Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Do you play both long and short scale basses? Why?
- Thread starter Hevy T
- Start date
I play my 32" scale uber-lightweight bass because it is easier to play and friendlier to my muscles and joints.
I play my 34" scale heavyweight because it sounds better in most situations.
I would be happy to play a 30" scale if I played in standard tuning more often, but I found that scale to be less practical for lower tunings.
I play my 34" scale heavyweight because it sounds better in most situations.
I would be happy to play a 30" scale if I played in standard tuning more often, but I found that scale to be less practical for lower tunings.
I love playing my pbass, Lakland and MM5 basses. Having played over 50 years time does take its toll and for the last twelve years I've loved being able to play my Hofner Club much of the time whether in the studio or at a live gig though I usually have another bass to use as well. Love my Hofner with the thomastik nickel flats on it and if you fiddle with the switches can get great pick tones and super smooth, fat finger style tones and yes, much less pain along the way. Everything has a trade, but for me the Hofner is a nice trade. YMMV 
)
)
Only have 2 basses: 34" electric and 25.5" acoustic. I play both all the time - no trouble going back and forth between them. The acoustic is convenient to work out a new idea any time I'm sitting around with a few minutes to spare. Playing the electric requires a little more effort since my amp is in a room that is a bit isolated from the rest of the house. I only pick it up when I have 30+ minutes to practice.
I play both. There's actually no reason for me to play short scale since my long scale basses weigh approx the same as my short scale. But one thing is for sure short scale basses makes me look tall on photos! 
I have 2 shorts simply based on how they sound, Korean Danelectro Longhorn (2000 era) and an Epiphone Allan Woody. They both have a unique mid-range thing going on, and so easy to play I have to be careful I don't overplay.
i literally daily play string lengths anywhere from 13" (violin) to 42" (7/8 upright)
I have a 30", 34", and 35.5" electric bass... all work just fine.
short scale electrics feel small and comfortable to hold, but honestly the left hand comfort difference is hardly noticeable.
I have a 30", 34", and 35.5" electric bass... all work just fine.
short scale electrics feel small and comfortable to hold, but honestly the left hand comfort difference is hardly noticeable.
I prefer 32” scale basses. They just feel better for me, and I can neither hear nor feel any substantive losses vs 34”.
I currently have 3 32” scale basses and two 34” scale (4 and 5 string jazz style) basses. I plan on getting at least a few more of each. They are all very different and are set up to be unique and usable as sonic textures.
I currently have 3 32” scale basses and two 34” scale (4 and 5 string jazz style) basses. I plan on getting at least a few more of each. They are all very different and are set up to be unique and usable as sonic textures.
those are both killer basses. The AW model didn’t get nearly enough hype in my opinion.
Short scales are not the lesser cousin. They have a different sound. Why have a J & a P, a solid body and a hollow body, active and a passive. Because they sound different. A large part of 60's sound is short scale basses. They have strong fundamentals and less overtones - less of that piano sound.
the Jet JR is a very nice bass - 30 1/2" scale - well made and sounds great - and it passes the E string test - never tried a Mustang.
I have a 29 1/4" inch scale 68 Gretsch 6073 - essentially a large baritone guitar scale and it is has great tone.
