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Searching for a Short Scale

El Diablo Rojo

El Diablo Rojo

Dec 6, 2021
1,196
7,777
Berlin, Germany
#1
So I'm on the hunt for a short scale bass...the contenders are:
Mustang
Jaguar
Les Paul Junior Tribute
Reverend Wattplower II

Price not being a factor, opinions on the 4 I listed (FWIW I'm leaning more towards the Mustang or the LP) My concern with the Jag or Mustang is that they are not going to be distinctly different from my P Bass, while the LP and Wattplower will be.
 
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#2
The JMJ version of the mustang, if that is an option for you, is one of the best I've ever played - the feel is just about perfect; the Watt is amazing but has a very tiny neck so depends on your neck preferences - high quality all around; The LP DC Jr is a big surprise, just a nice solid bass, but the pickup placement *is* a bit P-like.
 
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#3
DDXdesign said:
The JMJ version of the mustang, if that is an option for you, is one of the best I've ever played - the feel is just about perfect; the Watt is amazing but has a very tiny neck so depends on your neck preferences - high quality all around; The LP DC Jr is a big surprise, just a nice solid bass, but the pickup placement *is* a bit P-like.
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The JMJ is what I'm looking at. When you say the LP pu placement is a bit P like do you mean the tone is more P like?
 
#4
El Diablo Rojo said:
The JMJ is what I'm looking at. When you say the LP pu placement is a bit P like do you mean the tone is more P like?
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It's a different type of pickup, but it's still in that middle position so it will lean more in the P direction than gibson's other offerings with the buckers. Still worth a look, IMHO. It's a little cheaper than the JMJ and the Watt, but it does have a little of the Gibson love it or hate it juju.
 
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#5
DDXdesign said:
It's a different type of pickup, but it's still in that middle position so it will lean more in the P direction than gibson's other offerings with the buckers. Still worth a look, IMHO. It's a little cheaper than the JMJ and the Watt, but it does have a little of the Gibson love it or hate it juju.
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LOL I guess that Gibson thing is subjective on which side of the fence you fall. The only issue with JMJ is that it's on back order which could mean a week or a year in todays climate
 
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#6
I have a Mustang and a LP DC. Both have a similar tone to a P (when the Gibson is running single coil), without sounding exactly like one. The LP in humbucking mode is a beast.
I’m also very interested in the Wattplower ll. I haven’t played one yet, but given the choices you laid out, that would probably be my pick. Mainly because I’m a sucker for a humbucker in the neck position and that Rio Grande seems to have a fat warm tone but still offering a bit of clarity and bite.
 
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#7
El Diablo Rojo said:
Price not being a factor, opinions on the 4 I listed (FWIW I'm leaning more towards the Mustang or the LP) My concern with the Jag or Mustang is that they are not going to be distinctly different from my P Bass, while the LP and Wattplower will be.
Click to expand...

I spent quite a while trying to find a short scale replacement for my P bass. My Mustang PJ LE gives me what I was looking for when switched to the P pickup alone. My Jag also sounds very P like on that pickup alone but different from the Mustang PJ LE. I also have a first version Mustang PJ that sounds similar to the Jag but a bit punchier.

I tried the JMJ but I didn't like the neck so I didn't really pay that much attention to the tone.

I tried an early Wattplower in a local shop and felt it too was similar to a P bass in tone but with more highs than I wanted. I've never seen the LP in person so I can't comment on that.
 
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#9
mongo2 said:
I spent quite a while trying to find a short scale replacement for my P bass. My Mustang PJ LE that gives me what I was looking for when switched to the P pickup alone. My Jag also sounds very P like on that pickup alone but different from the Mustang PJ LE. I also have a first version Mustang PJ that sounds similar to the Jag but a bit punchier.

I tried the JMJ but I didn't like the neck so I didn't really pay that much attention to the tone.

I tried a Wattplower in a local shop and felt it too was similar to a P bass in tone but with more highs than I wanted. I've never seen the LP in person so I can't comment on that.
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Did you try the Wattplower I or II? From what I've heard on the YouTube machine the II has some very distinctive tones on the neck pu (caveat tones on the YouTube machine are basically worthless).
 
#16
Based on my search for a short scale a couple years ago, and the opinions of others, I would feel very good purchasing any of the Reverend shorties (Wattplower, Watt II, Dub King, or Sentinel). Those are just perfect instruments at a reasonable price. The Gibson is also awesome, my only gripe with it is that the Gibson logo makes it a tad overpriced for the stuff it is actually made of compared to instruments currently offered by other makers, but I guess the logo also makes it retain resale value and maybe even accrue value, sooo...

I was surprised that I didn't vibe with the Mustangs after playing several iterations, because I started my journey basically shopping for a Mustang. Ended up with a Supro Huntington.
 
#18
I had the Gibson DC and loved it. The ONLY reason I let it go was the slab body. When sitting to play it just hit the wrong nerve in my forearm and I couldn’t play for prolonged amounts of time. That aside, I wish I still had it for gigging. It sounded huge, played great and balanced just right.
 
#19
BarfanyShart said:
Based on my search for a short scale a couple years ago, and the opinions of others, I would feel very good purchasing any of the Reverend shorties (Wattplower, Watt II, Dub King, or Sentinel). Those are just perfect instruments at a reasonable price. The Gibson is also awesome, my only gripe with it is that the Gibson logo makes it a tad overpriced for the stuff it is actually made of compared to instruments currently offered by other makers, but I guess the logo also makes it retain resale value and maybe even accrue value, sooo...

I was surprised that I didn't vibe with the Mustang after playing several, because I started my journey basically shopping for a Mustang. Ended up with a Supro Huntington.
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Having owned this Gibson, it wasn’t overpriced at all. However, I bought it when it was $799 and I think now it’s $999. It was the nicest bass I’ve ever owned as far as quality fit and finish. It just “felt” good.
 
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#20
Gustopher said:
Having owned this Gibson, it wasn’t overpriced at all. However, I bought it when it was $799 and I think now it’s $999. It was the nicest bass I’ve ever owned as far as quality fit and finish. It just “felt” good.
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When those DC Juniors first came out, CME was selling an exclusive TV Yellow one for $599. I am kicking myself for not jumping on it immediately, cuz it was gone almost immediately, but I wanted to go out and play stuff before deciding.
 
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