Wondering what the general consensus is on short scale basses. I have met many bassists that disregard short scale basses and say they are not "real" basses. I personally have no problem with them, I just prefer the longer scale. Not to say that I wouldn't play one if a cool bass came along.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Short scale basses legitimate basses?
- Thread starter Yup
- Start date
Let’s see here
Fender Mustang, Gibson EB & SG series, Hofner 500/1
Find a few folks that played those...
Fender Mustang, Gibson EB & SG series, Hofner 500/1
Find a few folks that played those...
They're just as legit as a 34" or larger scale, but I wouldn't want to have a 5-string one, and I hate that the string selection for a SS is so sparse.
If they disregard short scale basses as "not real basses", then they haven't played one or they're incredibly narrow minded. I'm not saying they're for everyone, but they're as real a bass as any other.
I have 7 basses currently (although that varies quite often) and 4 of them are short scale. My favorite among them is the Guild Starfire II reissue.
I have 7 basses currently (although that varies quite often) and 4 of them are short scale. My favorite among them is the Guild Starfire II reissue.
As long as the part is being played correctly, I can't imagine anyone ever caring. I'm guessing the only ones that would even notice are other bassists, and if they are that naive, then I will be wasting my time talking to them anyway.
If they're not legit, I'm in gig trouble...
They are real basses (I own quite a few, 9 and 1 Mikro ranging from solid body, hollow body, semi-hollow body and ABG 4 & 5 string)
I’d be buying this beauty on sale now at Zzounds if I didn’t already have one in Honey Violin Burst...and it is very legit
Thank you
Next question
Last edited:
At 32" each, the 2 bookends seem just as real as the 36" scale in the middle.
who are these people who say that shorter scale basses are not real basses? Sound like a pretty open minded bunch.
who are these people who say that shorter scale basses are not real basses? Sound like a pretty open minded bunch.
I’ve been gigging 18” Ashborys since they came out. Sometimes three times a week. Every kind of gig. Experimental, funk, 20/21st century classical, jazz, society, gallery openings, poetry slams, etc. No one has ever questioned their legitimacy. In fact they attract a lot of positive attention from women and men.
I gigged EBOs and an EB2D only for a while in the ‘60s. 30.5”
But hey we all can’t care what others think. That line is too long.
I gigged EBOs and an EB2D only for a while in the ‘60s. 30.5”
But hey we all can’t care what others think. That line is too long.
Last edited:
what does scale length have to do with whether a bass - or any other string instrument - have to do with whether an instrument is legit? i've gigged basses from 28.6" scale to 36" scale.
there are luthiers out there who will make you a superb, world-class 30" scale bass better than anything the players you've talked to have ever tried. do any of those bass players even know there's an american fender mustang bass?
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...tang-bass-aubergine-with-rosewood-fingerboard
there are luthiers out there who will make you a superb, world-class 30" scale bass better than anything the players you've talked to have ever tried. do any of those bass players even know there's an american fender mustang bass?
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...tang-bass-aubergine-with-rosewood-fingerboard
Jack Freakin' Bruce played Gibson EB's with Cream. You can't say they aren't an instrument. I do, however, hate them.
Yeah I know it seemed rediculous to me too. I'm glad the general community here is different than the people I know. Maybe they think that because they were originally made for beginners and guitarists converting over?
who knows.
Another question. For those of you who have alot of experience with shirt scales, does playing on a short scale for a long time mess up your muscle memory on long scale basses?
who knows. Another question. For those of you who have alot of experience with shirt scales, does playing on a short scale for a long time mess up your muscle memory on long scale basses?
Yeah I know it seemed rediculous to me too. I'm glad the general community here is different than the people I know. Maybe they think that because they were originally made for beginners and guitarists converting over?
Another question. For those of you who have alot of experience with shirt scales, does playing on a short scale for a long time mess up your muscle memory on long scale basses?
A bassist came up to me at a gig and said he had recently shortened his strap, raised his bass and was finding his playing more fluid. His band mates asked, “what about your image, man?”
I was intrigued by the Gretsch Electromatic for a few weeks. Then @BlacknWhite posted a NBD a week (?) ago & re-lit the fire. GC has two of them, & I went in & gave a red one a pretty serious workout. The thing sounds really, really good. It has a lot of old school vibe to the sound, both P/U's are very useable, together or seperately. I'm well over average height, with long fingers, so playing it is hysterically easy.
I don't own any "old-school" basses, save a fretless Jazz, so I'm giving very serious consideration to getting the Gretsch. I think it would do nicely on some of the songs my cover band does.
...I'm tall...it's small...& looks like a Les Paul...maybe women will think I'm one of the guitar players...& flirt...
I'm running out of reasons to NOT buy one...
I don't own any "old-school" basses, save a fretless Jazz, so I'm giving very serious consideration to getting the Gretsch. I think it would do nicely on some of the songs my cover band does.
...I'm tall...it's small...& looks like a Les Paul...maybe women will think I'm one of the guitar players...& flirt...
I'm running out of reasons to NOT buy one...
They’re not for me. But that doesn’t mean they're not legit.
Also, I’d recommend staying away from gear “elitists”.
Also, I’d recommend staying away from gear “elitists”.
