Question for you Short Scale experts

Whilst a few days ago I would have said "Go for the bronco", as I have never played an Essex, I recently had the pleasure of playing the Epiphone EB-O for the first time and I must say, after my Thunderbird arrives it will be quite hard to restrain my self from picking up one of those little EB-O basses. I've always been a Fender/Squier guy, but Epiphone is really putting out great products these days.

 

+1 on the Epi EB-0. It's all mahogany. Not a thin as a vintage Gibson EB, but not thick either. Nice neck. Weight feels about right, not too heavy certainly. The only complaint I could make is that it's prone to neck-dive, but that can be corrected with a wide enough strap. Very playable and excellent value for the price.

 

I have an SX SJB 57 3/4 and a SPB 57 3/4, both are heavily modified. Hipshot Model A Bridge and Ultralight Tuners, Dimarzio Pickups. I think they're very light relative to the full scale Precision I used to have. With the ultralight tuners, which is really the only "necessary" mod, the basses hang with an el cheapo nylon strap at about a 30-45 degree angle. The reach is much shorter to the first position, so it feels great. I recommend you get one, since they're only $100, and if you hate it you can return it. But if you love it, you can drop some new hardware and electronics in it and have a really good instrument for the cost of a new MIM Fender.

 

I have an SX shortscale J and the Squier Bronco. My Bronco is extremely light but I think the SX is better put together.

 

Man... I just got an EB-0 and it is the heaviest bass i own... Feels like it weighs a ton, (but that may just be because of how light my other basses are)... It is in pieces all over my living room, because I bought it cheap offa Craigslist just to mod: New wiring harness, 2 additional pickups, making it string through, and a new paint job (though I REALLY like the red paint it has now...)

 

I like the EB-0, but be aware that the body is plywood- might be hard to refinish.

 

The Ibanez GSRM20 is also worth consideration. I have a white one of these and choose it after playing a bronco at guitar center. Great finish, fretwork, quality for its price. Much better tonal range than a bronco by far. But be aware that the GSRM20 is 28.6" scale as opposed to the common 30" of most short scales. For me this is preferred with my short fingers.

Also, I have not found the strings to be too floppy with the shorter scale. The e string plays clean throughout the fretboard unless you really pluck it hard. Mine still has the stock strings because I want to stay with the gauge, and ibanez has not responded to my emails asking the brand/gauge the stock strings are.

I have no experience with SX's, but I do plan on buying a fretless short scale one with my tax return.

 

You can't go wrong with SX, particularly the LTD models.

 

to put my two cents in, I was looking at SS basses as well- played them all including the Epi and Mustang- hated the Epi with the pickup up against the neck- sounded awful! plus still a little too long. The Mustang was also too long- but big turnoff was the weight- way too heay. Found the Mikro online and it seemed perfect- ordered it thru GC unseen and unplayed- but have loved it since getting it. I am VERY short, 4'11", and have extremely small hands- and a bad back as well- and have had absolutely no problems with it. feels great- has good balance and weight- sounds just like it's big brothers, and has been a joy to have. Also- I just took up the bass, and guitar in general, and this had made learning a pleasure!

My SO is a pro bass player, for the last 29 years, and thought it was great as well- and he can play it very easily even though he is 6' tall...so it is very accommodating.

Hope this helps you in your decision making- if I were you, I would not buy anything til trying this one out...it's worth it, and at $170- a great value for all it has!!!

Good luck and contact me if you'd like to know anything else!

 

Just wanted to add that you will be pleased with the quality of the Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro. The electronics are clean, no crackling from the pots. The tuning machines catch a lot of criticism from reviewers, but in all honesty mine hold a tune plenty good. I still am going to swap them out for a nicer set.

Like Mirkopxichk said, if your interested in a sub 300$ short scale, try one of these out before ruling it out. Guitar center carry's them.

 

I play an SX shortscale Fretless Jazz clone. Good sound, very well put together, and light weight. I had serious plans modding it, but I like it the way that it is. Well worth $109.

 

well- just weighed it for you and it's right at 6 1/4 lbs. lightest one i've played!

 

Mine certainly isn't - it's 4 pieces of (allegedly) Mahogany.

I think the Epis of the recent past were pretty dreadful especially in terms of material variation (so older ones may well by plywood, papier mache etc.)

 

I've found the weight of the Squier Broncos to vary greatly ranging from some fairly heavy to a couple that were very light. The Bronco I eventually bought was just under 6 lbs.

 

I have the Danelectro. Nice neck, good sound, very light but the white tape peels off from the plywood body eventually.