When I saw this topic thread, this one really interested me for reading how others are transitioning. As I've been pretty much exclusively Bass for 4 weeks, the short scale 28.6 that I have feels like a Strat for weight & length/reach, it is pretty much a baritone guitar scale length. So the other day I picked up the Strat for the 1st time in nearly that 4 week span. So weird feeling trying to play anything with it. The acoustic electric with the set of 12-53's felt closer to the bass than the LP, Strat & Teles. I think the bass wrecked me in that regard. So the last couple of days, the bass has been the only guitar I've played since the 6 string electric/acoustic vs 4 string bass experiment. Not sure which I would keep, but I'm way more invested in the 6 strings than the bass for gear.
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Short scale influence on your regular bass playing?
- Thread starter mikeluch
- Start date
Playing a 5-string (not like a 4-string player typically plays one) is essentially playing a short-scale.
I'm playing higher up on the neck, rarely use the first few frets (never play an open string), playing the B much like you play your E, the frets I use are closer together, so
effectively playing a short-scale.
^^^^this, and all with the higher string tension/ thinner strings/ clearer notes that I want. YMMV.
Same here…but it’s manageable and ‘all systems normal’ after about 15 minutes of playing in the upper register.
Maybe I missed the original point of the thread but I didn't think it was about how fast we switch back and forth but if playing SS basses has influenced your overall playing. Like I mentioned before I started on ss and construct basslines based on what I can do on a ss. I sometimes use mandolin style 1 finger for 2 frets in the upper register. I don't shift as much, knowing I can reach past 1 finger per fret. I don't use open strings when I'm at the first 5 frets, because it's easy to reach anything I want. Switching to long scale not only involves differences in technique but I have rethink every bassline I know to switch to long scale.
That's the ss influence on my playing.
Maybe I missed the point idk.
That's the ss influence on my playing.
Maybe I missed the point idk.
Funny, I have now had a G&L Fallout for 4 weeks, and it is bothering me why I did not try this sooner. I have small hands, and although I have been playing full scale for 50 plus years, I find it refreshing that it seems so easy to play, particularly as I get older. Right now I have many high end basses that I feel guilty not playing. I keep switching between the two scales, and as I said I have been playing many moons on 34 or 35 inch scales and I keep gravitating towards the Fallout. I want to keep saying I need to play the 34s because I have an investment in them, but even tonight after 4 hours of switching between various basses, I am favoring the SS and at the same time saying you can't keep playing this, go back to your regulars. Crazy!
I have 35" 34" 32" 30" 4&5 that i play regularly..I just picked up a G&L Fallout bass. I really like it, too much
I have many high end "regular" scale basses and I am curious of others that might switch back and forth between the scales if they have any issues. I have been playing for over 50 years and never played short scales, but after playing one it makes me wonder if I get too attached, could it might impact my playing on the full scale basses. Any thoughts?
Just play what works best for you. Nothing matters except the music being played. I play 30" scale basses exclusively because I like them.
I played short-scales starting in 2011, when I joined a band where I was really in over my head and felt I needed something really easy to play. If nothing else, it helped my self-confidence. A little over a year ago, I picked up a Lakland USA 44-60 in a local shop, and it felt so good and sounded so good, I sold my 3 shorties to get it. Now I'm not so sure. I'm playing a lot more sophisticated (and faster) stuff than I did back then, and I ain't no spring chicken. My fretting hand is beginning to complain. I agree completely: Pride keeps me on the Lakland, and it does have the great feel and tone. But at my back I often hear time's wingéd chariot drawing near. So to speak.
ha! it's not the pride that you and @bassdude51 refer to that keeps me from a SS....it's fear!
i'm almost certain that i'd have more physical accommodation from a shorter scale, but i'm terrified that if i got one i'd have to get more, i.e., replace everything that i've already got --- like starting all over again, right? i'm not keen on replacing almost 50 years of fretless experience with a new paradigm.* it's the only change i fear.
* TBH: ever since i've had shoulder issues i've thought about getting a fretless SS just to see for myself...except for that fear thing!
ha! it's not the pride that you and @bassdude51 refer to that keeps me from a SS....it's fear!
i'm almost certain that i'd have more physical accommodation from a shorter scale, but i'm terrified that if i got one i'd have to get more, i.e., replace everything that i've already got --- like starting all over again, right? i'm not keen on replacing almost 50 years of fretless experience with a new paradigm.* it's the only change i fear.
* TBH: ever since i've had shoulder issues i've thought about getting a fretless SS just to see for myself...except for that fear thing!
I have only the Lakland and a 32" cheapie, so "everything I've already got" isn't very much.
