Short scale J bass pickup/string combo

[randomhitz]

A shoulder injury has forced me to consider moving to a short scale bass. I purchased an SX SS jazz and am wondering if a different pickup/string combo would give me more note definition on the low end of the E string. I believe the bass came with D'adarrio XLs. I'm liking the comfort of the short scale, so I'm up for trying whatever is necessary to try and make this a pro quality instrument. I want a basically vintage J tone and am not opposed to the idea of flats, especially if I gained a little string tension in the process. I feel like the overtone series over the lower notes produced by the current pickup/string combo makes it hard to distinguish the actual note compared to to my 34" basses. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[luknfur]

Interesting post. Only had one SS and have never looked into the effect of scale on definition of tone and that would probably be a post more appropriate for the luhtier forum cause they should know. I've heard guys who wouldn't play anything short of a 35 but seems that had to do with string tension and obviously you can get strings with very different tensions for any scale so I'm guessing that's a comparison using the same strings.

Also never played enough with strings to know if there's a relationship between definition and string tension. I don't know that there's a relationship between the type of string and tension. I do know that TI Jazz flats are like playing rubber bands - low tension. String forum search for more in that respect.

Pups I know vary in defintion in using a different pup in the same location. In terms of location the closer to the bridge the pup is the more defined the tone in general but there are exceptions. The tones I associate with vintage J are the early 60's Fender vintage J tone which to me is a darker comparatively ill-defined tone along the lines of a Fender Custom Shop. The 70's Fender J tone is fairly balanced tone frequency wise and clearer more defined - like a Miller sig pup. A DM model J is in between.

Also hand position and technique are significant (ie. playing closer to the bridge and using a pic will net more defintion).

The amp/settings, cabs factor in.

When you mix them all up you enhance some things and cancel others so figuring out what's doing what gets pretty thick.

 

[Monkey]

I built a 30' inch scale fretless with a poplar/walnut body and a maple fingerboard, and I used a pair of old Carvin H50S Jazz-style humbuckers. I use this bass primarily for reggae and some blues and rock, and it sound great. I put LaBella short-scale flats on it, and it sounds great. The E-string is a little hotter than the other strings.