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Help with short scale basses

#21
agent77 said:
Squier Jag SS is a great bass
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Yep.

I suggest anyone wanting a shorty on a budget should look at the SS Jag Club thread. The amount of mods those guys have done will inspire.

So you get a SS Jag. $160 with a coupon (or scratch discount like mine). Then go nuts! Bridge, tuners, pups, custom pickguard, etc. and you have an awesome little bass.

Or you could keep it stock and play the heck out of it. They are great for the low price.
 
#22
I agree that the SS Jag new is very cool, but if you can find them used, get a Fender Precision Bass Junior. They were built from 2003-2004 if I remember right. They are basically a Fender P bass less 10% in all dimensions. The sound great. I have a set of Duncan Quarter Pounders in both of mine.

I tried the Gretch Jet, Hofner Galaxie, and Modded a Bronco, but all of them pale to the P bass Junior.

Oh yeah, the neck on the Junior is a 28.58" scale instead of the usual 30" scale on most shorties.
 
#23
thanks again for all the info!

jag seems to get a lot of love and was actually my second favorite so far to the mustang. i looked on the fender site and they list similar dimensions for the mustang and jaguar necks (9.5" radius, 1.5" nut width for squier versions) and that the fender brand mustang has a 7.5" radius with a 1.5" nut. all are listed with C shape necks. Is there something missing? I've read that jags have slimmer necks but I'm unable to see it from these specs.

i'm currently watching a 93-94 mustang on ebay, which is nearby and still reasonably priced at under $400. Have to say that a squier jag <$200 + mods is really appealing. so is this Link Removed. i'd like something that bumps like a p and punches like a j, so this could be way to go. sounds like some in store play time is in order, if i can find something locally.
 
#25
ognihs said:
thanks again for all the info!

jag seems to get a lot of love and was actually my second favorite so far to the mustang. i looked on the fender site and they list similar dimensions for the mustang and jaguar necks (9.5" radius, 1.5" nut width for squier versions) and that the fender brand mustang has a 7.5" radius with a 1.5" nut. all are listed with C shape necks. Is there something missing? I've read that jags have slimmer necks but I'm unable to see it from these specs.

i'm currently watching a 93-94 mustang on ebay, which is nearby and still reasonably priced at under $400. Have to say that a squier jag <$200 + mods is really appealing. so is this Link Removed. i'd like something that bumps like a p and punches like a j, so this could be way to go. sounds like some in store play time is in order, if i can find something locally.
Click to expand...

I own a Squier Jag SS and a CIJ Fender Mustang. The Jaguar neck is thinner front to back which gives the neck a slimmer feel than the Mustang. The Mustang neck is a bit chunkier, but is still super comfortable. The smaller fretboard radius on the Fender Mustang means the fretboard will be a bit move curved than the Squier version, but it's something one can get accustomed to very quickly. I prefer the Mustang to the Jaguar, but you can't go wrong with either of these superb basses.
 
#27
ognihs said:
i'm currently watching a 93-94 mustang on ebay, which is nearby and still reasonably priced at under $400. Have to say that a squier jag <$200 + mods is really appealing. so is this Link Removed. i'd like something that bumps like a p and punches like a j, so this could be way to go. sounds like some in store play time is in order, if i can find something locally.
Click to expand...

I looked at a used SX short scale locally. Even at asking price of $75 I thought it was overpriced and passed on it. Felt like a cheap toy. My SS jag is TONS better... And don't believe you HAVE to mod it to have a solid instrument, I've had it 1 1/2 years and still haven't done a thing other than the strings. And giving it a good setup, of course.
 
#28
swamp2 said:
I looked at a used SX short scale locally. Even at asking price of $75 I thought it was overpriced and passed on it. Felt like a cheap toy. My SS jag is TONS better... And don't believe you HAVE to mod it to have a solid instrument, I've had it 1 1/2 years and still haven't done a thing other than the strings. And giving it a good setup, of course.
Click to expand...

this is what i was afraid of. i've read a lot of "these are good for the money" as opposed to "these are good." the squiers seem to get pretty good praise for the basses while only the classic vibe guitars seem any good.

i just might have a chance to pick up a mustang from a TBer this weekend. i'm not opposed to a jaguar as well, as long as they don't sound the same/too similar. it's all about tone!
 
#29
ognihs said:
this is what i was afraid of. i've read a lot of "these are good for the money" as opposed to "these are good." the squiers seem to get pretty good praise for the basses while only the classic vibe guitars seem any good.

i just might have a chance to pick up a mustang from a TBer this weekend. i'm not opposed to a jaguar as well, as long as they don't sound the same/too similar. it's all about tone!
Click to expand...

It's true I consider it a bargain, but my Squier Jaguar SS is also a better instrument than my late 70's Fender P Bass Special.

Tom
 
#32
DogBone said:
Squier Jag if you can't wait and need something now.

Otherwise, save up while keeping your eyes peeled for a good price and get a Fender Mustang.
Click to expand...

seems like the going rate for a fender mustang is at least $500, which kills me mostly because i'm not a bassist and would only use the instrument as for recording ideas and learning.

that doesn't mean i wouldn't get one, it just means i'd have a harder time explaining it to the wife!
 
#33
ognihs said:
seems like the going rate for a fender mustang is at least $500, which kills me mostly because i'm not a bassist and would only use the instrument as for recording ideas and learning.

that doesn't mean i wouldn't get one, it just means i'd have a harder time explaining it to the wife!
Click to expand...

Then consider the Squier Mustang. They're pretty nice, too.
 
#34
The Chinese Dano Longhorns were iffy quality wise, but some were good. The Korean made are for the most part really well made. Jerry Jones Longhorns are beautiful instruments but hard to come by and expensive ( 800.00 to 1400.00) now that Jerry is not building anymore. If you have lots of cash Birdsong makes top notch short scales but you will pay a premium price. The Korean Danos can be found used quite frequently for 200.00 to 350.00 range.
 
#36
a great deal came through on a squier mustang, so i'm getting it this weekend. woo!

still not opposed to a jaguar or a mikro if they cover some different tones. (still hoping for a decent deal on a classic style fender mustang one day)

Thanks everyone for their input so far. It's been really helpful to hear your experiences and recommendations. I've also decided that I have to try out one of those funky danelectros when i have the chance.
 
#37
swamp2 said:
I looked at a used SX short scale locally. Even at asking price of $75 I thought it was overpriced and passed on it. Felt like a cheap toy. My SS jag is TONS better... And don't believe you HAVE to mod it to have a solid instrument, I've had it 1 1/2 years and still haven't done a thing other than the strings. And giving it a good setup, of course.
Click to expand...

I haven't had a pro set-up done on my Jag, but after about a month and a half, I replaced the stock strings with GHS Boomers. They are not the crème-de-la-crème of strings, but they were a HUGE improvement. I have lots of friends who have played music for a long time. Any of them who have played my Jag have loved it.
 
#38
Orangeclawhamme said:
I haven't had a pro set-up done on my Jag, but after about a month and a half, I replaced the stock strings with GHS Boomers. They are not the crème-de-la-crème of strings, but they were a HUGE improvement. I have lots of friends who have played music for a long time. Any of them who have played my Jag have loved it.
Click to expand...

how would you describe the tone (with/without the GHS strings)?
 
#39
I use a Korean Longhorn for most gigs , never had any issues . But it's a Dano ... It's super lightweight , with a masonite top and back . Has the wooden bridge ( which I have adjusted ) but does not adjust as easily as a Fender style bridge . There are those that dismiss them , but it sounds great and is a heck of a lot of fun to play .
... YMMV
 
#40
ognihs said:
a great deal came through on a squier mustang, so i'm getting it this weekend. woo!
Click to expand...

Congrats! The Mustangs all have strung-through bridges, so remember to get medium scale strings instead of shorts (unless you want to try Thomastik-Infelds - their "shorts" are 32" scale length, which do work pretty well on the Mustangs if you're looking for flats). LaBella makes a special set of their flats specifically for the Mustang.

I have not been able to tell the difference between the Squier and Fender Mustang pickups. Both have a sound quite similar to a P-Bass.
 

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