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Short Scale Bass with Narrow Bridge Spacing

GeoKinetic

GeoKinetic

Feb 20, 2017
164
147
Sydney, Australia
#1
Hey everyone. I'm after a new short scale and was hoping for some recommendations. I'm after a solid body short scale with narrow string spacing at the bridge (sub 18mm) and preferably a wide nut (P bass size). I've got a list going so far but wanted to ask in case I've missed something. Looking for stuff that's currently in production, being in Aus means it's hard to find used stuff that's a bit left field. Also not really keen on custom / boutique stuff but if I have trouble finding something I could change my mind.

Basses I know of:
- Squier Bronco Bass (narrow nut)
- Squier CV Mustang bass (narrow nut)
- Fender vintera / JMJ / american performer mustang
- Gibson les paul DC bass
- Gibson SG bass (got one, sound isn't for me)
- Nordstrand Acinonyx (ultra narrow nut)

Boutique / custom options:
- Maruszcyk
- Serek
 
#4
My Gretsch G2220 II has a nut of 40mm and total string spread at the bridge is 56.5mm. 12th fret is 55.5mm and 22mm depth. Slim neck and wonderfully easy to play. This is a fine bass, my favourite neck ever. Sounds good too.
 
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#5
andyjevans said:
My Gretsch G2220 II has a nut of 40mm and total string spread at the bridge is 56.5mm. 12th fret is 55.5mm and 22mm depth. Slim neck and wonderfully easy to play. This is a fine bass, my favourite neck ever. Sounds good too.
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This whole time I thought they had a narrow nut. Looks like I was right about the bridge spacing being 19mm though. I'll keep it in mind in any case.
 
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#9
Maybe the new SBMM StringRay Short Scale? I think the nut is 1.5", not sure on the bridge. Maybe the Chowny SWB-1? Not sure on its measurements. My other thoughts would have been the Ibanez Mezzo 32" and TMB30 but both have 19mm string spacing at the bridge. Maybe the 5 string versions of the Mezzo (SRMD205) and TMB (35). Even the Mikro is 19 at the bridge.
 
#15
GeoKinetic said:
I think, custom or not, if I want to buy something from overseas I definitely have to wait for our dollar to go back to where it was before. It's ridiculous otherwise
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Tell me about it. I want a Keisel Vader 6 but with the options I want, it'll be close to $A3500 in my hands, and it's a very modest build spec.
I think my Ibanez SR706 might just get a set of new pickups at best in it's place.
 
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#16
A9X said:
Maybe so, but something non Australians need to consider when suggesting is that $A1 = $US0.61 then add shipping and 10% GST on top of the total. It starts getting expensive fast.
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True. They aren't cheap and I didn't take geography into account. But it is on the list and no budget was given. Even with price I stand by it if OP is looking for a top of the line shorty that's to his specs and doesn't feel like a toy. Fantastic bass and you get everything you pay for. Jake will build it the way you want it and you'll have a lifetime bass rather than chasing the dragon and buying 2 or 3 others that will most likely never fully satisfy. I've learned that lesson the hard way too many times over the years and spent way too much money on instruments that were "close" to what I was after instead of getting the real deal. In the end it really comes down to what the OP wants to get out of it and is going to use it for. If it doesn't fit the budget then it doesn't fit the budget but the recommendation for the OP to get the specifics he's after stands and you'd be hard pressed to do better IME.

Second go to would be the JMJ Mustang and after that maybe a Supro Huntington that has a slightly wider nut than the JMJ. Supros are fun to play but I think the build quality is better on the JMJ's. Never played a Maruszcyk but they look like a quality instrument.
 
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#17
Here's a great video detailing one of his builds. Whether buying one or not it's cool to watch and to see how much care and passion there is behind each build.



I'm sure that gap between the the AUS and the USD will narrow sooner than later with our entire economy headed for the toilet.

Here's the one Jake built for me.

Screen Shot 2020-01-08 at 1.26.34 AM.png
 
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#19
Worth looking into vintage Aria basses.
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I have 2 TSB350 that I love, especially because of their hard to find specs for 4 stringers: medium scale (32 or 33" I think), around 16mm string spacing at the bridge and a wide nut (45mm on mine).
Maybe they pop up from time to time in your neck of the woods, worth checking one out IMHO.
 

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