Getting old

[gary mitchell]

I find playing in church my shoulder is trying to give me a little trouble sometimes playing up by the nut, where I play a lot, songs in g, c, f and such. and I do have sort of small hands. So I am thinking I have this mint Mitchell FB700 4string active Bass that Play a lot in church, I think I am going to try and trade it for a decent short scale bass, what do you you guys think. I just turn 70 years old in May. I don't care if it has active electronics are not as long as its decent. but I am going to keep my Lakland long scale. But do you guys think I am crazy for trading for a short scale the Mitchell is a nice bass plays very well sounds very nice.

 

[fretno]

I don't know how much you'd get but a Short scale or med scale (32") are in fact easier to play . Not sure if that will be easier for you but yeah it's a little better reach . Mainly it's easier on the fingerboard as you don't need to stretch out as much . So perhaps keep that for now , pick up a new bass

 

[J_Bass]

I think it's a good idea.

You explain everything in your post. You'll play more comfortably, the reach is far less, it will be a lighter instrument, and it will sound good, because this is a good time to choose a shortscale.


Wise choice.

 

[Joe Nerve]

My lower back started troubling me about 5 years ago, I switched to short scales, I love them and I'm not turning back. My bass of choice is a Stingray (though I own many), and well... despite that, given what its seems you like I think you may want to take a look a this. I have one due to arrive in 2 days and can't wait. If you read the reviews and check all the YouTube video reviews I think you may be inspired.



And here's the TB thread regarding them. I don't think I've ever seen the people here go as unanimously nuts over any bass before . ESPECIALLY a short scale. I myself couldn't NOT get one.

Official Nordstrand Acinonyx Cat bass club

 

[jd56hawk]

Nice looking bass.
Deserves to be played.
Is it simply a weight issue?
If so, you might consider one of these.

 

[Razman]

Vintage basses are great. Becoming vintage... not so much.

A friend has a Fender Mustang and it is an excellent sounding and playing bass. I can't say if it will help you as I have larger hands.

Raz

 

[Abner]

If it's not a weight issue, you might want to try slightly heavier strings and tune down to D-standard. Then it's just like a short scale with a couple of extra notes at the end of the neck.

 

[GretschWretch]

Nice looking bass.
Deserves to be played.
Is it simply a weight issue?
If so, you might consider one of these.
View attachment 4318143

WHAT is that Speedo on the back of the Fender?

 

[JRA]

WHAT is that Speedo on the back of the Fender?

the m-brace? mounts on a mic stand or drum stand = no strap! @kesslari uses one.

 

[kesslari]

<voice = "Lurch">You raaang?</voice>


This takes ALL stress off my back, hips, shoulders, neck, etc.

 

[TrevorG]

I had big problems with my shoulder and the answer was a much lighter bass. Raising you arm gets a lot easier. Good luck.

 

[LBS-bass]

I would not trade it. Buy a short scale and make sure it doesn't create new problems for you. I had way worse problems with my shoulders cramping up when I tried to move to short scale. My shoulders actually like the longer reach of a standard instrument. But YMMV.

 

[mikeoso]

<voice = "Lurch">You raaang?</voice>

Thank you, Thing.

 

[JimmyM]

There are a lot of terrific shorties out there. I've got 3. Even though none are my main bass, one actually could be if I had to...my 09 Dano Longhorn

Surprisingly great sounds, and more versatile than you'd think for what's really a hunk of thrown together cheap stuff.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

Tribute Series Fallout Shortscale Bass

I saw one of these today and had to fight the temptation.... Great looking and sounding bass, but I find myself not liking the short scale bass as much as a long scale. I'm a big guy with long arms.

 

[MrLenny1]

Check out the Traveler P Bass on youtube.
32 " scale headless 6.5 lbs
I've got one and I'm pushing 70.

 

[mrm56]

bad shoulder, small hands. tune to BEAD and capo at fret 5

 

[Max Bogosity]

I sympathize. I had a frozen shoulder for a while and couldn’t even reach the tuners with the instrument in playing position. Got through it with my five string, just playing everything above the fourth fret.

Before you buy it’s worth thinking about how much shorter you need the reach to be. 30” scale is about two frets shorter than 34” scale, so if you’re having trouble with the third fret on a 34” neck, a 30” neck may not completely solve your problem.

I looked into the Mbrace guitar holder that someone posted above, but it seems to be out of production and out of stock everywhere I checked.

 

[Low Down Brown]

WHAT is that Speedo on the back of the Fender?

That's then new Special Edition Grape Smuggler prototype. The official release will be tort, dispense flatwounds, and cost over $2K.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I have a 32" scale fretless acoustic and it certainly is a very comfortable scale... but when looking for lighter solid basses (I have a metal plate in my left collarbone which is uncomfortable these days) I went the chambered/semi-hollow route rather than shorter scale. Maybe a combination of both?