Best short scale basses?

[CryingBass]

Throwing in Serek The Grande into the mix.

 

[Cool Bass]

Check out Low End Lobster’s review of the Sire U5 (it’s a PJ). Looks pretty good, and for the price, I ended up ordering one. My only other short scale experience is the Gibson SG, which is one of my favorite basses and it’s neither a P or a J.

 

[macmanlou]

I'm looking for something cheep and off the rack. Would prefer dual pickups, preferably not P or J but not out of the question. Other than that, just trying to see what's out there

Budget in a good setup for a cheap bass (either your own time, or pay someone to do it). Rondomusic has quite a few short scales. This one has an ash body and is $283.19.

 

[amper]

I'm quite fond of my Warwick Custom Shop Corvette Proline.

If you want cheap, they make the RockBass Corvette Standard in short scale.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I think it is very important to lay your hands on a few of these, like any instrument. I went to a great deal of effort to hunt these down in shops, and was surprised that a few that were at the top of my list (Mustang, Starfire, Hofner) did not work at all for what I wanted to do, and that a Supro Huntington had the feels. Even though I love it, I would not generally recommend the Supro because (1) it's discontinued and overpriced, and (2) it is honestly not for everyone. If I were to give a general recommendation, it would be for the Reverend Dub King or Sentinel (depending on whether you want hollow or solid). I haven't gotten my hands on a shorty Warwick or Stingray, but by everything I have read and heard, they are perfect for somebody looking for a short version of a Warwick or Stingray.

On a side note, the shortage of short-scale fretless options is a national emergency, and Congress must act NOW.

 

[BassCodger]

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.

+1 I have the SBMM, great value for the $. You're right, more sound options than usual, and I really love a good passive bass.

 

[lug]

Lobster says Sire. I trust Lobster.

 

[maddogsauce]

I have cycled through a number of shorties over the last couple years, but very few on the budget side of things. My current short scale collection includes the Duesenberg Starplayer, Sandberg Lionel, Tim Commerford Active Stingray, and my Kinal Kompact Fretless. I have also previously owned a Rob Allen Mouse, Supro Huntington II Fretless, and a Starry Night Passive Stingray. Out of all of these basses, I find myself using the active TC Stingray the most due to its range of sound options as well as the feel. Between the active pickups, and the adjustable mutes for each string, there aren't many sound I can't produce (I have mine strung with La Bella Mustang flats), and with the adjustable thumbrest, I have an easy place to plant my hand just about anywhere I want. That said, I would happily recommend any bass I have listed here since they are all great instruments in their own way!

 

[Green Knight]

best shorty i ever did play = Alien Audio ... but it's the price of a high end Fender.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

I wont recommend a Harley Benton shorty.
I just got one..... i had some major modding ideas for it but reality set in and those ideas just won’t work. Im still going to make it better but there are a couple things im stuck with that I don’t care for, the biggest is the width of the neck, its wider than my full scale basses. I can deal with it though and for noodly bendy string playing, there’s less risk of the E and G string leaving the fretboard.
The fit and finish are real nice though.(It looks way better with this pick guard, the original was white).

 

[Ken Morgan]

I’m playing a Mustang PJ and Guild Starfire II. Both are excellent instruments in playability, quality, and tone, and suit exactly ever need I have, live wise.

if they didn’t I would not use them

 

[user362432]

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

You might miss is in video - it has piezo pickup.

 

[Treblefree]

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.

Yup, my SBMM sounds like the real deal and that pickup is passive but so hot. My G&L Fallout Tribute came the same way. Soooo hot for a passive.

 

[Danny C]

Serek. Jake makes a fine bass. Love mine.

 

[Treblefree]

And a mikro 5 string Jazz.

Did not know this at all. Thanks. More GAS.

 

[west al]

The Epi EB-0. A 30.5" neck, 12" radius fretboard, and a 1.5" Jazz size nut. The Sidewinder Humbucking, puts out a great clear, deep low tone. New price, $269. with D'Addario ETB92S Nylons. This is the one bass I will not part with.

 

[mikecd1]

If you can't afford the JMJ then perhaps a Player Mustang bass? If you're looking for a heavier / humbucking type sound perhaps a Hofner - you might find a used Contemporary or Ignition - love my Club bass. The G&L Fallout is another good choice and have heard good things about the short scale Stingrays. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[Pilgrim]

For the money, the Squier Bronco is one of the best.

Other than that, ANY short scale Gretsch is a really good bass. Check out the 2220 in particular.

Bass

 

[wango55]

I wouldn't totally dismiss the Squier Bronco as an option. Yes, the tuners aren't great, and the pickup is pretty meh. I bought one used for $120, and changed the tuners, pickguard, and pickup for under 80 bucks. There's tons of others on here who have modded theirs well beyond - but even so - for less than some of these other basses. If you're one who mods their basses anyways, it's a great low starting point for an economical build to your tastes.

That being said - I'm gassing pretty hard for the Gretsch G2220 and it is next on my list.

 

[rtslinger]

The Epi EB-0. A 30.5" neck, 12" radius fretboard, and a 1.5" Jazz size nut. The Sidewinder Humbucking, puts out a great clear, deep low tone. New price, $269. with D'Addario ETB92S Nylons. This is the one bass I will not part with.

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Agree with this love mine as well