I got back into bass after trying a used epi eb0. But would have gone with that gretsch if getting one now. Wasn't in my local stores when I go my eb0 but now they usually are. Came close to buying it for a 2nd bass.
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Can small scale basses compete with the normal basses?
- Thread starter StarAttraction
- Start date
Heck, I’d buy one for its uber-funky headstock and pickguard alone.
Knew a punker who rocked one of those. It could bark or croon depending on how you played it. Gotta love Filtertrons. They're like a P90. Not everyone’s cuppa. But if they're yours, there's no substitute.
"Size does not matter, only the skills count" says the man playing with his short scale equipment.
^ This. People should start asking if long-scale basses can compete with short-scale ones...
Yes. Short scales can compete. Like any instrument, you can't get them to do what they can't (I wouldn't recommend one for super tensile slappy funk), but those Junior Jets put out a big sound. I've heard them in plenty of live rock mixes and they sound good.
My band insists that my long-scale won't do the trick. They "make" me play a short-scale.
My band insists that my long-scale won't do the trick. They "make" me play a short-scale.
I have the Gretch you like - it is a great little bass. Strung with LaBella flats it is powerful. I played it with a Blues band for years. I also have a newish Mustang P/J. It has a better neck (IMO) than the Gretch - Jazz- like, and is much better made. It has T.I. Flats and sounds 95% like my MIA P with LaBella Flats. In a show you cannot tell the difference and it has the advantage of adding some bridge pickup "bite" if you want it. Adorama has them on sale from time to time for under $400 delivered. You I don't think you can find a better short scale bass for under $1000.
Here it is with a custom pickguard.
Here it is with a custom pickguard.
I think Filtertrons are among the very nicest pick-ups available, but real ones (or T.V. Jones-branded equals) are quite spendy. My Streamliner has Broadtrons, and while they're nice, they basically are just middle of the road humbuckers and nowhere near an actual Filtertron. To my ears anyway, my SG Special's mini humbuckers sound closer to Filtertrons than do my Broadtrons. Still not close though. But then, I love P90s too.Heck, I’d buy one for its uber-funky headstock and pickguard alone.
Knew a punker who rocked one of those. It could bark or croon depending on how you played it. Gotta love Filtertrons. They're like a P90. Not everyone’s cuppa. But if they're yours, there's no substitute.
Heck, I’d buy one for its uber-funky headstock and pickguard alone.
Knew a punker who rocked one of those. It could bark or croon depending on how you played it. Gotta love Filtertrons. They're like a P90. Not everyone’s cuppa. But if they're yours, there's no substitute.
My cuppa - love em. A reasonably priced one is on reverb right now. I have a blond and a red. Ad yup they can be smooth or you can milk that high mid barkyness.
Gretsch Filtertons from the early 60's to the super Tron 2's from late 60's and into the 70's - I do think they went to ceramic during the 70's - are a unique sounding pick up and I have been playing them since the late 70's. And you are right if your ear likes them - none other will do.
I am always on the look out for old pre 1980 Filtertron pick ups. When I bought my 75 Broadkaster a TV Jones had been installed and it came with the original Super Tron2. I ended up putting the 70's Tron2 back in and the TV Jones sits in its box.
My avatar is a Gretsch 7165 the 1972 catalogue offering of which only 3 were made.
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Filtertrons and P90s are among my favorite pickups too. Recently bought a Yamaha Revstar that has Yamaha’s take on a P90. And I have to say it’s since become my favorite guitar. And my little Junior Jet gets a huge amount of playtime around my house. Really (as in really) like that TV Jones designed pickup it has in it. And so does everyone else.
I hear you. I keep toying with the notion of putting together a 50s/Tele style bass with a Filtertron and Thunderbucker in it to get two of my favorite vibes in one bass, possibly with a Rick-o-Sound wiring scheme so you could run the pups independently just for extra credit…although I’d probably end up just opting for two on-off switches and skip the custom cable.
Not something you’re gonna find prebuilt that’s for sure.
Heck yeah they can.
Serek's are my favorite new short scale manufacturer.
Here's Ed Friedland with one:
Even their short scale 5 string sounds amazing...
Serek's are my favorite new short scale manufacturer.
Here's Ed Friedland with one:
Even their short scale 5 string sounds amazing...
That does bring up a good question on nomenclature and jargon. Is something the "normal" version because it's more common or because it's first?
Tom Scholz played a Gibson short scale bass on the first couple of Boston albums (pic below of Tom with the actual bass that he played on those recordings....notice the addition of a bridge pickup). I think it sounds great!
And I haven't seen Tom rummaging through the clearance bins at Walmart, so it seems his short scale bass worked out rather well for him.
And I haven't seen Tom rummaging through the clearance bins at Walmart, so it seems his short scale bass worked out rather well for him.
I think I agree. Kinda makes you feel bad for things that used to be status quo and are now sidelined though.
I've been a short scaler for a long time, had this exact Gretsch, same color. I put GHS Precision flats on it and the variety of tones covered anything I needed.
Short scales will play and do anything you need them too. And they don't look short on me either.
Compete against another bass, is not how I’d personally approach this. Every bass I’ve ever owned has had its strong and weak characteristics. If I want raw punch with a tight bottom, then I will pull out my Fender Mustang (reissue). It eats my P or J bass alive for punch.
I really enjoy my Mustang, especially for seated practice. I just wish they would not have had the “kiddie/beginner” stigma to them, when they first came out. They were sold as a beginner basses, so a lot of bass player like me never gave them a glance. To bad, my young pride keep me from a good instrument.
The point is to enjoy your instrument. They are like friends, they come in a lot of different shapes and sounds.
