I Want A Short Scale Bass......

[AmpegB15]

Yes Ampeg, brand new for 2015:

Link Removed

Wow. That's incredible. I'm getting one without a doubt. Thanks for the info!

 

[BassHappy]

Wow. That's incredible. I'm getting one without a doubt. Thanks for the info!

Hey Ampeg

Yes, looks like a pretty incredible instrument - as far as I know, it's the first short scale truly HIGH END bass ever produced by a US major manufacturer. I am building my own LP bass in medium scale, short scale is not for me - too cramped for me in the upper registers. However, I don't see it anywhere for sale yet - but I am dying to hear some sound clips of this bass. They are really taunting the new pickups.

If you manage to snag one, be sure and post photos and some clips!

 

[VSN_Guitars]

How about something different?

Mensinger Cazpar - 30" scale - built in Poland by Adrian Marouszczyk

 

[bluesdogblues]

I already have two long scale P/J basses (Ibanez GSR200 and a Yamaha BB1000MA). I want something small and light with a different tonal range then my current basses. I'm also pretty cheap so I don't want to spend a whole lot and these are the three that I keep looking at: Allen Woody Signature, Mikey Way Signature and the Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI. I know they are all different, but they are the ones that I've taking liking to. I also kinda like the Dean Evo XM and the Gretsch 2220, but they don't have as much draw as the others.

I'm looking for others experiences with these particular basses, pros and cons and modification potentials (particularly pickups/electronics).

Thanks,

Don

I want this:
Link Removed

BODY：BASSWOOD
NECK：MAPLE
GRIP SHAPE：OVAL TYPE
FRETBOARD：ROSEWOOD
FRET：20F VINTAGE
RADIUS：250R
NUT WIDTH：38㎜
PICKUPS：JB SINGLE(JAPAN)ｘ2
CONTROLS：2VOL, 1TONE
SWITCH： -
BRIDGE：VINTAGE
TUNER： MHB-GB1 NI

 

[AmpegB15]

Yes, looks like a pretty incredible instrument - as far as I know, it's the first short scale truly HIGH END bass ever produced by a US major manufacturer.

I do have a Gretsch Broadkaster and a Gretsch Thunderjet, both of which are short scale and pretty high end, but made in Japan. Those (and the similar Gretsch Electrotone) are the only major manufacturer high end short scales that are current models that I can think of.

 

[xaxxat]

Lead dude from Royal Blood wails on his

Wow!!!

 

[BassHappy]

I do have a Gretsch Broadkaster and a Gretsch Thunderjet, both of which are short scale and pretty high end, but made in Japan. Those (and the similar Gretsch Electrotone) are the only major manufacturer high end short scales that are current models that I can think of.

Hey Ampeg

I would certainly agree with that - I am tickled though to see a US company take such an interest in a high end short scale. Although, I don't know what is going on - it's all over the Gibson site but still not available anywhere that I can find. I haven't even been able to get much of an idea of what the street price will be. I hope they go through with it. I hope it's not one of those, let's just stick our toe in the water and see how many orders we get kind of deals...

 

[bnolsen]

For an off the shelf bass the junior jet g2202 is impressive. Tossed on some chromes and I just love the sound I get from it. Haven't heard anything as good in its price range. People seem to like the double pickup g2220s as well.

Another option is to grab a used squier bronco for ~60usd and replace the bridge and pickups. The neck feels great on the bronco. I put in a vintage wound double rail pickup and some ghs precision flats. All noise noticeably disappeared. I kind of wish I'd gone hotter on the pickup and strings, the E & A are thumpy. Uhoh I might be trying to talk myself out of selling it (grrr...)

 

[mongo2]

I gave a mid '60s Hagstrom "cheesegrater" short scale bass a lengthy audition in the local GC today. I liked it very much but I didn't want to spend the $500 they wanted for it. When I was heading toward the door I happened to notice a very slightly used Ibanez Mikro out of the corner of my eye. It's a 28.6" scale and had a $79 price tag so I tried it, I liked it, and it followed me home.

 

[AmpegB15]

the three that I keep looking at: Allen Woody Signature, Mikey Way Signature and the Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI

I used to own an Allen Woody and loved it. I still see it hanging on the wall in the store where I sold it and am tempted to buy it again as I miss it. It had very low action (one of the lowest of all of my short scales)and a slim neck, and the whole ergonomics of it just fit very nicely while playing it, which is why I prefer short scales. I've never really liked the Gibson 3 point bridge as I've seen a lot of SG basses where the action was just too high and couldn't get any lower with that bridge design, but it wasn't a problem on the Allen Woody at all. Not a whole lot of variation in the sound with the two pickups being relatively close to each other, but still more variation than what you would get out of a single pickup bass. I don't know the other two basses, but since I play bass mostly with a pick I've always liked my Fender VI reissue 6 string bass with the close string spacing -- you can get some very quick runs on those 6 strings with a pick.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

I have two SS basses, see my avatar. Totally different. The Jag is great, but as Altgrendl said, bridge pickup a bit week, but can be easily fixed. I put black tapes on it, what a difference. Am planning on putting 1/4 pounders in it, should be fun! The Gretsch is my favorite bass (I also have a standard size P), very different sound, very easy to play, really nice neck. I have the two pickup 2220, and the variety of tones are amazing, the pickups really are hot. Put flats on it, nothing else needed. It is, however, a slab body, which some find uncomfortable, but I have no issue with it. A bit more money than the JAG, but you will not go wrong with either of these instruments. But one day, I will have the ultimate SS, the ThunderJet.

 

[Rob Martinez]

My Hofner Icon bass does the trick. And it is very easy on the budget!