Medium/short scale instruments

[BazzaBass]

I recently assembled a Warmoth 32" scale P bass. The bridge is at the back of the body which indeed shifts the scale to the player's right and reduces the reach.

It is a joy to play and is the best sounding of my three over-$900 basses. Also weights 6.75 lbs

Would you recommend designing a Bass through Warmoth? Was it a good or difficult experience?

 

[Moving Pictures]

Thomastik makes a medium-scale flat wound.

As does LaBella. Not sure about GHS but a quick trip to Welcome to Bass Strings Online - A Bass Store for Bass Players! will quickly answer that.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I will also throw in my vote for the Gibson SG. It has been a godsend for when my shoulder acts up. I blew through a number of shorties until I realized reach is where its at and the Gibson works well for me that way. Most semi-hollow bodied and hollow-bodied shorties I tried had a reach similar to long scale. Expensive lesson. Test before you buy and if you can't research it well.

 

[LordRyan]

The previously mentioned Italia Torino while it is a short-scale has a very large body. It's overall length is close to a long-scale Bass and uses standard strings. It's design appears to be influenced by vintage Gibson and Guild Basses. I like this Bass a lot but tend to use my Epiphone Allen Woody more.

 

[BazzaBass]

Hi
I'm 73 and have been playing my Warwick short scale rock bass for the pass 10 years.I think it's great.I did replace the pickups with EMG active pickups.I also have flatwounds on It.At my age my left hand only has three usable fingers,Thumb and two fingers,and my reach is poor.I play almost every week with my four piece band.Without the Warwick ,I guess I would have given up.I really don't have a problem playing,as long as I make some adjustments and changes to my playing methods.Most often my bass parts are not exactly what's written but usually I'm the only one that notices.I don't think you could go wrong with the Warwick Short Scale.The pickups could be better,but that can be corrected.The one I have was made in China.It does have quality parts,and workman ship.E-bay has had a few for sale.Don't give it ,there's always a way!
Dave A

I also have one of these and also love it. What advantage have you found moving to Active pickups?

 

[darwin-bass]

Would you recommend designing a Bass through Warmoth? Was it a good or difficult experience?

I recommend it. It was a good experience. I am a fan of Warmoth. Have been for years. If you have them do the finish, they are not cheap but their quality is high. In the case of the 32" scale instrument Warmoth has the added advantage that they locate the bridge at the end of the body, not somewhere in the middle. Shifting the bridge to the middle of the body eliminates the reach advantage of 32" scale.

Here's the thread I did on my build. You can decide whether or not building is something you want to deal with.

Warmoth low-cost light-weight 32" scale P bass build - Done!

 

[thehangingmist]

Problem with the vader is the strap button only comes to about the 15-16th fret, shoving the neck right out again. The problem for these folks with shoulder issues is that they need a shorter reach. If the Vader's strap button was at the 12th fret, it would be the best bass for people with shoulder problems made.

That's good to know. Am glad my custom maurizio uber bass solved that problem for me
I remember having a conversation with the luthier about where exactly the button should be placed and it worked out perfectly
I have a headless single cut bass that's in my picture here

 

[BazzaBass]

I recommend it. It was a good experience. I am a fan of Warmoth. Have been for years. If you have them do the finish, they are not cheap but their quality is high. In the case of the 32" scale instrument Warmoth has the added advantage that they locate the bridge at the end of the body, not somewhere in the middle. Shifting the bridge to the middle of the body eliminates the reach advantage of 32" scale.

Here's the thread I did on my build. You can decide whether or not building is something you want to deal with.

Warmoth low-cost light-weight 32" scale P bass build - Done!

Excellent thanks Heaps