Short scale for pro gig?

[Knavery]

I'm not sure why the question is being asked? What's the downside?

 

[jamro217]

But then there's the joke about the drowning bass player...

OP, no. Short scales are fine. The new P/J Mustang may be a decent inexpensive option. Now on to the important stuff:
How do you stop a drummer from drowning?
Take your foot off of his head.

 

[Ivan Ramírez]

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.
View attachment 2923836

Awesome Bass!!

 

[Ric5]

all Rickenbackers are less than 34"

 

[IamGroot]

Danelectro for those cruise ship gigs.

 

[ac100X]

Go Gretsch, go Orange.....

 

[Short Scale]

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This scenario is exactly what Scott designed the instruments for. From the website:

"A Birdsong, by design, is not just one of the best short scales in the world - but a world class bass that happens to be smaller, lighter, and more balanced & comfortable."

I've played Birdsong for the past several years and I don't think I'll ever go to another brand. Love these little Giants!

 

[Short Scale]

Just ordered my 3rd Birdsong from Scott Beckwith and have sold all my other basses except one, and will soon be listing it for sale here.

 

[lmfreeman9]

I am right behind you.

 

[jonnybass1]

Absolutely pro gigs can be done using a short scale. Spector just released or is releasing a Chek made one. Warwick makes them. So you can easily get a high end short scale or get a Fender mustang which many pro players have used

 

[gabrielolortiga]

Short Scale basses can deliver all the frequencies that a normal 34" scale does. It all depends more on the builder rather than the scale itself.
For instance, I have a Maruszczyk Elwood passive 30" Scale Jazz Bass, and it can deliver the same amount of punch and clarity than my Long Scale Sire does.
Check this out

 

[bucephylus]

Alembic Short Scale Bass. It's decent....

“Decent”? LOL. Not exactly the adjective that comes to mind for me.

 

[gln1955]

Short Scale basses can deliver all the frequencies that a normal 34" scale does. It all depends more on the builder rather than the scale itself.
For instance, I have a Maruszczyk Elwood passive 30" Scale Jazz Bass, and it can deliver the same amount of punch and clarity than my Long Scale Sire does.
Check this out

Oh yeah! Here's my Maurszczyk 30" Jake. I'm not missing out on anything.

(start at 2:00 to skip the sales BS)

 

[Rob Martinez]

Yes, a short scale can be played for pro gigs. A guy named Paul McCartney played one in stadiums in the 1960s. Watch this tribute to Paul at 5:10 and that guy plays a short scale Hofner Club bass at the Kennedy Center.

 

[Bioflava]

Ok, so I've been listening to some of these short-scale videos and now I'm thinking: What are the benefits of 34" scale basses! Why don't we all play short scales?!

 

[beatlebass64]

Just ordered my 3rd Birdsong from Scott Beckwith and have sold all my other basses except one, and will soon be listing it for sale here.

What models do you have?

 

[GBBSbassist]

Either that or they throw you off the boat.

Will a short scale instrument float as well as a normal scale one though?

 

[12BitSlab]

Ok, so I've been listening to some of these short-scale videos and now I'm thinking: What are the benefits of 34" scale basses! Why don't we all play short scales?!

Sometimes the sound you want only comes from a longer scale (e.g., Ric 4003).

 

[tfer]

Either that or they throw you off the boat.

In that case, I want a 9 string bass that’s literally as wide as a canoe...

 

[Short Scale]

Ok, so I've been listening to some of these short-scale videos and now I'm thinking: What are the benefits of 34" scale basses! Why don't we all play short scales?!