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Short scale basses legitimate basses?

Opinion on short scale basses

  • Yes

    Votes: 333 72.9%

  • No

    Votes: 13 2.8%

  • I hate them

    Votes: 6 1.3%

  • I only play them

    Votes: 27 5.9%

  • I don't really care

    Votes: 52 11.4%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 26 5.7%
  • Total voters
    457
#41
40Hz said:
First things first. A belated welcome to TalkBass’ Glad you could join us. :):thumbsup:

Now to business…are short-scale basses “legitimate” instruments…

Two suggestions:

1. Why not go down to a music store and try a few out for yourself so you can form your own opinion about them? Hands-on is everything in music. Ten minutes with one in your hands will you more than ten months of reading other people’s opinions.

2. In the meantime, try to start hanging out with a more intelligent crowd of musicians than the crew you’re currently talking to. ;)
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StatesideRambler said:
Try an instrument and decide for yourself if it works for you. Some people hated my EKO violin bass (SS) in 1966; they made fun of my Greco EB copy (SS) in the early 70s; they belittled my natural finish Precision (LS) in the mid-70s; I get occasional grief about the Ibanez Musician (LS) I’ve had for 35 years. (No negativity about my JCB (LS) yet.) I enjoyed playing every one of them and even made a living at it for a time. Few of my critics could say the same. At the music stores I’ve been trying short scale instruments, given that age and arthritis, et al. are out to get me. They’re different but entirely playable with good sounds.

If you’re gonna worry about what somebody else thinks about your instrument preference then your life is gonna be a lo-o-ong slog.
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I have tried them for myself and said that I have no problem with them, they are fun and great instruments , I just prefer the longer scale. I was just asking because I was wondering what the general consensus of bass players is about these.

(Edit: thanks for the welcome!)
 
#43
Rickenbackers are 33.25"

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#46
Yup said:
I have tried them for myself and said that I have no problem with them, they are fun and great instruments , I just prefer the longer scale. I was just asking because I was wondering what the general consensus of bass players is about these.
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I think the general consensus is they’re just another bass. No different than a long scale, a five or 6-string, a bass uke, or an acoustic bass guitar. Just one more tool in the toolbox - complete with it’s own unique advantages and drawbacks.

I personally prefer a short-scale bass for things like the blues or power trios where that heavier bass vibe a shortie has really fills in the gaps and lays a solid foundation down.

They’re great instruments IMO.

 
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#50
Yup said:
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.
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I wouldn’t use them for low tuned modern metal but you’ve heard of the Beatles right?
4595D8AA-1792-4047-A22B-96064ABC6341.jpeg
 
#54
Do not worry about whether a short neck is "legitimate" or not. I don't even really understand what the word could mean in this context. "Legitimate" for what criteria? If you name rules first, and then compare a bass to those rules, then you might say that the bass is legitimate or not based on those rules...but a bass is not just generally legitimate or not.
 
#55
I just wish, I tried them before. Beside Ric (what is "3/4 from nowhere" as about scale...) I tried Epiphone and Gibson EB basses, knowing they were short scale and I always presumed, short scale basses are crap which muffled muddy sound through decently fine speakers. Than I got in troubles with my muscles (did I tell you why? Because of too much espresso!!!)... Anyway..
I've got Allen Woody thing, and I am happy like bird. Now, i am not considering Mustang in any shape or form, unless someone wants to make Status Quo Tribute band. Than, I will happily jump in it with whatever price Mustang is...
The same prejudice I have/had with semi-acoustic basses. I am still not convinced it's for me 100%. I need to find one to sound good to me.
 
#56
Yup said:
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?
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No. I move seamlessly between my Musicmaster Bass, Mustang Bass, Ps, and J. I grab whichever one floats my boat on the gig day, without worrying about specs in the slightest.
 
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#57
i was unable to play anything for a couple years but a ubass and a mikro (28.6" scale, shorter than most short scale basses), and i did have some muscle memory and fluidity problems, but that's because they were the only basses i could play. and i'm sure my muscle memory would have been worse if i hadn't played at all for two years.

i've had some bass players and guitar players tell me short scales are toys. some had only played the really low end ones - we're talking first act - but most have never played a short scale at all.
 
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#59
pcake said:
i was unable to play anything for a couple years but a ubass and a mikro (28.6" scale, shorter than most short scale basses), and i did have some muscle memory and fluidity problems, but that's because they were the only basses i could play. and i'm sure my muscle memory would have been worse if i hadn't played at all for two years.

i've had some bass players and guitar players tell me short scales are toys. they had only played the really low end ones - we're talking first act - but most have never played a short scale at all.
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First Act bass story here.
So, was over visiting folks when someone walked in with a First Act short-scale bass. Said it was crap, no good.
I asked to see it. It needed a set up really bad. I dug thru their junk drawer to find enough tools to do a down and dirty setup. Got the neck flatter, strings down, pickup heights set. Plugged it in, sounded fine to me. Amazed the onlookers. It became his favorite bass :)
 
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