Low quality instruments vs. medium quality

[-Asdfgh-]

I never did that, I don't really know how to paint plastic. Is it the same way you paint wood?

There are specialist paints you can get. It would be easier to get a new pickguard, though, and not necessarily that much more expensive.

I'd suggest changing the strings, though. If you are going to buy another short scale bass you can always put new ones you get on the new bass at some point and the originals back on the Harley Benton.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hey guys, I'm a junior bassist and I recently discovered (after 12 years of playing) that there are short scale basses, and I bought a Harley Benton secondhand for 40€ to try it out, and I found that it is much more comfortable for me to play, since I'm a young lady with tiny hands and also have back issues.
Anyway, my question is: since I'm not in a band right now, and I haven't been in a while, do you think it would be a good investment anyway to spend 200€ on a Squier VM Jaguar Bass? I chose the Squier Jag, because I heard the Bronco sucks, and it is still basically a Fender instrument, so if I change the pups, the tuners and the bridge, I can get a great instrument if I ever want to.
I don't actually need it, but I really think that it would improve my playing. I find the Harley Benton so bad that I keep practicing on my long scale Stingray instead, but I can't endure long practices because I get tired fast. Also, the Stingray has flats, and I haven't changed the Harley Benton strings because it just seems crazy to me to spend as much on strings as I spent on the bass itself.
Idk, sometimes I feel like I'm just making excuses to buy a new bass What do you guys think?

Do your self a favor, if you want an upgrade, buy a Mustang instead the Jag. It’s a much better instrument.

Secondly, yes strings are expensive, but they don’t last forever, bad ones will make a cheap bass sound worse, while good ones can make a marked improvement. Finally, speaking of prudent expenditures, a good set of strings is going to be cheaper than a new bass.

 

[alack]

I've said this in so many forums I've lost count. I have two vintage Fender P basses. They stay home while my SS Jag goes to the gigs. On the few occasions I left the Jag home, I missed it the moment the band started playing.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Strings and pickguards are easy to replace. Please don't be afraid of a string swap. If the bass is difficult to play, take another run at the setup using the directions in the Hardware forum.

I have a Bronco with a replacement pickup (I bought it to experiment with) and it's a very playable, well balanced bass. Not sure what people think the problem is with them.

I've had a Squier Jag and found it very playable; I sold it to a friend who plays it a lot.

If you want good sound in a short scale at a low price, check the Gretsch 2220. Short scale, 3 colors, and you'll find them used at nice prices. I am a huge Gretsch fan, and currently own three of them including a custom 2220. Sweetwater has these at $229 new, and they do not disappoint.

View attachment 3316221

They have those at Thomann, which would be the OP's best bet for €339 ($385). I couldn't see the short scale Jaguar, but the Fender long scale is €699, Squier VM €219, Fender Mustang PJ €549, Squier Bronco €175.

 

[selowitch]

I am quite fond of the Squier Vintage Modified Mustang Bass (sunburst or black), but they are getting hard to find.

 

[Skillet]

One thing about the Fender Jaguar. It can be a heavy little bass. I built a bass with the body of one, and did my own mod to lighten it up. Also I wrapped the black pickguard with red vinyl.. check it out, and Good luck!

 

[sprag]

I find the Harley Benton so bad that I keep practicing on my long scale Stingray instead, but I can't endure long practices because I get tired fast.

There's a short scale Stingray coming out this year. Surely won't be cheap though but it's another option worth thinking about

 

[matante]

What's a junior bassist?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

There's a short scale Stingray coming out this year. Surely won't be cheap though but it's another option worth thinking about

Limited run. Already sold out and probably less of a chance to get one in Portugal . And seems to be out of her budget.

 

[Bexuga]

Thanks for all of your replies!

I don't want to sell my Stingray since it was my first bass and it was a gift from someone special.

I'm going to save up for the Jaguar, I think that it really is a good option for me. I don't think that I will mod it at first, but if I want to, it's good to have that option.

For now, I'm going to be making a custom tortoise pickguard for the HB and buy some strings, to see if I am more inclined to play it while I save money for the Jaguar

I have tried the Jet Junior, but it's a bit more expensive. Same goes for the Mustang.

 

[Bexuga]

What's a junior bassist?

Nicer way of saying I suck. Hahaha jk, I meant that I'm young and unexperienced

 

[rollie 55]

Nicer way of saying I suck. Hahaha jk, I meant that I'm young and unexperienced

no you dont suck please dont say that about your self you maby young but you are a rocking bass player

 

[macmanlou]

One thing about the Fender Jaguar. It can be a heavy little bass. I built a bass with the body of one, and did my own mod to lighten it up. Also I wrapped the black pickguard with red vinyl.. check it out, and Good luck!
View attachment 3316455 View attachment 3316456

Some Squier Jaguar SSs have a tendency to neck dive. That's probably not the case with yours because of the neck you're using. I actually added lead weights inside the control cavity of one I had, to balance it better. Most of them weigh between 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 pounds.

 

[Bexuga]

There's a short scale Stingray coming out this year. Surely won't be cheap though but it's another option worth thinking about

Mate, when I first read your reply I was like "Meh, I don't really like the Stingray that much, I prefer Fender basses"
But then I checked them out anyway, and omg they are sweet!

 

[macmanlou]

I'm going to save up for the Jaguar, I think that it really is a good option for me. I don't think that I will mod it at first, but if I want to, it's good to have that option.

I agree. Short scale D'Addario Chromes flatwounds (ECB81S) are reasonably priced and work well on the Jaguar SS. The bridge pickup is kind of weak, so if you like to use it (especially if you want to use it "solo"), then that's the first thing I'd recommend modding. If you like soloing the neck pickup, then you will probably be satisfied with leaving the pickups stock. The main reason folks change out the tuners is to combat neck dive, the stock ones have always worked fine for me. You can save money by adding weight in the control cavity if you're trying to balance the bass better. There's plenty of room in there. I used adhesive lead weights that are made for balancing automobile wheels. A wide, non-slippery strap may take care of mild cases of neck dive, too.

 

[Skillet]

Some Squier Jaguar SSs have a tendency to neck dive. That's probably not the case with yours because of the neck you're using. I actually added lead weights inside the control cavity of one I had, to balance it better. Most of them weigh between 6 1/2 and 7 1/2 pounds.

This one is 9.1 lbs after I drilled on it.

 

[sprag]

Limited run. Already sold out and probably less of a chance to get one in Portugal . And seems to be out of her budget.

If the limited run is already sold out it would be a good bet they'll go into regular production

However
- from the musicman site - Available September 2019 worldwide.

I assumed the uncomfortable full scale Stingray could be sold to help fund it.

I also assumed Bexuga liked the Stingray (read would really like a shortscale version of) as she preferred it over the Benton even though its uncomfortable... turns out that was incorrect

 

[sprag]

Mate, when I first read your reply I was like "Meh, I don't really like the Stingray that much, I prefer Fender basses"
But then I checked them out anyway, and omg they are sweet!View attachment 3316574

That'll teach me to make assumptions
Be aware it has completely different electronics to a standard Stingray so I have no idea what it sounds like. I made the suggestion soley based on you owning a stingray and assuming you loved it's sound but not it's playability

 

[pcake]

i really enjoyed my jag ss. i had it for years and never upgraded or changed anything on it but the strings - i did experiment with those. was it as high quality a bass as my mustang P/J? no, but it was still a very nice and playable bass, and the look is good, too. btw, i also had and enjoyed a bronco; in fact, i may buy another and drop in a nordy pickup.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

There's no reason to automatically change the bridge or tuners on a VM Jag. Unless you just happen to get a bad example, they are fine. Pickups maybe. The bridge pickup is pretty meh, but get it and play it before you make that decision.

Also, before you dump much money into a Jag, consider getting the MIM Mustang.

I've been playing bass for decades and I love the Mustang, but I'm lefty, and Fender doesn't feel there's a market for lefty's.

Would you happen to know what body shape the Mustang uses -- maybe a Strat or similar? I wish I could put a sunburst Mustang clone from Warmoth parts. I'm sure it will break 1K USD by the time I'm done.