Short Scale Basses. The best thing since sliced bread?

[njones89]

Well, sliced bread isn't that great, so this thread makes sense.

 

[honestjohnny]

I totally agree.

Also, I didn't know Dusty Hill used short scales. That's cool to know!

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[delta7fred]

Do short scale basses require special strings or what?

The violin basses use 32" scale strings even though they are 30" because of the extra distance between the string anchor and the bridge.

I used D'Addario ECB81M (medium) chromes on mine.

 

[Lesfunk]

I had a German Warwick Thumb bolt on that was 30" scale . It kicked ass. It sounded just like a regular thumb bass

 

[tattooSAM]

Always stayed away from short scale basses because I'm a big guy. I also was told the fret spacing was different so it would be difficult to play.

I tried an EB-0 for the first time this year (after 26 years of avoiding SS basses) and loved the way it felt. I have purchased 2 of them in the past 6 months.

I rarely play my regular scale basses. I am looking to replace my P bass with a Jaguar because I miss the sound.I like the idea of getting the best of both worlds.

I wonder if I'll ever go back.

 

[Mustang Surly]

I would expect that the Rascal is another one that does better with medium-scale strings, in as much as it uses a "harp"-style bridge as well (left-over DeArmond Starfire parts)? But never have owned or even seen one "in the flesh, I can't state that as a categorical fact.

 

[fjadams]

Current short scales.

Applause AE-40 Bass: Natural, Factory
Daisy Rock Flower Bass: Blue, Factory
Daisy Rock Heart Bass: Red, Factory
Danelectro Longhorn: Mint Green, Factory
Epiphone Flying "V": Pelham Blue, Highly Modded, TV Jones pickups, StellarTone tone pots, blue mirror pick guard, repainted, Hipshot bridge, Tele Jack, Grover Strap Lock, all Gold Hardware.
ESP LTD B5-JR: Red: Lightly Modded, Repainted
Fender Short Scale Jazz: Blonde: Factory
Fender Rascal: Ocean Turquoise, Factory
Fender Starcaster, Cherry Burst: StellarTone, pickguard, thumbrest
Gibson Thunderbird SS: Black: StellarTone DuoTone, VBT controls
Gretsch G2224 Bass: Sunburst: StellarTone DuoTone, strung BEAD
Guild JSII: Sherwood Green, Lightly Modded
Guild Starfire: Cherry, Factory
Guild B4CE-NT: 1990, Natural, Factory
Hagstrom Futurama: 1964, Light Blue, Factory
Harmony H906: Metallic Blue, Modded
Hofner Icon: Sunburst, Factory
Ibanez Mikro: Orange Metallic, Factory
Kala U-BassSF: Mahogany, Factory
Nicola Les Paul: Blue metallic, White side & back, Modded
Nicola Telecaster Thinline: Red, Modded. Rock audio body, DC Kunkle neck. Lace pickups.
Nicola Jazzmaster: under construction
Nicola P Bass: Purple Sparkle, Modded
Nicol P Bass: Under construction.
Rogue Short Scale: Blue Factory
Squier Bronco Bass: Black, under construction.
Squier Jaguar SS: Taos Turquoise, Lightly Modded, Repaint, pickguard, pickup covers, bridge cover, StellarTone DualTone.
Squier Jaguar SS: Burgundy Mist, Highly Modded, Repaint, Lace Alumatone pickups, Stellartones, Hipshot tuners, Thru body bridge, Strat jack, Pickguard, Grover strap locks.
Squier Telecaster Thinline Bass: repainting Daphne Blue, Highly Modded
Vox Mark V: Daphne Blue, Factory

Then necks, bodies, parts for a couple more when I finish the ones now under construction.

 

[xparis001]

Wow, 5 pages and no one's mentioned the Atelier Z Baby Z.

 

[markjazzbassist]

If I was a smaller man id give a short scale a shot but at 6'2" 225 lbs I would look goofy as hell (I've tried). Guitars are even worse since they are even smaller. I'm glad the long scale and weight doesn't bother me.

The mustang by fender is sexy as hell. I love the pickup housing too, just looks so cool. Great bass.

 

[Bluebard]

Short-scale semi-hollows are sweet- they have a unique sound that you really can't get with any other kind of bass. Mellow, woody, and tubby tones with some flatwounds on - resonant in a bloomy kind of way rather than a sustain-y kind of way. Here's mine, an Ibanez Artcore AFB200. I've gotten some very retro tones out of it, reminiscent of McCartney and Phil Lesh.
Unfortunately, I have to part ways with her to fund another purchase - will have too many basses otherwise x'D

 

[cheechi]

I own a Rondo Beatle Bass clone. I borrowed for a while an SG and strung it lefty. My experience while each one was my only bass for a time.

shorter scale means less string tension. Great for some kinds of sounds. Terrible for others. Can be very full bottom end but can also be very boomy. Can be very muddy mids/upper mids & boomy higher register. In my experience they are more dependent on getting the right strings than a full scale is. You could validly say I don't know how to EQ a short scale, but in either case I think they sound better, all else equal, EQ'd differently than a full scale would.

I think that over the years a lot of the stereotypes came from valid situations. A body that was too deeply gouged can be rerouted to a smaller one. If it started as good wood it doesn't become less good if it gets smaller. But over the years who is to say that enough people started out on badly made or just plain inferior short scales that a lot of this bs is earned and not just been made up out of nowhere. Aria for example aren't remembered as a top tier brand no matter how many quality instruments they may have made.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I won't comment on sliced bread but I will say this shorty View attachment 952197 is pretty good.

I borrowed one of these for a gig; it was my introduction to Lakland. As it happens, I ended up owning a few 34" ones, but I still have a memory of being shocked at how easy the hollowbody was to play. Really nice instrument.

 

[DChalo]

You can usually get away with using long scale strings, but some people say to strictly use short-scale strings. I've read that some folks have had trouble with cutting La Bella strings to fit short scale basses. They unraveled or something. If you're worried about it, buy short scale strings. Generally though, you should be okay with normal strings.

Do they typically sell short scale bass strings at GC? Or is it something i'd have to order

 

[Tanner5382]

Do they typically sell short scale bass strings at GC? Or is it something i'd have to order

Sorry, I have no clue if GC sells them. Probably varies by location.

 

[Humbled]

Sorry to be a fly in the ointment, but they are what they are.

Less Balls.

Here's my 1975 Fender Music Master, bought from Gruhn.


..for my pre-teen kids.

 

[DChalo]

Sorry, I have no clue if GC sells them. Probably varies by location.

No problem, i'll just call in.

Sorry to be a fly in the ointment, but they are what they are.

Less Balls.

Here's my 1975 Fender Music Master, bought from Gruhn.


..for my pre-teen kids.


View attachment 952575

I don't know, you seem like one of the only ones in this entire thread with that opinion. The general vibe I'm getting is that they are just as good as regular sized basses.

Size doesn't matter, boys

 

[Tanner5382]

Sorry to be a fly in the ointment, but they are what they are.

Less Balls.

Here's my 1975 Fender Music Master, bought from Gruhn.


..for my pre-teen kids.


View attachment 952575

Well, Music Masters in particular are pretty weak sounding, but that doesn't apply to many other short scales. I do still prefer long scales though, yeah.

 

[Humbled]

...I don't know, you seem like one of the only ones in this entire thread with that opinion. The general vibe I'm getting is that they are just as good as regular sized basses...

I'm just expressing an opinion.

You can tell by the photo that I'm probably fairly clueless.

 

[Humbled]

Well, Music Masters in particular are pretty weak sounding...

Awesome. What's better?

 

[Tanner5382]

Awesome. What's better?

Since we are referring to output/balls, here are some. Whether or not they are your taste in tone, I don't know.

Pretty much any Gibson short-scale
Fender Mustangs
Various Gretsch Models
Birdsongs

There's some for starters.