Short Scale bass appreciation

[MilkMan007]

Hey guys, what's a really solid shortscale bass that's super fun to play? I normally play longscales and I was curious how shortscales compare.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

The Starfire in my profile pic is a short scale and my #1 player. Very different feel and sound. When I play long scale basses (which I do frequently), it feels like something is missing in the low mids and lows.

 

[Geepers]

I think the answer depends on where in the $200 to $5,000 possible price range you’re thinking

 

[GwenOnBass]

Few short scales bring more fun per string than a Dano.

 

[Deleted member 407575]

Fender MIJ Junior Jazz. For me, it easily beats out the Mustang and guitar-bodied short scales in terms of ergonomics, looks, etc.

 

[ahbass2500]

G&L Fallout Bass (Tribute or U.S.) is a solid short scale. MFD pickup hits hard and coil tap switch adds versatility. Highly recommend it for anyone who wants a short scale but does not want to feel like they are playing a tiny bass.

If you are after the tiny bass feel of a short scale, then Fender Mustang JMJ is a great option. I ended up buying the Vintera Mustang and modding it instead of picking up the JMJ. Only did it because I got a solid deal on the Vintera.

 

[HoHumbucker]

I think the answer depends on where in the $200 to $5,000 possible price range you’re thinking

This TBH.
Also what style?

I really like my Sire U5 for a solid P/J.
I have more than once considered a Spector Bantam (either the 4-string at 30" or the 5-string at 32")

Lots of good choices out there.

 

[pingvuiini]

Ibanez Mikro. Great bang for the buck.

 

[BGroovy]

If you have a mid market budget, depending on pickups/tone you’re going for my faves have been:

- Fender MIJ Jazz Junior
- Nordstrand Acinonyx
- Fender JMJ Mustang
- Reverend Sentinel

 

[57pbass]

I recently acquired this Fender JMJ from Musicians Friend. I left it stock and it’s a nice instrument. Seymour Duncan pickups sound great.

 

[Hawk620]

This TBH.
Also what style?

I really like my Sire U5 for a solid P/J.
I have more than once considered a Spector Bantam (either the 4-string at 30" or the 5-string at 32")

Lots of good choices out there.

In the $500 range I would also suggest this one. Build quality is excellent for a bass in this price range. The pickups surprised me as being far better than expected. Very broad dynamic range with good electronics. Tough to find anything that doesn't say great value which tends to be true of many of the Sire basses.

 

[Iristone]

It depends on your tonal goals. Both of my short-scale basses are with a very specific tone - an EB-3 and a Höfner. I'm interested in a Bass VI or EB-6 copy in the future, too.
If you'd like an all-round short scale, I'd choose it as if I choose my long scale. I'd go with a solidbody with a versatile pickup configuration. Good choices include the Mustang Bass (single or PJ pickup), Warwick Corvette short-scale, short-scale Stingray, Hagström or Gretsch short-scale dual-humbucker, or Farida short-scale Precision or Jazz if you could find it for local sale.

 

[fretno]

The current Sterling is awesome.

 

[Bodeeni]

I really like the necks on the Squire Broncos (after a good setup). I mod the pickup and upgrade the pots. What I like is the neck size, Just beefy enough. I also like the Mustangs but not so much the neck profile. Just a personal preference.
I gig with these frequently.

 

[manchego_eggo]

sire u5 and SBMM short scale stingray are my top top 2 around 600 USD with versatility and great bang for buck

EDIT - the squier VM short scale jags are great if you can find one too and can usually be had for anywhere from 200-400 USD

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Without more information (budget/preferences) you will probably get recommendations for every single short scale bass currently for sale.

Based on my personal taste, my suggestion would be a Höfner in whatever price range you can afford. Höfners come in three tiers:

1) The cheapest Ignition series are good value and lots of fun to play, but they're not really objectively better than some Höfner clones from other brands. They are also sightly different specs/dimensions than "real" Höfners, which means original Höfner replacement parts aren't compatible.

2) The mid-priced Contemporary/CT series are VERY good instruments, but the classic Violin/Club CT models are semi-hollow rather than true hollowbodies (which isn't necessarily bad, just different). Apart from this the CT series are made to classic Höfner specs and compatible with orginal Höfner parts.

3) The German made Höfners are works of art. We're talking boutique/Custom Shop level instruments, but they're also quite expensive for basses that will be "niche" instruments for most bass players.

You should probably try one before deciding though. Höfners aren't for everyone. The narrow strings spacing in particular can be a dealbreaker for some bass players.

Oh, and personally I would only play a Höfner with the "Cavern" pickup configuration. That "middle" position pickup make Höfners so much more versatile (unless you specifically want a bridge pickup tone of course, but that's not what a Höfner is about IMO).

 

[deters]

I gave my daughter my JMJ when she started learning to play and I'm too cheap to buy myself another. The Sire U5 is nice.

 

[deters]

If you are looking for something cheap just to try out the form factor, check out a Gretsch G2220 Jr. Jet. Yes... there's a scandal about the fake hum buckers. But it is very fun to play.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I had a friend that bought a Squier Bronco Bass for his son, and it was a joy to play. I am partial to the looks of the SG bass however. They do present ergonomic challenges.

 

[Ritter667]

Danelectro Longhorn Bass, might not look like it, but they are really well build and sounds phenomenal.

Squier Paranormal Rascal Bass.

Or on a tight budget, and an even shorter scale, the 5 string Ibanez GSRM25 Mikro, tuned E to C.