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Help! Searching for the perfect short scale bass.

#61
I like RondoMusic.com. they have a ton of short scale basses, and even shorties in 5 and 6 string versions. They are the same construction as Fenders is most cases, and if you put a new set of pickups in them, you can get the sound you want. I have four of them and I play them regularly as a busy gigging musician for the last 5 years.
 
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#63
Pick ups and strings are so important and variable - it's really hard to tell someone else what to buy as best for them - I have three short scales - an SX Jazz with Fralin and Fender pick-ups and TI jazz rounds - a custom mahogany bodied p-bass style with Bill lawrence / Wilde pick up and TI flats and a hollow bodied vintage 68 Hagstrom with humbuckers again with TI flats - each one is different and yet none of them are remotely close to "modern " sounding . My suggestion is to listen to as many video's as you an to see what tone you desire and who comes closest to it - If money was no object I would definitely , go for a Birdsong but even used they are beyond my comfort zone - Hammersmith is another maker of nice quality shorties and their model K comes in close to your pricing I believe .
String spacing at the bridge is one thing that does vary some between brands and even within the SX brand - the P-bass spacing is narrower than the Jazz which comes in at a more common Fender spacing like the SS Jag does . Personally , I prefer a narrower spacing so have been swapping in Shaller adjustable roller bridges where needed to maintain the same general spacing between the basses . If I was a better player that would likely might not be as important but YMMV - Kelly
 
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#65
TheIndieKid said:
Lakland looks amazing, but again, they are quite expensive. Hopefully some day. Danelectro's are quite quirk and I like the idea of them, but I already have a bass with flatwounds on, so now I'm looking for a more versatile short scale. I'm talking to Adrian from Maruszcyzk. He said they have many pickups on offer-Aguilar, Bartolini, Delano, Bass Culture, Haeussul, Nordstrand. So another question guys...what pickups are the best in your opinion/which are the most widely regarded? I'm sorry if it sounds like I've been dismissive of comments. All your help has been greatly appreciated. I just kinda have an idea of what I want, and I have done a bit of searching but was wondering if there were any obscure brands out there that I hadn't found that were great. I'm sure all your basses are awesome. It looks like I'll be going custom, but now I'm struggling with pickup choice :roflmao:
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You will get tons of answers, all stating what they prefer, but the important thing is what do you prefer?

The quality of youtube videos is not great, but listen to as many demos of the pickups as you can, you won't get a perfect sound but you will see differences between pickups. Also, if you see certain bassists that use certain pickups (like Wooten and EMG etc.) then listen to some of their music to get a feel for how it sounds in the context they use it.

One other friendly tip, if you are not sure if you want it, then you probably don't, too many options are great if you know what you want, if not, they can just become expensive toys.

I am planning on a build by Adrian and it is the first time I have ever thought of spending over $1k on a bass. Until now, I have been happy with passive basses and DiMarzio pickups. Suddenly, I find myself choosing between Haussel, Delano and Nordstrand pickups, with Noll or Delano preamps, adding much more to the price. Add a few nice "touches" to the finish and my budget just doubled! My point is, not having had the chance to experiment with any of them, I may love them and I may hate them, but I will not be able to say until I have tried them. All of them will be excellent choices, and all of them will be expensive gambles (or cheap, depending on you definition of "expensive"), but they will also all be available at a later date when I know exactly "what" the bass is lacking.
 
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#66
I've been playing the Scott Whitely SWB-1 for the last couple of months including in some jazz ensembles and like the sound and tonal range tremendously, lots of good options between the two single coil pickups at bridge and neck. It has 24 frets and a very solid build. My only gripe with it is the body shape and lack of a longer upper horn, which ultimately may lead me to sell or trade it. But I really love the sounds it produces and the price is quite reasonable, and the manufacturer is based in the UK. SWB-1 Scott Whitley Signature | Chowny Bass
 
#67
I'm looking for a jazz bass pickup that is organic sounding, with a wide frequency spectrum but with punchy or, even, growling mids. Hope that helps with narrowing my options. As you know, the selection of available pickups are on the Public-Peace site. It should also be noted I went with an ash body and maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (bright or warm combo?)
 
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#69
FingerDub said:
Yeah, I heard some dude playing a Squier Mustang version in black and maple and it sounded great. I popped my head into their studio and he was jamming away solo. I told it sounded great outside and had to poke my head in. I'm guessing its a great starter shortscale instrument.
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I bought a 32" scale Squier Mustang PJ for my kids to be able to use, $179 I think, but it sounds pretty damn good, so I keep it in my living room as my knock-about / TV watching bass. Surprisingly good sound for a short scale, as I normally play longs.
 
#70
TheIndieKid said:
I'm looking for a jazz bass pickup that is organic sounding, with a wide frequency spectrum but with punchy or, even, growling mids. Hope that helps with narrowing my options. As you know, the selection of available pickups are on the Public-Peace site. It should also be noted I went with an ash body and maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (bright or warm combo?)
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Are you planning active or passive?
 
#74
TheIndieKid said:
Passive ;)
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TheIndieKid said:
I'll list the pickups they have :)

Aguilar: 4J-HOT, 4J-HC, 4J-60

Delano: JC4-AL

EMG: JHZ, JX

Nordstrand: BJB-4 "Warm and Woolly", BJB-4 "Clean & Clear"

Edit: I'm only looking at jazz pickups
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Personally I would like the Haussel for passive, based on what I have heard. For a slightly more "modern" approach, I would go Delano.

But as I said, you need to search for the ones you like! Have you checked out demos of them all?
 
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#76
bassfran said:
How about?
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(Full disclosure- I got one from Lakland and played it in 146 theater shows and it performed flawlessly.)

Mustangs are nice too, if you can get past the looks. No offense to anyone, just not my cuppa'.
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Was thinking about this Lakland model after I broke my collarbone since I was having a tough time adjusting back to a standard long scale bass. Fortunately, my shoulder healed up properly so I don't have a need for one but they are still cool!
 
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#78
dlb1001 said:
Was thinking about this Lakland model after I broke my collarbone since I was having a tough time adjusting back to a standard long scale bass. Fortunately, my shoulder healed up properly so I don't have a need for one but they are still cool!
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I also like that there is a hard shell case made just for that bass, even if you do have to buy it separately.
 

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