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Favorite short scale bass
- Thread starter BigN8bass
- Start date
I have 3 short scales. The Lakland Hollowbody SS, Schecter Banshee and the recently acquired Nordstrand Acinonyx Cat which is currently my favorite. When I bought the Lakland there weren't as many short scales to choose from as we have now so the selection is a little better now. I'll say the Schecter Banshee has been a nice addition. Some don't like the look of the headstock but for me as long as I like the playability and sound I just don't care what the headstock looks like. I may sell one of these eventually and it might be the Lakland SS or the Schecter Banshee.
I own a few.
My all around favorite short-scale when it comes to something easy to get your hands on is the single pickup version of the Gretsch Junior Jet. It’s out of production since it’s been superseded by the newer dual mini-humbucker version. But you can still find one fairly easily by looking in the usual places. Just make sure it still has its original pickup. Because that pup was designed by TV Jones and is the magic ingredient in that bass.
My absolute favorite shortie is a Gibson SB-300. But they’re pretty rare since Gibson only made around a thousand of them back in the early 70s. So finding one, especially one that’s still in playable condition, is a challenge.
My all around favorite short-scale when it comes to something easy to get your hands on is the single pickup version of the Gretsch Junior Jet. It’s out of production since it’s been superseded by the newer dual mini-humbucker version. But you can still find one fairly easily by looking in the usual places. Just make sure it still has its original pickup. Because that pup was designed by TV Jones and is the magic ingredient in that bass.
My absolute favorite shortie is a Gibson SB-300. But they’re pretty rare since Gibson only made around a thousand of them back in the early 70s. So finding one, especially one that’s still in playable condition, is a challenge.
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The American Performer Mustang is different from the other Mustangs and totally worth the money because it sounds awesome. Finding strings can be a bear though because it is string through only. I like the combo of the Mustang pickup with a Yosemite Jazz pickup. The only thing I have not been able to get out of mine is a bright modern tone. It does all other sounds quite nicely.
I have a buddy with one and it's definitely a great bass, and the M pickup actually sounds like regulation M to me. I also enjoyed the J pickup on there as well. A weird idea but worked out well, I thought.
But strings aren't hard to find for them because of stringing thru-body. It puts one extra bend in them but it's fairly gentle, and string manufacturers usually compensate for the extra inch it uses at the nut end. Also, you CAN use new rounds on them and make them sound brighter and more trebly. You don't have to use flats
JohnK don't ---- around. He goes for the gusto!Nice SS collection.
I agree!
My SS collection ain’t too shabby, either.
B-Mac’s SS Collection
Though, admittedly he’s got me beat!
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Currently I own:
-EBMM Starry Night Stingray
-EBMM Tim Commerford Active Stingray
-Supro Huntington II Fretless
-Rob Allen Mouse Fretless
-Kinal Kompact Fretless
-Journey Travel collapsible travel bass
-Sub Short Scale Tiny Boy P Bass
Right now, for most songs, I'm really enjoying the Tim Commerford Stingray. The active electronics really give you control over the sound, and it's just a beast!! The Kinal Kompact is really fun to play around the house, and both the Kompact and Mouse nail the acoustic bass sound.
So current favorites, active Stingray and Kinal Kompact, but this could change once the Duesenberg Starplayer arrives later this week.
-EBMM Starry Night Stingray
-EBMM Tim Commerford Active Stingray
-Supro Huntington II Fretless
-Rob Allen Mouse Fretless
-Kinal Kompact Fretless
-Journey Travel collapsible travel bass
-Sub Short Scale Tiny Boy P Bass
Right now, for most songs, I'm really enjoying the Tim Commerford Stingray. The active electronics really give you control over the sound, and it's just a beast!! The Kinal Kompact is really fun to play around the house, and both the Kompact and Mouse nail the acoustic bass sound.
So current favorites, active Stingray and Kinal Kompact, but this could change once the Duesenberg Starplayer arrives later this week.
My favorite short scale bass is my SD Curlee 1 Bass it is a 32" scale and is in great condition Dimarzio's and it is such a cool bass and so easy to play in great cond
Mine too. It is also my only shorty.
Light, balanced, flawless fit & finish, J-neck and a wide spectrum of tones. With flats it works perfectly in my classic rock band. Probably one of the best music gear purchases I made in years.
