Me too, but I prefer my Mustang. I like the vintage look of the Club, but I find the tone of the Mustang to be more versatile.
I also have an Epiphone EB0 and an Allen Woody:
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short scale bass recommendations
- Thread starter rylie
- Start date
I also have an Epiphone EB0 and an Allen Woody:
And now for something completely different: Mitchell short-scale. Mitchell is the GC store brand for Schecter, kind of like Squier to Fender. I have one for my travel bass for my band's annual week tour to Mexico. For @$100 the QC is good and it is amenable to mods if you are so inclined.
Regarding the Mustang PJ: I’ve got one, and love it. Rarely use the pickup selector, staying on the P side 95% of the time.
While rare, there are times when I miss the extra high fret access.
I also play a Guild Starfire II which just kills it. The thump factor is almost off the scale so to speak…
While rare, there are times when I miss the extra high fret access.
I also play a Guild Starfire II which just kills it. The thump factor is almost off the scale so to speak…
I play nothing but 30"-31" scale basses these days. I prefer rosewood fretboards and semi-hollow bodies, so it sounds like our preferences differ a bit there. That said, one relevant word of caution I can offer is the body size of the Mustang. I definitely love short scale necks, but prefer full-size bodies. A lot of short scales end up getting a smaller or slimmer body design as well, which I've found to be a deal-breaker for me. I've got lanky arms and find that the downsized bodies result in me slouching and a sharp angle bend in my right wrist when playing sitting down. So for me, Mustangs, Les Pauls, most Hofner designs, etc. are all uncomfortable. Granted, if you only play on your feet, this is a moot point. I just enjoy practicing, writing, and recording sitting down, so that accounts for a majority of my bass time (my band only plays in front of an audience once a month or so).
Kind of a rambly post, but I guess that since you're obviously used to and comfortable on a full-size precision/jazz format, I'm recommending trying out a Mustang/Musicmaster/Bronco bass (or any other small-body-design) before buying. Even if it's not the exact model, you'll get a feel for your own physical comfort on one.
Noticed no SBMM short scale basses,not mentioned? Sterling by Music Man.
Sh also mention the Acinonyx 'Cat' bass here.. Owners rave about them! -Hopefully truthfully, as I got one on order...
It’s a fantastic bass! With flats it really nails all the vintage sounds and I find the control button layout to be super easy to dial in, especially for a quick tone change between songs. 1000% recommended!
I play 34" scale basses right now, though I am rather curious about a few different short scales. As a tall, lanky person with long arms, I totally agree about the comfort issues relating to smaller bodies. And I also do much of my playing sitting down. I have wanted to like some other basses with slimmer and smaller bodies, but ergonomics seem to always become an issue.
I personally love my Marusczcyk Fender style 30" P & J Basses custom builds for around 2k each and only a 10-12 week wait for both of them.
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Short Scale Basses I've Played Extensively or Owned:
Squier Vintage Modified Mustang 2011: Sweet bass. The pickup is a bit limited, but no more so than most old-school Mustangs. Sits in a mix great and is easy to play.
Hamer Slammer short scale bass: Not the best built bass, but it sounded great with its dual humbucker pickups, and it was really fun.
Hofner Ignition Club Bass: This required a ton of setup love, but I think that Hofners have the ultimate short scale tone, due to their middy tone and their lack of sustain.
Gibson EB-0 (mid 60s): A great, great bass, but very different from most of the others. It belonged to my housemate/bandmate and I played it almost every day for over a year. Tons of low end. It favored round wound strings and a slightly dirty tone. The one I used had a Dimarzio Model One pickup, which actually probably made it less bassy, but sounded amazing.
Guild Starfire II: I loved this one. It's got everything, but it's a big bass. Not a problem for me at all, but if you're looking for small size, it may not be the one.
I've played the Player PJ Mustang many times in stores. It had a thinner, more tapered neck than I like on a Mustang, but you may like it a lot, especially if you like J necks. If what you're looking for is a smaller bass that gets P sounds, you can just plug one in and play.
Squier Vintage Modified Mustang 2011: Sweet bass. The pickup is a bit limited, but no more so than most old-school Mustangs. Sits in a mix great and is easy to play.
Hamer Slammer short scale bass: Not the best built bass, but it sounded great with its dual humbucker pickups, and it was really fun.
Hofner Ignition Club Bass: This required a ton of setup love, but I think that Hofners have the ultimate short scale tone, due to their middy tone and their lack of sustain.
Gibson EB-0 (mid 60s): A great, great bass, but very different from most of the others. It belonged to my housemate/bandmate and I played it almost every day for over a year. Tons of low end. It favored round wound strings and a slightly dirty tone. The one I used had a Dimarzio Model One pickup, which actually probably made it less bassy, but sounded amazing.
Guild Starfire II: I loved this one. It's got everything, but it's a big bass. Not a problem for me at all, but if you're looking for small size, it may not be the one.
I've played the Player PJ Mustang many times in stores. It had a thinner, more tapered neck than I like on a Mustang, but you may like it a lot, especially if you like J necks. If what you're looking for is a smaller bass that gets P sounds, you can just plug one in and play.
Try a Guild Starfire II (or other 335-bodied short scales) or a G&L Fallout. I'm also a bigger guy, but I come from guitar, so all basses feel big (although my Mustang is starting to feel a bit dinky now that it's no longer my #1).
Wow, you have the same instruments I've used extensively since they were released. What are the odds?
For the last couple of decades I've played a lot of music that traditionally uses an upright but I retired my upright for playing out due to transportation and space issues. The Hofner with nylon tapewound strings gives me a reasonable tonal substitute for my upright in those situations with much easier transportability and playability. I like the thump of the Hofner.
Very good choices already listed. Sire U5, and Sterling Short Ray are great contenders. I've played on the Sterling, and it is a super comfortable Ray, and sounds very similar to big brothers. Here's two that haven't been mentioned.
Gretsch 2220 Jr. Jet (I own this one. Very good value for money)
EHB1000S (played on one. very compact. sounded stellar)
Gretsch has some others, but they are more expensive, and there's the law of diminishing returns..... It may not be worth it generally speaking, unless you're a fan.
Gretsch 2220 Jr. Jet (I own this one. Very good value for money)
EHB1000S (played on one. very compact. sounded stellar)
Gretsch has some others, but they are more expensive, and there's the law of diminishing returns..... It may not be worth it generally speaking, unless you're a fan.
I have owned a Gretsch Junior Jet for a few years and love it. It's easily my favorite bass to play and the tone is killer. I should note that it's the original Korean-made, pre-Fender one with TV Jones-designed single pickup and the 12th fret at the top of the body -- not the later Chinese-made ones with the bridge and neck shifted up and either a non-TV Jones single pickup or dual pickups.
Yesterday, I pulled the trigger on a used Squire Bronco bass. $119 + shipping from Guitar Center. Black. Not sure of the weight but I will be content if it's around 6.5 lbs. I plan on using it as a modding platform -- saving nothing but the neck and body.
Yesterday, I pulled the trigger on a used Squire Bronco bass. $119 + shipping from Guitar Center. Black. Not sure of the weight but I will be content if it's around 6.5 lbs. I plan on using it as a modding platform -- saving nothing but the neck and body.
I've lusted after one of these for a few years. The set neck always breaks the deal for me. I'm a stickler for functionality and I like being able to easily remove a neck if ever necessary.
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I always forget about the Jr. Jet. The ones I've played have felt really nice, and when I see a band where the bass player is playing one, the low end usually has a ton of authority.
Oh absolutely. That's why I love it -- low end for days from a very compact bass that fits perfectly in a guitar case. In fact, it's just a tad shorter than my wife's Ibanez ARX400 guitar (Les Paul clone).
Heavily modded -- only the pickup, body, and neck are original. Gotoh Resolite tuners, Hipshot A bridge, string-through conversion, replacement Gretsch knobs (originally came with black plastic speed knobs), aftermarket chrome metal jack plate replaced the stock black plastic one, high end mini pots, shielded control cavity...
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I was previously advised to not apologize for posting Duesenberg Starplayer.
30.7 scale so that's the same as the Nordstrom, I believe. It was a scale used by some Italian makers years ago. 2 humbuckers, semi-hollow, light weight, very good low tone, overall a very lively bass. And super cool looking.
30.7 scale so that's the same as the Nordstrom, I believe. It was a scale used by some Italian makers years ago. 2 humbuckers, semi-hollow, light weight, very good low tone, overall a very lively bass. And super cool looking.
