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Short Scale Bass Sound

M

michaelkoss

Guest
Jul 10, 2011
77
0
Oklahoma City, OK
#1
Hello, everyone! I have been learning guitar (six string electric) for the past nine months. I have also been playing around with a borrowed bass and I really like it, except for the stretches involved! I am considering buying a short scale bass but I want to know if it will sound the same (or near enough) as a standard size.

What can you tell me about the sound produced from short scale basses?

Thanks,
Michael
 
#4
Some hack player in a band called the "Rolling Stones" always played short scale. Nobody complained about his sound.

You'll sound better playing a bass you're comfortable with than one that you can't reach the notes on. The rest of the band may or may not notice the difference in the scale length of your bass. The audience will not notice or care about it if you play well. As a listener, it never mattered to me.
 
#5
Put a capo on your long scale bass at the second fret, then tune it EADG as usual. This is what a short scale bass sounds like, at least one that has the same specs as your long scale.

Fewer overtones usually, a little more thumpy, less punch. But, a good short scale can have all of those things, too.
 
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#6
The only advice I can give is to try different scales and see what you like the feel and sound of. As a guitarist of many years, with small hands, a short scale should appeal to me. But I play a standard 34" and the only shorter scale I've tried just felt and sounded wrong to me. So I'd say try different scales to see what works for you.
 
#8
I just finished building a short scale (30.75") bass. It's a neck through and sounds as big and nice as any long scale bass I've ever played. I don't miss that extra 3.25" at all. I haven't noticed any of the negatives that Jasper noted above yet. Maybe they'll pop up, but not yet.
 
#9
My band really like my short scales, and in fact, I only use a regular 34" bass when I'm in drop C. And that's only because my shorty can't quite handle dropping the tension. And the song that I did use my drop C bass for has been moved back up to D! (So yes, that bass is kinda redundant now...)

Anywho, I find shortys have a big low end and quite prominent mids when strung with nickel roundwounds. I can't comment on any other strings though. Certainly in my experience, they're not exactly slapping machines. Though perhaps some steel strings would change that?

Also, if you're looking for an inexpensive shorty, the Squire Bronco and Jaguar SS are both good choices and can be modded later to suit your developing style easily!
 
#10
Yes the listeners perhaps won't know the difference, but I never find short scale bass that I like (esp. for the sound).
I don't know why. So I keep coming back to my Fender Precisions.

But I'd be happy to play Short Scale Bass if I can find one that sounds good to me

YMMV.
 
#13
Ain't nuthin wrong with them, even though they may not be your cup of tea. With a decent quality pup(s), a good set of strings, and a good set up and intonation, they are as good as anything going.
The only thing I have noticed is they tend to be a little less tension wise (floppy) than the same string set in a 34 inch scale, which is okay with me due to arthritis. You can get .45-.105 short scales sets from D'Addario and GHS that have tension comparable to 34 inch scales if you wish.
 

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