Help me find my next medium/short scale bass

[itp]

Hi,
Do you have any recommendations on medium/short scale basses?

I want to upgrade from Ibanez TMB30 and I'm looking for:
- thin neck, max. 1.5" nut width and radius min. 12" (I miss the playability of Aria Pro II ZZB Deluxe, but not the body shape)
- punchy sound
- no neck dive
- P, PJ or PP pickups
- vintage or modern look, nothing between

My budget is $700 and my types for now are:
- Ibanez Mezzo + further modifications
- Yamaha motion (hard to find).

What do you think? What else could be interesting in this price range?

 

[lug]

On my short list....
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[HelpImaRock]

The Schecter Banshee has a 16" radius. It's slightly above budget, but I'm sure you can get a deal somewhere. Personally, I went with the Squier Mustang, but it misses your pickup and radius requirements.

 

[350125g0]

If you can find a Squier Jaguar SS, they're pretty great and extremely and have a lot of options for drop-in upgrades. I had one a while ago, and I loved the neck on it.

 

[Nebula24]

My fav neck is my eb0 (1.5 neck) bit does need wide swede strap to not be a diver (still need to swap for lighter tuners).

But I love my eastwood jetsons jr. Quirky shape and a p. Maybe slight neck dive but not much with stock strap. Still stock but I think about adding geezers (not needed so just a slight flavor tone change so have resisted). Neck slightly bigger than eb0 but still feels good to me and I'm very neck picky. Luckily got it used and local so got to try it first as don't run I to many eastwoods locally where I'm at. Want to their univox too.

Airline Jetsons Jr. Bass

 

[Riff Ranger]

The Mezzo should have very similar sound and build quality to the Talman, so if you like the sound you already have and just want a change of feel and playability, that seems like a way to play it safe and come in well under budget.

That ZZB must have been fun

 

[mongo2]

I concur on the Squier Jaguar SS...fantastic neck profile. I tried other pickups in mine but went back to the OEMs.

I also like the Fender Mustang PJ Limited Edition from GC. It's teh one with a black finish with matching headstock, black hardware (except for the chrome control panel) and an ebony fingerboard.

I installed light weight tuners in both and that eliminated any neck dive.

Another I like is the Hofner Ignition Club bass. Nice hollowbody sound, light weight, easy to play narrow neck and light weight...Did I say it's light weight?

 

[ejaggers]

+3 on a Squier Jaguar SS.

Most people that have them ain't selling, but they do pop up from time to time.
With that said, I haven't tried the MS Squier Jaguar which might fit the bill.
Plus you've got $400 left, even though it's not a P....057912

 

[Riff Ranger]

I also had and liked the short scale Squier Jaguar bass

 

[itp]

On my short list....
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U5 is also on my list. I'm still not sure if I could get used to this UGLY headstock. Sorry

The Schecter Banshee has a 16" radius.

I've checked it before, sound seems to be too muddy for my personal preference. For this price, I would rather choose something cheaper and upgrade pickups.

My fav neck is my eb0 (1.5 neck)

The neck parameters are perfect. What are the chances I would find EB0 in pelham blue? So gorgeous!

The Mezzo should have very similar sound and build quality to the Talman, so if you like the sound you already have and just want a change of feel and playability, that seems like a way to play it safe and come in well under budget.

That ZZB must have been fun

Wood choice is acceptable in those cheap Ibanezes, but stock hardware is definitely a total crap.
If I will spend $330 on Mezzo, I would have almost $400 for electronics and tuners. But would I be satisfied with the result? No idea, I've never modded anything. It was always easier to find a good, 25+ years old japanese bass.

Speaking of that, let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty and awesomeness of ZZB

 

[Nebula24]

The neck parameters are perfect. What are the chances I would find EB0 in pelham blue? So gorgeous!

Rare. I've only seen red (as is my used one I got). Would have to hunt then on used sites. But they have sidewinder not p also so notnwhat you said you were interested in. Or be like me and slap a guild reissue bisonic in there (or novak bisonic or sidewinder replacement).

Love the eb0s neck. Fits me perfect. And fine with its neck dive. I keep trying other shorties I see but haven't found a neck I like more.

 

[Riff Ranger]

It was always easier to find a good, 25+ years old japanese bass.

Yeah, if you can find a short or medium scale Japanese bass from the ‘80s or ‘90s within range, you had better snap it up!