Looking for a short scale bass, preferably as short as I can find... I mean, I'm not looking for a U-bass. just something more guitar size.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Best short scale basses?
- Thread starter Peeved T-40
- Start date
Seriously, search TB for "Ibanez Mikro" and "Squier Mini P."
I've picked up bass after 45 years of guitar. In the last year I have had 4 basses--started with a Mikro (28.5"), then a G&L fallout (30") and now a full scale Yamaha and a 30" Ibanez. As for hand size, for reference my ideal glove size seems to be between a M and a L. My main conclusions:
1. the Mikro was great to start on and a super easy transition from guitar, but ultimately not the answer for me.
2. Ultimately the 30" scale is more satisfactory to me than shorter scales like the Mikro, as the strings just seem to get kinda floppy under 30".
3. Once you get used to a 30", it's really not that much of a stretch (sorry) to go to a standard 34" instrument. My favorite bass now is the 34 Yamaha, but I also play the 30" models frequently.
I would recommend starting with a Mikro, but you may want to sell it within 6 months to a year. If your take care of it, you will get most of your money back on re-sale. I had no trouble selling mine.
1. the Mikro was great to start on and a super easy transition from guitar, but ultimately not the answer for me.
2. Ultimately the 30" scale is more satisfactory to me than shorter scales like the Mikro, as the strings just seem to get kinda floppy under 30".
3. Once you get used to a 30", it's really not that much of a stretch (sorry) to go to a standard 34" instrument. My favorite bass now is the 34 Yamaha, but I also play the 30" models frequently.
I would recommend starting with a Mikro, but you may want to sell it within 6 months to a year. If your take care of it, you will get most of your money back on re-sale. I had no trouble selling mine.
Squire Bronco bass. Had one for years. Lots of fun and you can dial it up classic fender.
If your set on short, I'm currently looking at an EB0 bass so i might let you know in a bit.
Also got a 1970 Dan Armstrong plexi bass which is badass but doesn't suit my trebly sound i like.
If your set on short, I'm currently looking at an EB0 bass so i might let you know in a bit.
Also got a 1970 Dan Armstrong plexi bass which is badass but doesn't suit my trebly sound i like.
Since you didn’t mention price limit, one bass that should be on the list is a birdsong. Have to order and wait though or find a used one. I have one and love it.
Two of the three places I'd go first have already been mentioned, the Ibanez MicKro and the Squier Bronco. The MicKro is definitely a good affordable way into the world of short scale basses. I personally prefer it to the Bronco, but your preferences might not match mine.
The third one I'd check out is the Short Scale StingRay. SBMM for the more affordable (though certainly more than the MicKro and the Bronco) and EBMM if you really have a lot of scratch for this. They fit in a regular guitar gig bag (or at least the Gator one that I have), sounds like a legit StingRay. Slightly weird animal—passive, but the hottest passive bass I've ever plugged in. Also gives you an option not found on a normal 4-string single-pickup Ray, which is the series/single-coil/parallel switch. I mostly play regular-scale but I have to say, this is a super fun bass to play.
The third one I'd check out is the Short Scale StingRay. SBMM for the more affordable (though certainly more than the MicKro and the Bronco) and EBMM if you really have a lot of scratch for this. They fit in a regular guitar gig bag (or at least the Gator one that I have), sounds like a legit StingRay. Slightly weird animal—passive, but the hottest passive bass I've ever plugged in. Also gives you an option not found on a normal 4-string single-pickup Ray, which is the series/single-coil/parallel switch. I mostly play regular-scale but I have to say, this is a super fun bass to play.
My favs are the Guild Starfire and the Reverend Dub King.
Of the two, the neck on the Starfire would probably feel more "guitar-like" (narrower nut and string spacing @ bridge) to you, but the body of each these basses is roughly the size of that of an ES-335.
Of the two, the neck on the Starfire would probably feel more "guitar-like" (narrower nut and string spacing @ bridge) to you, but the body of each these basses is roughly the size of that of an ES-335.
wow, not only did I never realize these where short scale, they're the shortest scale bass i've ever seen. might be perfect except it doesn't have a bridge pickup. But it's now on the list. thanks
Letting tension out of the strings is actually why I'm looking for a short scale so the floppiness isn't an issue for me, it's a plus. The Mikro is good size, among the shortest i've been able to find (other than the Airline pocket which is 26.5) and it's obviously a great price. It's on the list. My only complaint is i'm not a big fan of Ps or Js and the Mikro is both lol
Birdsongs are extremely good as said before, hard to come by and wait list on new is pretty long tho
Reverend Dub King
Reverend Sentinel
G&L Fallout / Fallout Tribute
Warmoth Shortscale
Nordstrand Acinonyx
Reverend Sentinel
G&L Fallout / Fallout Tribute
Warmoth Shortscale
Nordstrand Acinonyx
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
That Stanley Clark strat looks dope. Also, there's the new little squier with the humbucker in the sweet spot. And the fallout by g&l. And a mikro 5 string Jazz. Someone else makes a mini jazz bass, I forgot who. And the Nordstrand Cat bass. Out of all of those, I'd probably take the strat.
Don’t look up Duesenberg Starplayer. Don’t do it.
too late
too late
I’ve been playing a Sterling Stingray short scale and for how little it costs, it’s pretty nice. The MusicMan pickup sounds pretty good and you’ve the choice between series and parallel switching that provides a range of tonal options. It’s reasonably well made and the fret work is perfect. I bought this bass a few months ago after a couple of shoulder surgeries and even though my range of motion has improved I’m still playing this bass
What's your price range and kind of look do you prefer? What kind of sound do you want? Plenty of custom luthiers make great shortscales. Cliff Bordwell is one of many. Birdsong is great. It really depends on what look /sound you're after and how much you want to spend.
If you want to let tension out of the strings you can simply use lighter gauge strings. There was a member here who used 30-40-60-80 gauges for EADG tuning. I've used 30-90 successfully, though I haven't tried lighter than that.
If you want to let tension out of the strings you can simply use lighter gauge strings. There was a member here who used 30-40-60-80 gauges for EADG tuning. I've used 30-90 successfully, though I haven't tried lighter than that.
i've actually been looking at the Squire Classic Vibe Mustang. The Fender JMJ is out of my price range.
