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Do girls usually play short scale basses?

#46
Orangeclawhamme said:
...Does anyone know if Chas Chandler of the Animals (6" 4") used anything other than an EB-2? I think Paul Samwell-Smith of the Yardbirds used short scale basses and he was fairly tall. I don't think size has much to do with it...
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An Epiphone Rivoli was all I ever saw Samwell-Smith play (on TV and Film), and Chandler used his EB-2 on TV. They may have played other instruments, but the double-cut hollow body was obviously the instrument they used when they had their moment in the spotlight.

I think that those guys played those instruments because of the aesthetic appeal of the body and finish, not the short scale necks. Though the action was typically pretty light on the ones I've played (oh so long ago), despite fairly heavy flatwound strings.

The Hofner made hollow bodies cool, and the Beatles were certainly the model the Animals and Yardbirds wanted to emulate in terms of commercial success. I've always wished the Eb-2, Rivoli, and Starfire would come back as 34" scale instruments. :eyebrow:
 
#48
As a female bass doubler, also playing a 3/4 upright, if that matters, I have never played a short-scale electric bass as an adult. My basses have been Ibanez's, full scale, and a Fender P-Lyte. I am not tall either.

So, this gets to something not mentioned here. My full scale basses (or whatever the correct term is), are relatively light. I care more about how relatively light a bass is. And, the thickness of the neck is another big consideration. Scale has never been an issue. I guess I assumed the shorter scale basses were kid's basses.

I would suggest that you take your wife to Guitar Center or some other music store and let her try out basses. Let her find something that is comfortable to her.

Even as a new bass player as an adult, I did a great job as a beginner picking out a bass that I stayed with for many years and turned out to be a great choice.

The other week I played an Ibanez SR400. It was very light, full scale, slimmer neck, and I loved the look of mahogany. Its on my future wish list right now. Maybe too pricey for you, but I would like to have that bass.
 
#49
Jim Carr said:
An Epiphone Rivoli was all I ever saw Samwell-Smith play (on TV and Film), and Chandler used his EB-2 on TV. They may have played other instruments, but the double-cut hollow body was obviously the instrument they used when they had their moment in the spotlight.

I think that those guys played those instruments because of the aesthetic appeal of the body and finish, not the short scale necks. Though the action was typically pretty light on the ones I've played (oh so long ago), despite fairly heavy flatwound strings.

The Hofner made hollow bodies cool, and the Beatles were certainly the model the Animals and Yardbirds wanted to emulate in terms of commercial success. I've always wished the Eb-2, Rivoli, and Starfire would come back as 34" scale instruments. :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

This pic comes from the liner notes of Rhino's 1986 release of The Yardbirds Greatest Hits Volume One (1964-1966). As can be seen, Paul Samwell-Smith is using (I'm pretty sure it's a short-scale) Danelectro Longhorn bass thru a Vox bass amp. Must be a Vox Super Beatle. Awesome bass player.
I'm in the process of putting together a short-scale bass for myself. Along with a buddy of mine whos' got a lot of 50's single coil Kay and Danelectro pickups and a couple of cool bodies, I'm scouting out a neck at the moment. I've never owned a short-scale bass and currently play 34 inch basses exclusively but I look forward to the instrument that's going to come out of this project. It will be one-of-a-kind fer sure.
PS....Do these guys look like they took fashion cues from The Beach Boys or is it my imagination? )-(

yardbirds.jpg
 
#52
Ive never played a short scale bass. When I started I wanted the real thing so I got a P. I have some trouble with the neck because I have small hands but I actually prefer a p neck to a jazz neck.
 
#58
I prefer 34 or even 35 inch scale basses but I do own one short scale, a Kramer Duke. Got it cheap and really don't care much for the way it sounds or plays. It is not bad but just not a 34" so if always feels cramped. But it is so small and tough I can take it places I never would take one of my main basses. Plus that aluminum neck makes one h_ll of a weapon if needed.
 

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