still active in my studio arsenal and has NEVER had medium scale strings on it. I have always used D'Addario standard long scale strings exclusively - and have never had a problem. This particular bass is 32.5" scale and the headstock is 2 X 2 but they work perfectly for me. In the last batch of strings D'Addario sent me, I had them send a few sets of mediums to try out. So, for the first time ever, I will be trying out some medium scale string sets on my soon to be 20 medium scale basses, which ALL have long scale strings on them. Be happy to report back, not sure what all the fuss is about. I certainly wouldn't recommend or try long scale strings on a 30" short scale - but for medium scale they work fine for me, and always have.

As far as the "tone" not being right as one poster suggested using long scale strings on a medium scaler - thanks for the chuckle.

If you want to talk tone - think about Stanley's shorter scale Alembics and Jonas's Medium scale custom Warwick. Do you really believe two of the most accomplished players in the history of the instrument - would play shorter scales if they were losing anything substantial tonally? Certainly something to think about, especially knowing that their "star" status gives them complete and total access to any holy grail long scale instrument ever made.

 

[Blackjac97]

I have a Gretsch 6072 from the 60's... The scale length is over 35"... I couldn't be happier with it, but you... Stay far, far away from it.

 

[Morningside]

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"?

It depends what sound you're looking for. If you want a more focused or zingy sound, then you're better off sticking with a full-scale bass. It's easier to achieve higher string tension with a longer scale, which translates to a tighter, brighter sound. But if you want a full, warm, thumpy tone (think Paul McCartney), then you're not going to lose anything by playing a short-scale -- and you may even find that a short-scale bass sounds better.

I played exclusively full-scale basses for years before picking up a vintage Mustang with flat-wound strings, and realizing that it not only felt great but perfectly captured my desired tone. I had previously owned a Rickenbacker 4001, which had a nice fast neck but was a bit clanky for my taste. Now I own two Mustangs -- both strung with LaBella flat-wounds -- and nothing else. They sound as rich and deep as any bass I've played.

I probably wouldn't recommend a short-scale bass for, say, hard funk (slapping doesn't sound great due to the reduced string tension) or punk (same goes for super fast picking), but they're perfect for the alt-country and roots rock that I play. They can also work well for Motown, indie rock, classic country, blues, etc.

Since switching to Mustangs, I've changed my playing style. While I used to play exclusively with my fingers, I now regularly play with a pick, which complements the darker, woodier tone of the short-scale. Get some flat-wound strings, set the EQ to preserve high-mids and top end, and add some compression and light overdrive, and you've got a perfect vintage sound. Old school rather than hi-fi.

 

[TonyP-]

What kind of differences do you hear? It's a serious question - I've never tried 35 or 36.

Clarity and defination

I'm not anti short scale at all, but there are differences.

 

[Ballin'bass]

What kind of differences do you hear? It's a serious question - I've never tried 35 or 36.

You get really clean, tight, big sounding notes. Especially in the first 5 frets. More focused sound on the lower notes, like the open strings. Also I feel like it gives you more sustain. My Carl Thompson bass a 36" scale and it literally sounds like a piano when you hit the open E string. And yes, I mean literally.