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Best sounding short scale bass?
- Thread starter MonkeyMan2
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- short scale bass
I feel like I need to represent the Supro Huntington club. Three pups and a piezo can sound like whatever you need.
I haven't played a whole lot of shorties, but the Gibson Les Paul Junior DC does a respectable P bass.
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No affiliation with the seller, but HERE is the best-sounding shorty of all time, in my books:
I've been gigging mostly short-scales for 45 years now, and my current main squeeze is a white Duke just a few serial numbers away from this one.
Fabulous basses, and since it has arrived my other dozen basses are collecting dust (most will be up for sale soon). My number 2 bass cost nearly five grand, and it's basically just a wall-hanger now...
I've been gigging mostly short-scales for 45 years now, and my current main squeeze is a white Duke just a few serial numbers away from this one.
Fabulous basses, and since it has arrived my other dozen basses are collecting dust (most will be up for sale soon). My number 2 bass cost nearly five grand, and it's basically just a wall-hanger now...
My vote is Squier Jaguar SS. My has Dimarzio model pj pickups and la bella tapewounds. That will get you your precision bass tone.
Just started playing 30”.
I’ve got a PJ MIM Mustang that I enjoy. I’m looking at a Mensinger Cazpar as a possible “next” bass.
Cazpar
Probably not the same vibe as the Wattplower, so if that’s your goal, the bridge dual coil or neck single coil options might not be ideal. If you want some variety, maybe this is worth a listen.
I’ve got a PJ MIM Mustang that I enjoy. I’m looking at a Mensinger Cazpar as a possible “next” bass.
Cazpar
Probably not the same vibe as the Wattplower, so if that’s your goal, the bridge dual coil or neck single coil options might not be ideal. If you want some variety, maybe this is worth a listen.
I saw the G&L Fallout (without racing stripes) and the MusicMan Stingray short scale at NAMM a few weeks ago. I bet either of these would fill the bill for a real pro short scale bass.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
This is my short scale collection. I've also owned an SG and a couple of Dano short scales. I own about 25 long scale basses. I will be selling most of them soon 
. My thoughts are below the pic...
First and most importantly, I think the idea of a short scale NOT sounding like a long scale is a myth. I'd challenge anyone to tell me the difference just by listening. And with that out of the way ...
If you're looking for a Musicman sound, (obviously) nothing beats the Stingray. That's the bass sound I've always loved most, and I honestly think I found my holy grail. I haven't played anything else since getting it, I love it, it has that MM sound only a Stingray and Sterling can do. Weighing in at a little over 6 lbs. makes it extra special. And for the record, I've owned a 4 string Sterling, an HS Stingray, and I still own a 5 string HS Sterling. This thing hones in on the sweet spot of all those basses, and well... I absolutely love it.
If you're looking for a Fender sound, both the MIM and MIA Mustangs can do the job. On the MIM the P pickup is hotter, J pickup a tad thin - on the MIA, the P pickup is sweeter (I like the sound better), and the J stands wonderfully on its own. You get to blend the pickups too on the MIA. Both great basses. Both very Fender sounding.
The Warwick is active, and the most aggressive. Thunderous lows and sizzling highs. I love it but my band thought it was a tad too aggressive for the weddings we do. In all fairness to the bass, I didn't really spend a lot of time trying to tame it. I think its capable of much more.
The Huntington and Hofner are great but I don't feel like writing about them right now, and the Talman... well, it pales in comparison to all the rest. Sounds a bit anemic, even after I replaced the pickups with Geezers. Feels great, plays great, can get gnarly with the new pickups - but lacking when thrown in the ring with any of the others.
. My thoughts are below the pic...First and most importantly, I think the idea of a short scale NOT sounding like a long scale is a myth. I'd challenge anyone to tell me the difference just by listening. And with that out of the way
...If you're looking for a Musicman sound, (obviously) nothing beats the Stingray. That's the bass sound I've always loved most, and I honestly think I found my holy grail. I haven't played anything else since getting it, I love it, it has that MM sound only a Stingray and Sterling can do. Weighing in at a little over 6 lbs. makes it extra special. And for the record, I've owned a 4 string Sterling, an HS Stingray, and I still own a 5 string HS Sterling. This thing hones in on the sweet spot of all those basses, and well... I absolutely love it.
If you're looking for a Fender sound, both the MIM and MIA Mustangs can do the job. On the MIM the P pickup is hotter, J pickup a tad thin - on the MIA, the P pickup is sweeter (I like the sound better), and the J stands wonderfully on its own. You get to blend the pickups too on the MIA. Both great basses. Both very Fender sounding.
The Warwick is active, and the most aggressive. Thunderous lows and sizzling highs. I love it but my band thought it was a tad too aggressive for the weddings we do. In all fairness to the bass, I didn't really spend a lot of time trying to tame it. I think its capable of much more.
The Huntington and Hofner are great but I don't feel like writing about them right now
, and the Talman... well, it pales in comparison to all the rest. Sounds a bit anemic, even after I replaced the pickups with Geezers. Feels great, plays great, can get gnarly with the new pickups - but lacking when thrown in the ring with any of the others.
If you hold on for a few months Sterling Musicman is doing a short scale passive stingray. Controls will include, volume, tone and 3 way rotary knob for, parallel, single coil and series. Should be the bomb!
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
They're already available. Some people have already gotten them. Due in a couple of weeks at Musiciansfriend, but I think they can be found elsewhere too.
More info in this thread SBMM Stingray Short scale
Just got a birdsong last week. amazing tone for a little guy, beautiful as well
Very happy with my Alien Audio 5 string. Sits super thick in the mix.
My buddy Kevin Scott turned me onto Serek.... I picked up a 30” Midwestern with one Novak BSDS in the mid position last year. It is by far the most aggressive sounding bass I have. It’s sound is HUGE too, although I would not recommend it for slappy-slappy, tappy-tappy. It sounds really cool with a pick too.... very Free/Mule-ish.
Jake has a lot of videos on YouTube where he talks about the inspiration for each of this designs. I would highly recommend checking them out if they are not already on your radar.
There is a waiting for a custom build, but I believe Chicago Music Exchange usually has them in stock. You can typically find them on Reverb for a good discount too.... if you are willing to be patient.
Good luck.... I hung-up my hat from searching for the perfect SS bass.... Then I played a Serek.
Jake has a lot of videos on YouTube where he talks about the inspiration for each of this designs. I would highly recommend checking them out if they are not already on your radar.
There is a waiting for a custom build, but I believe Chicago Music Exchange usually has them in stock. You can typically find them on Reverb for a good discount too.... if you are willing to be patient.
Good luck.... I hung-up my hat from searching for the perfect SS bass.... Then I played a Serek.
Probably the Birdsong, for sure. Following that the new Mustang P/J - Fantastic sound and quality, and next the Squier Jag Short Scale - I just used one in the studio over the weekend and everyone keep commenting on the great sound - plus it is so dang easy to play! Of course in their wisdom, Fender has discontinued the Jag SS, but I found a nearly new one on CL and snapped it up. I have flats on the P/J and Rounds on the Jag SS - best of both worlds for sure.
Ive owned many ss over the years and now prefer medium scales but I couldnt resist the ss Stingray when it came out last year and Im glad I didnt. It feels great (lightweight), plays great (maybe my favorite neck ever), and sounds like a Stingray (but no batteries to worry about). Ive always been and still consider myself pretty much a Pbass guy but I love this thing.
My Serek Midwestern 2 with the B90 pickup has relegated all my other bass guitars to the closet.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Lots of awesome basses in this thread that I never saw or heard of before.
