Short Scale bass appreciation

[Ostie]

My collection includes Epiphone EB-0, Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat, Fender Mustang PJ, Gretsch G2220, and Hofner Ignition Club. My main player is the G2220 strung with flats. The Hofner Club has a very proprietary tone that I don’t find that useful, and the controls are confusing. The Epiphones have great necks and I like Humbuckers. The Mustang has a nice P tone and it’s light. If I was dipping my toes in the short scale pond, I would start with the G2220 with flats. They are very affordable and playable basses for the $$.

 

[prndltech]

I’ve only tried the Mustang. Had a JMJ, now I have a Nash. Lightweight, easy to play, big sound!

 

[mrperkolator]

Gretsch short-scale dual-humbucker

As deters mentions, Gretsch basses are single coil. Their really expensive hollow one may be humbuckers. But at that point, why not shift to Ibanez Artcore basses?

@MilkMan007 what is the intended use? Lots of solid basses mentioned, but short scales often have a very unique tone. Which can be what you’re looking for, or something that collects dust.

I had an Ibanez Artcore AFB200, and it sounded amazing. But it didn’t fit in the mix where I played, so it collected dust till I sold it.

Sire U5 normally is the top recommendation for fit/finish/versatility. I have a Sire V3, and I’d put it as good as much more expensive fender Jazzes. Very well made.

 

[jimmydean]

Look at the Indio Classic Jazz Bass , great tone and cost under $160.00 .

 

[bassfran]

Lakland HB30. I know I’m a broken record about these but they have a fast neck, balance quite well and great build quality. Mucho bang for buck.

 

[Five or Six]

Go play some different short scales. That's the only way to make a personal choice.

 

[TeeSee]

If it's vintage tones and looks at sub $500 prices then how about one of these two?
Squier Rascal and Epi Newport.

I also have a tricked out Bronco which I really love.

 

[eestatic]

I have a Ibanez SRMD200 SR Mezzo...and put some $90 strings on it. Smooth. Silky. Easy. Sound is actually pretty good.

 

[lug]

Sire U5.

 

[Pier_]

I've used a lot of shorties, and in the last years I settled with two Hofner (reissue 61 and reissue 62) and a Mustang JMJ. I love them, and never ever had problems with the sound.
I've used the Mustang even with roundwound strings in the past (I've had two Japan (crappy instruments... can't undestand al the fuss) and a Vintera), and always sounded perfectly, in particular playing in a mix.

I've also had a couple of Danelectro Longhorn, totally different sound, they are thin and middy, and played for years with two Ibanez Mikro (one with rounds, one with flats), and they sounded like any long scale PJ I've ever had.

also a couple of Gibson SG (again, rounds and flats) I've used on a lot of gigs and recordings for three years straight.

IMHO the real thing about short scale basses is that the vast majority of models are "60's projects" (hollow, semi-hollow, SG, Mustang...), and they were all designed to have different sounds compared to the long scales.
an SG won't sound like a Precision/Jazz, it's not designed that way, as for an Hofner.

the Mustang is similar to a Precision, and you can hear the differences mostly playing alone, but in a band mix it's difficult to tell them apart, and the Mustang is so easy to mix!

the Ibanez, even with a 28.75" scale length, sounded full and complete, like any other "big" bass, and even had a perfect slap sound with both pickups on.

I've gigged the Mikro a lot because of the super light weight and extreme comfort (it's like having a necklace, not an instrument ), and never complained about the sound.

the fun thing is that every time I gigged one of those Ibanez, both bands and soundguys told me that they didn't expect that sound from a bass so small.

I love shorties

 

[DownRound]

Hmmm...no one's mentioned the Ibanez TMB30.
Budget.
Pretty solid value.

 

[salmon256]

My top enjoyed three on my list are

1. Rascall
2. Mustang (I plan on modding my CV Mustang pickups but down the line love to give the JMJ a try.)
3. Fallout Tribute Bass by G&L

There is a lot to choose from, but in my opinion these are the most versatile for me. Also tons of Mustang different configurations, also that Sire Short scale caught my eye, and also if I had the money right now I get that Japanese Fender short scale jazz or some off brand short scale jazz personally or the Short scale Stingray... maybe one day a short scale Rickenbacker haha.

 

[manchego_eggo]

I've seen the Rascal get a few mentions here and they're good feeling and playing basses with some cool stock humbuckers, however, the overall length and "reach" is almost the same a full scale bass and they usually weight ~9lbs / 4.1kg if not more.

 

[Standalone]

The Ibanez EHB line has a shortscale four that I loved having. Great backup bass and small stage gig bass.

 

[TeeSee]

I've seen the Rascal get a few mentions here and they're good feeling and playing basses with some cool stock humbuckers, however, the overall length and "reach" is almost the same a full scale bass and they usually weight ~9lbs / 4.1kg if not more.

The Rascal sitting next to my Chinabacker has to be at least 1" longer if not more. Neck reach is not though. Mad innit?

 

[Pep]

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.

My reply might differ from others. Going from 34” scale to 30” didn’t work for me. Too much of a change. 32” scale however was a great fit!
Since they weren’t available when I made the switch,I built one from Warmoth parts, then started building my own.
If you’re interested in one I’d recommend the MTD Kingston LK4. Great bass.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

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.

Agree wholeheartedly. The Bronco necks are so comfortable to play. And the Squier CV Mustang necks had a similar feel.

I love my Musicmasters and Mustang. My short scale project Tele probably doesn't count for the OP but it does have a Bronco neck.

 

[TeeSee]

My reply might differ from others. Going from 34” scale to 30” didn’t work for me. Too much of a change. 32” scale however was a great fit!
Since they weren’t available when I made the switch,I built one from Warmoth parts, then started building my own.

Pep, did you know of a UK company Retrovibe? He makes 30" 32" scales as a speciality.

Basses – Retrovibe

 

[Junkballer]

The Fender American Performer Mustang. You get Fender Yosemite classic split single-coil, and a Yosemite Jazz Bass on the bridge. It’s perfect for me. Most gigs I use my jazz bass but some gigs go longer and this old guy needs some help. This little beauty does the job.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I've bought and sold many shorties over the years. This 32" scale Japanese Fender Shaped Object is the keeper. In the very near future it will have new tuners, new pickups, a new bridge, and a cleanup of what my tech guy says is "messy soldering." There's an active unit--that's coming out, too. (I have a morbid fear of dead batteries). When it's all done, I'll have about $800 in it. The important difference between this and my 34" scale bass? Suddenly my pinky finger is strong!