• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Decision Paralysis - new short scale

If you made me choose this second, I'd likely go with the JMJ only because part of me feels like I'd be missing out on something with the CV (even though that is probably unrealistic)
I think you should go with that, then. From a decision making perspective you have a strong lean in one direction.
 
The jmj is gone... that Talman is stupid good, it's darn close to a P under the mic & it has a tad extra dimed. You said looking for P sound .. very picky & that Ibby just does it.
ampegs.jpg
 
I really like the Sonic Bronco I got for my kid. I'd been considering grabbing one for myself as a cheap modding platform.
Can you expand a bit on why you like it. I've been pondering getting one of these, but keep chasing other shiny objects.
It is fairly light, simple, fit comfortably when sitting, has a 4 saddle bridge and was cheap. It's not the "shortest" of the short scales in my house (my Gretsch G2220 feels a bit shorter due to the bridge being closer to the end of the body). I enjoyed the little I played it, but it is currently my 14 year old's number 1. I'm still contemplating one, but I'm getting remarks about the other bass I just picked up. I too have shiny object issues. ;)
Cheers. The name of this thread sums it up for me. I got decision paralysis bad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mydogfarted
Get a local woodworker to route a P pickup into the Stingray, have a blend know and a switch (for P only) and have yourself a P/MM shorty? Potentially this could be a very cheap option too...

I've considered that as well as moving the existing pickup but it sort of seems a waste of a nice bass to do that. Just because I don't find the tone to my liking at the moment doesn't mean some else would.
 
Give the Epiphone SG E1 a try if you haven’t yet. They’re really fun little basses!

View attachment 7055865

Always in stock at L&M. I think they’re on sale right now for Rocktober..? 🤔 And you can find them pretty cheap used too.

Yet another that I know recall having picked up. Something about it just didn't gel with me.
Probably neck dive is what didn’t gel. Gibsons need a warning label. However I will say if you like the tone, the Epiphone Newport has it minus the neck dive.

But you seem locked in on the Mustang. I’d get the Squier Mustang and upgrade pickups. Or buy the templates online and make a body myself so I could have a “coffee table” mustang instead of painted. But probably buy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: adk teleman
That I get, but then it become an aesthetic issue - I'd rather not have it there.

It's also got the problem that no one around me has any in stock to try. It's disappointing that in the Toronto area that there is so few short scales in stock anywhere.
If I may, I believe that Capsule Music currently has a used Reverend Wattplower in stock. It's a short scale, no bridge pickup, and might get you close to what you are looking for? Failing that, it might give you the idea of what a Reverend Sentenel is going to feel like/sound like as long as the neck profiles/electronic configurations are the same? I'd love it if someone in the thread with Reverend experience can chime in on the accuracy of this, because I've never played a Reverend before as I am also cursed to live in Toronto; a wasteland for bass choice).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Murch
Probably neck dive is what didn’t gel. Gibsons need a warning label. However I will say if you like the tone, the Epiphone Newport has it minus the neck dive.

But you seem locked in on the Mustang. I’d get the Squier Mustang and upgrade pickups. Or buy the templates online and make a body myself so I could have a “coffee table” mustang instead of painted. But probably buy.

It's not that I'm locked into the Mustang per se - it's just was it most readily available to try as a short scale. I'd prefer to hear, under my own fingers, the bass before I put money down on it and the Mustangs are the most readily available.

My local L&M - 2 P/J Mustangs + EB-1 + EB-3(?) + Bronco and recently got a 2229B. On the last big sale they had a Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute - nice but the body was way too big. Cosmo had a JMJ (which has now sold), CV + Bronco last time I was in. Another shop has a CV + 4 Jackson concert minions.

There's no Reverend dealer in Toronto (as far as I can tell). The shop that lists Schecter has nothing in stock. Sire's are out of stock everywhere as well. If I wanted long scale, I'd be fine but shorties are a very rare beast.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrperkolator
If I may, I believe that Capsule Music currently has a used Reverend Wattplower in stock. It's a short scale, no bridge pickup, and might get you close to what you are looking for? Failing that, it might give you the idea of what a Reverend Sentenel is going to feel like/sound like as long as the neck profiles/electronic configurations are the same? I'd love it if someone in the thread with Reverend experience can chime in on the accuracy of this, because I've never played a Reverend before as I am also cursed to live in Toronto; a wasteland for bass choice).

I think I'd seen that Wattplower on Capsule's site before. Their hours suck for me to get to the store to try it out (as I'm up in Markham and don't head downtown that often).
 
  • Like
Reactions: 350125g0
I had hand surgery around 10 years ago and after that I had trouble playing my 34 so I started searching for a shorty. I almost pulled the trigger on a Mustang until my nephew, who had a Gretsch Jr Jet, mentioned that he wanted a 34 so I offered to trade my P-bass. I only did it as a favor to him and had low expectations but I love the Gretsch and have been playing it ever since.
 
I really like the Vintera II Mustang - probably my next bass. I love the JMJ but found that no two are the same. I'd love to try a short scale Serek! I never thought it would happen but I'm now only playing Hofners at gigs. I'm digging the short scale feel and sound and I'm getting less hand cramps at long gigs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrperkolator
I had hand surgery around 10 years ago and after that I had trouble playing my 34 so I started searching for a shorty. I almost pulled the trigger on a Mustang until my nephew, who had a Gretsch Jr Jet, mentioned that he wanted a 34 so I offered to trade my P-bass. I only did it as a favor to him and had low expectations but I love the Gretsch and have been playing it ever since.

I played a G2229B in the store and thought the tones were pretty solid. Wouldn't run the bridge by itself, but neck and neck + bridge were in my zone. The color on it is ... acceptable.

I just looked at the Gretsch website and a G2220 in Bristol Fog or Imperial Stain is pretty darn nice looking.
 
I really like the Vintera II Mustang - probably my next bass. I love the JMJ but found that no two are the same. I'd love to try a short scale Serek! I never thought it would happen but I'm now only playing Hofners at gigs. I'm digging the short scale feel and sound and I'm getting less hand cramps at long gigs.

Serek is unfortunately out of budget at this moment, and the Hofner's just don't do it for me from the shape department.
 
Here's something else to think about. Have you considered a medium scale perhaps 32"?
I went from a 34" to a short scale 30" and even thought it was light, I had difficulty with "muscle memory" and was constantly missing notes and ended up looking at the neck frequently while playing.
So I tried a 32" scale and the transition was nearly flawless.

There are some 32" scale basses out there.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts