Losing my Woody?

[dalkowski]

My Epiphone Allen Woody has been my main player since I procured it in 2014. I string it with flats and 98% of the time keep the neck pup soloed because thump.

Rehearsal last night after a too-long layoff and this bass that I love was not loving me back. Just flat-out uncomfortable, sitting or standing. Mind you, I've NEVER claimed it to be an ergonomic all-star, not even close. There's no body contouring, but all these years I've sucked it up because thump.

Last two songs, drummer let me play his son's new MIM Jazz. It had been probably decades since I'd picked one up and it was the polar opposite of the Woody in terms of playing comfort (which I knew it would be).

But I prefer shorties. So anyone out there have suggestions that check these 3 boxes: 1. Short-scale 2. Thumpy 3. Comfy. Three-figure budget.

I'll take my answer off the air.

 

[bholder]

 

[Jim Carr]

Mustang

 

[eldorado2001]

SG

 

[MonetBass]

Mustang

This, or a short scale Jaguar.

 

[the_sauce]

Hofner Ignition Violin Bass

 

[JRA]

there are a couple of SS threads going right now --- lots of suggestions in those, too!


sorry about your 'condition'.

 

[Bass V]

My Epiphone Allen Woody has been my main player since I procured it in 2014. I string it with flats and 98% of the time keep the neck pup soloed because thump.

Rehearsal last night after a too-long layoff and this bass that I love was not loving me back. Just flat-out uncomfortable, sitting or standing. Mind you, I've NEVER claimed it to be an ergonomic all-star, not even close. There's no body contouring, but all these years I've sucked it up because thump.

Last two songs, drummer let me play his son's new MIM Jazz. It had been probably decades since I'd picked one up and it was the polar opposite of the Woody in terms of playing comfort (which I knew it would be).

But I prefer shorties. So anyone out there have suggestions that check these 3 boxes: 1. Short-scale 2. Thumpy 3. Comfy. Three-figure budget.

I'll take my answer off the air.

I figured you knew every bass ever made!
a Jackson pointy [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
no clue but ya never know Link Removed
Supro have some super shorties full of thump

you've probable seen this but they have a slew to try out

the Micro be the ticket if you mute because thump but maybe not needed

excluding SG basses here's my #1 on the SS hit parade

 

[bassdude51]

Got $199? Add another $30 for pickup mod and excellent sound. Ha, just a few months ago, these were selling for $149.

No contouring but rounded edges and thin body.

Squier Bronco Bass - Torino Red

Here's mine. I added a Dragonfire dual coil. Sounds just like a full scale P Bass.

Dragonfire AR5s ~ Humbucking Strat AlNiCo 5 Rails Pickup, 1QTY Pos & ColorChoice | eBay

 

[CallMeAl]

Mustang

Yup. If you like the MIM Jazz, try a MIM Mustang PJ. They’re killer

EDIT maybe a traditional mustang pickup would fit “thumpy” better.

 

[mongo2]

My Epiphone Allen Woody has been my main player since I procured it in 2014. I string it with flats and 98% of the time keep the neck pup soloed because thump.

Rehearsal last night after a too-long layoff and this bass that I love was not loving me back. Just flat-out uncomfortable, sitting or standing. Mind you, I've NEVER claimed it to be an ergonomic all-star, not even close. There's no body contouring, but all these years I've sucked it up because thump.

Last two songs, drummer let me play his son's new MIM Jazz. It had been probably decades since I'd picked one up and it was the polar opposite of the Woody in terms of playing comfort (which I knew it would be).

But I prefer shorties. So anyone out there have suggestions that check these 3 boxes: 1. Short-scale 2. Thumpy 3. Comfy. Three-figure budget.

I'll take my answer off the air.

I used a Epi Allen Woody Sig for quite a few years and I kind of agree about it's ergonomics and thump. It does sound very nice but it can be tedious at times.

My recent Hofner Galaxie RI with it's Jazz bass style offset waist body design meets the criteria and is capable of being considerably thumpier than the Epi.

I also agree with the recommendation about the Mustang, Mustang P/J or Bronco (which I also have) for comfort but the Hofner is thumpier than either of them.

 

[Pilgrim]

If you can get your hands on an original Gretsch 2202 solid body, you will find that its pickup (A TV Jones design) and flats give you all the thump you need in a short scale bass that balances well and is a pleasure to play. The pickup placement is similar to a P or a Mustang, but the chrome soapbar pickup is a different sound. I have a Bronco with a 2202 pickup, and I sometimes play it at gigs and leave much more expensive basses at home.

After they finished the original 2202 series which is a black finish with grey look-through on the front, they changed the pickup. There's nothing wrong with the later models, but they're not the same.

Best part? When they show up on Ebay, they're usually under $200.

The originals look like this, and as far as I know Gretsch only used this black/fade finish on the original 2202 series:

 

[DJ '65]

Sandberg have just launched a short scale.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Podehito...

 

[dkelley]

Got $199? Add another $30 for pickup mod and excellent sound. Ha, just a few months ago, these were selling for $149.

No contouring but rounded edges and thin body.

Squier Bronco Bass - Torino Red

Here's mine. I added a Dragonfire dual coil. Sounds just like a full scale P Bass.

Dragonfire AR5s ~ Humbucking Strat AlNiCo 5 Rails Pickup, 1QTY Pos & ColorChoice | eBay

View attachment 3688466 View attachment 3688467

one of my favorite basses... still have original pickup here but if a cheap rails falls into my lap I'll probably swap that out fast.

 

[diegom]

While the Talman TMB30 fits most of the bill, much of the Woody magic came from the pickup. I don't know if there is a split-P pickup that has that kind of blurry, bloomy, yet distinct tone... At $179, the Talman is a bargain for fit-and-finish. If you wouldn't mind routing for a T.V. Jones Thunder, you might just get the best of both worlds, comfort AND thump...

 

[Sid the Kid]

Talman bass also has a wide nut and a thicker neck like the Allen Woody bass.

I have been enamored with the Gibson Les Paul Jr Bass personally. It is the peak of your 3 figure budget but is cool as hell with a good middy thump. Hard to find a good video of one though, which has kept me from pulling the trigger.

 

[kmon]

Thanks for sharing but you should probably go see a doctor.

 

[nilorius]

Choose MIM jazz.

 

[dalkowski]

Podehito...