I play both, because of the sound. I have Gibson SG and Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat because of their vintage sound possibilities.
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Do you play both long and short scale basses? Why?
- Thread starter Hevy T
- Start date
The 3 basses i own are 34-37” scales. I do think 30” scale basses sound great in the right situation and in the right hands. Even the little tiny kala U basses can produce a nice fat sound. My choice not to use shorter scales is more of a comfort thing. I’m a big guy and for me they feel a little cramped but also for my originals project which is my main gig I do a lot of low b string work. Short scales can definitely sound cool though especially with flats and some of the best piccolo bass tones I’ve heard we’re on 30” scale. I think in the case with piccolo strings the shorter scale warms up the sound a bit.
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I have both because my first bass is a short scale & when I went looking for a fretless I bought a long scale.
It was the one I liked best that I could afford.
I'd played lots of 34" scale basses before, so I knew I could adapt to it.
Plus it is pain at times to buy short scale bass strings.
But I still like it as well.
It was the one I liked best that I could afford.
I'd played lots of 34" scale basses before, so I knew I could adapt to it.
Plus it is pain at times to buy short scale bass strings.
But I still like it as well.
My fretted bass is a short scale. Lower tension and closer fret spacing makes bends and fast runs easier.
My fretless is a long scale because I'm not doing either of those things on it, the note spacing means intonation is easier higher up on the neck, and for me higher tension helps make it feel like I'm not playing with rubber bands. Also being able to slide 2 whole octaves is cool, and I don't think a left handed 24 "fret" short scale fretless even exists.
My fretless is a long scale because I'm not doing either of those things on it, the note spacing means intonation is easier higher up on the neck, and for me higher tension helps make it feel like I'm not playing with rubber bands. Also being able to slide 2 whole octaves is cool, and I don't think a left handed 24 "fret" short scale fretless even exists.
I tried a couple short scale Fenders about a year ago when I visited Sweetwater. I left with a Fender 60s reissue J. The short scales felt almost "comical" to me. Like a toy... and I'm a short guy, with small hands and really short fingers. But since I am getting up there in age (55) I know I will eventually appreciate the weight (or lack there of) and ergonomics of a short scale. Next time I get the opportunity, I am going to try out as many as I can. In fact, this thread has peaked my interest and I think I will do some window shopping on the web... right now!
Cause when I was looking for an acoustic bass for working ampless at home, i've found on a nice Fender CB60 SCE which is a 32".. So it's my home bass; when my main ones are 34".
Here is a pic of my short scale Hagstrom Viking Bass. It is a 30.75 inch scale bass. With the bridge and tail piece it uses regular strings.
It does the old school, thumpy semi-hollow body sound very well. But, by turning down the neck pup a little, it can do a nice rock and roll sound with a touch of grind. It has a five position switch that will allow you to place the pick ups in single coil and humbucker modes. (Single coil sounds fantastic when I push my SVT just a little). Dialing up/down those pickups make it a very versatile bass.
I was involved in a project last year that played The Rolling Stones "Exile On Main Str." in its entirety. This bass killed it.
It does the old school, thumpy semi-hollow body sound very well. But, by turning down the neck pup a little, it can do a nice rock and roll sound with a touch of grind. It has a five position switch that will allow you to place the pick ups in single coil and humbucker modes. (Single coil sounds fantastic when I push my SVT just a little). Dialing up/down those pickups make it a very versatile bass.
I was involved in a project last year that played The Rolling Stones "Exile On Main Str." in its entirety. This bass killed it.
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I play both. I have a Jack Casady and a Jazz. The JC is my go to bass; the Jazz is pretty much retired because of the type of music I currently play. I love the JC, and if it was short scale, I’d probably like it even more.
I have three shorties: Mustang, EB0, and Hofner Club. I like them all because they are lighter and easier to play for me.
I had a tmb30 and a Squier Jag ss, but I sold them when I got the Mustang.
I have three shorties: Mustang, EB0, and Hofner Club. I like them all because they are lighter and easier to play for me.
I had a tmb30 and a Squier Jag ss, but I sold them when I got the Mustang.
If I like the bass, I'll play it. The scale length is never a major factor in my choice.
As to your real question, I've played the Gretsch and didn't much care for it. I'd get the Mustang.
I like standard scale fretless basses but short scale fretted basses because I find shorter necks more difficult to play without frets, intonation-wise.
You may benefit from checking out the Simandl fingering method, which requires shifting your left hand position. It is much more natural and easier on the left hand for walking bass lines, once you get the hang of it. Also, the first shift puts your hand into pentatonic position, where there are a lot of great grace notes. Just something to think about.
I mainly use 34” scale basses, which are fine for me, since I tend to use the aforementioned Simandl fingering quite a bit. But, I do have an Alembic Series I short scale, which was the only way I could get an Alembic light enough for my preferences. The down side, is that I have been derided for aping Stanley Clarke when the bass has gone out on the gig. Which is unfair, since I am not AT ALL a Stanley Clarke wannabee, nor do I play AT ALL the way he does. But, people listen with their eyes; so that bass stays home more than it should.
I usually play short scale nowadays but I still play my long scale jazz upon occasion. I’ve currently got 4 shorties and 2 regular.
The short scales are so easy to play and lightweight. But the jazz has a really nice sound that my other basses don’t have.
I’m also in the market for a lightweight Fender ultra jazz. After playing them for a while at my local store I’m pretty sure an ultra could be my main player.
The short scales are so easy to play and lightweight. But the jazz has a really nice sound that my other basses don’t have.
I’m also in the market for a lightweight Fender ultra jazz. After playing them for a while at my local store I’m pretty sure an ultra could be my main player.
I am a lefty so my choices are limited. However, I got the chance to play a short scale Gibson SG. I love this guitar! It is so much easier to play than a long scale, and it’s not heavy like a regular SG guitar. I know they make them right handed. I only play 1 long scale bass and it’s because it’s a 5-string
My main player is a 34" scale. This is where I feel most comfortable. I also have a 5 string that is 35". The model/brand I liked just happened to be 35". I don't really notice a difference. My travel bass is 3/4 scale, so 25.5". I only play it a few times a month and bring it as my backup to gigs.
