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Is the short/medium scale craze over?
- Thread starter Green Knight
- Start date
I really dig the 33" scale on my Ibby BTB-845V and wish that there was more 33" scale selection out there, or even 32".
Of course, I also wish that there were more 5-string basses strung EADGC from the factory but realize that the demand for them is probably microscopic.
Of course, I also wish that there were more 5-string basses strung EADGC from the factory but realize that the demand for them is probably microscopic.
No!
People are literally still going completely and utterly insane, in a bloodlust infused berserker craze, over lesser scaled basses, it's a pure massacre.
So watch out people, one of those freaks might be your neighbour!
People are literally still going completely and utterly insane, in a bloodlust infused berserker craze, over lesser scaled basses, it's a pure massacre.
So watch out people, one of those freaks might be your neighbour!
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I agree with all those who find 32” to be the sweet spot. Having said that, there’s way more selection at 30” and not so much difference that I could tell blindfolded.
And a very capable double bass player as well, to say the least.
So it is definitely out of choice, rather than necessity.
I believe to remember having read somewhere that he preferred the sound of short scale basses over regular 34" scaled ones.
Chris Wood (Medeski Martin & Wood, and The Wood Brothers) is another capable double bass player, who's main electric bass, as of more recent years, is a short scale Höfner Violin bass.
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There absolutely has been, primarily driven by a realization that established norms aren't always the best fit for everyone.
My first two basses were both short scale, followed by several medium scale models and the only long scale bass I've ever owned was bought solely for the purpose of reselling it. Now the only bass I have here with me is an Ibanez Mikro.
I think that the establishment of basses like the Ashbory definitely had a big hand in shifting perception of non-long scale basses for many users, and helped open the doors for acceptance of all things short scale.
Looking forward to my short scale Dingwall someday in the future...
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I remember that MIM Fender Mustang PJ that came out in 2016 or so really turned a lot of heads. It was my first short scale. I’d been playing since 1986 but had only owned standard FSOs.
Lack of them the stores might have indicated less interest, but a lack of them on the used market is a sign of people hanging onto them.
For inventing the Mustang? Thanks Leo, once again you hit it out of the park.I'm perplexed by the idea that 34" is the "required" scale length to be a professional model. Some of us adult folks can't palm a basketball, so medium and short scale basses fit for our physical size. I don't get why the industry decided the best marketing strategy was to do demote medium and short scale basses to student or beginner status.
It's like saying anything smaller than a 24" kick drum means you're playing a student set.
Are there companies that make them in the tradition of Alembic (Stanley Clarke dimension) around the 2-2.5 K price range or maybe not over 5K
Meaning Double cut - neck through with filter preamps. Is this something that Sire maybe can embark on? They already have a neck through
Ibanez can do that to I think.
Meaning Double cut - neck through with filter preamps. Is this something that Sire maybe can embark on? They already have a neck through
Ibanez can do that to I think.
Not too sure about that as Stanley`s filter system is a Series I System and potentially expensive components. (Definitely expensive from Alembic themselves).
Whether or not a "lesser" Filter system was/is utilized would be the question of whether a manufacturer would be willing to produce an instrument in that tradition. The other objective is the ability to design the SC shape (in short scale) without horrible neck dive. I am the original owner of a 1981 Alembic Distillate with the 32" scale, which plays absolutely wonderful IF you can get past the awful neck dive the "old" design "achieved".
Whether or not a "lesser" Filter system was/is utilized would be the question of whether a manufacturer would be willing to produce an instrument in that tradition. The other objective is the ability to design the SC shape (in short scale) without horrible neck dive. I am the original owner of a 1981 Alembic Distillate with the 32" scale, which plays absolutely wonderful IF you can get past the awful neck dive the "old" design "achieved".
A shame about the upper frets access though, which there ain't too many of to begin with.
All my basses are short. A Sterling Stingray SS4, a Sire U5 and a converted Ibanez SR785 5 string to short scale and of of an Sx short scale P bass. So no I a, still a short scale guy period.
I wonder if some people here are being somewhat intentionally obtuse. I think the OP certainly has a point and it's fairly obvious to most people who follow the world of bass that short/medium scales have become a lot more popular over the last 20-15 years. They were extremely popular in the '60s, dropped out of favor in the 70s, were practically non-existent in the '80s/90s, and started becoming cool again in the '00s, thanks to the likes of JMJ, etc.
It does very much seem to be a 'type' of short scale which is popular at the moment - generally retro styles, often (semi) hollow, played with flatwounds/tapewounds and a pick (typical contenders would be Mustangs, Guild Starfires, Epiphones, Serek, Wilcock, Hofner, Nordstrand Acinonyx). Of course as people have pointed out, you can get Alembic/Fodera/Musicman etc. short/medium scales these days (Alembics have always been available in SS of course) , but I'd guess the few who buy those do so for comfort rather than tone and you're not hearing those on modern pop music like you do the more retro ones.
I think they've become so accepted in modern pop that perhaps the 'craze' is now over, but I doubt they're going to go away any time soon.
It does very much seem to be a 'type' of short scale which is popular at the moment - generally retro styles, often (semi) hollow, played with flatwounds/tapewounds and a pick (typical contenders would be Mustangs, Guild Starfires, Epiphones, Serek, Wilcock, Hofner, Nordstrand Acinonyx). Of course as people have pointed out, you can get Alembic/Fodera/Musicman etc. short/medium scales these days (Alembics have always been available in SS of course) , but I'd guess the few who buy those do so for comfort rather than tone and you're not hearing those on modern pop music like you do the more retro ones.
I think they've become so accepted in modern pop that perhaps the 'craze' is now over, but I doubt they're going to go away any time soon.
Your comment on tone is completely wrong! It depends on the type of strings you use and amp settings. My Sire U5 have chrome flats, the Ibanez 5 string have white tapes and the Stingray has rounds. Those were strung up that way for different tones. So depending on what genre I am doing I take the appropriate bass.
This much better explains my point, thank you! It is in some ways a retro movement as well, with the Spector Euro shorties an exception to the rule. That’s why I, a creature of the 80s more than the 70s, look to the Me decade for My short-scale basses, which I prefer with active electronics and “modern”-sounding pickups.
The late 00s felt to me like an age of exodus from 34” for a while there. At least in comparison to now. YMMV!
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I’ve been running shorties for close to 20 years now. I’ve picked up a couple of 34 scale basses since , but spend most of the time on short scales. I don’t have any issues switching between the different sizes. Just prefer the short scales now.
For what it's worth, I signed to receive notifications when 5-string Ibanez Mikro basses were back in stock (they've been sold out everywhere). I was notified Oct 15 they were back in stock at Guitar Center and they are sold out again now. They were briefly in stock at Sweetwater, but sold out again almost as quick. I didn't think it was a craze, but it kinda feels like one. Still thinking about jumping on it...
I’d be into a short scale Darkray, but not for what I know I’d have to pay for it. I owned an early short-scale Stingray and could not help being irked by the lack of preamp, another example of how short scales basses can often also be described as retro/traditional in tone and/or appearance. Maybe most basses do, I dunno.
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