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are the short scale basses your thing?

#61
Bunk McNulty said:
What I am trying to say is that regular bass strings work just fine on short-scale basses. There is no need to limit yourself to strings made especially for short scale basses. That's just a marketing scam.
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True, for roundwound strings at least, as simple as just cutting them to size and eventual unravel a bit of the wrap on the tuning peg end of the low E string.

It is what I do when stringing my Ibanez Mikro with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky long scale roundwound strings, since they don't come in a short scale version, and I never had any problems whatsoever with the strings unraveling by them self or anything like that.

With flatwound strings it is slightly more problematic though.
 
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#62
I’ve learned the answer is “no.” I bought one of those Adorama Mustangs because I played a Mustang at GC and thought the tone was great; I still think it is, but I’m just very comfortable at 34”. So I never really play it.
 
#64
TuneSalad666 said:
True, for roundwound strings at least, as simple as just cutting them to size and eventual unravel a bit of the wrap on the tuning peg end of the low E string.

It is what I do when stringing my Ibanez Mikro with Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky long scale roundwound strings, since they don't come in a short scale version, and I never had any problems whatsoever with the strings unraveling by them self or anything like that.

With flatwound strings it is slightly more problematic though.
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I don't know nuthin' about windin' no flatwounds. :D
 
#66
I've moved primarily to short scale over the past 10 years. I now have a 7 or 8 short scales and only 3 34" scale. I find that the shorter scale and lighter weight are nice to work with. Even though my 1963 P is very light, it sits a lot.

Then I recently bought an NXT4 upright/electric, which has a slightly longer scale than 34". But it plays so differently that there's no confusion.
 
#70
Chowny SWB-1...30.75”scale, EMG pickups and 2 band preamp. Plays beautifully, sounds amazing. Give them a look...

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#75
My first good bass was a short scale (Yamaha Motion B) and it was much easier to make the transition from acoustic guitar to than the Lyon P(OS) full scale before it.

I'm 5'9" with wide paws and short fat fingers, and I own 2 34" scale basses. The current precision still makes my hands ache between the knuckles after an hour of playing. Not so the jazz partsbass (same scale).
 
#77
I started on a ‘66 Gibson EBO. Still have it. Thin neck, weighs next to nothing. When I moved to full scale basses the reach didn’t bother me, I’m 6’1”, but wider necks were tough to adjust to. I still prefer Jazz or Ibanez thin necks. It comes down to what you are used to and what feels right. Adjusting to 5 strings...whole other story!
 
#79
bushy said:
I've touched a few of these in store, short scale bass guitars from Jackson to Ibanez. I do have the Mikro short scale electric guitar from Ibanez. I like how short scale feels like as if I can actually have better control or grip of it, maybe it's because I'm only 5'7" in height and perhaps my fingers are small. Do you think that's the reason? If you were taller than me, would a regular or standard sized bass guitar feel more natural? I'm shopping around for another bass guitar and I've eyed a few short scale ones and some standard sizes as well from Yamaha such as these:

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http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/TRBX174EW-Mango-Wood-4-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc
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IMO it's not so much about size. I'm 6 ft and have large hands and long fingers.
When I was 15, long scale, no problem.
Diagnosed with R.A. at age 25.
Now I don't have the elbow or shoulder extension in left (fretting) arm and my fingers are pretty gnarly now from joint damage.
A 34" scale is just hard for me to be able to reliably, and comfortably play near the nut end of the neck.

It's all really about comfort. If you can get there and it doesn't hurt, that's great.
And there are so many more options with a 34" scale.
 
#80
Totally my thing. I don't play 34" basses any more. I was all short scale for a while; now I have one short and one medium, but if I had to pick one, it would be short scale. It just fits me right--which is the point: whatever works best for you is best.
 

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