Can small scale basses compete with the normal basses?

[Ostie]

I played one of those Gretsch Jr. Jets in the local Guitar Center a while back and damn near bought it on the spot even though I was not shopping for a bass at the time. I thought it was an excellent bass at any price.

Last year I bought a Gretsch Thunder Jet which is a short scale and it is fantastic. The video below is a sound test of it against my Gibson Thunderbird for reference...it holds its own and then some and the Thunderbird is the best sounding bass I have ever owned.

My bandmate has a Thunder Jet strung with flats. Great tone, great playing bass.
Jr. Jet has been on my GAS list for a while.

 

[2F/2F]

When and where is this bass competition?

 

[Davbassdude]

I have an old mid-60's Hofner Beatle Bass I just LOVE! I've also been fooling around with a "Flea Bass" at my local GC, which I consider EVIL (LOL) because of how easy and fast it plays!!!

 

[dkelley]

Can they compete?

Yes! Some of my favorite bass parts/songs were recorded on short scale, and I didn't know that until the last few years (after listening to the songs for many decades).

What do they not do well? um.... I guess they often don't sound quite so piano-esque....maybe not quite the sustain length.... and sometimes aren't quite so sizzly bright (... I believe that may be due to often having heavier strings compensating for shorter scale length). I dunno though, hagstrom 8 string I owned for a while was damn bright, even with just the 4 regular strings on it. sounded really good actually.

Had a Gibson that was short scale - sounded huge.

Have a short scale Squier (well it's my daughter's, but I play it more than she does)... that thing is absolutely awesome. Wish it had a humbucking pickup - one mod I'll be doing to it eventually is to add a dummy coil (I have a few crappy ceramic strat pickups I could remove the magnet from to use for that).

I really don't get the problem with short scale basses. it's like bias that is unfounded, imho.

 

[MCF]

I've been eyeing some short scale basses, especially this one,

Because It's in my budget, and I think it sounds good for its money, but I'm wondering, can it compete against a normal bass? I'm thinking of mainly using it for live performances, because I'm not the biggest guy, and I think I would look way cooler with a smaller bass, but are they made for such purpose, or It's just for kids trying to learn how to play?

The Junior Jets are great for the price. Not sure what your budget is. If you can afford it, give the JMJ Mustang a try. There’s also this which I’ve been GASing for:
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[JohnArnson]

Yes, short scales can and do regularly compete in the music world. There are very few situations where a short scale won't work.

No, they are not "just for kids", nor "toys". However, if you've been playing a 12 lb beast with a baseball bat neck for 50 years, they can certainly feel that way at first seating.

Jack Bruce, Stanley Clark, The Beatles, and many, many more have recorded many legendary songs with Short Scales.

Agree 100%.

A short scale bass can be as much of a real bass and serious instrument as a regular 34" scale bass.

I've been eyeing some short scale basses, especially this one,

Because It's in my budget, and I think it sounds good for its money, but I'm wondering, can it compete against a normal bass? I'm thinking of mainly using it for live performances, because I'm not the biggest guy, and I think I would look way cooler with a smaller bass, but are they made for such purpose, or It's just for kids trying to learn how to play?

But when that is said they do feel a little different to play, which is one of the reasons why some people prefer them over regular 34" scale basses, and I would generally strongly advice against choosing any instrument based primarily on how it looks or the coolness factor of it.

In my opinion you should primarily choose your instrument based on how well it plays, feels and sound according to the specific context it will be used in and your personal preferences, those are the factors that by far should weight the most when making the decision on weather or not to get any instrument, and only when it has passed those criteria satisfactory you can eventual begin to also consider how well it fits your personal visual preferences.

Strictly musically speaking how an instrument looks means absolutely nothing whatsoever, as visual factors doesn't translate to sound at all, how comfortable it feels for you to play on and more obviously it's actual tone does however and will effect the quality of the music you play on it and create with it directly.

 

[jd56hawk]

They're perfectly cringe-worthy and there are more available now than ever before.
As for looking way cooler...

Cringe-worthy?
Thanks, spellcheck, that was supposed to be gig-worthy.

 

[RocknRay]

Your bass sounds fine in your hands! You play with good time and you have a good ear. That bass will carry you a long way in music. Use your time to expand your repertoire and have fun playing!

 

[40Hz]

Wait, do I have to use specific strings for short scale basses? Woah, I thought that I can use regular bass strings

Generally you’ll want to use strings wound for the scale length. But there’s many long scale strings that can be cut down and used if you crimp them before cutting and get enough winds on the tuning peg when you install them. It’s not ideal. But it is doable if necessary. However, don’t assume just because it’s a short-scale bass that it automatically takes short-scale strings. The Chowny SWB-1 takes mediums or standard longs because it strings through the body. That adds about 1.5” of string length to what most short-scale basses require.

 

[cnltb]

I recently tried out a 27" Journey bass and was surprised how much fun it was. Would I gig it?
Yes!

 

[cnltb]

By now, it's (finally) established that scale length is just one of a variety of parameters, like pickup configuration, string type, tort/no tort, etc....

Just as one can't generalize the quality or sound of all long-scale basses, one can't generalize those things about all short scale basses. It depends on make/model/individual instrument.

Regarding the Junior Jet, you may also want to take a look at the old single-pickup model (G2202), which has quite a few fans because of the TV Jones-designed pickup. It's not hard to find on the used market.

Here's a pic from a sold Reverb listing.
View attachment 3580694

What is the built quality like and how heavy is it?

 

[dmt]

Wait, do I have to use specific strings for short scale basses? Woah, I thought that I can use regular bass strings

I use regular scale length strings on my MIJ Mustang (short scale). As 40Hz says, a string through body setup allows for use of regular-length strings. Many other short scales tend to use medium scale-length strings, from what I read. I only have 1 other short scale, an SG bass, and I use regular length strings with that one too, for better or for worse I don’t know (that’s what was for sale, so that’s what I put on)

 

[BassoSaku]

Never played that Gretsch bass, but I have a short scale Gibson EB-3 SG Standard bass and that really could stand against any passive long scale bass in most of the situations. The bridge pickup brings nice bite. It's not a match for Jazz Bass in versatility soundwise but rather has its own take on that sound with the huge low end of the neck humbucker.

I am really digging that bass both live and in studio.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi StarAttraction

It's just for kids trying to learn how to play?

Right! And for girls!



greetings


Wise(b)ass

 

[rockscott]

I play shorts exclusively, the higher end shortscales can do anything a longscale can!

 

[fhm555]

I hate to keep having to post this but if you are worried about a short scale being a “real” bass. Give this a listen.

 

[mongo2]

Have a short scale Squier (well it's my daughter's, but I play it more than she does)... that thing is absolutely awesome. Wish it had a humbucking pickup - one mod I'll be doing to it eventually is to add a dummy coil (I have a few crappy ceramic strat pickups I could remove the magnet from to use for that).

In my Bronco I installed an inexpensive dual rail humbucking pickup made for a Stratocaster guitar I found on Amazon for under $15 as an experiment. I figured for less than $15 bucks, why not? It took just a little wiggling to fit it through the pickguard of the Bronco but it works very well, no hum and I think it sounds great.

I really don't get the problem with short scale basses. it's like bias that is unfounded, imho.

I agree, I've used short scales for decades and about 15 years ago started moving to them exclusively. I haven't used my long scales in several years and even converted a few to short scales.

 

[maverick]

Love mine! We play a Little Rock n Roll segment in the second set which is my excuse to switch from the 5.

 

[JRA]

it's not the size of the scale that matters --- it's how you use it....and it has always been that way! good luck with your self-consciousness, OP!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Absolutely, 100%, without a doubt... and I can post lots and lots of live proof, but...

I checked out that Gretch recently in a Guitar Center, and while it looks great, is totally playable, light and fun - it is definitely much more anemic sounding than any other short scale I've picked up. I was gassing for one of them to add to my collection, and the GAS was instantly extinguished.

If you're looking for something inexpensive, you'll get much more sound out of an Hofner Icon Club like this:

And if you're looking something with a bit more heft that feels and sounds more like a tradional Fender, this is definitely the way to go:

Next in line if money isn't an issue is the American Performer Mustang.

And for me, the holy grail (I haven't touched a single other bass since getting it) - is this... but it costs a bit...