Short Scale 5 for E to C tuning, under $1K?

[ii7-V7]

I'm looking at short scale basses and came across the Ibanez Artcore AGB205. It's a 30" 5 string. But it has a 15mm spacing. It has me intrigued but I'm interested in seeing if there are other similar offerings. I know that there are custom builders who will do this, but I'm thinking I'll have $1,000 max to spend on a bass. Anyone know of anything else on the market?

 

[ii7-V7]

Bump.

 

[bholder]

Only use for a short scale 5 I can see, I have enough trouble with B at 34". Someone posted a thread within the last week on short scale 5s, I don't recall if models other than the Ibby Artcore got mentioned though.

 

[BeerSuds]

Rondo has a couple of Brice models with 16mm spacing.
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[Matthew_84]

Any short-scale 5 string should do it...

If you want a certain string spacing, you can always get a Hipshot Type A bridge which has horizontal-adjustable saddles.

These Ibanez's may work for you:
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[shorty4life]

...If you want a certain string spacing, you can always get a Hipshot Type A bridge which has horizontal-adjustable saddles...

That that won't work if the neck isn't wide enough. I agree on the Mikro 5. I had a Fender P Jr which I'd once tuned all strings up one string higher with D'addario Chromes on it. Tension and punch were amazing! If wifey hadn't put the kibosh on buying more basses I'd be looking to do the same with a Mikro, but using LaBelle black tapes. Just make sure the neck is strong enough if one goes that route

 

[RED J]

I know you said you are looking for others, but don't dismiss the AGB. I have one E-C and it's sweet.

 

[bholder]

Any short-scale 5 string should do it...

If you want a certain string spacing, you can always get a Hipshot Type A bridge which has horizontal-adjustable saddles.

These Ibanez's may work for you:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I don't think the Hipshot A style is spacing adjustable, though it can be ordered in different spacings (just got 2 custom ordered narrower-than-usual .708 spacing). The ABM Basbridge 2000 series is spacing-adjustable, however, as are the Schaller roller bridges. If anyone knows of a spacing-adjustable piezo-capable bridge, I'd be interested...

 

[Matthew_84]

I don't think the Hipshot A style is spacing adjustable, though it can be ordered in different spacings (just got 2 custom ordered narrower-than-usual .708 spacing). The ABM Basbridge 2000 series is spacing-adjustable, however, as are the Schaller roller bridges. If anyone knows of a spacing-adjustable piezo-capable bridge, I'd be interested...

From BBG.com:
"Type A bridges feature variable string spacing adjustment and thru the body option for even greater versatility and fine intonation adjustment as well."
Hipshot Bridges - Best Bass Gear

Also, I had one of these on my Squier VM Jazz and it was fully adjustable (just like a Warwick bridge).

Also from BBG.com there is a Hipshot Type A-style Pieze bridge, but you can't adjust the spacing yourself, but you can buy different saddles for different spacing (sizes are 17mm, 18mm, 18.24mm, 19mm, and 20mm):
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No affiliation

 

[bholder]

From BBG.com:
"Type A bridges feature variable string spacing adjustment and thru the body option for even greater versatility and fine intonation adjustment as well."
Hipshot Bridges - Best Bass Gear

Also, I had one of these on my Squier VM Jazz and it was fully adjustable (just like a Warwick bridge).

Also from BBG.com there is a Hipshot Type A-style Pieze bridge, but you can't adjust the spacing yourself, but you can buy different saddles for different spacing (sizes are 17mm, 18mm, 18.24mm, 19mm, and 20mm):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

No affiliation

Ah, ok, yeah, I'm thinking of the piezo side. I forgot the others had some side-to-side adjustments.

 

[Matthew_84]

That that won't work if the neck isn't wide enough. I agree on the Mikro 5. I had a Fender P Jr which I'd once tuned all strings up one string higher with D'addario Chromes on it. Tension and punch were amazing! If wifey hadn't put the kibosh on buying more basses I'd be looking to do the same with a Mikro, but using LaBelle black tapes. Just make sure the neck is strong enough if one goes that route

That is correct about the neck and Hipshot Style A bridges... OP, if this interests you, you can usually use these to make your string spacing tighter than the designed spacing, but you typically can't use these to make the spacing wider than the designed spacing.

 

[Ric5]

Try tuning it DGCFA# instead of EADGC.

And look at the Ibanez basses ...

 

[DannyBob]

I'm looking at short scale basses and came across the Ibanez Artcore AGB205. It's a 30" 5 string. But it has a 15mm spacing. It has me intrigued but I'm interested in seeing if there are other similar offerings. I know that there are custom builders who will do this, but I'm thinking I'll have $1,000 max to spend on a bass. Anyone know of anything else on the market?

Ibanez BTB Volo looks interesting...

 

[alexlocurto]

Ibanez BTB Volo. May be slightly over 1K, not sure.

 

[ii7-V7]

I know you said you are looking for others, but don't dismiss the AGB. I have one E-C and it's sweet.

Awesome! Can you answer some questions for me?

Is it stock? Any issues adjusting to the smaller spacing? I don't slap, so I'm not worried about Spacing for that. 16.5mm is comfortable for me. Does 15mm really feel that different? How are the pickups? I've heard there are wiring issues with the Ibanez Semi-acoustics.

 

[milo]

This beauties
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[RED J]

Awesome! Can you answer some questions for me?

Is it stock? Any issues adjusting to the smaller spacing? I don't slap, so I'm not worried about Spacing for that. 16.5mm is comfortable for me. Does 15mm really feel that different? How are the pickups? I've heard there are wiring issues with the Ibanez Semi-acoustics.

"Mechanically" it's stock but I did change the pickups and wiring. I had no issues adjusting to the spacing. I regularly change between long and short scales, and this one is a totally different animal because of the wide neck, which is more of an issue to me but its is actually very comfy, with nice action.

The issue with the pickups on this model gets a little sticky, because there is no standard bass pickup of a size that fits it, and in my case I did the mod when it was still B-G tuning. All this of course doesn't mean you wont like the stock electronics. I am by nature an inveterate modder and tinkerer, like the guy down the street who never stops working on his cars, but that may not be for you.

I think it's safe to say short scale fivers are a rare and finicky beast, it took me quite some time and effort to get it dialed in. However in terms of how it played in either tuning, that was never a problem.

 

[ii7-V7]

This beauties
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I don't see the scale listed on the site? Are they short scales?

 

[ii7-V7]

"Mechanically" it's stock but I did change the pickups and wiring.

I was concerned about the odd size of the pick ups. I was afraid it would make it difficult to find something aftermarket in case I wasn't satisfied with the stock pickups. What kind of pickups did you use? Did you have to do any routing?

 

[RED J]

I head scratched for a long time. There are some soapbars that would require minimum routing, mostly squaring out the cutouts for the adjustment screws. Barts etc.
One day it dawned on me that I had a set of Peavey Super Ferrites I was saving for some down the road project, and they fit the stock covers, I hot waxed them into the covers, had to modify the "ears " just a tad and they dropped in, I put foam under them and screwed down into the center block and they are great.

The long and short is, I wanted a short scale 5 , like semi hollows and liked the AGB physically enough I was ready to hang in there until I made it work. I know that is not everybody's approach. The thing that pushed me over to E-C was a thread that discussed how putting a B string over a set of pickups changes the overall tonal dynamics of the instrument considerably. Danged if it didn't set off a light bulb moment and the tuning part of it was became even a bigger deal than the short scale to me.

Truth is that someone willing to rout could put most any rail type pickups in they wanted to, being a five with odd spacing pole pieces are a real issue. I just happen to like Super Ferrites, I had a set, and the whole thing was a colossal luck out. I have a Peavey Foundation 5 I love, and though it is my least played bass, it has B-G covered when I need it.

It's a bit of an odd duck but I'm happy to be stuck with it. New doors have opened in my playing, I wish I had strung up an E-C long ago, long or short.