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luna tat short scale or long scale basses
- Thread starter kgrave
- Start date
Hi kgrave, I haven't posted on talkbass for quite a while as you can tell by my previous empty reply that I accidentaly sent oops!
So I had been seeing the tat short scale basses on line and since I'm always interested in all short scale basses I looked them over. At first I didn't think I would be interested, because I assumed the Mahogany would be on the heavy side and have a somewhat dark and muted sound. The neck and fret board looked wider than I like, and also I just wasn't sure if the somewhat artsy tatoo design would fit my peronality. I mostly play, country, classic rock and oldies and have mostly vintage style basses. So I happened to come across one in a music store and it changed my mind. The one in the store was nice and light weight and had a nice punchy midrange p-bass tone with quite a lot of output. The neck and fretboard was wider and flatter than I usually like, but I still found it easy and comfortable to play. The one in the store did have some finish quality issues, the body stain was sort of streaked, the routing didn't look clean and the pots were wobbly. I decided to order one on line and take advantage of some of the holiday deals (17% off at MF). I'm glad I did, although the one that came felt slightly heavier (just over 7lbs), the fit and finish are nearly flawless. I changed the strings to my favorites (a used set of SIT power flats) and set up the bass to my liking (only had to adjust the bridge and pickup hight, the neck stayed pretty flat with slight relief, no truss rod adjustment needed). Anyway I have and have had several short scale p style basses. What I look for is some personality in them. I don't like basses that sound generic. This one has a nice bark, burp, growl, whatever you want to call it. I don't like a harsh tone and it's deffinately on the mellower side. Maybe it's my imagination, but I also find these basses that have open pore finishes to sound a bit more woody or snappy if you know what I'm trying to say as opposed to some of my acrylic finished basses that are more dead and thumpy sounding. I haven't gigged with it yet, but I brought it to a practice with my oldies band and I was able to get the classic Motown and Stax style sounds I love and I was able to easily dial everything in. It was maybe a bit shy on the g string side but I may have lowered that side of the pickup too much and have since readjusted it. A couple of slight negatives are it doesnt have the arm contour so my forearm rubs the body a bit. The neck and headstock are a bit dark in color, doesn't quite look right to me, so I might add some details to change the look. But as far as sound playability and comfort I like it pretty well. Hope this was helpful.
So I had been seeing the tat short scale basses on line and since I'm always interested in all short scale basses I looked them over. At first I didn't think I would be interested, because I assumed the Mahogany would be on the heavy side and have a somewhat dark and muted sound. The neck and fret board looked wider than I like, and also I just wasn't sure if the somewhat artsy tatoo design would fit my peronality. I mostly play, country, classic rock and oldies and have mostly vintage style basses. So I happened to come across one in a music store and it changed my mind. The one in the store was nice and light weight and had a nice punchy midrange p-bass tone with quite a lot of output. The neck and fretboard was wider and flatter than I usually like, but I still found it easy and comfortable to play. The one in the store did have some finish quality issues, the body stain was sort of streaked, the routing didn't look clean and the pots were wobbly. I decided to order one on line and take advantage of some of the holiday deals (17% off at MF). I'm glad I did, although the one that came felt slightly heavier (just over 7lbs), the fit and finish are nearly flawless. I changed the strings to my favorites (a used set of SIT power flats) and set up the bass to my liking (only had to adjust the bridge and pickup hight, the neck stayed pretty flat with slight relief, no truss rod adjustment needed). Anyway I have and have had several short scale p style basses. What I look for is some personality in them. I don't like basses that sound generic. This one has a nice bark, burp, growl, whatever you want to call it. I don't like a harsh tone and it's deffinately on the mellower side. Maybe it's my imagination, but I also find these basses that have open pore finishes to sound a bit more woody or snappy if you know what I'm trying to say as opposed to some of my acrylic finished basses that are more dead and thumpy sounding. I haven't gigged with it yet, but I brought it to a practice with my oldies band and I was able to get the classic Motown and Stax style sounds I love and I was able to easily dial everything in. It was maybe a bit shy on the g string side but I may have lowered that side of the pickup too much and have since readjusted it. A couple of slight negatives are it doesnt have the arm contour so my forearm rubs the body a bit. The neck and headstock are a bit dark in color, doesn't quite look right to me, so I might add some details to change the look. But as far as sound playability and comfort I like it pretty well. Hope this was helpful.
Oh one more thing about the Luna Tatoo Short Scale Bass is I really like the body size and shape. A lot of my other short scale basses are great basses but the bodies are pretty small. I think Luna uses the same body for the regular and short scale bass and they just change the bridge mounting position. I think the body is just a bit smaller and narrower than a traditional p-bass but it looks and feels right for me. I've seen other short scale necks on traditional bass bodies that look and feel out of proportion.
kgrave, I've had and still have several several sx short scale basses that I've liked pretty well with and without mods. I still have the p/j model but it's made from alder before they switched to basswood. I'd say my SX basses are more traditional with a deeper darker tone. I find the Luna a bit on the punchy and snappy side, but I forgot to mention it has a nice fuzzy warmth too. Yes I'm a Short scale "Freak" too. I have around 15, but who's counting...oh yea my wife is...well I've been working on thining the heard. I had sold off 3 before I fell off the wagon and bought the Luna.
Hey Toneseeker
That's a great review. Informed,well worded and well thought out. Makes a refreshing change on an quite inexpensive bass.
Good on you Man
That's a great review. Informed,well worded and well thought out. Makes a refreshing change on an quite inexpensive bass.
Good on you Man
The very LAST thing I need is to have GAS on another "budget" bass! Dang you, toneseeker.....I was able to hold myself back over Christmas when I first saw these Luna "tats", but NOW, after YOUR review, the devil on my shoulder is whispering in my ear again! BTW, for those who haven't seen one yet:
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I love me a purty Mahogany bass! It's almost as nice as my Peavey Patriot.
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I love me a purty Mahogany bass! It's almost as nice as my Peavey Patriot.
Sorry eldoryder, I guess misery likes company. Oh what's one more bass? Whats the use of resisting? You know you'll just give in to that devil on your shoulder eventually...LOL...just kidding! I miss the good old days when I had one bass, plugged straight into my amp and was happy as a clam!
