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good smaller scale bass
- Thread starter Nesta420
- Start date
High quality instruments that come to mind:
Birdsong
Landing
Alembic
Stambaugh
Jerry Jones
...and I'm sure others will add to this list.
Warmoth is doing 30" and 32" necks now too if you're into the do it yerself thing.
Birdsong
Landing
Alembic
Stambaugh
Jerry Jones
...and I'm sure others will add to this list.
Warmoth is doing 30" and 32" necks now too if you're into the do it yerself thing.
Warwick's custom shop also makes short scale bolt-ons.
On a tighter budget there isn't that many options if you want 24 fret short scale, Dean Evo XM comes to mind and some 3/4 junior basses from Stagg, Samic etc. but that's about it. Kind of a funny story, I had a customer once who wanted his Stagg Fusion 3/4 set up for c-tuning. I really had to bite my lip for not to laugh 'cause the guy was way over 6 feet tall and probably near 400 pounds, that small bass made him look like a giant.
Of course it required some testing with string gauges and lots of truss rod tweaking but I was surprised how well it worked.
On a tighter budget there isn't that many options if you want 24 fret short scale, Dean Evo XM comes to mind and some 3/4 junior basses from Stagg, Samic etc. but that's about it. Kind of a funny story, I had a customer once who wanted his Stagg Fusion 3/4 set up for c-tuning. I really had to bite my lip for not to laugh 'cause the guy was way over 6 feet tall and probably near 400 pounds, that small bass made him look like a giant.
Of course it required some testing with string gauges and lots of truss rod tweaking but I was surprised how well it worked.
Depends what your definition of "good" is and your budget.
But some others to consider are Gibson/Epiphone SG and EB series. Also, Rondo has some nice short scales.
But some others to consider are Gibson/Epiphone SG and EB series. Also, Rondo has some nice short scales.
Keep in mind that most budget short and medium scales have short top horns, which throws off neck balance AND makes the bass neck feel just about as long overall.
I believe there is a custom short scale Warwick Corvette for sale on TB currently. That would be a lot of fun! And remember, you don't have to necessarily "lose frets" to get shorter scale....the frets get smaller. That custom jobbie has a full complement of frets to boot!
An unusual opportunity brought to you by TB!
An unusual opportunity brought to you by TB!
Having owned and played short scale basses for many years I will comment that they tend to be (to varying degrees) one trick ponies. Finding one that is as versatile as say a Jazz Bass is gonna take some looking.
That's usually a function of the bass design more than shorter scale. Most are simply designed to have a lo-fi sound, but it's possible to have short and medium scale basses capable of a broader range of tones, but not without going custom.
Oh absolutely. Having owned quite a few I was just talking about the reality of going shopping for one today. If I were thinking about a short scale to replace a 34" scale workhorse I'd seriously be considering a Warmoth Jazz or a similar custom. Personally I dig one trick ponies though.
You can utilize the scale to really get that vibe. My short scale is potentially a one-trick-pony, but the piezo allows for a little more range than one might expect. I'll be ordering a fretless 32" scale 7 string soon, which I'm hoping has a nice range of available tones.
Waterstone Indra is a great short scale. Also the Waterstone TP seriese, 32" scale and killer. I also play Hofner Icon basses, great short scale and not too expensive.
I'm not that familiar with them, but Bill Wyman played a Fender Mustang Bass for awhile, and he got a pretty good sound. In fact, I think maybe all of his basses were short-scale.
Check out Drake Custom at Invalid Link Removed . Andrew's builds are typically 32", 33" or 34" scale basses, but he can do pretty much anything you want. You can discuss price with him, but he is very affordable for the working musician.
I own four of his basses and they are wonderful.
Koog
I own four of his basses and they are wonderful.
Koog
I say Brubaker The Brute bass... 34' neck 19mm spacing (i think)... IMO for the money you can't go wrong... If you can find one... It seems as if Brubaker picked up some steam this last year so getting your hands on a Brute may be harder to find but there on TB for sale every now and again.... [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I agree. As long as the one trick that it does is sit well in the mix then the rest of it is up to me.
Enter Tom Clement Basses
Also one of the best to do business with long or SHORT scales. Check em out. I have 2 of his basses he built for me. His gallery is including short scale axes.
Also one of the best to do business with long or SHORT scales. Check em out. I have 2 of his basses he built for me. His gallery is including short scale axes.
This is true to some extent with many short scales, but not all.
My Birdsong Cortobass is the most versatile I've ever played. It can go head-to-head with a Jazz bass any day. It can emulate nearly any bass out there.
I bought a Mustang Bass last week, and have not been able to put it down, it sounds so great!
If the OP does not need 24 frets I would highly recommend a Mustang. The bass sits nicely with a strap or sitting so the neck feels comfortable and is not a long reach to the nut (of the bass! 
).
