Do you play both long and short scale basses? Why?

[singlemalt]

Dingwall makes two scale lengths. I like both. Fanned frets optimize the individual string lengths.

I feel string spacing more than the difference in scale length, so I keep it to four strings at 19mm.

And under 8 lb if possible, anything over 8.5 is out.

 

[cosmicevan]

I was always 36” or bust...then...arthritis. Now I a, 32”. I still have a 36” but all the rest are 32” and I’m looking to swap my last long scale for the short scale equivalent. I find the tone is best on a 36” just the clarity...very piano-like. But to play that bass for a few hour jam session would be pain that would last for days. No deal. Not worth it.

 

[Sam Dingle]

I have all fenders. fretted jazz, fretless jazz 5 string jazz, p bass (on the way) and one short scale. A 1977 music master. Got it for $150. Thought it was a great deal and lusted for one after seeing Janek's video on his. Wouldn't own a short scale if not for that, but it is quite fun.

 

[Lunatique]

I like variety and trying different things, which is why I make sure none of my basses overlap in any significant way. I got a short scale because I want to experience short scale bass, and also to have a small/light bass I can play in bed before going to sleep. Larger basses are more unwieldy for that purpose.

Short scale is definitely easier on the fretting hand, and I could see myself playing short scale exclusively in the future when/if my hand can't take long scale anymore due to aging.

 

[fenix899]

The Fender Mustangs are pretty cool - there's the road-worn JMJ Mustang model you can consider as well.

I initially started playing shortscales because it was easier to travel with them than with a full scale bass (my 30" shortscale fits in a regular guitar case), but over the years I've grown to really enjoy the tonality of the shortscales and the feel. There's a slinky feel you can only get from shortscales (though a large part of it also depends on the construction and string choice) and being mainly a PBass guy, I enjoy the extra bottom end that shortscales inherently seem to possess over their longer scale counterparts.

It seems that many people only gravitate to short scales as something they have to play when they start having physical impediments to playing a 34" bass, which immediately makes them feel like they are less than what they are - which, often times, are fantastic instruments. So many builders over the years have really embraced the shortscale bass concept and pushed it forward - builders like Tim (Callowhill), Jake (Serek) and Carey (Nordstrand) - and for good reason. It's definitely not for everybody, but I do think more people would enjoy them if they didn't discount shortscales as a "Plan B" from the get go.

 

[The Mogpipe]

I recently picked up an Ibanez AGB 200 short scale. Always had 34" up till now.
I'm really enjoying it! Comfortable and fun to play! And semi hollow so it's a good deal lighter than my other basses! Doesn't sound like a jazz or a P bass, has its own thing going on! But I'm accustomed to playing jazz basses and the neck on this is pretty wide. I'm adjusting accordingly.
P.S.
She's really pretty too!!

 

[superheavyfunk]

I play both. I have two regular (long) scale basses and one shorty. Honestly, I have more fun playing the shorty and feel much more creative on it... All of the classical music that I play gets done on the shorty, as well as most things that require fretted notes alongside harmonics.

I'll play any of them on a given night, depending on how I'm feeling at that particular moment - it's all the same to me. I don't hear any particular tonal difference between them based solely on their scale length. Pickups and string choice are what really changes things to my ear.

 

[pbass2]

I play both because they sound different.

 

[40Hz]

In 32" land we have the new and I think quite popular Ibanez Mezzo, which I don't have as I don't like the maple neck look, and a lot of people are on the lookout for Japanese Fender Jazzs in medium scale. There just aren't that many choices.

It might be of interest that Squier is due to release a CV series Jaguar PJ bass with a 32” scale neck very shortly.

 

[bassfran]

I play basses with many different scales, 41.5" bull fiddle to bass guitars from 35" 5-string on down to a JJ Longhorn. Each one has a distinctive sound and feel, (strings, etc.), allowing me to cover a wider array of music.

As for OP's 2 choices? Neither one, thanks.

Skyline Series Hollowbody-30 - Lakland Bass Guitars

 

[Hevy T]

If you could handle a 5 string, you can play starting on the 5th fret.

I actually thought about grabbing an Ibanez Mezzo 5 down the road. Looks like it could be a fun bass

 

[JimmyM]

I play both. Why? Because I have both.

 

[pbass2]

It seems that many people only gravitate to short scales as something they have to play when they start having physical impediments to playing a 34" bass, which immediately makes them feel like they are less than what they are - which, often times, are fantastic instruments. So many builders over the years have really embraced the shortscale bass concept and pushed it forward - builders like Tim (Callowhill), Jake (Serek) and Carey (Nordstrand) - and for good reason. It's definitely not for everybody, but I do think more people would enjoy them if they didn't discount shortscales as a "Plan B" from the get go.

So true. It's funny, but this misguided notion is IMO largely more predominant among bassists than other folks. For example, many producers understand the positive sonic characteristics that a short scale has--and they couldn't care less if it's "easier to play". It's all about what's the best sound for the track. And other musicians--heck, they don't check your scale length at the door (if they do they're probably closet Talkbass members).
Then there's the marketing side--it's getting better but still, most of the time the copy in an ad or description of a ss bass emphasizes the "great for little people and beginners" angle.
Anyhow, glad to see it's changing in recent years, and folks are embracing how cool a shorty bass can sound.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I am not a scale player!

I am not a string count player!

I am a Bass Player!

I play anything that's a Bass!


Thank you for your time

 

[J-Mags]

I play both. I mostly gig with a short scale, and it's definitely my #1 bass, but I'm originally coming from guitar and I find that I don't finger things correctly if I don't practice them on a long scale. That's not to say I only practice with a long scale. Just that everything I play needs some time on the long scale. Otherwise I cheat in the fingerings, bring in guitar stuff, and start to get really inconsistent. So if I'm gigging, jamming, noodling or writing, I'm usually on a short scale, but if I'm practicing, I generally am on my full-scale Jazz Bass. I enjoy the feel of both long and short, but 90% of the time, I prefer the sound of a short scale.

 

[Brad Johnson]

My basses range from my 24" Samick Greg Bennett Corsair P bass ( the name is bigger than the bass) to my 36" Fodera Anthony Jackson Contrabass. I grab a bass and play it as it suits me.

 

[Samatza]

I'm all over the place with scale lengths from 30" to 35" and a few stops in between. I don't have a particular preference but I find that the short scale instruments have a different response. Having said that I've used them all for all kinds of music and they always fit in just fine.

Usually I'll change it up for some visual effect and to keep me on my toes so I don't get to comfortable plying just the one instrument. Sometimes I just want to play the Hofner for a while and people get a kick out of how cute it is... sounds huge though.

 

[BassGH]

I prefer my short scale birdsong, but also love having 5 non-floppy strings (which requires a longer scale). So I’m playing my 5 string 34” more than the short scale right now.

 

[Scootbass1]

I owned 32, 34 and 35 inch scale basses until I just recently picked up a Spector Bantam 30 inch scale bass. I'm not a big fan of the EMG DC pickups it came with so I installed a 35P4 (coil layout reverse of a fender split P) at the neck position and a 35JR which places the pickup coil in the neck side of the 35 model housing in the bridge position. It now sounds a lot like my 34 inch Spectors with PJ pickups, and has become my first choice. Since my hands are worn out and arthritic from decades using hand tools I find the 30 and 32 inch scale basses easier to play for extended periods. I don't have any issue with changing scale lengths, but I am really liking the short scale more and more. The build quality of the Bantam is top notch, and they playability is amazing. It takes well to my ultra low action set ups. I use D'addario XL220 sets on my short and medium scale basses. Long scales I tend to use Ken Smith 30-90 Slap Masters, but may go to the D'Addario XL 220 or XL180 sets. Scale length is not as important as tone and ergonomics for me.
Cheers all,
Mike

 

[Ric5]

I have a 30" scale 8 string, 2 33" scale Rickenbackers, and 13 34" scale basses and I am building a 32" scale 5 string,

Then my daughter has a Ibanex Mikro which is about 28" +/- I have a couple guitars as well.

I had a 35" scale and didn't like it so it got sold.