Short scale basses....thumbs up? Thumbs down?

[Greenman72]

So....I've been playing bass guitar for about a month now. And as noted elsewhere, I prefer to read standard notation rather than tabs. I want to read the sheet music, think about how to finger the instrument, and make the proper sound. (I do not like tabs.)

Knowing that, I wonder if I should get a short-scale bass guitar. Here's my thinking:
Because of my limited ability, I tend to play on the first five frets. And those frets are really pretty far apart. Even though I have really big hands (fourteen keys on the piano), I prefer the frets that are closer together. They seem to be easier to play.

And when you're playing from sheet music, you can play it however you want. Contrast this with tabs, which seem to be written in such a way that don't make intuitive sense. For example, in Metallica's "Orion", one of the bass lines (as written in tabs) uses the A string, seventh fret. Then it jumps to open E, then to A string, fifth fret, then back to the E string, seventh fret. (Tell me if there's an easy way to annotate that using a keyboard.) But you can get away with using the top three frets.

So it seems to me (the guy who's been playing for a whole month now) that a short-scale bass will work better for me and my playing style. (If I were playing on frets 7-10, this wouldn't be a problem.)

BUT--I also recognize that most people play full-size basses. And if I get used to playing on the shorter neck, I'm afraid that I'd never be able to "step in" and play with the basses that most others use, because my muscle memory would be off. (And TBH, I'm also concerned that people would see the short neck and think that I'm some kind of loser. "I mean...he's playing on a child's toy.")

Thoughts? Opinions? (For the record, I'm looking into an Ibanez Mikro 5-string short scale. But I've heard that the low B-string can get really floppy and hard to control--especially on a short-scale.)

 

[Gorn]

I think you ought to stick with whatever bass you're playing now before you buy another. You're looking to purchase your way out of a problem that will solve itself with practice and time, in my opinion.

 

[Smith357]

I like them all, own them all, and play them all, 25, 28, 30, 32,and 34. Some folks only like one or two. Live and let live.

 

[Supernaute]

Why isn’t “I like both for different reasons” an option?

 

[ColdEye]

Stick with what you have and practice as stated above. On another note, I found out I am more sensitive to string spacing rather than scale. I have 2 mustang short scales and a 35" 5 string that are fine with me.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I selected the third option. You asked for the "Why?":

I am not able to stand. So, sitting down while playing is my only option. I have picked up quite a few to try them out. I have never found one to my liking which made me want to reach into my pocket and take it home.

A long time ago (when I was young and healthy) I had two 35" scale basses and a 37".

My knock against short scales is more the feel than the sound (although I have issues with the sound on a few).

 

[CoughSyrup]

Your hands will stretch and your technique will improve and the frets won't feel so far apart after a while.

 

[JRA]

i'm with @Gorn, above, but if you think a short-scale ax would suit you better: try one!

what poll respondents think isn't important, and there's no reason to be self-conscious about choices that suit you.

good luck!

 

[wavemaker]

Not saying you should do anything, but it may broaden your horizon to get together with a teacher. They will probably have a variety of basses for you to try out while taking lessons, as well.

As for my two cents on the matter: There’s nothing better about a pickup truck compared to a van, except for when it’s not solely about getting your lonesome from a to b. Would you prefer more storage for your trip? Would you prefer more seats? They will handle differently, for sure, but maybe that’s besides the point… Or maybe it isn’t, if it’s really just you and the open road.
When in doubt, it’s nice to have options.

 

[gln1955]

None of your options are correct, IMO.

I've gone to short scale basses after playing 34"ers for quite a while. They work for me, but they do present both opportunities and challenges in terms of feel and sound.

I wouldn't recommend you switching to short scale after just playing a month, but at some point go try some at a store and see how they feel and sound to you.

 

[B-Mac]

So....I've been playing bass guitar for about a month now. And as noted elsewhere, I prefer to read standard notation rather than tabs. I want to read the sheet music, think about how to finger the instrument, and make the proper sound. (I do not like tabs.)

Knowing that, I wonder if I should get a short-scale bass guitar. Here's my thinking:
Because of my limited ability, I tend to play on the first five frets. And those frets are really pretty far apart. Even though I have really big hands (fourteen keys on the piano), I prefer the frets that are closer together. They seem to be easier to play.

And when you're playing from sheet music, you can play it however you want. Contrast this with tabs, which seem to be written in such a way that don't make intuitive sense. For example, in Metallica's "Orion", one of the bass lines (as written in tabs) uses the A string, seventh fret. Then it jumps to open E, then to A string, fifth fret, then back to the E string, seventh fret. (Tell me if there's an easy way to annotate that using a keyboard.) But you can get away with using the top three frets.

So it seems to me (the guy who's been playing for a whole month now) that a short-scale bass will work better for me and my playing style. (If I were playing on frets 7-10, this wouldn't be a problem.)

BUT--I also recognize that most people play full-size basses. And if I get used to playing on the shorter neck, I'm afraid that I'd never be able to "step in" and play with the basses that most others use, because my muscle memory would be off. (And TBH, I'm also concerned that people would see the short neck and think that I'm some kind of loser. "I mean...he's playing on a child's toy.")

Thoughts? Opinions? (For the record, I'm looking into an Ibanez Mikro 5-string short scale. But I've heard that the low B-string can get really floppy and hard to control--especially on a short-scale.)

Got 124 of all kinds.
Play ‘em all.

Scale
4 35" Scale
93 34" Scale
1 33.25" Scale
12 32" Scale
1 30.75" Scale
4 30.50" Scale
5 30.25" Scale
2 30" Scale
1 28.6" Scale
1 23.78" Scale

 

[kineticdg]

None of your options are correct, IMO.

I've gone to short scale basses after playing 34"ers for quite a while. They work for me, but they do present both opportunities and challenges in terms of feel and sound.

I wouldn't recommend you switching to short scale after just playing a month, but at some point go try some at a store and see how they feel and sound to you.

Agreed, I think the premise of the question is wrong. They’re different in detail but the same in concept (i.e. you can play most bass lines equally well with either, but with ergonomic & sonic differences). The one thing that seems clear through research is that a lot of people who have developed injuries experience less pain with short scale. I’m playing short & medium exclusively, I have had so many issues with tendinitis over the years that I want to reduce my risk of injury. Please note I’m not saying that long scale causes injury, I’m just expressing an opinion formed by reading a lot of posts here on TB and from personal experience.

 

[REV]

I occasionally do studio work and I always bring at least one short scale bass with me when I record. They play differently and they speak differently. I play differently when I use them, this is unintentional on my part but that's what happens. Sometimes the producer will prefer the way I play a part on a short scale bass rather than on a full scale bass.

 

[Pings Bass]

Not for me, and technically inferior in terms of sound (shorter string at same pitch has less tension and a less pronounced overtone series). Yes I know you can compensate for the tone (e.g. with a bridge pickup on a mustang), but I have no use for a short scale's boominess and flaccid strings in general.

They're cute though, and I've toyed with getting one a few times over the years, just as a novelty.

 

[salmon256]

I have to agree with that ladder that your voting options could use more info but I understand what you mean. As for your sheet music practice, I was the same but I have to agree a short scale won't solve a thing. Don't get me wrong if you find them comfy, it will make sheet music practice better because, well you are comfy! I am a short scale lover, I'm a small guy, small hands, and I think they look awesome. I'm hoping to get a Fallout Bass soon and a Mustang. However I still can play long scales and still play them and most of my basses will be long scales. With practicing sheet music, as others said, I also felt excuse after excuse, I thought I had to get a p-bass because I was getting too distracted with my jazz tone, I also thought a short-scale would make music reading easier. It is nicer to not stretch as much or stick in a little section of the fretboard but keep with the long scale and practice sheet music with it, if you really feel it makes a difference tried some more out. Good luck. Anyway my point is I love short scale for smaller people like me and I think they are just as good, I dunno where this myth or idea that they are bad or inferior comes from...

 

[bherman]

As a newbie, especially one with large hands, I'd stick with it on the full-scale. The important thing to remember is that its ok to shift up in lower positions, ie in the first few frets I only play with my first, second, and fourth (pinky) fingers, the same way that I play double bass. If you want to use all four fingers, in my experience its better to shift your hand slightly upstring, at least in the first position (ie, index finger on the F on the E string), rather than just trying to stretch your fingers. I'ts more of a subtle movement in the wrist, shifting your hand slightly. Not sure if you are working with a teacher, if so ask them. If you have more questions about what I mean, feel free to ask.

Also good on you for starting out with notation. In the long run, it will open up so many more options for you if you can read. I too find tab to be confusing and very limiting. Stick with it - you'll get over the hump!

 

[nostatic]

My fretless Mouse (30" scale) is one of the best sounding and playing instruments I've owned - and I've owned a lot of nice instruments. I still have two 34" scale instruments, one fretted, one fretless for some gigs/uses, but most of my gigging time these days is spent on the Mouse. In fact just picked up a second one so I have a sibling backup.

Agree with others that one month into playing, frustration/discomfort, unless you have physical limitations, will be solved by deliberate practice, ideally with a good teacher who can assess and correct your technique and ergonomics. I have fairly large hands, but also tend to play 1-2-4 fingering in low registers (like on an upright) just because. Then I switch to one finger per fret when I need to.

That said, 34" being "standard" is rather arbitrary, and a bass can be anywhere between guitar (25"-ish) and upright (41"-ish) scale length. There is no "pro" length, all of them have their advantages and disadvantages, but musicians are often a conservative lot so change is bad/scary.

 

[ComesATime]

I would say my hands aren't particularly large and I'm a shorter guy, but I navigate my regular P-Bass just fine. It takes time to have the muscles stretch so certain reaches are comfortable, but that's just a matter of repetition and practice. I don't know if I would call a short-scale bass a short cut to that, but I think your preference and taste for the feel of the instrument and tone are bigger factors to consider. Good technique is essential at any scale length.

As some others have said, short-scale basses have a different style and sound. Not bad -- just different.

For me, they do sound a bit heavier on the bass side with less sustain (I believe a user above described it as less-pronounced overtones). The strings tend to have more slack. If you like the sound and it's a good fit for you, awesome. I've tried a few and I just haven't found one I've fallen for yet. I'm going to try out a JMJ bass. That's one I love the look of but want to play before purchasing.

That said, I'd also say to avoid chasing gear to make things easier or solve a problem. See if you can do it first with what's on hand and upgrade as you need to. It's served me well and saved me a hell of a lot of money. But hey, if you have the bucks, or just want to use this as an excuse to justify a purchase (my wife believed it--I'm a small guy. I need a small bass!) go for it!

Flea is like 5'5" or 5'6" and will destroy any scale length. Smaller person = smaller guitar is a common thought, but I don't put any stock in it.

 

[Killing Floor]

I love mine. It’s a great change of scenery. I have several scales of basses.

You should get one. Post pics.

 

[TheSeagoats]

I loved the left hand feel of a short scale, but my right hand hit the strings too hard so they were constantly out of tune, which I fixed by going to .50mm picks. The sound of mine wasn't the best through an amp, though through my Sansamp for recording it sounded pretty solid. It wasn't for me but my friend is loving it.