Short Scale Jazz Bass

[Caleb Mills]

Anyone have suggestions on where I can find a short scale (30") Jazz bass? And I'm not talking about a PJ config. An actual short scale J+J pickup config Jazz bass. I recently bought a Fender Mustang PJ, and I love the short scale length, but I'm not a huge fan of the PJ configuration. A short scale would be perfect for playability and pickup configuration.

 

[Duder]

You might find a used Fender, but I've heard they're rather rare. The other options are to order parts through Warmoth or buy an Ursa 2 Jr from Rondo.

 

[felis]

Ya - if the link works here from Rondo, there's several short scale jazz basses there:
Link Removed

Nope - link doesn't work. Just type in 'jr bass' in the search box, then scroll down.

Till pretty recently, you could get a SS jazz bass from Japan, but I think they're gone now.

 

[Duder]

Till pretty recently, you could get a SS jazz bass from Japan, but I think they're gone now.

Maybe the Ishibashi used site? You'd pay handsomely for shipping, though.

 

[rallen]

check out the www.scott-whitley.com website. I have one of the swb1 short scale bassess. Has two J pickups. Sounds really nice. I have the Mustang PJ too.

 

[Gorn]

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[Djadja]

you don't say your price range... I would seriously consider a parts bass using Warmoth parts... building a parts bass is not that difficult and can be a lot of fun.

or talk with the folk at [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] maybe?

And the Rondo at a low price point.

 

[BassHappy]

Anyone have suggestions on where I can find a short scale (30") Jazz bass? And I'm not talking about a PJ config. An actual short scale J+J pickup config Jazz bass. I recently bought a Fender Mustang PJ, and I love the short scale length, but I'm not a huge fan of the PJ configuration. A short scale would be perfect for playability and pickup configuration.

Hey Caleb

Here is a brand new actual FENDER Jazz in black - which is from Fender Japan and is very close to 30" scale - they call it "Smart Size" or sometimes just SS.

New FENDER JAPAN '62 Jazz Bass Guitar SMART SIZE JB62SS Black for Travel, Kids | eBay

The scale length of 746mm means you convert to inches = 29.3701".

It also comes in red, white and a really nice traditional 3T sunburst. If you search on "Fender Japan Jazz Bass Smart Size" about a dozen will come up on ebay, but I don't see any 3T bursts, just red, black and white.

Folks rave about these, why settle for less? If you want a Fender, get a Fender. The Fender Japan stuff is extraordinary.

 

[rufus.K]

Sx/ursa/rondo

 

[loopee]

get James Wilson of Landing Guitars to build you one

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Warmoth has short scale if you want to go that route.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[BassmentPlayer]

Hey Caleb

Here is a brand new actual FENDER Jazz in black - which is from Fender Japan and is very close to 30" scale - they call it "Smart Size" or sometimes just SS.

New FENDER JAPAN '62 Jazz Bass Guitar SMART SIZE JB62SS Black for Travel, Kids | eBay

The scale length of 746mm means you convert to inches = 29.3701".

It also comes in red, white and a really nice traditional 3T sunburst. If you search on "Fender Japan Jazz Bass Smart Size" about a dozen will come up on ebay, but I don't see any 3T bursts, just red, black and white.

Folks rave about these, why settle for less? If you want a Fender, get a Fender. The Fender Japan stuff is extraordinary.

I have a JB62SS and love it.

A true Fender Jazz bass, in short scale, you got'a love it.

 

[BusyFingers]

Hey Caleb

Here is a brand new actual FENDER Jazz in black - which is from Fender Japan and is very close to 30" scale - they call it "Smart Size" or sometimes just SS.

New FENDER JAPAN '62 Jazz Bass Guitar SMART SIZE JB62SS Black for Travel, Kids | eBay

The scale length of 746mm means you convert to inches = 29.3701".

It also comes in red, white and a really nice traditional 3T sunburst. If you search on "Fender Japan Jazz Bass Smart Size" about a dozen will come up on ebay, but I don't see any 3T bursts, just red, black and white.

Folks rave about these, why settle for less? If you want a Fender, get a Fender. The Fender Japan stuff is extraordinary.

I owned one of these. The build quality is excellent and the pickups sound great. It was, however, just a bit too small in the body for my personal liking.

I think they went just a bit too far with how much they shrank the bass. I would not feel comfortable gigging it whereas the Mustang P/J bass feels more appropriate and is just a tad bigger.

But, I want a short scale jazz, too, so I'm in the same boat as OP.

It's too bad Sire doesn't make one, they'd mop up the short scale market if they did and leave Fender wondering why they don't offer such a bass.

 

[BusyFingers]

I sent Bacchus of Japan an email this morning asking if they have a 30 inch scale jazz model.

 

[Gorn]

That little Fender is a beast. As much a jazz bass as any long scale. I had a great one but could only play sitting down in classical position. I still regret selling it though.

 

[BusyFingers]

That little Fender is a beast. As much a jazz bass as any long scale. I had a great one but could only play sitting down in classical position. I still regret selling it though.

It was a fine instrument. I just wish it was an inch longer in scale and 10% bigger in body.

 

[BusyFingers]

get James Wilson of Landing Guitars to build you one

Uh, yeah, to the tune of $2,500 bucks!

 

[loopee]

you don't have to put the most expensive parts on it......mine, 8 years ago or so cost around $1800 but then I have 2 Dark Star pups on it. You can buy a used one on TB Classifieds, really cheap considering how fantastic these basses are. You can't get handmade, custom basses for much less, considering quality, workmanship and totally exquisite playing custom basses.

You can try Birdsongs, they're not cheap either but then you get a pretty darn good custom handmade bass.....just depends how much you want to spend.

 

[Wallace320]

I got this
notice it sports same 18 frets neck now on present P/J Mustangs

I know you ain't that into P/Js, but it's a true Fender, not breakin' your bank (it's a FSR Modern Player series) an'it plays quite fine
I remember havin' a Modern Player Jaguar back in the day an'found it easy to trade, but when I owned it, I just put a hipshot BT7 on 'cause pickups were honest enough

So I did the same on this: just a hipshot BT1 (different open gear shape) and stock pickups (and Fender flats on it) and my son's bass is good to go

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[BusyFingers]

I got this
notice it sports same 18 frets neck now on present P/J Mustangs

I know you ain't that into P/Js, but it's a true Fender, not breakin' your bank (it's a FSR Modern Player series) an'it plays quite fine
I remember havin' a Modern Player Jaguar back in the day an'found it easy to trade, but when I owned it, I just put a hipshot BT7 on 'cause pickups were honest enough

So I did the same on this: just a hipshot BT1 (different open gear shape) and stock pickups (and Fender flats on it) and my son's bass is good to go
View attachment 1007340

Cheers,
Wallace

Those are awesome, but hard to come by on the used market. I've been looking on and off for almost a year and settled on getting a Mustang P/J for now.