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Short Scale Basses
- Thread starter _RHCP_
- Start date
Check out the Short Scale Club... Lots of us have em. I have 5 basses, all shorties, and I am a big guy. Some people prefer em, some do not. My Birdsong Cortobass is about the finest bass you could hope to find, and I have a couple that are just cheapos... so you can get great or not so: just like long scales...
Depends on who you are. I've tried short-scales and never liked the tone.
I've heard people who make it work, though (like Paul McCartney most famously).
One day I may try to find one I like...if possible.
I've heard people who make it work, though (like Paul McCartney most famously).
One day I may try to find one I like...if possible.
I switched from playing 34-35" scale basses to 30-31" because of the arthritis in my hands and tendinitis in my wrist. It was either that, or quit playing. Turns out I really like the short scale. It plays much faster.
I've switched between long and short scale instruments for decades. I find both to be very effective and interchangeable for my purposes. Lately I've been using my shortys more.
I have several shortys in my stable, my most recent are a Mustang RI, something I'm calling a Squender Mustonco (basically a Squier Bronco with a Fender Mustang RI neck and some other mods) and a SX 3/4 JB.
One of mine is a Gretsch Electromatic, is that the Gretsch you are referring to?
I have several shortys in my stable, my most recent are a Mustang RI, something I'm calling a Squender Mustonco (basically a Squier Bronco with a Fender Mustang RI neck and some other mods) and a SX 3/4 JB.
One of mine is a Gretsch Electromatic, is that the Gretsch you are referring to?
Happy player here of an older Mustang, a lovely newer Allen Woody Rumblekat, a beat-up 70s MIJ EB copy, and a 60s/70s era Kay EB copy - all shorties, and I love 'em all. I'm a pretty small person, and while I can get around on a standard size bass, it's not nearly as much fun, and I still get enough low end for authority with my little guys....works for me!
I have about four each standard and short scale basses. I like playing the short scale ones a lot, and as far as I'm concerned they sound every bit as good as the 34" scale instruments.
i only have 2 basses, 1 short (univox hi flier) and 1 full(fender jag). id say i play them both equally and theres really no sound difference outside of pick ups and electronics.
yes the short plays faster but i find that as far as practice and learning go its always best to stay on the full. do something good on short and you might not be able to pull it off on a full. do something good on a full and more often than not youll do ti 2 tiems better on short.
yes the short plays faster but i find that as far as practice and learning go its always best to stay on the full. do something good on short and you might not be able to pull it off on a full. do something good on a full and more often than not youll do ti 2 tiems better on short.
i like it on occasion....
have a recent squier bronco 30" scale . fun to play , sometimes......i use a pick too,
intend to improve the stock 6 pole guitar pickup with something like a vintage peavey super/ferrite soapbar. or a j-bass mity mite .
or anything else that would help with this poor , short instrument.
have a recent squier bronco 30" scale . fun to play , sometimes......i use a pick too,
intend to improve the stock 6 pole guitar pickup with something like a vintage peavey super/ferrite soapbar. or a j-bass mity mite .
or anything else that would help with this poor , short instrument.
My main basses are two Waterstone Indras, and they are short scale. I love them!
I have a Hofner Icon bass as well, which I also am quite fond of.
I sing and play bass, so short scale works best for me.
When someone else sings, I use a long scale.
I have a Hofner Icon bass as well, which I also am quite fond of.
I sing and play bass, so short scale works best for me.
When someone else sings, I use a long scale.
Switched to short scale for arthritis reasons. Wasn't keen on it at first, now I find that I'm used to it & like it a lot. It's true that at the same pitch, a shorter scale resonates differently (assuming same gauge of string, etc.) But I've come to like that.
Have three shorties at the moment : Mustang RI, SX jaguar thingy and a beatle bass copy.
They're fun. Viva short scales!
GT
Have three shorties at the moment : Mustang RI, SX jaguar thingy and a beatle bass copy.
They're fun. Viva short scales!
GT
I love my shorty. It's a 30.5" Alembic SC.
NICE bass!! Do use rounds or flats on that?
