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

#101
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Heres a real shorty...
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24.5" scale 60's Teisco B-100 tuned ADGC 85,65, 45, 39 its a blast to play and that pickup is huge sounding
with the short string length it gets into upright territory with the tone rolled back..its also great for chords in the higher register it rings like a bell...it weighs nothing....My main player is medium scale now this 83' Ibanez Roadstar II..its easier to play fast passages its lightweight and its thuddier it punches more than 34" in my opinion....
 
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#102
Arthritis is impairing my skills as well. For me substantially thinner strings on my long scale basses works pretty well. I also adopted another technique. Instead of stretching the fingers, I often reposition my hand along the fretboard. I don't think a short scale bass will improve your situation, as the difference over the length of a few frets is negligible.
 
#103
Yo Shawty! I love the sound of a short scale bass, but I do a lot of singing and pretty much never look at the neck. I've been playing Fender Jazz and Precision basses for so long I know where everything is purely from muscle memory. I bought my daughter a PJ Mustang...a seriously cool instrument...and man is it fun to play. But the 30" scale means there is just enough distance between notes to mess me up when I'm flying blind. It's fine if I can look at the fretboard and I know I would get used to it pretty quick if I played it regularly, but switching between it and a 34" scale on a gig doesn't work well for me. I'm fortunate that playing so much has kept my hands in very good shape, no arthritis or other issues, so I'm fine with my long scale basses. But if the day ever comes when the stretch becomes uncomfortable I would switch over to the shorty in a New York minute.
 
#109
Started with 30.5 (Gibson EB-2), then 34 (Rob Allen MB-2 fretless), another 30.5 (Gibson SG), another 34 (Ken Smith Burner-5), another 30.5 (Fender American Mustang) and lastly 34 (Sadowsky NYC). The least ergonomic to play is the EB-2, despite it's scale length. It's heavy and bulky feeling (why I got the SG). Each instrument has it's own unique personality and suitability. Their different characteristic sounds bring out different playing styles on my part. Unlike my Wife, none of my basses ever get jealous. Well, except for that little Taylor GS Mini...
 
#112
Hevy T said:
I have 11 long scale basses but with my arthritis I'm finding doing 12 bar walks just kill my hands at times!

Though I dont really care for short scales! I'm thinking one may be nice to have on hand for those days when the hands are really stiff.

My choices locally are a Gretch Jet Jr or a Player Series Fender Mustang.

Which would you choose?

Also anyone here play both long and short and why?
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‘I only play 34” scales. I had a Couple of,short scale Eb3s in the early 70s during my Jack Bruce emulation phase.
 
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#114
TerriblePeril said:
those are both killer basses. The AW model didn’t get nearly enough hype in my opinion.
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oh I've seen quite a bit praise for the AW, although sadly a guy from my state found the lack of body contour aggravating and he was interested in a jp mustang which is fine. I play the AlanWoody sitting on the floor usually, 35" and 34" 5'ers are my standing with a strap bases. The DanElectro needs little eq help and works great with a strap that is narrow like a banjo strap but padded at the middle. If I had back issues that's what I would be playing allot, (with nickle rounds to get that biting mid).
 
#117
A good number of builders are offering some beautiful (high end)medium and short scale basses..I'm sure there are a number of players here that invested in these beauties..the shorter scales are getting a lot of interest lately..or is it a hey boomer thing..after three sets you're out of gas and you 9&1/2 pound jazz bass feels like 500..I've switched to a smaller lightweight thumpin medium scale bass its a whole new wonderful world.....
 
#119
I forgot about this short scale bass I have. It is an Arbor bass from the eighties. I was surprised to find out it is a short scale, and a neck through when it was delivered.
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I am going to put a different bridge and pickup on it. I already replaced the cheap tuners with Gotoh's, and have installed Dunlop straplocks. It plays well as it is, and is a head turner when I play it out.
Cheers,
Mike
 
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