I too will sidestep your shortlist and recommend the Rondo SX Medium scale or Short scale Jazz Bass. I own alot of mid level production basses ( think MIA Fender, EBMM USA, etc.). I decided to try one of the Rondos to see what it is made of. I bought the alder first then the ash bodied basses. They are built quite well - especially for a sub-$300 bass. I own Mustang basses as well as a very expensive Warmoth medium scale and I have to say the SX basses are right up there with the Warmoth and make the USA Fender SS basses look pretty inept. I may fool around with pickups in the Rondos, but that is optional tinkering. They are competent basses out of the box. they definitely deserve an audition if you care to try one. Buy from Reverb - they occasionally go on special pricing. Good luck in your search.
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Short scale dilemma! Help me please
- Thread starter bearclaw87
- Start date
I've been playing more and more short-scale basses lately, and of the production ones I've tried (which include a JMJ Mustang - so cool) I'd second the recommendation for the G&L Tribute Fallout. It's cheap but doesn't sound or feel cheap, and it looks good too.
Once you fall in love with short scales you'll fall down the rabbit hole as I have - I've now got 2 Lull P4-30 (one PJ, one T-Bird) basses that are truly amazing, plus I built a fretless short-scale using Warmoth parts. Also super fun. But pricey!
Once you fall in love with short scales you'll fall down the rabbit hole as I have - I've now got 2 Lull P4-30 (one PJ, one T-Bird) basses that are truly amazing, plus I built a fretless short-scale using Warmoth parts. Also super fun. But pricey!
I have a MIM mustang which I bought while waiting for my custom Maruszczyk short scale to get used to a short scale, I'm 6ft but once I got used to a short scale I wouldn't go back to a 34 scale now. I removed the toggle switch and had a blend knob fitted which to me improves the sound options. Ive gigged with it with no problems it is now my back up bass. I use custom round wounds on my Maruszczyk, 48 68 88 108 which took away the sloppiness of my usual 45 105, but without being too tight and gives a decent bright sound.
None of the above. To see if you are going to stick with it, purchase a Mitchell short scale. Mitchell is Guitar Center's store brand, made by Schecter. You get all the Schecter QC for @$180, and if you decide to stay with it you can upgrade the pickups and pots later. I bought one for my travel bass, including the week-long annual band trips to Mexico.
Mitchell MB100 Short-Scale Solid-Body Electric Bass Guitar Charcoal Satin | Guitar Center
Mitchell MB100 Short-Scale Solid-Body Electric Bass Guitar Charcoal Satin | Guitar Center
Not on your list but Squier Bronco is a great short scale bass. Despite the odd hardware I run mine stock, had a setup done and the luthier cut the nut slots a bit so it intonates great now. Very bassy, very fat, interesting mids, enough high end to make it snap. Very much a P Bass type sound, very articulate, lots of different tones from different plucking locations, lightweight and balanced, neck is small and comfortable. It can hang with my nicer basses for sure. Thumb playing is absolutely massive - I would do this when I was gigging and wanted to really push bass out to the crowd. It was like having a bass boost.
+1
Shorter strings in motion produce a less pronounced harmonic series than longer strings. That means the fundamental is more prominent in the signal. That is why short scale basses sound boomy compared to the same type of strings and pickups on a long scale bass.
I'm 71 with arthritis in my thumbs and can relate. For a decent playing shorter scale bass try one if the Squier Jaguar H basses. Medium scale, priced right, and play out well. Sounds killer with flats. I put D'Addario Chromes on mine and upgraded the pickup..Couldn't be happier with it.
I have #1 and #3. #1 is by far the better bass by any criterion you wish to compare them by. And a better price point value to seal the deal. My Fender Mustang is currently in deep hibernation cozy in a padded gigbag, along with my other basses that never get played. The Sting Ray is tuned up and hanging on the wall, where it periodically reaches out and grabs me for some one-on-one play time.
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Short scale basses have less overtones and more fundamental ... the longer the scale the more overtones you get
I'm gonna make it a bit more difficult for you by saying that I've played a Mustang that I absolutely loved (American Performer in White), but way more Mustangs that I couldn't get along with. The couple of PJs, another AP in a shade of purple, the Squier Mustang, the Vintera: they all felt difficult to play and not well balanced. But the only Sterling Short Scale I've held, played like a dream. Ergonomically well thought out too. It's just a question of liking the tones that come out of it.
I'd suggest med scales. More defined than short scales yet boomier than long scales. Perfect, golden ratio!
I recently picked up a Gretsch G2220 30.3" scale for my niece and I really enjoyed playing it at home before giving it away. Quite the looker, comfortable, and with passive Single coils but I like that gutsy sound. Shorties have lots of bassy..ness. Just another one to consider that I really liked.
I have a Squier Mustang (it's in my avatar) and I like it a lot. Low end is not at all a problem. It has only a few sounds, but they're very versatile sounds. You can use them for anything. My favorite is with fairly bright, new flatwounds on it. It can sound a little like a giant, twangy Fender guitar when you want it to, and then settle right down into a mix.
That Gretsch also comes highly recommended. I haven't played the other ones.
That Gretsch also comes highly recommended. I haven't played the other ones.
My Mustang PJ with old flats on it is just right for me. I have owned a Gretsch G2220, G2020, American Special Precision, and Player Jazz, and liked the tone of the Mustang much better than all of them. I still have the Player Jazz as a backup for performances and the flats on it are getting better with time/play, but I don't see it eclipsing the Mustang. Highly recommended.
I’m in your corner when it comes to going a bit shorter on the neck. I’m not a fan of 30” scale necks but I love 32”. They’re extremely hard to find so I built two of them and love the set-up. It’s a “mini” P-Bass and you can get everything from Warmoth.
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