PROS AND CONS OF 30 SCALE 4 STRING BASSES

[backplains]

Thinking of going to a 30 scale bass, probably passive, with
emg pickups. Need help in deciding. Who's the best out there besides Fender mustang?

 

[RickenBoogie]

Hofner Icon, or Contemporary.

 

[rfclef]

BIRDSONG!!!!!!

 

[honestjohnny]

BIRDSONG!!!!!!

You have to get behind Scott's vision. He really won't deviate from what he's got. But he is the best for shorties.

I'm a big fan of modifying cheap short scales, but to each his own. SX, Cort Action Jr., Stagg, Squier, Dean, Hallmark, Italia, Epiphone, all make nice inexpensive shorties that can be made really nice with a little TLC.

Whatever you get, I recommend a set of heavy gauge (.110 for the E) strings and a higher than normal action. It improves the feel, and playability of the bass immensely.

 

[banditcosmo]

If you want EMG's 30" scale Landing guitars is the way to go. He can do all kinds of configurations and will custom build you a bass.

Just disregard his old 90's style web site, don't think he spends a lot of time on it.
Link Removed


Here's my Landing fretless:

 

[honestjohnny]

+1 for Landing, too.

 

[Michael Henson]

MarloweDK seems to like his SX...and it sounds awesome with those piccolo strings on there.

 

[LSquared]

I guess one key is how much you want to spend… Are you thinking $300, or $2,000?

I’ve got a mid 60’s Hagstrom HIIB that I got off eBay and fixed up, I really like it. Also a mid/late 60’s Guild Jetstar I’ve had for 30 yrs (and is being refininshed). And a Gretsch solid-body. All are short-scale (30”), and I enjoy them all. None were particularly expensive (though I have no idea what the Guild would go for these days).
I’m sure those Lakelands and Birdsongs are dreamy, but they’re not in my budget.

Here’s the Hagstrom, before I fixed it up:

 

[jackajesusfreak]

Thinking of going to a 30 scale bass, probably passive, with
emg pickups. Need help in deciding. Who's the best out there besides Fender mustang?

I've got a short scale Ibanez for sale. Check the gear for trade forum. Search Ibanez ARTB100. Got a leather Rok Sak gig bag and 2 sets of strings. Great buy.
Jack

 

[electracoyote]

Hofner Icon, or Contemporary.

A BIG +1

This was my first long-term exposure to short-scale bass. As a guitar player, I found the scale and the Hofner incredibly fast and fun to play.