but not a solution for the many of us with long-term physical issues.
sure you can! people who see me playing my green mikro that hear it before they see it are always blown away and do a double take
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but not a solution for the many of us with long-term physical issues.
sure you can! people who see me playing my green mikro that hear it before they see it are always blown away and do a double take
I play short and long scale basses regularly.
I like my Hofner and Danelectro basses because they are light and have a unique sound. The Hofners have a huge bottom and the Danos, well you just have to hear them.
I like my Hofner and Danelectro basses because they are light and have a unique sound. The Hofners have a huge bottom and the Danos, well you just have to hear them.
Possibly - but it still provides an opportunity for those who like short scales to discuss them. 6 pages worth, so far.
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I'm 6' 2" tall (used to be 6'3", but I digress), and have long hands that require me to look for a long time sometimes to find gloves that fit. I really have a hard time with even 34 inch basses with narrow fingerboards - the strings are too close together. My jazz bassses have P width necks. I have one medium scale bass that I keep around because it's 6 pounds, and someday my back might tell me to play it, but I don't play it much as it seems so dinky. I've looked at Birdsong's website, and I actually feel a bit left out that I can't buy one of his basses to fit me. Of course, the folks on the other side of this feel the same way with virtually every other manufacturer, so I'm a bit on the lucky side of this.
I understand having a bass that fits well is a real advantage. Even though I'm not one who needs a short scale, I agree that it'd be cool if everyone could find a decent bass that fits them.
I understand having a bass that fits well is a real advantage. Even though I'm not one who needs a short scale, I agree that it'd be cool if everyone could find a decent bass that fits them.
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- Oct 22, 2015
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Apparently the odd gal out here. I stand pretty tall at 5'7". Never gave a short scale bass any thought. I'm neither attracted to nor repelled by short scales. Very happy with my 'Ray exactly as she is.
I agree. Fender, sadly, has perpetuated the notion that short scale means budget/student/beginner bass.
A relevant point for this topic: I've been playing my Fender Mustang P/J the last 4 months. It's quite comfortable, though I believe a 32 inch scale bass will be my perfect size. I decided to list the Mustang for sale and put it aside until it sold.
I bought a full scale CV Jazz and have been attempting to play the same stuff I was on the short scale mustang and within 4 days I've developed pain in both hands. So now I'm just putting that bass down and listing it for sale.
I may pick up a mikro on the cheap off CL, or something, until I can get exactly what I want in a medium scale bass.
I bought a full scale CV Jazz and have been attempting to play the same stuff I was on the short scale mustang and within 4 days I've developed pain in both hands. So now I'm just putting that bass down and listing it for sale.
I may pick up a mikro on the cheap off CL, or something, until I can get exactly what I want in a medium scale bass.
But then again, there is the MIJ Mustang. Like all MIJ's, the build quality is exceptional and at $800, it was not really a budget bass either. My only complain is that it wouldn't work all that well when I tried BEAD tuning. Maybe with some different strings, but not with two different sets of flats I tried.
I used to think short scale basses were stupid until I played a Mikro a month or two ago. My hands are big enough to stretch from frets 1 to 5 on a 34" and the Mikro is still the most comfortable bass I've ever played
I don't own any micro basses, but I do own a Short scale EB-0 which I purchase solely for the sound you can only get out of a short scale bass a nice round woody tone that shakes the ground like thunder under your feet. Not for any other reason not easier to play ( which after playing only long scale bass and being use to that fret spacing in my mind's eye had me really paying attention to where my fingers were landing) and not because it is lighter. Just the tone.
To put in another perspective, imagine someone who wears size 'L' saying...
Why wear 'XS'-sized shirts? I just don't get the appeal. They are dinky and feel really cramped as well as really difficult to button up. I've tried them on before, just don't get it. I know a lot of people seem to like them, can't figure out why.
I play a short scale bass because I am a short scale guy
Why wear 'XS'-sized shirts? I just don't get the appeal. They are dinky and feel really cramped as well as really difficult to button up. I've tried them on before, just don't get it. I know a lot of people seem to like them, can't figure out why.
I play a short scale bass because I am a short scale guy
For me at least they are much easier to get around for people who have smaller hands or just guys who want to be able to reach notes that they couldn't get due to their hands not being stretched out or whatever. Perhaps another reason is guys who have to multitask and need that playability to both play the bass and whatever else they are doing.
I mean, a short scale literally sounds the same as their long scale counterparts. Why work harder if a longer scale is more difficult for you to play?
In short, probably just the personal preference or feel of the person.
I mean, a short scale literally sounds the same as their long scale counterparts. Why work harder if a longer scale is more difficult for you to play?
In short, probably just the personal preference or feel of the person.
I started out on an EB0 and couldn't have been happier the day I replaced it with a 72 Precision. The Precision can do almost everything the EB0 can do whereas the EB0 is a one trick pony (thumpy thick tone). A friend built a 32" scale bass from Warmouth parts and passive Aguilar pickups. I could play that bass all the time.
Hold on a minute, everybody. I'm out of popcorn. Be right back. 
my first bass ( back 73 ) was a 1969 Hagstrom HB8 ... didn't know it was a shorter than normal scale .. ha
was perfect for a T-Rex .. !?
was perfect for a T-Rex .. !?
Because different people like different things.
Everybody's got a special kind of story;
Everybody finds a way to shine.
It don't matter that you got not alot.
So what?
They'll have theirs, you'll have yours, and I'll have mine.
And together we'll be fine!
'Cuz it takes Diff'rent Strokes to move the world,
Yes it does.
It takes Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
Everybody finds a way to shine.
It don't matter that you got not alot.
So what?
They'll have theirs, you'll have yours, and I'll have mine.
And together we'll be fine!
'Cuz it takes Diff'rent Strokes to move the world,
Yes it does.
It takes Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
