Short scale bass vs. 34" scale

[EpicSoundtracks]

Anyone ever tried to use a neck like a warmoth baritone and make it into a short scale?

that will get you a REALLY short scale bass!

i've built a bari with USACG parts (as well as the Bass VI clone mentioned above), and the bari neck will only work with a 28 5/8" scale.

here's a pic of my VI clone for those who are interested:

USACG + Bill Lawrence. I was playing it last night, and it's a JOY to play. Sounds killer on tape too.

 

[jrfrond]

For the record, Jay Turser and Eastwood guitars are of the same the same pedigree, i.e. the same manufacturer.

The Hofner Contemporary Beatle Bass is REALLY nice, but for solidbodies, the new Mustang Bass is just super. Lots of tone and easy to play. I would just string it up with slightly heavier strings for a bit more tension.

I've modded my son's Squier Bronco, and it's not half-bad either, once you get the stock Strat pickup out of there!

 

[lousybassist]

here's a pic of my VI clone for those who are interested:

USACG + Bill Lawrence. I was playing it last night, and it's a JOY to play. Sounds killer on tape too.

Very nice. Not sure if a bass guitar could look much better than that. I think I need a Bass VI...

 

[EpicSoundtracks]

Very nice. Not sure if a bass guitar could look much better than that. I think I need a Bass VI...

there is no think, only do.

 

[lousybassist]

there is no think, only do.

Oh, I'm painfully aware of that. And as soon as I get some other investments out of the way, I'll start saving up for a Bass VI. In the meantime, my Jaguar Bass VI does the trick quite nicely, only with a shorter neck and without a vibrato bridge.

 

[EpicSoundtracks]

Oh, I'm painfully aware of that. And as soon as I get some other investments out of the way, I'll start saving up for a Bass VI. In the meantime, my Jaguar Bass VI does the trick quite nicely, only with a shorter neck and without a vibrato bridge.

Those Jags are pretty cool, altho they don't have the same scale length as the "actual" VI.

the Schecter Hellcat bari is a well-made alternative to the increasingly pricy VI reissues.

 

[Sammy Camden]

I keep reading all sorts of comments about how you lose tone, you lose string tension, you lose, you lose, you lose. Well, at the risk of really running against the current here, I have to disagree to a very large extent.

I own 5 short scale basses. Two of them are customs built by James Basses. The other three are off the shelf, Epiphone, Fender, and SX. I played Fender P-Basses for years, got my first one in 1962. I've owned and played many, many other 34" scale basses over the years. I'll put my two James Basses up against any one of them for tone, clarity, depth, and even tension. I use Tomastik short scale flats on my fretted one and Rotosound tapewounds on my fretless. These basses are beautiful to play, listen to, and to look at. And they didn't break the bank either.

As for the other three! Well, if you run the right strings on them, work with your amps EQ carefully, they can also come through with enough thunder, clear and deep, for anyone.

Sorry, my experience tells me that you don't lose with a short scale. In fact, for a some of us, we gain. I did; comfort in playing (I suffer from some pretty bad arthritis), lower weight (helps the back), and kept the quality in sound I always loved from my P-Basses.

No offense, but I respectfully disagree with all of the short scale nay sayers.

 

[A9X]

I keep reading all sorts of comments about how you lose tone, you lose string tension, you lose, you lose, you lose. Well, at the risk of really running against the current here, I have to disagree to a very large extent.

I laughed when I read some of the other comments. Neither of my Alemics sound the least bit tubby or lacking in harmonic structure.

My OLP MM5 is pretty nice for what it is and what it cost too.

 

[cnltb]

...so my Ashbory is "reallyshort" scale then, right??

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

I keep reading all sorts of comments about how you lose tone, you lose string tension, you lose, you lose, you lose. Well, at the risk of really running against the current here, I have to disagree to a very large extent.

I own 5 short scale basses. Two of them are customs built by James Basses. The other three are off the shelf, Epiphone, Fender, and SX. I played Fender P-Basses for years, got my first one in 1962. I've owned and played many, many other 34" scale basses over the years. I'll put my two James Basses up against any one of them for tone, clarity, depth, and even tension. I use Tomastik short scale flats on my fretted one and Rotosound tapewounds on my fretless. These basses are beautiful to play, listen to, and to look at. And they didn't break the bank either.

As for the other three! Well, if you run the right strings on them, work with your amps EQ carefully, they can also come through with enough thunder, clear and deep, for anyone.

Sorry, my experience tells me that you don't lose with a short scale. In fact, for a some of us, we gain. I did; comfort in playing (I suffer from some pretty bad arthritis), lower weight (helps the back), and kept the quality in sound I always loved from my P-Basses.

No offense, but I respectfully disagree with all of the short scale nay sayers.

Love to see some pics of those James basses!

 

[acleex38]

Love to see some pics of those James basses!

Me too. I'm a huge Birdsong fan, and I know that when someone calls Scott at Birdsong and they want something shortscale that he doesn't/won't build, the first place he sends them is James. I've heard nothing but glowing things and the stuff I've seen online has looked pretty cool too.

 

[pbass2]

:No offense, but I respectfully disagree with all of the short scale nay sayers.

Right on! I often find my Longhorn or other ss bass ends up sounding "bigger" in a recording than my 34" basses! They can really jump out of a mix and be VERY clear and defined.

 

[Sammy Camden]

Funny you should mention Birdsong, I actually started with him after I'd emailed 7 or 8 custom builders about making me a nice short scale. Most didn't even bother to respond to my inquiries. Other than Birdsong, the others said no. So, I called and emailed Birdsong a number of times. To make a long story short, he turned me down on what I wanted. He makes nice stuff, but, he's extremely adamant about the way he'll build it and just how far he'll change from his formula. He recommended Greg (the owner) at James Basses. So, I contacted Greg, and as they say, the rest is history.

My two James Basses are flat out the best bass instruments I've ever owned. I can't recommend Greg enough. He makes short, long, or anything else you want. Trust me, if you come up with something that's unworkable, he'll balk and tell you so. However, he's always open to new ideas and is more than willing to work with you. He's also, unlike many custom builders from what I've read, very much into communication with his customers. You'll be provided pics and info of your new creation all the way from the raw wood pieces to the finished product.

I'll see if I can borrow my daughter's digital camera and post some pic's of my two little bass jewels.

One of them, the fretted, is actually posted on his web-site. It's a short scale "Eden", with a bloodwood top, EMG DC35 pickups, and rosewood fretboard. There are two pics of it shown. The headstock is a 3+1.

My fretless has a highly figured black corina top with the dove cutout and bloodwood inserted in the bottom of the cutout. The fretboard is ebony with no lines on the face. It has lines on the side for each fret position and dots on the appropriate lines (3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.). The headstock is a 2+2 and the hardware, all Hipshot, is brushed aluminum style. It's also active bass.

If you're at all interested in a great custome built bass, short scale or long scale, for great price, give Greg a call.

 

[Sammy Camden]

UPDATE: I just checked out Greg's (James Basses) web-site, and right after the pic's of my fretted, are some pic's of my fretless. So have a ball and check 'em out. Wow, both of my basses are internet celebritys. HA! HA!

 

[glivanos]

I just picked one up and love it.

Short scale and single coil pick-up. Sounds great and plays great.

They go for about $400-$500 on eBay depending on age and condition.

Hate to resurect an "Old Thread" but... my 9 yr old daughter is looking to follow in daddy's footsteps and play bass hyper. I have been looking at Ebay and at GC for Short Scale Basses. I am hoping that she will not just play it for a couple of weeks then just forget it, so... I'd rather not spend a whole lot. Say... $250 and under *if* possible?


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Anybody have any other links to check out?

 

[A9X]

UPDATE: I just checked out Greg's (James Basses) web-site, and right after the pic's of my fretted, are some pic's of my fretless. So have a ball and check 'em out. Wow, both of my basses are internet celebritys. HA! HA!

Sweet basses, especially the fretted.

 

[bkbirge]

Other options: Danelectro Longhorn, Squier Musicmaster or old 'vintage' fender musicmaster. Those should all be around the $$ range you want. For my daughter I'd probably look for a good used short scale on ebay, one that is either a really good deal or will hold it's value in case she loses interest.

 

[acleex38]

Funny you should mention Birdsong, I actually started with him after I'd emailed 7 or 8 custom builders about making me a nice short scale. Most didn't even bother to respond to my inquiries. Other than Birdsong, the others said no. So, I called and emailed Birdsong a number of times. To make a long story short, he turned me down on what I wanted. He makes nice stuff, but, he's extremely adamant about the way he'll build it and just how far he'll change from his formula. He recommended Greg (the owner) at James Basses. So, I contacted Greg, and as they say, the rest is history.

Yeah, Scott has had to start refusing even most one-off jobs that ARE within his range of "willingness to build" (ie "no more Cortocustoms). I like that he sticks with what he likes and what he feels he can do well - fortunately for me, it's also what I want too. But he'll be the first to acknowledge - it isn't for everyone.

Your James basses are gorgeous. Thanks for pointing out which ones were yours.

 

[A9X]

Your James basses are gorgeous. Thanks for pointing out which ones were yours.

I wish he hadn't, even though I like looking at them. Just had my first GAS twinge in ages.

 

[lousybassist]

Those Jags are pretty cool, altho they don't have the same scale length as the "actual" VI.

They are cool, but I seem to have trouble intonating the low E string on mine properly (there's not enough travel room for the bridge saddle). I guess that a skilled technician could help aleviate this problem, but I haven't got round to talking to one yet. But despite this issue, the Jaguar Bass VI is one of my favourite instruments - I couldn't speak more highly of the neck. It's just lovely.

the Schecter Hellcat bari is a well-made alternative to the increasingly pricy VI reissues.

I've had my eyes on those, and they are tempting. If they had a tremolo, there would probably be one in my posession already, but since they don't, I think I'll keep saving up for a Fender instead. (also, I like the looks of the Fender VI a wee bit better than those of the Schecter...)