Can small scale basses compete with the normal basses?

[fermata]

I thought it was the other way around. I found it took a NYC Sadowsky or Rob Allen MB-2 fretless to make 34 sound good to me.

^ This. People should start asking if long-scale basses can compete with short-scale ones...

Hear hear! I went from long scale to short scale (30") to what I like even more than either of those scale lengths: medium scale (32"). But short scale is a close second, and long scale, well, let's just say it eliminates GAS for a the majority of available instruments!

Is something the "normal" version because it's more common or because it's first?

Maybe a bit of both? Fender was both first (in terms of commercial viability) and became very common.

Long scale (34") was, of course, created by Leo Fender when designing the first P-bass. I've read various reasons for how he arrived at this particular scale length, but in the end, it's a fairly arbitrary choice. And not necessarily the best choice, either, as quite a few players and some makers will attest.

I find it strange that the Fender scale length became standardized to the point where some people question anything else on any other bass, and yet many other design elements from the first electric bass have changed significantly (multiple pickups, active electronics, more strings, etc.). I mean, even Fender changed quite a few things from the first P-bass, and yet, somehow, the scale length became sacrosanct.

And what about the many other manufacturers from the same era who opted for shorter scale lengths? It's just a quirk of history that the Fender scale length became the standard and not another scale length.

 

[7615]

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.

A
Fender/Gretsch/Gibson/Rickenbacker hybrid. That covers it.

 

[Eilif]

I'm sure someone has mentioned it already, but play a Serek and you'll never doubt that a short scale bass can hold it's own against any other bass. If I wasn't so attached to 35" 4 strings I'd probably own one by now.

Also, as the OP is not a "bigger guy" its likely that he may experience real ergonomic benefits playing a smaller instrument that requires less reaching and finger stretching.

 

[Pilgrim]

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.

I also own a ThunderJet. By far the finest workmanship of any bass I have ever owned. Great sound, nice balance, and the neck is solid. Great bass!

 

[Mike Whitfield]

A
Fender/Gretsch/Gibson/Rickenbacker hybrid. That covers it.

lol Play authentic. Play Fretschonbacker. Nothing else comes . . . Um . . . Nothing else is exactly this.

 

[murph7489]

well this is a short scale bass that sounds as good or better than most any long scale bass I've heard..Although being an Alembic I'm sure the pricetag is quite shocking...but...it sure does sound nice and plenty of thunder..

 

[Volker Kirstein]

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?

Actually, until Fender inundated the market in the early 60s, under 34" ("short") scales were the norm.

 

[zubrycky]

I love my short scales (I have quite a few).

And speaking about short scales, how about this ''26?