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Good Beginner Short Scale?

W

willieboy_sf

Aug 7, 2011
4
0
#1
Hi y'all. I am new to this forum. I used the "search function," but didn't find much. I am a drummer, and know nothing about bass gear. My 10 year old stepdaughter wants to learn bass. I have researched a fair amount, and it seems like the Ibanez Mikro gets good reviews. My question is: is it really a good bass? Would you get one? How is that possible for a brand new instrument that costs only $180? It just seems impossible that a good bass could be so cheap. Is there another bass that you would recommend? Thanks.
 
#3
Two other options are:

Gretsch short scale. I don't know the model name, but it's shaped like a Les Paul. That plays very well and is in the 180 to 200 range. I really like that like that little solid body short-scale. Really nice tone

The Rogue Beatle bass is also a good quality semi-hollow shorty for about 190-200.

You can get both @ MF
 
#5
berwick63 said:
Link Removed Decent/affordable, especially not knowing whether or not she'll stick with it. The VM Squier series has gotten nothing but great reviews as well. Price does not dictate quality of the make or sound.
Click to expand...

The current Squier VM series adds another shortscale with the release of the upcoming Mustang.

Rondo has the 30" scale P-style and Jag bass from SX in stock at the moment. Kurt mentioned that he might get some more 32" scale J basses in the fall, but that hasn't been confirmed.
 
#6
Also, the following threads might help (your Search Fu is very weak, Grasshopper)...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/short-scale-basses-795485/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/official-short-scale-bass-club-part-2-a-646396/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/short-scale-tone-788826/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/squier-jaguar-short-scale-772379/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/short-scale-bass-sound-787365/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/ge...aybe-short-scale-bass-opinions-please-734370/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/short-scale-but-not-alembic-772537/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/affordable-short-scale-semi-hollowbody-bass-774889/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/short-medium-scale-770203/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/need-some-real-talk-tb-sx-essex-short-scale-jag-bass-766775/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/need-advice-short-scale-bass-760794/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/sx-ursa-short-medium-scale-bass-warmoth-warhead-neck-676630/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/nbd-sx-ursa-4-short-scale-jag-bass-706823/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/reasons-against-short-scale-744724/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/short-scale-question-734241/
 
#7
My 11 year old son started playing bass last year. We got this bass and it is really sweet.
The reason we chose it over other inexpensive basses was the fact that it has an adjustable bridge and the truss rod is easy to access. Ease of playing seems to make
a difference for beginners, and you should be able to dial in a good set-up (by you or a
trusted luthier).
As it turns out, the bass arrived with a good setup. The single humbucker is in perfect
position and really has a good tone. As a drummer, you would appreciate the punchy tone it has that locks in so well with a kick drum.
I think it is the model that Alex E. is referring to above.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#8
If you can afford it, i'd get her the micro now, as it will fit her the best. Then later, upgrade to a squier.

I recently purchased a Squier short scale Jag in silver and aside from a couple imperfect edges on the body (in its actual shaping, the finish is perfect) it is great quality. It has a fantastic neck. She would never really NEED another bass. If she sticks with it, she may eventually decide to go for a 34" scale, or change the pickups, or something. But that's an aside.
 
#10
Visit the Mikro club for some discussions by many happy owners: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/official-mikro-bass-club-513723/

I hear lots of whining about how it's not a "quality" (read: expensive, or Fender-branded) bass, but not from people who have actually gigged with it. It's well made, has excellent attention to detail and finish, and when set up properly, plays and sounds quite good. This is based on owning two copies, and examining many samples in person.

If you really want a short scale bass, you should at least try to play a Mikro before deciding.
 
#11
I'm only playing 30"ers these days, aside from my active 5 string.

I play a modded Bronco, a Gretsch and i have an SX Jag on the way.

I LOVE them all.


I would HIGHLY reccomend the Squier Bronco. Very cheap on the used market (there are three in the local CL all for $100 or less). They sound pretty good stock, and AMAZING after a pickup swap (any strat guitar size pickup is a direct drop-in replacement). But they just FEEL incredible (to me anyways).


I am excited to try out the VM Mustang when it drops, and i FINALLY played an Ibanez Mikro this past weekend. I was extremely impressed, and for a P/J, i think i'd pick one of those up before even the Squier VM Jaguar SS.
 

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