Best sounding short scale bass?

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Wilcock basses out of London makes pretty dope short scales:

Not only is that the best sounding short scale solid body electric bass guitar I've ever heard, it's one of the best sounding EBGs I've ever heard, PERIOD. The sound with both pickups on is superb - like a jazz bass that's been working out in a gymnasium for a couple of years...

 

[rockscott]

Birdsong bass strung with Dr pure blues! How sweet it is!

 

[B String]

My vote is Squier Jaguar SS. My has Dimarzio model pj pickups and la bella tapewounds. That will get you your precision bass tone.

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Is this a 30" scale bass? I've been looking at new and used. Have only seen 34".

 

[mongo2]

Is this a 30" scale bass? I've been looking at new and used. Have only seen 34".

The Squier Jaguar VM SS Bass is a 30" short scale (SS) and currently discontinued. There is also a Squier Jaguar Bass which is long scale.

The profile of the back of the Jaguar SS neck is my favorite.

 

[B String]

I'm getting anxious to get my hands on a new Nordstrand short scale "Cat" bass again. Really easy to play, and sounds great. Plus the initial price is low enough to jump into the short scale thing.

 

[phil Ire]

Japanese mustang from 2005.great sound much punchier than my 98 precision.

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

Is this a 30" scale bass? I've been looking at new and used. Have only seen 34".

Yes its 30 scale with a custom pickguard

 

[andyjevans]

I play a Gretsch G2220 which is most of what I like and want. Used to play a Guild JS1 which I regret selling. If I had to buy a new short scale, and assuming I had the cash, I'd go straight to Maruszczyk (Elwood) or Mensinger (Cazpar). Pickups from Bassculture or Domanski. A Polish-German collaboration. For a start I like that it has nothing to do with Fender - it's designed from the ground up to be what it is. These basses have exactly the tone I like - solid, rich and singing. No twang and not bright or edgy. Clear and not muddy or tubby. Prefer passive PUs too. I'd be very happy to own a Cazpar for sure - I haven't heard anything better! I'd love to visit their workshops and try out all the different models they make.

 

[1funkybasslady]

They're hiding them for some reason. Scroll down, here Ernie Ball Music Man New for 2020

I spoke with a fellow at Ernie Ball in July. He told me that the Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Short Scale 4 string bass (USA model, not Sterling import) is going to be a very limited edition which won't be available until September (he couldn't or wouldn't give me an exact date), and it will only be available at select dealerships. My guess was that it would probably be mega dealers such as Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Sam Ash for starters. He also said they pre-sold all the orders to dealers at 2020 Winter NAMM within a half hour! He said he couldn't divulge to me which dealerships. He said there would be two models available: Burst with roasted maple neck/board (I'm guessing this is the one you are referring to), and a sparkly finish edition called "Starry Night" with roasted neck/rosewood board. If you search YouTube you will find a short video of Ernie Ball rep at NAMM 2020 showing these two new short scale basses. Again, these will be available in very limited numbers. He tried to steer me to the "Made by Music Man" Sterling (import model) shorty saying that for the money ($595) they are terrific basses. I have watched all the YT video demos of this model, and I have to admit they do sound great. Of course watching a video gives one no idea how the neck feels/plays. The USA Music Man Stingray short scale "Starry Night" with rosewood board lists for $2099. How do I know this? Read on...!!

As it turns out, today I found out that they are just now being shipped to dealers, and as of today I have a "Starry Night" edition coming! I was discussing this bass with my local Guitar Center Manager, and as we were speaking he was searching. Lo and behold he was able to find one for me as we spoke! WooHoo!!

Bottom line is if you are wanting one, I suggest you get on it right away. The first run of these USA-made short scale Stingrays which was offered in limited quantities (only 100) last year sold out immediately, according to the rep I spoke with at Ernie Ball. Good luck!

 

[1funkybasslady]

Anybody have experience with the Spector Bantam Short Scale bass? It looks beautiful and sounds great on the YT videos I've seen. It's a bit pricey, but looks like the other high quality Spectors coming out of their Czech factory. Been wanting to try one but they seem to be scarce.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

I just got this new Maruszczyk 30” 5 string a few days ago, and I’m blown away. The feel, sound, everything is just great. I was a little hesitant because I’ve been a P or PJ player for a long time, but this has a great thick sound with good bridge pickup grind. I’ll do some sound samples at one point and a NBD post when I have time, for reference since there’s not a lot of examples of short scale 5 strings.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I spoke with a fellow at Ernie Ball in July. He told me that the Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Short Scale 4 string bass (USA model, not Sterling import) is going to be a very limited edition which won't be available until September (he couldn't or wouldn't give me an exact date), and it will only be available at select dealerships. My guess was that it would probably be mega dealers such as Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Sam Ash for starters. He also said they pre-sold all the orders to dealers at 2020 Winter NAMM within a half hour! He said he couldn't divulge to me which dealerships. He said there would be two models available: Burst with roasted maple neck/board (I'm guessing this is the one you are referring to), and a sparkly finish edition called "Starry Night" with roasted neck/rosewood board. If you search YouTube you will find a short video of Ernie Ball rep at NAMM 2020 showing these two new short scale basses. Again, these will be available in very limited numbers. He tried to steer me to the "Made by Music Man" Sterling (import model) shorty saying that for the money ($595) they are terrific basses. I have watched all the YT video demos of this model, and I have to admit they do sound great. Of course watching a video gives one no idea how the neck feels/plays. The USA Music Man Stingray short scale "Starry Night" with rosewood board lists for $2099. How do I know this? Read on...!!

As it turns out, today I found out that they are just now being shipped to dealers, and as of today I have a "Starry Night" edition coming! I was discussing this bass with my local Guitar Center Manager, and as we were speaking he was searching. Lo and behold he was able to find one for me as we spoke! WooHoo!!

Bottom line is if you are wanting one, I suggest you get on it right away. The first run of these USA-made short scale Stingrays which was offered in limited quantities (only 100) last year sold out immediately, according to the rep I spoke with at Ernie Ball. Good luck!

Thanks. I got one of the originals, in blue, and I've been playing it almost exclusively for months. I kinda wish I had held out for a starry night, but I feared they weren't going to continue with them (they put an end to the Cutlass and the Caprice pretty quickly). Anyhow... I'm seriously considering selling off all my other basses, or at least my full scale ones. I also picked up a SBMM white one and honestly, there's not that huge a difference. They both sound almost identical. I recorded an A/B comparison in some thread here a while back, and people could only take guesses. Both basses sound amazing, both are quality instruments. The Musicman is a little lighter, the neck is a little thinner, and it has a boutique feel to it. The SBMM feels a bit more Fenderish to me for some reason. Anyhow, I have a handful of videos floating around that I've been posting... and I'm always happy to post more . Here's the SBMM live through and SVT... and the Musicman, recorded direct and then only slightly EQed by the guy who mixed the video:

Musicman first:

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks. I got one of the originals, in blue, and I've been playing it almost exclusively for months. I kinda wish I had held out for a starry night, but I feared they weren't going to continue with them (they put an end to the Cutlass and the Caprice pretty quickly). Anyhow... I'm seriously considering selling off all my other basses, or at least my full scale ones. I also picked up a SBMM white one and honestly, there's not that huge a difference. They both sound almost identical. I recorded an A/B comparison in some thread here a while back, and people could only take guesses. Both basses sound amazing, both are quality instruments. The Musicman is a little lighter, the neck is a little thinner, and it has a boutique feel to it. The SBMM feels a bit more Fenderish to me for some reason. Anyhow, I have a handful of videos floating around that I've been posting... and I'm always happy to post more . Here's the SBMM live through and SVT... and the Musicman, recorded direct and then only slightly EQed by the guy who mixed the video:

Musicman first:

That's some quality jams there, Joe Nerve! Both basses sound killer, but it always helps to have someone who can play like that no matter what bass you use.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

 

[Kosmos]

This little G&L is worth a look at.

Nice!
Is it two different versions of this? One cheap and one more expensive? Really like it and the sound, sounds interestering... I need a lighter bass than my Fender Standard P and I think humbucker is nice on this short scale basses to sound more like a bass.

 

[monsterthompson]

Nice!
Is it two different versions of this? One cheap and one more expensive? Really like it and the sound, sounds interestering... I need a lighter bass than my Fender Standard P and I think humbucker is nice on this short scale basses to sound more like a bass.

There are two different versions. The ones with stripes are the higher priced and USA made Launch, and the ones without are the less expensive Tributes made overseas.

 

[Kosmos]

There are two different versions. The ones with stripes are the higher priced and USA made Launch, and the ones without are the less expensive Tributes made overseas.

Thanks! And the big difference is stripes and price? Tell me more if you know. I like US made basses. Do you know if the Tribute is something good?

 

[MARSlAN]

Oh my, Fender B-30 Short Scale Bullet Bass all the way! They're hard to find because they only made them in the US in '80 and '81. Strat body, Tele neck, Mustang pickup - the deepest P-Bass tones I've ever heard!

Only one pickup, so not as versatile as a Jazz Bass, but oh, those deep, velvety tones...

 

[Killing Floor]

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner. What is my prize? Oh, I'm playing it!
30.7" scale, whatever that is. Tone dimed with flats and neck just over bridge is just where the sun shines!

 

[The Tramp]

Anybody have experience with the Spector Bantam Short Scale bass? It looks beautiful and sounds great on the YT videos I've seen. It's a bit pricey, but looks like the other high quality Spectors coming out of their Czech factory. Been wanting to try one but they seem to be scarce.

A little late to the game here, and thanks for having me. I have a Spector Bantam. It sounds great and is very versatile. It is probably my best all around bass for output and achieving different tones. Worth every penny. I am selling it, however, because the wider neck is very different from my other basses. So I'm running a EBMM Stingray SS and a hot rodded PJ Mustang (similar neck dimensions). If you're interested in buying the Bantam let me know.