Short scale dilemma! Help me please

[bearclaw87]

Excited to start playing bass again in Church after the pandemic. I have a Lakland 55-01 as my main bass, but as I grow older I am no longer as keen to wrestle with a full sized bass given I am a regular 5ft6 asian guy.

So looking for some advice on buying a short scale bass. Firstly, do the bass notes sound as "bassy" if that makes sense? Second, any advice on my shortlisted short scale basses (not many choices in my part of the world):

1) Sterling Ray SS4
2) Harley Benton MV-4msb with upgrades
3) Fender mustang

Thanks!

 

[mongo2]

I've been playing them out exclusively for quite a few years and I get plenty of low end from them. I use nylon tapewound strings on them so yeah, plenty of low end.

Of the three I have the Fender Mustang MIJ RI and the Mustang P/J. I tried the Squier Mustang for a while but didn't like the sound of the pickup compared to the P of the P/J

If I wanted another I'd definitely try the Harley Benton. I fact, just yesterday I was thinking of getting one.

I'm not a fan of the sound of bridge pickups so I'm not interested in the Sterling and I only use the P pickup on the P/J.

 

[CallMeAl]

Ime, short scales tend to sound bass-ier than their long scale counterparts. Some midrange is missing and they sound pretty fat.

I’ve only played the Fender on that list, (if we’re talking about the Player PJ,) and it’s a fabulous instrument. Easily a lifetime axe.

The others have a great reputation and I wouldn’t hesitate considering either for myself though, a good option if you wanna try one for less investment. I’ll also throw the Squier CV Mustang in the mix; great quality with the classic mustang pickup.

 

[rpt50]

I've used essentially the same reply for several threads like this, and I'll use it again here. As a converted guitarist and diehard "Fender guy", I automatically assumed the Mustang was for me. But once I started playing short scales, it fell way down my list (and it wasn't just QC issues either).

You mention that you don't have a lot of opportunity to try basses. Maybe just start with something cheap. I have found that my "go to" bass these days is also my cheapest bass by a long shot--a short scale Ibanez TMB30. It needed strings and a good bit of set up out of the box, but it has turned out to be a keeper for sure!

 

[TheOtherSteveM]

I have a Sterling short scale that I picked up used recently just to see if it would be a good contrast to my Fender JMJ Mustang (which is very “bassy”, especially with the flats that come stock on it). That other end of the spectrum is exactly what I got out of the Sterling. I put rounds on it and got a more aggressive, brighter sound out of it. The JMJ is where it’s at when I want something smoother and more Motown-y. I had the Mustang PJ model a couple years ago and it had a great feel & when playing only the neck pickup, it had a more P bass vibe. I just ended up not being a fan of the pickups overall and since I never used the one at the bridge, I opted to move up to the JMJ.

 

[michael_t]

I have a Lakland 55-01 as my main bass, but as I grow older I am no longer as keen to wrestle with a full sized bass given I am a regular 5ft6 asian guy...

I'm a 5'5" Asian (as in Japanese) and will be 66 in 3 wks. No problem playing 34" scale basses, although a 35" would be stretching it a bit (literally).

 

[Joe Nerve]

First things first - if you're going from a 55-01 to any of those basses, be prepared for an adjustment period. Unless you are already used to playing passive basses alongside your Lakland, it may throw you in the beginning. Passive basses sounded lifeless to me before I adjusted to the more organic sound of them, and started tweaking my amp a bit differently. The good news is once I adjusted, I fell quickly in love. Its a lot easier to find sounds that work perfectly in the mix with a passive bass than it is with an active. At least for me.

I've been playing short scales exclusively now for about 5 years. I've been through a lot of them and still own a bunch. Of the basses mentioned thus far in this thread I have a lot of experience with MIA and MIM Mustangs, the SBMM Stingray, and TMB30 mentioned.

If low end is what's most important to you, a Mustang is the clear winner. The MIM goes deeper than the MIA, but they're both great. The Stingray is my favorite (I sold all my Mustangs), but I like that funky, burpy sound more than the deeper darker ones. The TMB is a great inexpensive bass, but honestly - its a LOT thinner sounding than any of my other short scales. And I even swapped out the pickups for Geezers. That helped some, but it doesn't cut like the others.

2 suggestions before you start throwing money out the window . Start researching active short scales since you're used to the Lakland. I have an active Warwick Corvette which is equal in quality and sound to any of my active long scale basses - but SS Warwicks are real difficult to come by. There are other actives out there though that just as versatile though.

And if you're going to go for passive, check out the Nordstrand Acinonyx (the cat bass). They may cost a bit more than what you're looking to spend, but they kick butt, and for reasons unkown seem to be a lot more fun to play than other basses. They're hard to put down once you pick one up. I absolutely love mine. As do most who buy them.

Hope that helps some.

​

 

[pcake]

i loved my mustang - the tone was just what i liked, classic thump, but also highly adjustable.

i am also a fan of the ray, but IMO the mustang is more versatile.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

You sound like a good candidate for the new Epiphone Newport.
Your worries about "bassiness" ?... The sidewinder ( see: mudbucker) will fix you right up.
At 375 bucks, it should be worth checking out!

 

[lug]

Also check out the Sire U5.

 

[dalkowski]

Of the 3, I say Mustang (proud owner of the Squier CV model). Epiphone Allen Woody with flats will give you much "bassy."

(Paging @WI Short Scaler ...)

 

[DrBnz]

My impressions only:

EBMM Stingray is a VERY short scale. Meaning (to me) it is the smallest that I've owned. Almost too small if your 6'1 x 200lbs. But still a great tool to have. Ignore the push/pull knob.... I have no idea what it does either.

G&L Fallout is a short scale neck but it has the longest overall body length. Its as long as my 32" P-bass. But its passive x single G&L pickup, so a GREAT P-bass sound (better than my P-bass).

Mustangs ... it depends. My overall favorite, but I have held some that weren't so great. My #1 s/s is my American Perf Mustang - once you put LaBella flats on it. Then again .... (for me) I just prefer the sound of a short scale w flats.

But take a good look at the Squier 32" P-bass (1985 era) - roughly $1k but a little hard to find. It reduces the reach / length a skoshie, and still leaves a little space in between the frets (S/S can get tight when you get up past the 12th fret if you have fat sausage link fingers). They sound great as is ... but a little better with a Geezer EMG package in it..... and even better still if you have one w flats and the other w rounds. Which would also help me justify my collection.

 

[scuzzy]

i would search for, or commission, a medium scale 32". they sound more like a long scale than a short scale, and designed right are very compact. That being said, you can find some great short scales these days.

#1 for me would be the Gibson DC bass. Great feel, compact, and sounds wonderful.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Invalid Link Removed. 32" scale, very nice fit and finish for a $260 instrument.

 

[BassPilot]

Also check out the Sire U5.

I only play short scales basses now. The last few years of playing long scales, the muscles in my neck and shoulders would get stiff and painful. At 5’5” and 62, I ain’t getting’ any taller or more limber. Also, at my height the short scales look more appropriately proportioned for my frame (oh, color me vain…)
I’ve had a Sire U5 (PJ) for almost 2 years. I also have a SBMM Stingray, one of the new MIJ jazzes, a CNZ jazz, and a Harley Benton P. The HB has a 1 5/8 nut which after playing for a bit is just fine, though I prefer a 1 1/2” nut. For the money the HB is a pretty darn good instrument.
But the Sire U5 is the bass I always come back to. The quality of materials and craftsmanship are unparalleled at this price range and it sounds great. It’s my main player. I have an audition with a popular local band on 2/7 and the U5 is the bass I’ll bring!

 

[RGerhart]

I have a Sterling short scale that I picked up used recently just to see if it would be a good contrast to my Fender JMJ Mustang (which is very “bassy”, especially with the flats that come stock on it). That other end of the spectrum is exactly what I got out of the Sterling. I put rounds on it and got a more aggressive, brighter sound out of it. The JMJ is where it’s at when I want something smoother and more Motown-y. I had the Mustang PJ model a couple years ago and it had a great feel & when playing only the neck pickup, it had a more P bass vibe. I just ended up not being a fan of the pickups overall and since I never used the one at the bridge, I opted to move up to the JMJ.

@TheOtherSteveM do you find the JMJ to have weird balance issues, though? I uses to have a JMJ, and I loved the tone, but the bass was very neck heavy when playing standing up for me.

 

[mongo2]

I had the Mustang PJ model a couple years ago and it had a great feel & when playing only the neck pickup, it had a more P bass vibe.

I agree, my Mustang PJ LE with the ebony fingerboard using just the P pickup has the best P bass sound I've ever played and I've played a lot of P basses in the over 45 years I played them.

 

[E Joe]

That’s gonna feel great! I love playing short scale.

Aren’t Laklands all 35”?

My friend has one and when I play it I sound awful on that giant neck.

 

[Jeff K]

This doesn't help with your original choices, but if you could find a used Gibson Les Paul Jr. DC for sale, give it a try. For me, it's the best short-scale I've ever played. So much so that after selling the first one I had, I missed it so much that I bought another one.

Killer ballsy tone, and I love the placement of the single pickup (similar to a P-Bass pickup placement). Very fun and easy to play. Might be hard to find for you though, but worth trying. Not sure where you live.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Of the 3, I say Mustang (proud owner). Epiphone Allen Woody with flats will give you much "bassy."

(Paging @WI Short Scaler ...)

I'm with @dalkowski on this one. I own the same Squier Mustang that he does though we have different colors. I find it to be a joy to play and plenty versatile.

We were both owners of the Epi Allen Woody's too. I honestly don't remember if he still has his. I liked the big tone on that bass but it just hung strangely on me. It always seemed to pull to my right so my fretting hand was pulling the other way all the time. Too much work involved there. I have thrown out the possibility that I have some weird trapezoidal body shape but that has yet to be confirmed.

Mustang is my vote.