How often are you using your short scale?

[Wfrance3]

I love my 5 string, but I also play a medium scale 4 string. I know this is short scale thread, but my point is applicable. At the ripe old age of 58, a lighter bass is nice. So, the answer to the OP question, more now that before. I can reach/get to stuff easier with the tighter fret spacing and can kinda cheat/substitute that for notes I would locate on the low B string because making longer stretches on the neck is easier. The inherent harmonics of flat wound strings on my thru body medium scale is a decent trade off for tones you get from a low B from say the 7th fret and higher...

 

[Andy Marshman]

I have two Precision basses, the rest are all short scale. I play the shorties 90% of the time.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I have 4 short scale basses and play one everyday.

Hmm, sounds familiar.But I miss a day every once in awhile.

I was 100% with my Allen Woody and loving it, until (for whatever reason) it became uncomfortable for me. That was sad, but it went to a good home with a TBer not far from me.

I bought a stripey Squier CV Mustang from another TBer a year or so ago, but I haven't dialed it in yet to be my main player. So right now my 77/78 P is my 100% (gigged with it last night, in fact). Like it always has, it feels like home whenever I pick it up.

(I totally know how @WI Short Scaler will answer this question!)

I'm nothing if not predictable. 4 basses here, all shorts. When I play it's a short scale.

And it's strikingly "stripey" like @dalkowski 's with some color variance.

Rock on!

 

[mongo2]

I've had a short scale in my stable since the mid '70s. First one was a used Silvertone Model 1444 (I still play one). I've used shortscales exclusively for about 20 years.

 

[Riff Ranger]

Occasionally, as a lead instrument

 

[Rabidhamster]

My short scale is a fretless solid body Ubass so it gets used when I need or want that sound, the scale is just how it came.

 

[brocco]

My band plays a bunch of 3-4hr gigs every month, I use my Cat and Sire U5 30". Ibby Mezzo 5 & 4 32" and EHB 1005SMS 30'-32". My 34"s are used only at church now because I sit down when playing.

 

[coryr1000]

I didn't even open up the case to my P bass for my gig last week. I just used the my Mustang for all 3 sets.

 

[HP Hovercraft]

All the time. Love my Mustang

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

Not often. The last bands I’ve worked with, I tried my Longhorn once but a P worked better. The Longhorn was good, though…but my PJ’s are crushing.

Oh no, now it's the PJ CRUSHES EVERYTHING!

 

[JimmyM]

Oh no, now it's the PJ CRUSHES EVERYTHING!

Don’t tell anyone but the J pickup rarely gets used. I want to keep the outlaw mystique.

 

[thrashingbass]

I admit my two P basses are my 1st love, but have been using the cheap Sonic Bronco more and more, especially after having a DiMarzio dual rail pickup in it. Unique, clear sound with nice low mids, and still leaning towards a p bass tonality due to the pickup location, so it's basically a comfort zone bass.

No one "needs" a shortie-if you do buy one, remember it's a different experience, but does not necessarily has to feel as an entirely new instrument. I think that strings make a HUGE difference in one's initial assessment of a short scale bass. Some people are used to the old school, low tension strings that were made for it since eons ago, but I feel there are enough "modern" strings out there nowadays so one needs not compromise with very loose feeling, "floppy" strings if one likes something tighter. I still wish they made thicker Rotosound 66s for short scale, but alas, shorties basses have not gotten too much love from Rotosound even after so many decades of great long scale bass strings.

I do think there is nothing too "inferior" about a well setup short scale tailored to one's playing. In many cases, feel great to play with little if any compromises.

 

[Snert]

I have 2 SS 4s that I almost never touch - maybe I should sell or donate them. The only SS I use on occasion is my SRC6 which is a Bass VI class instrument for those who don't know.

 

[Trailertrash74]

My shorty was a 32” with a J width nut. It was secondary enough that I donated it - big hands, it felt like a toy and having my fingers crammed together slowed my playing too much.

There you go...bragging about big hands. I thought only drummers did that...

 

[micguy]

There you go...bragging about big hands. I thought only drummers did that...

At my first violin lesson (I was 8) my teacher told me I should play bass - because of the size of my hands. 11 years later (when the option was an electric bass, not one of those clunky upright things), I agreed and bought a Ric. Now, playing full scale 5's with side necks, I realize that it's a definite advantage.

It may sound like bragging, but when you go looking for gloves to fit them, it's more of a pain. Ditto with the feet.

 

[Snarf]

How often are you picking up your short scale over your long scale?

Getting a little personal, aren't we?

 

[mydogfarted]

I've been playing my 35" Dean most lately, but I've brought my Gretsch G2220 back out because it's just more comfortable for me. What I hear most is play what is comfortable when you're playing for yourself.

 

[selowitch]

I have lots of 34"-scale basses, but ever since I got my Nordstrand Acinonyx v1 "Cat" bass about six months ago I have been playing it exclusively. It's so fun to play and sounds great with LaBella flatwounds installed.

 

[brocco]

I have lots of 34"-scale basses, but ever since I got my Nordstrand Acinonyx v1 "Cat" bass about six months ago I have been playing it exclusively. It's so fun to play and sounds great with LaBella flatwounds installed.

I second that with my V2!