short scale bass recommendations

[msb]

I have three Dano short scales . The Longhorn , mine has ancient strings and has turned into a great thumper . A single cutaway Dolphin nosed U2 . They simply moved the tailpiece towards the middle of the body and gave it a two octave fretboard , and one of the new DC short scales . They set this up like the U2 . That makes these two considerably longer that the Longhorn , they almost feel like a longer scale bass . Danos are very unique instruments , they are what they are and there are those that don’t like them . I do . They weigh next to nothing , sound great and are a lot of fun to play . I also have a couple of Gibsons and a couple of Epis . Of those my Les Paul DC Jr is easily the favourite . It might be the most enjoyable bass I own . Also picked up an SG bass but I do prefer the Jr . I also have a Rumblekat and a Flying V . (guilty pleasure) There’s also a vintage Hofner and an Eastwood Classic IV along with a recently purchased Squier Bass VI . I put in a lot of time on the Squier .
I have an interesting mix of solid and hollow body short scales , and the usual assortment of classic long scales . I mostly use short scales these days . And after being a Pbass guy for so many years I seem to play just about anything but these days .

 

[Paul Squire]

I've had my Tiny Boy bass for a few weeks now. Really liking it. 23" scale, steel roundwound strings. Good tension, good definition. They make J & P models, 4 & 5 string, and a fretless with flats. The magic is in the strings, hand-made by an Italian orchestral string manufacturer.

 

[Hornet Mikey]

The Fender JMJ is great. My favorite is my Sandberg Lionel, followed closely by my Serek Grand. Also recommend the Nordy Cat bass. Sounds so great, I’ll be selling a recently purchased med-scale Serek Lincoln!

Surprised at how few mentions for Sandberg. I've just taken delivery of a California short active Jazz (TT). I have a S/S Sterling Ray, and although great I found it tonally a bit one-dimensional, and I wanted a 'quality' main guitar. The Sandberg is fabulous, with a ridiculously wide range of sounds, and build quality is impeccable. It is a bit heavier than I would have liked, but perfectly balanced (I should maybe have gone for the Pawlonia version except that would have meant a 12 month wait)

The Ray SS is now backup; EB Stingray, Fenders Jazz and Precision are now under the bed to appreciate in value!

 

[spufman]

My Sandberg Lionel is about as solid as basses come. Sounds and plays great, with a shockingly stout E. Like yours, mine is deceptively heavy considering the size, but I can't argue with the sonics, balance or playability. Looks great, too!

 

[maddogsauce]

Sandberg California VS4 Lionel 30″ Short Scale Bass, Roasted Maple Neck 2020 Matte Black, Soft Aged https://reverb.com/item/47661991?ut...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=47661991

Great deal on a Sandberg here

 

[spufman]

That is a GREAT deal on the Lionel. Listed on fb Marketplace, too. I'd be all over it if I didn't already have one (delivered almost exactly a year ago).

 

[Kaa]

If you are into it, you could always roll your own with a Warmoth short scale.

 

[leftybass54]

I have a gretsch junior jet 2220 and have no real complaints. Awesome instrument for the price. A lot of tonal variety with the dual mini hummers.

Sigh..... wish they made a lefty version.

 

[bassbully]

Danos are sweet but see if you can dig up Squier vista shortscale.

 

[Djadja]

I'm surprised at so few mentions of the short scale Stingrays, both Sterling for a lower price point and Ernie Ball for higher. I have one of each with the Sterling defretted. I love them both.
For a Fender style, I'd look at the Sire U5 (also surprised at how few mentions) for the lower price point and the Sandberg for the higher. That Lionel really tickles my GAS...

 

[Lesfunk]

I'm surprised at so few mentions of the short scale Stingrays, both Sterling for a lower price point and Ernie Ball for higher. I have one of each with the Sterling defretted. I love them both.
For a Fender style, I'd look at the Sire U5 (also surprised at how few mentions) for the lower price point and the Sandberg for the higher. That Lionel really tickles my GAS...

I must agree with you here.
I sold my SBMM to try a Sire U5 and I haven’t decided if I did the right thing yet.
They’re both nice basses, but I’m kind of missing that little stingray.

 

[Kevin Doyle]

I bought a Schecter Banshee. Its a good bass construction wise. Fit and finish was also really good for the $699 price. The pickups were not so great. So I replaced with my standby EMG Butler P's. Now it's all the bass and then some !!!! However nothing and I mean nothing compares to my Lakland HB30. Best jazz sound around.

Hey Eric, do the EMG geezers drop rate in to the schecter? I’m nervous about doing the pick up switch myself but I definitely need to learn to do these things.

 

[Planetguitar]

My daughter plays cello and has petite hands. I was forced to purchase a high-end short scale that plays amazing and sounds huge. In this case it is a Form Factor Wombat 4 str

 

[leftybass54]

Maple fingerboard kinda limits the field a little.

Normally I'd recommend the Fender JMJ Mustang, but it doesn't have a maple board.

If maple is a necessity, I'd go with maybe a G&L Fallout bass. Or if you don't mind spending a lot more, a good and trendy option is a custom build from Serek.

If a maple neck is a must, some cheaper options ($200-280) are Rondo Music's SX Ursa medium- and short-scale scale basses. Nice fit and finish, solidly built, J- or P-styles in a smaller-scale package. And mod-able if you wish.

 

[Greywoulf]

If a maple neck is a must, some cheaper options ($200-280) are Rondo Music's SX Ursa medium- and short-scale scale basses. Nice fit and finish, solidly built, J- or P-styles in a smaller-scale package. And mod-able if you wish.

The OP described a liking for the Mustang's appearance and specs. . Well I have a Squier CV60 Mustang and it is a comfortable, lightweight, short scale with a great neck and wonderful old-school tones (using LaBella MUS flats).
(IMHO...)
{Plus the middle range price tag ain't too bad to take either...}

 

[Planetguitar]

Since my daughter goes to conservatory/university for cello ( with a 7/8 size cello) next year, it was paramount to purchase a short scale bass that plays in a way that does not screw up her cello hand.

This action is 1.25mm across A D and G and E at 1.5mm. Maple neck, fret wood is Wenge. Lollar pickups, Bartolini Preamp and electronics.

View attachment 4601626 View attachment 4601627 My daughter plays cello and has petite hands. I was forced to purchase a high-end short scale that plays amazing and sounds huge. In this case it is a Form Factor Wombat 4 strView attachment 4601626 View attachment 4601627

 

[leftybass54]

Danos are sweet but see if you can dig up Squier vista shortscale.

Sigh..... wish they made a lefty version.

 

[Bassiclees]

1. Ibanez GSRM25 is a five string passive Jazz and the most comfortable bass in the history. Feels weightless and absolutely pounds. Was going to drop some humbuckers in but stock- strings, pickups, everything... Is just great. The five string in the miKro line is a dual Jazz setup as opposed to the four string which is a PJ. Can't say enough good things about that instrument.
2. My pink Bronco with a humbucking rail is nimble and growly and... Pink! Again, great ergonomics but unfinished neck and not as compact as the miKro.
3. The Squier mini Precision I built and dropped a DiMarzio pickup, kickass bridge, Hipshot tuners and flats on is as good as a Precision as I've ever played. Good flats over DiMarzio's is a wonderful combo. Ultra light.
4. My player Mustang PJ took a ton of work and patience to adapt to. For recording is now my go-to but it took money and instrument time to get there whereas the above three were ready to rock once setup.

Good luck! Shorts rule, it's all about comfort and joy for me provided sound and character is established.