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Short Scale bass appreciation
- Thread starter MilkMan007
- Start date
I have a number of great basses. My Nordstrand "Cat" bass is a favorite wherever I bring it. Sounds great, easy to play and just plain fun.
the Cat is one of those instruments that just puts a smile on your face? What more can you ask for (other than a 5 string...)
I make my living with my basses. My Nordstrand "Cat" bass is a little killer. Easy to play, sounds great, records well.
There's a lot to like about that bass; it's a knockout. Can you tell us a little bit more?
Before I had my custom 30" 5-string built, I wanted to get my hands on something similar to feel the short scale. I discovered that Rondo Music sold Brice basses and they made a 30" 5-string. I think it was around $400 or so, and the electronics were clearly low-end but the neck wasn't bad at all. I played it on a few gigs and then returned it and ordered my custom from Stambaugh.
If you dig around on Reverb and other used markets you might find some options like this in off-brand basses.
If you dig around on Reverb and other used markets you might find some options like this in off-brand basses.
Squier Mini P does it for me. In fact, I'm taking it to the pub nite jam at the old folks home tonite.
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Like anything else? Some people love short scale basses; some people can take 'em or leave 'em; and, some people wouldn't have one on a bet... Me? Sort of... take them or leave them, I suppose. Out of 27 basses in my "Herd", 11 of them are short scales. I have one that sits out next to my practice amp in the living room, but I have a long scale one that sits out next to it, as well. A '91 MIK Rogue VB-100 violin bass, and a '73 Rick 4001...
How do short scale basses compare to long scale ones? In general, short scale basses do not have the harmonic overtones that long scale basses have. Why? Because, Physics... The common description of short scale basses, is that "they're all about the fundamental tones". With some solid body shorties - and the right strings? It's possible to get some overtones, but... you gotta work for it. It's a lot easier, to just pick up that long scale bass... Other than that? People will tell you a lot of stuff about them being light; easy to play; well balanced; etc. etc. In reality? Yeah, they can be all those things, but... I have shorties that are heavy, or are not very easy at all to play, or simply love to point their headstock at the ground... Just depends on the bass...
As for a short scale bass that's "super fun to play"? I'm very left handed, and if you want a left handed short scale bass? You'll be fishing in a fairly small pond... Out of the 11 that I own? I have a couple that are "pretty fun" - compared to the rest of them. There are... maybe 4, that are just "Fun"; as for the rest? "Just OK", to "Well, it's come up in the monthly rotation, so... here goes
"... So;
Since a)Four of mine are no longer made; b) Three of them were made for me; and c) One of them is pretty much a stinker? I'll let other, right handed people, tell you what short scale basses might suit you. Hope you find one - or more - basses you like...
Well...
Like anything else? Some people love short scale basses; some people can take 'em or leave 'em; and, some people wouldn't have one on a bet... Me? Sort of... take them or leave them, I suppose. Out of 27 basses in my "Herd", 11 of them are short scales. I have one that sits out next to my practice amp in the living room, but I have a long scale one that sits out next to it, as well. A '91 MIK Rogue VB-100 violin bass, and a '73 Rick 4001...
How do short scale basses compare to long scale ones? In general, short scale basses do not have the harmonic overtones that long scale basses have. Why? Because, Physics... The common description of short scale basses, is that "they're all about the fundamental tones". With some solid body shorties - and the right strings? It's possible to get some overtones, but... you gotta work for it. It's a lot easier, to just pick up that long scale bass... Other than that? People will tell you a lot of stuff about them being light; easy to play; well balanced; etc. etc. In reality? Yeah, they can be all those things, but... I have shorties that are heavy, or are not very easy at all to play, or simply love to point their headstock at the ground... Just depends on the bass...
As for a short scale bass that's "super fun to play"? I'm very left handed, and if you want a left handed short scale bass? You'll be fishing in a fairly small pond... Out of the 11 that I own? I have a couple that are "pretty fun" - compared to the rest of them. There are... maybe 4, that are just "Fun"; as for the rest? "Just OK", to "Well, it's come up in the monthly rotation, so... here goes
"... So;Since a)Four of mine are no longer made; b) Three of them were made for me; and c) One of them is pretty much a stinker? I'll let other, right handed people, tell you what short scale basses might suit you. Hope you find one - or more - basses you like...
it plays really well Pep, the guy who owns Retrovibe produces a lot of Frankenbasses (though I hesitate to use that word), he imports the bodies necks and some components from the East but that's where the magic starts, he carves the neck heels by hand, installs the electrics (including the best copper shielding job I've ever seen) and fits his own pickups (outsourced to Korea but wound to his own specs) mine came with Rotosound strings. It's a little belter mate and at 32" fits in perfectly for old 'uns like me.
D
I think it's also worth mentioning that many of the most popular short scale basses are cheaper models, targeted at bass players who normally play long scale but want a cheap "fun" bass. Which is fine of course, as long as you know what to expect.
With the lower tension of short scale basses the quality of the neck and the fretwork is perhaps even more important than with long scale basses. Poor fretwork can usually be sorted out but a short scale bass with a poor quality "soft" neck will NEVER be a good instrument.
You get what you pay for. If you want a GOOD short scale bass, you should be prepared to pay AT LEAST as much that would for a good quality long scale bass, and avoid the cheaper, poor quality (but still very popular) models.
With the lower tension of short scale basses the quality of the neck and the fretwork is perhaps even more important than with long scale basses. Poor fretwork can usually be sorted out but a short scale bass with a poor quality "soft" neck will NEVER be a good instrument.
You get what you pay for. If you want a GOOD short scale bass, you should be prepared to pay AT LEAST as much that would for a good quality long scale bass, and avoid the cheaper, poor quality (but still very popular) models.
Thing is these days the “cheaper” instruments have gone up in price and quality. At least the import lines from some of the bigger companies have. You can find a dud anywhere though in any price range. I think we scrutinize the macro on the high dollar. For example , neck gap, finish flaws. Personally though I would avoid the really entry level stuff imports because that indeed is usually sub-par junk. Also with tariffs kicking in we may see prices fluctuating or just going up so get ready.
If you want a nice modding platform shortscale, the Sonic Bronco Bass gets my vote.
They are super light and the neck is very comfortable and easy to play.
They are super light and the neck is very comfortable and easy to play.
I've settled on Guild Starfires and Fender Mustangs.
Also have a Reverend Dub King, another great shorty. It's a bit less friendly to my arthritic, old hands but is very well built and sounds great.
Also have a Reverend Dub King, another great shorty. It's a bit less friendly to my arthritic, old hands but is very well built and sounds great.
I've been a short scale fanatic for over a decade now, and I've tried pretty much all of them (the two most notable exceptions are the Serek short scales and the Rob Allen Mouse). For me, I love the EBMM Short Scale Stingrays. For substantially less money, the SBMM Short Scale Stingrays are pretty great as well.
I totally understand, the EBSS is what got me turned unto short scales; I got mine the first year they came out in blue with a maple fretboard, feel special knowing there were only 100 made in this color.
Short scales I've owned.
Lakland HB 30 - Never should have sold this one. Nice neck.
Ibanez Talman
Warwick Short Scale
Mini Precision Squier Short Scale
Kala acoustic/electric
Kala solid body
Schecter Banshee
Sire U5 - One of the best shorts for the money hands down. Sold because the slab body wasn't comfortable playing sitting down.
Nordstrand Acinonyx Cat - Neck pocket wasn't good.
Current Short Sale
Fender Japanese Jazz Short scale - my favorite
On the way - Kala Solid Body which is the new model with metal strings instead of the rubber type strings that were a pain with the previous ones I had.
Everyone has their own reasons to have shorties and one reason at the top of mine is arthritis on the left side of my neck. I'm 72 and most of my playing is done sitting down. Long live short scales!
Lakland HB 30 - Never should have sold this one. Nice neck.
Ibanez Talman
Warwick Short Scale
Mini Precision Squier Short Scale
Kala acoustic/electric
Kala solid body
Schecter Banshee
Sire U5 - One of the best shorts for the money hands down. Sold because the slab body wasn't comfortable playing sitting down.
Nordstrand Acinonyx Cat - Neck pocket wasn't good.
Current Short Sale
Fender Japanese Jazz Short scale - my favorite
On the way - Kala Solid Body which is the new model with metal strings instead of the rubber type strings that were a pain with the previous ones I had.
Everyone has their own reasons to have shorties and one reason at the top of mine is arthritis on the left side of my neck. I'm 72 and most of my playing is done sitting down. Long live short scales!
