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Short Scale or not?
- Thread starter boabski2k
- Start date
I never play full-scale...
I mean, I'm not a huge dude (5'9"), but I'm not exactly small.
I used to have a Squier Bronco, and I currently have a short-scale lawsuit bass that I love. Medium and short scales just feel more consolidated to me. The string tension (or lack thereof) lends itself to a more organic sound that I really dig, and the size makes it easier to play in smaller spaces. It's also generally lighter, so more energy to thrash about onstage
.
I mean, I'm not a huge dude (5'9"), but I'm not exactly small.
I used to have a Squier Bronco, and I currently have a short-scale lawsuit bass that I love. Medium and short scales just feel more consolidated to me. The string tension (or lack thereof) lends itself to a more organic sound that I really dig, and the size makes it easier to play in smaller spaces. It's also generally lighter, so more energy to thrash about onstage
.
bongomania
Commercial User
We've had an awful lot of threads on this subject. Short version: a really well-made, well-designed shortscale, with the right strings and set up properly, is a thing of beauty that plays and sounds as good as any other pro instrument. A cheapo or "average" shortscale, with no special effort put into the design, any old strings, and a mediocre setup, will play and sound noticeably worse than a decent longscale.
I would suggest going and finding one in a store to see if you would like it. That is the best way to tell if it melts your butter or not. Also read some reviews of the bass here on this site, as well as Link Removed, www.harmony-central.com, or www.bgra.net.
You will probably get many varied opinions on short scales here, including:
1. They are meant for children, women, and small handed folks only.:scowl:
2. They are cheaply constructed. Although this is true in many cases, please see Link Removed or www.birdsongguitars.com
3. They lack the lowend or the fundamental of a longer scale bass. True, since many beginners' basses are cheaply constructed, but those that are of quality manufacture and made of good woods with adequate pups show no difference in sound. I've played longscales that have the same problem. There IS a reason why we buy those high priced amplifiers with all the sound tweaking controls, by the way.
4. Strings are hard to find in my area. They are in mine too. Thats why I buy them from [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and Link Removed. They both have a wide selection of string types and gauges, just like their longscale kin.
5. Some folks will tell you that they have trouble switching back and forth between the two. I did at first, but now I am used to it. I also had trouble switching from fretted to fretless, 4 to 5 string, and back when I started with them as well.
You may decide that a shortie is not your cup of tea, and that's okay. Just try one yourself. So...If you try it and you like it, then, by all means buy it. I think the white one looks quite dashing, by the way.
I currently am enjoying my shorties, which include an Essex Jazz fretless and an Epi Allan Woody. A shortie SX Precision Bass may be on the horizon.
FG
You will probably get many varied opinions on short scales here, including:
1. They are meant for children, women, and small handed folks only.:scowl:
2. They are cheaply constructed. Although this is true in many cases, please see Link Removed or www.birdsongguitars.com
3. They lack the lowend or the fundamental of a longer scale bass. True, since many beginners' basses are cheaply constructed, but those that are of quality manufacture and made of good woods with adequate pups show no difference in sound. I've played longscales that have the same problem. There IS a reason why we buy those high priced amplifiers with all the sound tweaking controls, by the way.
4. Strings are hard to find in my area. They are in mine too. Thats why I buy them from [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and Link Removed. They both have a wide selection of string types and gauges, just like their longscale kin.
5. Some folks will tell you that they have trouble switching back and forth between the two. I did at first, but now I am used to it. I also had trouble switching from fretted to fretless, 4 to 5 string, and back when I started with them as well.
You may decide that a shortie is not your cup of tea, and that's okay. Just try one yourself. So...If you try it and you like it, then, by all means buy it. I think the white one looks quite dashing, by the way.
I currently am enjoying my shorties, which include an Essex Jazz fretless and an Epi Allan Woody. A shortie SX Precision Bass may be on the horizon.
FG
I use short-scales most of the time, but do use long-scale occasionally. I have no trouble switching from my Birdsong short-scale to my Fender P-Bass Special.
A well made short-scale is a thing of beauty and just as easy to play as a long-scale.
A well made short-scale is a thing of beauty and just as easy to play as a long-scale.
I am 6 ft 3, huge hands, long arms, and I play only shorties. Primarily my Birdsong, but I have 5 total. no lack of fundamental, or bassiness, or definition on the Birdsong OR my Epi Viola... Give a shortie a try... you might like...
Is it my imagination or are there more short-scales poppingup?
Spector just introduced one, Lakland has one on the way. Maybe folks are waking up to them. Finally
This Ibanez looks nice on paper, has anyone had a chance to try one?
Set neck and pickup in the neck postion could gas me up as well. And single cut too. 'hog body? could be a heavy little bugger.
Spector just introduced one, Lakland has one on the way. Maybe folks are waking up to them. Finally
This Ibanez looks nice on paper, has anyone had a chance to try one?
Set neck and pickup in the neck postion could gas me up as well. And single cut too. 'hog body? could be a heavy little bugger.
To put it into perspective, short scales were used by McCartney, Bill Wyman, Ronnie Lane, Jack Bruce (though i could be wrong on which EB model he played, he did start with a Dano) and a ton of other great players.
Definitely try one out and see how you like them. But be careful, sometimes there's no going back.
Definitely try one out and see how you like them. But be careful, sometimes there's no going back.
I would suggest going and finding one in a store to see if you would like it. That is the best way to tell if it melts your butter or not. Also read some reviews of the bass here on this site, as well as Link Removed, www.harmony-central.com, or www.bgra.net.
You will probably get many varied opinions on short scales here, including:
1. They are meant for children, women, and small handed folks only.:scowl:
2. They are cheaply constructed. Although this is true in many cases, please see Link Removed or www.birdsongguitars.com
3. They lack the lowend or the fundamental of a longer scale bass. True, since many beginners' basses are cheaply constructed, but those that are of quality manufacture and made of good woods with adequate pups show no difference in sound. I've played longscales that have the same problem. There IS a reason why we buy those high priced amplifiers with all the sound tweaking controls, by the way.
4. Strings are hard to find in my area. They are in mine too. Thats why I buy them from [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and Link Removed. They both have a wide selection of string types and gauges, just like their longscale kin.
5. Some folks will tell you that they have trouble switching back and forth between the two. I did at first, but now I am used to it. I also had trouble switching from fretted to fretless, 4 to 5 string, and back when I started with them as well.
You may decide that a shortie is not your cup of tea, and that's okay. Just try one yourself. So...If you try it and you like it, then, by all means buy it. I think the white one looks quite dashing, by the way.
I currently am enjoying my shorties, which include an Essex Jazz fretless and an Epi Allan Woody. A shortie SX Precision Bass may be on the horizon.
FG
plus 1000 ...I lve my Birdsongs and have had almost any larger scale basses possible...
I have not played one. However, I volunteer at a theater that has different musicians just about every weekend. One band's bass player had one of these Ibanezes. He was new to bass, but played g****r for years, so he would have had some idea of what to look for. He said that it felt best to him and it sounded fine. One Dano as well as a HJerry Jones Dano copy have been used by other artists. They also sounded fine. My conclusion is that it is probably at least as much the player as it is the bass.
In my experience, as far as shortscales the sound is 100 percent there and is absolutely a non issue.
It's really more about whether you dig the ergonomics and aesthetics.
I have a "cheapie" that I picked up just to try it. Turns out I love it, it's a great recording bass and is simply fun to play.
Now I just need to keep my eyes open for a nice Mustang, on one of those beautiful semi-hollowbody basses.
Peace.
It's really more about whether you dig the ergonomics and aesthetics.
I have a "cheapie" that I picked up just to try it. Turns out I love it, it's a great recording bass and is simply fun to play.
Now I just need to keep my eyes open for a nice Mustang, on one of those beautiful semi-hollowbody basses.
Peace.
Gibson SG re-issue with a Hipshot Supertonepro bridge and Rotosound RS-66S strings.
The feel might not be for everyone, but the sound is outstanding.
The feel might not be for everyone, but the sound is outstanding.
Does the Hipshot make a difference?I've got a SG reissue and was incotact withHammon engineering about their pickups for my bass,and noticed one of his customers had it set up with the Darkstars and the hipshot.I'm new to this and input would be greatly appreciated.
I currently own an SX P-bass shortie which I just kick around the house but I played a Hamer Slammer for years in a trio (made a ton of money with it) until I joined a rock band and now play a regular scale bass. I don't like switching back and forth, much as I don't like switching between my P-bass and my Ric. They sound fine, but it's just a matter of taste and comfort and whether you like the pics taken of you with a little bass.
robert
robert
+1000 on the Birdsongs.I've only played a couple short-scale basses...but Ben got me to look into Birdsong,and now I have the model below on its way to me. Look up the Birdsons philosophy and see WHY there is a market there.I'm not "small"...5'11",and I currently have a Carvin XB75PF which is the extra long body...(and I REALLY like it)...but a QUALITY short-scale bass is fun to play,and if it's QUALITY,has a great sound. Get Scott at Birdsong to send you a CD of his short-scales...It will make a "believer" out of you.
bongomania
Commercial User
I actually just sold my short scale EB copy today. I can't remember if it was 30 or 31 inches scale length. My main bass now is 33.25" scale. 34" scale basses feel kinda weird to me, though I do play them sometimes.
