Il all else fails, a 34" bass tuned a tone lower with a capo on 2nd feet is a short scale bass for all practical purposes.
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Short scale for pro gig?
- Thread starter Ivan Ramírez
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- gig pro scale short short scale
On the first cruise I ever went on there was a guy playing bass and singing with a backing track right when you walked on to the ship. He was playing a red short scale (maybe even sub 30") Samick. I wasn't playing bass much at the time and knew nothing about short scale, but was intrigued by its size. I asked him about it and he went on and on about how it was so much easier to travel with and he could fly with it and it never let him down. This was roughly 6 1/2 years ago.
It really depends on what short scale bass you're talking about, just like long scale basses. Birdsongs are fantastic sounding and playing basses. That Stanley Clarke guy sounds pretty darn good on a short scale Alembic (or any bass, for that matter).
It just needs to good enough to cover the low end well. and on a vessel having a short scale might be an advantage if space is cramped, of course it depends on the size of the boat/ship the bulkhead etc. There are plenty of bassists who always use short scale.
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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I'm just imagining Sir Paul showing up for a Cruise gig and being turned away because he brought his Hofner.
I have played my 32 inch "shorty" bass at a church gig. They may have cut my pay in half - not sure about that, as the number would be the same. Then again, I can always pretend that they gave me a 100 percent raise.
I'd suggest the real reason to use a short scale on a cruise is the small stage and living quarters you'll have to live with - I use my "shorty" when I think the stage is gonna be cramped, and it does help a bit in those situations. I wouldn't take mine on a cruise, though, as all I have for it is a flimsy gig bag - the size makes finding a good case pretty much impossible, unless I have a custom road case made for it.
I'd suggest the real reason to use a short scale on a cruise is the small stage and living quarters you'll have to live with - I use my "shorty" when I think the stage is gonna be cramped, and it does help a bit in those situations. I wouldn't take mine on a cruise, though, as all I have for it is a flimsy gig bag - the size makes finding a good case pretty much impossible, unless I have a custom road case made for it.
I have never played that type of gig, my skills are not up to the task. I have been on many cruises and tend to notice the musicians. Most of what you see on the guitar/bass front generally fairly inexpensive, a lot of ibanez stuff. The equipment doesn't matter all that much. Your reading skills (STANDARD NOTATION) must be exemplary, these guys can play.
Alembic Short Scale Bass. It's decent. It will work in any situation if you let it. Just make sure it is insured at replacement value.
I used a 1/2 DB for outdoor gigs after my 3/4 cracked due to humidity. No one noticed
I have a epiphone beatle bass which fit on the airplane overhead and was expendable (was in the FSU). Intonation poor higher up the neck.
If your hands hurt after a gig, look at your technique. I play electric 4 fingered but use alternate fingering /shifting in the low range. The jaco stretch exercises for scales is something I avoid if I can
I have a epiphone beatle bass which fit on the airplane overhead and was expendable (was in the FSU). Intonation poor higher up the neck.
If your hands hurt after a gig, look at your technique. I play electric 4 fingered but use alternate fingering /shifting in the low range. The jaco stretch exercises for scales is something I avoid if I can
- Sep 3, 2006
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I heard that, this one time, a bass player took a short scale bass on a cruise, and...
OP: No reason you can't take any bass you want. I personally am a long scale guy. But I broke my long-standing scoffing at shorter scale basses, acquired a couple and found out they are fun!
<<<<See photo at left. cBass: AKA "Pocket Precision." Back the volume off to about 8 and you've got the classic sound. Dime it and it growls. And weighs less than 7 lbs. And I don't have to worry about poking the lead singer in the eye in tight quarters.
Judging by some of the responses advocating a high end short scale bass I assume most have never been anywhere near a cruise ship. I do not recall seeing any high end stuff.
Not sure most of these posters caught where the OP later said he found out he couldnt have a short scale (according to the booking agency), so I guess people can stop recommending short scales now lol
well, the original question was can it be used for a pro gig (albeit the gig was a cruise). Which I believe the overwhelming answer to is yes. But obviously the staff there doesn't know what constitutes, what was it they said, "standard" instruments?
I just built a 30" scale Warmoth P-bass and the intonation is spot on the entire neck.
I think you're safe as long as the cruise audience itself isn't populated by a load of uppity, closed minded, "long scale only" type bass snobs. 
