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Short Scale Comparison

Discussion in 'Ask Justin Meldal-Johnsen' started by cabcreaser, Apr 20, 2012.

  1. Apr 20, 2012 #1
    cabcreaser

    cabcreaser Supporting Member

    Feb 12, 2005
    As someone with experience with so many shortscale hollow and semihollow basses, I think it might be helpful if you compared and contrasted the tones you could get with the different basses and where they overlap if in any place they do.

    Thanks for all the communication!
     
  2. Apr 21, 2012 #2
    jmjbassplayer

    jmjbassplayer Justin Meldal-Johnsen Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 25, 2005
    Well, here's an idea of it:

    Guild Starfire Reissue: rubbery, but very deep and rich fundamental. Nice click to the sound, good sustain.

    Guild Starfire '66: similar, but less bottom and less top.

    Vox Cougar: super bright pick attack, useful but tucked midrange, big bottom. NO sustain - which comes in handy. :)

    Hofner President: woody, rich sound. Very little sustain, pleasing brightness, huge bottom.

    Hofner Club: Similar, actually, but with a cleaner sound and an even bigger low end.

    Hofner Verythin: Similar, but less lows, and a very gnarly upper midrange. Agressive, medium sustain.

    Epiphone Jack Cassidy: a rocking kind of sound. Not super intimate, lots of sustain, kinda modern sounding without tons of midrange subtleties.

    Eko Violin: deep bottom, relatively low gain, very sweet but soft top. Minimal sustain. super useful.

    I have more, but don't have time to write more....:)

    JMJ
     
  3. Apr 21, 2012 #3
    cabcreaser

    cabcreaser Supporting Member

    Feb 12, 2005
    Thanks so much, that helps me tremendously. As I watch the classifieds and eBay, this helps organize and prioritize my gas.
     
  4. Apr 21, 2012 #4
    SBassman

    SBassman

    Jun 8, 2003
    Northeast, US
    There is a short scale mega thread that will be a big help.

    These days, pound for pound, I think the best deal on the market is - the Squier Jaguar SS.

    [I secretly believe it is a marketing experiment. :) It's Shocking how much bass you get for the price of the SS.]
     
  5. Apr 22, 2012 #5
    cabcreaser

    cabcreaser Supporting Member

    Feb 12, 2005
    Thanks for the tip, but I was specifically curious about the hollow and semihollow short scales in Justin's collection which is why i posted here instead. He owns and uses more than the average player and his experience with these things was what I was targeting and i greatly appreciate his response. I have no doubt the jag is a bargain though.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2012 #6
    KeithPoker

    KeithPoker

    Apr 18, 2011
    Santa Monica Beach, CA
    These are very interesting! I have a Hofner 58 RI that seems to have less clarity and more lows than the vintage counterparts. JMJ, what differences do you find sonically between vintage Hofners and German-made reissues?
     
  7. Apr 25, 2012 #7
    jmjbassplayer

    jmjbassplayer Justin Meldal-Johnsen Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 25, 2005
    I find the vintage ones are just less smooth, more clunky and interesting tonally . The midrange has "matured" into something special.
     
  8. Apr 26, 2012 #8
    Dan Bozek

    Dan Bozek

    Aug 3, 2011
    Pittsburgh, PA
    +1 Some of the new Hofner instruments that I've picked up in shops are just too nice. One of the main appeals of an old Hofner is that it is SUPPOSED to be clunky and quirky (at least in my opinion.)