I see where Fender Japan is now making a 30” short scale bass , what is the word on these instruments? I have been for a short scale jazz bass and I feel like maybe my search is over
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MIJ Fender jazz bass junior
- Thread starter Toadmon
- Start date
If I were seeking a 30” scale J bass, I’d buy Warmoth parts and put it together. Better quality
I learned about them through this message board and I bought one in February 2024 from a Japanese store on eBay. I love it and it did end my short-scale search, which had been through 3-5 other basses. It was not perfect, but it was and is very good. There is a "club" here on TB, search for it and you will find many happy customers.
Do you play it exclusively? If not, is it easy to go from full scale to short scale, and then back again? I have aways been intrigued by the short scale basses, just for home use, sitting down playing.
I'd love to try one of these sometime but recently got the new Cort GB short scale which has a variety of useful tones and weighed in at 7 lbs for my aching back
Low End Lobster 
just did a video review of this bass, check it out!
Switching scale lengths is not much of a problem. Those of us who play both upright and electric do it regularly!
just did a video review of this bass, check it out! Switching scale lengths is not much of a problem. Those of us who play both upright and electric do it regularly!
Low End Lobster
First thing I thought when I saw the post - link below if interested:
I just got one (here on TB), and I am really enjoying it. The feel of the finish... *chef's kiss*
No shade, but I thought the same thing, too. Then I added up the items needed for a short scale Jazz build. Even going the cheaper route on the Warmoth parts (poplar body, no paint, simple neck w/o binding or blocks, etc.), the total was close to $800. For parts. Unfinished. And that's assuming one could paint the body, wire the pickups, and do the rest of the assembly on your own.
Better body wood plus a nicer neck ups the ante, probably to over $1k. Would the nicer Warmoth parts be worth it? Dunno, maybe. I do know that the Fender will hold its value better down the road, and a $1000 Warmoth parts bass is still a parts bass. I realize that's not important for everybody, but still...food for thought.
big fan of short scales but i think this one is just too dinky for me with the scaled down body.
Hi @jnewmark -
No, not exclusively. I have 3 basses - 2 full-scale and the 1 short-scale Junior Collection Jazz Bass. I find it very easy to switch between. My brain and fingers seem to do the work without any "extra" thought from me. I don't think either one is better. I like the short-scale for gigs with cramped stages, or long/tough load-ins, or long gigs. Maybe try some shorts vs. longs in a store and see how it feels to you when you switch.
Someone above said that this short scale is possibly too small / "dinky". Allow me to respectfully disagree, at least when comparing to the Mustang bass body shape, which I think is one of the most popular short scales. The Junior Jazz body seems/feels/looks bigger than the Mustang body, although I haven't taken measurements. Visually, for me, the Mustang is instantly identifiable as short-scale, whereas with the Junior Jazz you may have to do a double-take. Sitting down or standing, it also feels closer to a "real" bass to me, I'm not sure why. I love Mustangs but I don't see why I would ever buy another as long as I have this.
When I would play my Junior Jazz, no one knew it was a short scale unless it was on a rack next to other basses. The scaled down body smartly works to fit the shorter neck.
But you’re right. Even scaled down a bit, the Junior Jazz body is still bigger than a Mustang. It still has the big booty of a Jazz bass.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-mij-junior-collection-jazz-bass-club.1619568/
Be nice if they made a Junior Precision
Be nice if they made a Junior Precision
