Recommendations for a lightweight, short-scale bass

[90srockbands]

Hey everyone,

I have small hands and a small frame, and most basses are too big for me. I recently got a Danelectro Longhorn bass and form factor-wise, it's perfect. Super light, short scale, I can play it like a guitar.

Unfortunately I wasn't the biggest fan of the sound :/ I tried to like it but it put a layer through my music that didn't sound great. For reference, this is a bass sound I love. I'm under the impression it's a P bass sound, but I could be wrong! And am open to other styles that are able to do this sound.



I like that it cuts through the mix, without ever feeling too rich/heavy or drawing too much attention away from the guitars. And yet is able to play quite melodic lines and be understood under a layer of guitars, which my Danelectro struggles to do.

With that in mind, what are some basses like this, that are short scale and lightweight? For personal reasons, I would prefer not to get a Fender or Squier bass, but open to copies or other styles entirely =) Max budget is $250-750.

Any recs appreciated! Thanks!

 

[user362432]

Allen Woody Rumblekat, change bridge and tuners and you are all set.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Fender Mustang PJ…

 

[Lowendchamp]

I was going to say MIA Fender Mustang but maybe Ibanez Mikro. If I'm not playing a Fender I'm usually playing an Ibanez because I can't afford an Alembic! I do think my AP Mustang sounds downright ballsy though!

 

[GIBrat51]

Regarding your Longhorn; have you tried changing the strings? I have one - and 22 other basses as well. And, I have to say - of all the basses I own, I find the Longhorn to be the most responsive to different strings. I had 4 different brands/types of strings on it - after I got rid of the "meh" D' Addarios it came with. With every string change, it became a different bass. A Longhorn is a freakin' chameleon, tone-wise... Mine has La Bella 760FX's on it now; it gives me the vintage "Dano with flats" tone I was looking for... Try some different strings on it, before you replace it...

 

[forrestlaw]

Reverend Wattplower, perhaps?

 

[salmon256]

Just my 2 cents, I wouldn't let small hands or small body control the reason for not playing a regular scale bass for a certain tone. I'm 5'4 with very small hands but I still enjoy long scale. But if you want to stick with Short-scale that's totally fine. I personally enjoyed the Mikro Ibanez series, very light, I have a GRS200 long scale and it's pretty light for a long scale, the Mikro you can imagine then is even less. The mustangs as others said are great as well or some mini P-bass. I would look into the Ibanez and study the sound to see if you can get the tone you like or look for. Best of luck!

 

[Plectrum72]

If you want a short scale P bass that isn't Squier or Fender, you could check out Luna or SX basses. They both make short scale passive Ps.

 

[REV]

A Birdsong bass will nail that tone.

 

[commonplayer]

Reverend Dub King could fit the bill.

 

[REV]

A Birdsong bass will nail that tone. BIRDSONGGUITARS.COM

 

[Nedmundo]

Along with the other Reverends mentioned, watch for a Sentinel. It has an upper horn that places the strap button around the 12th fret, which makes it easier to reach first position when standing than with the Wattplower. Reverend uses korina wood for the bodies, which is generally light.

 

[SLPimp]

I have 2 for sale.

Bacchus WJB Mini Jazz bass with upgrades, 6.5lbs

Reverend WattPlower (EB tone) 6.75lbs.

The new Acinonyx, which I'd love to try, is around 6.5lbs.

A lot of short scales are hit or miss, but with some mods can be light.

 

[jeep]

ATTACH=full]4387041[/ATTACH] Gretsch G2202 Electromatic Jet Bass

 

[BassBrass]

Regarding your Longhorn; have you tried changing the strings? I have one - and 22 other basses as well. And, I have to say - of all the basses I own, I find the Longhorn to be the most responsive to different strings. I had 4 different brands/types of strings on it - after I got rid of the "meh" D' Addarios it came with. With every string change, it became a different bass. A Longhorn is a freakin' chameleon, tone-wise... Mine has La Bella 760FX's on it now; it gives me the vintage "Dano with flats" tone I was looking for... Try some different strings on it, before you replace it...

I agree, a Long Horn is very adjustable, you can solo the neck pu, you can roll back the treble in either pu (which tends to bring out the full-freq p.u. but different...) I use mine with nickel rounds to bring out that pronounced mid range (which cuts in recordings) and it's basic sound is comparable to my Lakland/agular 5501, of course without the piano like low B.

 

[beatmachine pro]

i have a yamaha trx17?? for sale 300
i just bought it on a whim because it played so well
dont really need it though
i can post pics if you like

 

[Mustang Surly]

I wouldn't recommend the Dub King for the OP. At minimum, I would recommend a test drive before buying one.

While mine is no boat anchor, neither would I call it "light": mine weighs in at around 9 pounds even. Also, the lower bout is about 15" wide: larger than that of a Mustang or Micro. It's a great bass which offers a broad tonal palette, but I don't think of it as a "small" shorty.

My frame of reference coming to the Dub King was Guild Starfires which, though they are shorties with narrow nuts and string spacing, also have relatively wide bodies.

 

[Bass Blender]

Don't know what your price range is but I liked the Gibson SG as far as short scales go. G&L has the Fallout bass that's short scale. They also have a Tribute series that's around $600. I have no experience with the Fallout. I've had other G&Ls & I love their basses.

 

[pingvuiini]

Ibanez Mikro basses are fun and well made for their price point.

 

[Outbush]

Schecter Banshee bass will get you a P bass on budget in the US I think.