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Does short-scale weaken your technique?

#61
I have a 35” Schecter 5 string. My 34” Squier Jag is a tighter fit in the gig bag than the Schecter. And it’s a full 16 oz. heavier. - If you’ve read this far and are wondering what’s my point, you pass the test. Spoiler alert; there is no point...
 
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#63
You'll cope fine.
I have two basses, a 34" fretted 4-string and a 35" fretless five. Different string spacings, different nut widths, different neck profiles, one's active the other is passive, the works.
I jump from one to the other no problem.
I find that if you've owned one instrument for a long time, it's going to feel familiar no matter what else you play. The fretless is new, and felt very familiar very quickly, but still needs a couple of minutes before I feel confident enough to make big position changes (but in that time I can just play roots anyway). The 4-string is home, and needs no adjustment time at all.

Enjoy your new Mustang!

Peace,
SoundSupport
 
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#64
Short scale basses are not as good for slapping

Short scale basses have different overtones. A long scale basses will have more mids and more trebly over tones where a short scale bass will have more bassy overtones.

The shorter scale basses emphasize the fundament and bass overtones a little more.

If you like to play above the 4th fret then the shorter scale basses have a sweeter tone.

a long scale bass can be more harsh.
 
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#66
project_c said:
Been holding off on getting a short scale bass for years, because I'm worried that if I get used to playing SC, I'll find the switch back to regular scale difficult, and I'm worried about making my other basses - which I love - redundant. A bit like getting used to a J neck and then going back to a P. It's ok, but it takes some re-adjustment. So short-scale people, has your technique been compromised? Are you able to switch between short and regular without issues? Or is it a struggle to go back?

(This is the only thing stopping me from buying a Mustang, the GAS is strong so please answer wisely).
Click to expand...
It’s like riding a bike or anything else you learn on you’ll always be able to do it playing one instrument usually makes you better on another instrument you’ll be fine! Sometimes a shorter scale can release your ability to play better faster and have a lot more fun but I still love my long scale!:)
 
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#68
I grew up on basses with shorter scales … My first bass was a Hofner copy, my 2nd bass was a Hofner, my 3rd bass was a Gibson EB, my 4th bass was Rickenbacker. Finally in 2001 after years of playing I started getting some 34" scale basses.

Now most of my basses are 34"
 
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#70
me with a short scale in the 70s

PS0165.jpg
hofner01.jpg
 
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#74
No.
You may have to adapt a bit but your technique should not suffer. Key, to me is playing enough on each instrument to ingrain the feel into "muscle memory".

I can go from a 34" bass to a mandolin with minimal difficulty now- but need enough repetition of playing each instrument to have that comfort.

I can drive my sports sedan or Tahoe with equal skill within a minute of each other but learning to be comfortable with each first was the key.
 

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