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Lightest weight short scales?
- Thread starter WittyBrit
- Start date
Since you are looking to play classic as well as prog, the Birdsong seems a logical choice as it can do both vintage as well as modern fairly easily... Don't own one, and have only briefly played one, but liked what I heard. More than I personally want to spend on a bass, but worth the price...
Even though I'm somewhat 'large-boned', I enjoy me some short-scale basses... I use them fairly frequently in a roots-rock group that I play with, for a vintage 'thump'... definitely not in the prog camp
-robert
Even though I'm somewhat 'large-boned', I enjoy me some short-scale basses... I use them fairly frequently in a roots-rock group that I play with, for a vintage 'thump'... definitely not in the prog camp
-robert
I want to thank each of you for such incredibly helpful responses. It's a goldmine of information and I'm looking forward to going out and finding some of these to play. Cheers!
Don't suppose there's anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area willing to let me try their Birdsong Cortobass or Corto2? That seems like a drawback to the custom route. I know Birdsong will let you return it but given the time to build etc. it seems best to get a feel for one first...
Kala UBass...check them out! Very short scale, good bass sound, very light! That's what really attracted me. I have a Gibson EBO and a Fender Mustang, both short scale basses...but after problems with a torn rotator cuff, herniated disc in the neck, and lower back problem, the UBass seems like the answer to a prayer! There are plenty of Youtubes about it and you can get an accoustic or solid body. They are a little different with a different kind of strings to get used to, but all in all...very cool! Good luck!
If you're lucky enough to find someone to let you try out a Birdsong, that would be helpful. But...
Theres something special about receiving a custom, even of you haven't handled it. Birdsong (or others) don't stay in business long if they don't produce something head and shoulders above the rest. And TBers love the S out of them. That says something, because these guys can be the pickiest one the planet.
I ordered a bass (non-Birdsong) without touching one. I had specifics I was looking for, and the builder (found him here) was able to do it (for roughly the same cost as a Birdsong) and I've never been happier with any bass. I've bought a few since but either sold them or they sit, because this bass is the one.
Call Scott at Birdsong. You won't regret it.
Theres something special about receiving a custom, even of you haven't handled it. Birdsong (or others) don't stay in business long if they don't produce something head and shoulders above the rest. And TBers love the S out of them. That says something, because these guys can be the pickiest one the planet.
I ordered a bass (non-Birdsong) without touching one. I had specifics I was looking for, and the builder (found him here) was able to do it (for roughly the same cost as a Birdsong) and I've never been happier with any bass. I've bought a few since but either sold them or they sit, because this bass is the one.
Call Scott at Birdsong. You won't regret it.
My Danelectro is about 5 lbs. My Epi Rumblekat is 7.5. My Gibson Thunderbird Short Scale weighs probably around 7 lb.
The Dano wins by a mile:
The one on the right is the Dano, The left is the Rumblekat, the Schecter 6 is pretty heavy.
The Dano wins by a mile:
The one on the right is the Dano, The left is the Rumblekat, the Schecter 6 is pretty heavy.
I'm making progress and could still use help. I had a great chat with Scott at Birdsong and that is certainly an option. I found a Squier SS Jag, Ibanez Mikro and Gibson SG in local stores and tried them. Didn't fall in love with any of them (and the SG had terrible neck dive). I'm still curious about some of the others like the Danelectro and the Hofner Club but don't know how I would try them out and this feels important after having tried a couple. Two additional questions: 1) does anyone have a Fender Mustang or Pawn Shop they can weigh and report weight on? 2) Given that I am still so early in learning bass and really don't know what kind of music will most call me, I'm challenged to know what kind of tone would be the best fit. For this reason, Scott at Birdsong suggested the Corto2 which has more versatility. My personal tastes are very eclectic, everything from classic rock to reggae to punk. I feel like this next instrument needs to be something I can grow into in terms of discovering "my" sound and the music I want to play.
If you have the dough, get the Birdsong. You will experience fewer to no limitations when it comes to versatility or growing into it, but I can almost guarantee you may run into limitations (and frustrations) with the others you've mentioned.
I know the Danelectro and Hofner fans will disagree with that. I'm sure if you buy a top of the line Hofner you could be perfectly happy, but you won't find that in one of the low-to-mid priced models IMO. You get what you pay for in a bass purchase. More spent=better instrument. Of course there are exceptions.
There are NO bad Birdsongs.
I know the Danelectro and Hofner fans will disagree with that. I'm sure if you buy a top of the line Hofner you could be perfectly happy, but you won't find that in one of the low-to-mid priced models IMO. You get what you pay for in a bass purchase. More spent=better instrument. Of course there are exceptions.
There are NO bad Birdsongs.
i would add that if i had that dough to spend that i would buy a birdsong but several people have already mentioned birdsong basses so i won't.
I have a Fender Mustang reissue (MIJ). It weighed 7 1/2 lbs using a bathroom scale. With a more accurate scale, I learned it was actually a couple ounces more. Wood varies, so the weights of different basses may be quite different. I've seen original (made in the 70s) Mustang weights reported here from 7 lbs 2 oz to 9 lbs 7 oz.
Agree
If Youre intrested in Höfner 500/2 Club bass please check this thread
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/hfner-club-bass-users-players-982387/
My $0.02 ...
I would highly recommend checking out Jimmy Wilson's work from Landing Guitars. Link Removed
I was fortunate enough to pick up this used L30T (30 inch "jazz bass") with custom wound Aero single coils here on TB, and it is stellar! Plays, looks, and sounds fantastic!! Jimmy's work is top shelf IMO. It was my first short scale ... and now all my basses are shorties!
If you have the resources to order a birdsong (note: never had the pleasure of playing one .. .yet), you may also want to consider having Jimmy build you a custom bass. Or keep your eye open as Landings do pop up here occasionally ... and sometimes for great prices.
I would highly recommend checking out Jimmy Wilson's work from Landing Guitars. Link Removed
I was fortunate enough to pick up this used L30T (30 inch "jazz bass") with custom wound Aero single coils here on TB, and it is stellar! Plays, looks, and sounds fantastic!! Jimmy's work is top shelf IMO. It was my first short scale ... and now all my basses are shorties!
If you have the resources to order a birdsong (note: never had the pleasure of playing one .. .yet), you may also want to consider having Jimmy build you a custom bass. Or keep your eye open as Landings do pop up here occasionally ... and sometimes for great prices.
I can't give you an advice on what to get, as I've never owned a short scale bass. But I can definitely give you advice on what to avoid, which sometimes is more important. 
Contrary to how they look (and even to what a lot of people think) a lot of headless basses are NOT short scale. (Although I think the Kramer Duke may be.) Without some modification, some of them, for example my Hohner B2AV, actually feel like long scale basses due to the placement of the strap buttons.
If this group can't point you in the right direction, I don't know who can. I'm sure you'll find something amazing.
Contrary to how they look (and even to what a lot of people think) a lot of headless basses are NOT short scale. (Although I think the Kramer Duke may be.) Without some modification, some of them, for example my Hohner B2AV, actually feel like long scale basses due to the placement of the strap buttons.
If this group can't point you in the right direction, I don't know who can. I'm sure you'll find something amazing.
I'd personally go for the birdsong. There are so many options there to hand tailor the instrument to what you want.
I figured I would also take the time to mention the Squier Bronco bass. Mine weighs in around 5.5-6lbs and sounds excellent, even stock. If you wanted to try one, they are only about $150 new and can be had for About $80 used. They are also fun little basses to mod on the cheap, and are pretty ergonomic (The necks are wonderful).
-Ron
I figured I would also take the time to mention the Squier Bronco bass. Mine weighs in around 5.5-6lbs and sounds excellent, even stock. If you wanted to try one, they are only about $150 new and can be had for About $80 used. They are also fun little basses to mod on the cheap, and are pretty ergonomic (The necks are wonderful).
-Ron
