Short scale recommendations

[retslock]

JJ, mikro, one of the mustangs, possibly a Squier. I know there’s more. But it’s been a crazy week, hardly ate today, had glass of white wine (cause hydration) and now I can’t think. Leaning towards the wall!!

I haven’t played any of them but some of the Eastwood basses look and sound great and I think they are all short scale.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

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In case this other informative recent thread on short scale basses was not mentioned :

Are Shorter Scales the Hottest Trend in Basses Right Now?
~

 

[R Briere]

JJ, mikro, one of the mustangs, possibly a Squier. I know there’s more. But it’s been a crazy week, hardly ate today, had glass of white wine (cause hydration) and now I can’t think. Leaning towards the wall!!

Having been a Rep (including Fender) for my entire adult life I'd get down on one knee (you'll have to help me back up) and BEG you NOT to simply order a Bass "Through the Mail". Depending on the Big Box that you order from, here's the process VERY often used: The "Pretty Players" are kept in the store and hung on the Wall...and often BADLY treated...especially during the Winter months. Why? Cuz a Walk-in customer SEES before they play. Personally, I wouldn't buy a PICK from a "Big Box" store.....just as the guy who makes "Dunkin' Donuts" doesn't eat Donuts....cuz he knows what goes into the Donuts.

Having said that, I Often do business with the same 3 or 4 LARGE Independent Dealers....Dealers who I know for a fact take GREAT Care of the Stuff their Customers are going to get.....Dealers who I'd go to breakfast with.

I needed a small amp and called in an order. My "Friendly dealer" asked that I consider the "Orange Bass Crush 50". I laughed at her. "Do I look like a Tattooed, MetalHead to You?" , I asked. Bottom Line.....At NO CHARGE she sent me the Orange Crush (not the PIX version) and what I thought I wanted, an amp being tossed around frequently in this thread... and asked that I decide and return the one I didn't want. The Orange Crush amp blew away my First choice. Not even close!!! Will I get a Tattoo? Not a chance. Does the Crush have Tone to the Bone? Indeed....it does.

Play the bass you want before you buy it. I'm beggin'

 

[R Briere]

Great video! Really well done. Lots of good info plus the side by side sound comparisons. Thanks!

Interesting video. One respectful addition. Three of the 4 are made by the same Company. While I'm not dissing any of them.....nor making ANY accusations..... David and Freddie said it best #underpressure.

 

[mapleglo]

Play the bass you want before you buy it. I'm beggin'

It's a nice thought, but this isn't the 70's anymore. There are several "Big Box" stores, and independent dealers in my neck of the woods - Phoenix, AZ. Not one of them had the 5 string Ibanez Mikro in stock. I ordered mine through Amazon. Came in 2 days, and it was perfect. I had the same experience a few years back when I ordered my Modern Player Fender Dimension. None in stock near by, ordered through Amazon, and was perfect. I'll add the Rickenbacker 4003 I ordered through Musician's Friend a few years back also came to me in perfect condition, and was several hundred dollars less than any other retailer - independent or otherwise.

 

[R Briere]

It's a nice thought, but this isn't the 70's anymore. There are several "Big Box" stores, and independent dealers in my neck of the woods - Phoenix, AZ. Not one of them had the 5 string Ibanez Mikro in stock. I ordered mine through Amazon. Came in 2 days, and it was perfect. I had the same experience a few years back when I ordered my Modern Player Fender Dimension. None in stock near by, ordered through Amazon, and was perfect. I'll add the Rickenbacker 4003 I ordered through Musician's Friend a few years back also came to me in perfect condition, and was several hundred dollars less than any other retailer - independent or otherwise.

Mapleglo. (et All)..... Please know that I never write ANYTHING in here to start or continue Arguments. I simply state facts. If you Google my name and the word "Pyscho" it often brings up a STRING of threads that this Clown named Pyscho used to post about various topics of the Music Industry.....none of which he knew anything about. Despite him being a TOTAL Moron he still had a small band of "Followers" that Worshiped him for being "Anti-Corporate"..... I, too, am "Anti-Corporate".

Moving forward.....and keeping the Word "Corporate" foremost in our minds, let's imagine that people continue to Support the same two or three GIGANTIC Box Stores. At some point, the Small stores disappear. I could go on for HOURS here and I'm not picking on you IN THE LEAST....I'm truly not. What's the Customer Service Number for Amazon? You know....the Number where a well-trained Luthier answers in 15 seconds and takes care of your problem? I'll take it one step further. What's the phone number where you can call Amazon about ANYTHING? All of a sudden the 70's are looking a LOT better, aren't they?

 

[InternetAlias]

I live in Europe, and you can contact Thomann which is a huge company, about anything. It's not the big box stores that are the problem, it's how they're ran. Thomann is ran absolutely marvelously. Amazon, not so much.

 

[R Briere]

I live in Europe, and you can contact Thomann which is a huge company, about anything. It's not the big box stores that are the problem, it's how they're ran. Thomann is ran absolutely marvelously. Amazon, not so much.

Dear Alias..... Here's how I work. Please know that in a Small way you could EASILY think I'm picking you out on this topic. Please know that I'm not. Before I responded to you, I went to your profile. You have no name....no picture....very little information, etc. So....what do I then assume, based solely on my Experience in the Music Industry? My Immediate assumption is that, at this very moment, you're sitting in a chair in an office owned by Thomann. Why would I assume that? Because that's the way the internet operates.

In the Grand scheme of things the Internet is very Young and has a LONG wayyyyyyy to go before it should be Trusted. If I were KING of the Internet, every user would need to post a long-form Certificate of Birth and 26 valid forms of Picture Identification....including a note from your Mom.

Why? Because in less than 30 seconds I can put up a NEW Profile with a different email address as my only requirement.....and I'm a 32 year old Gorgeous Woman.....or a Talking Goat. How do you like me now? My name is Gretta.....I'm single....and love long walks on the Beach. I also play the bass.

 

[mrufino1]

Mapleglo. (et All)..... Please know that I never write ANYTHING in here to start or continue Arguments. I simply state facts. If you Google my name and the word "Pyscho" it often brings up a STRING of threads that this Clown named Pyscho used to post about various topics of the Music Industry.....none of which he knew anything about. Despite him being a TOTAL Moron he still had a small band of "Followers" that Worshiped him for being "Anti-Corporate"..... I, too, am "Anti-Corporate".

Moving forward.....and keeping the Word "Corporate" foremost in our minds, let's imagine that people continue to Support the same two or three GIGANTIC Box Stores. At some point, the Small stores disappear. I could go on for HOURS here and I'm not picking on you IN THE LEAST....I'm truly not. What's the Customer Service Number for Amazon? You know....the Number where a well-trained Luthier answers in 15 seconds and takes care of your problem? I'll take it one step further. What's the phone number where you can call Amazon about ANYTHING? All of a sudden the 70's are looking a LOT better, aren't they?

Your point is well taken but where are these well stocked independent stores you speak of? I live 2 miles from nyc and am in nyc constantly. 48th st, which used to be exactly what you said, is not that anymore. Sam ash is on 34th (so don’t dream of trying to park) and banjo Mart is on 14th (I’ve been to neither). I know Sam ash has Larry hartke’s Bass store there, but the other store is going to be the same as their stores in NJ. The local music store in town here has mostly karaoke machines, another sort of local shop has had the same stuff in it for 50 years, priced not to sell. It’s possible guitar bar still exists in Hoboken, I haven’t looked in a long time, but they were mostly vintage things, and while the owner is awesome, you’re not going to find an Ibanez there. NJ guitar and bass center in Edison is a fairly well stocked store but off the beaten path. Lark St. Music in Teaneck is also a vintage store.

I haven’t bought a bass in a store anyway in probably 20 years.

I’d love it if well stocked local music stores still existed, but it’s just not the way here unfortunately.

Classifieds here and craigslist are definitely options.

 

[mapleglo]

Mapleglo. (et All)..... Please know that I never write ANYTHING in here to start or continue Arguments. I simply state facts. If you Google my name and the word "Pyscho" it often brings up a STRING of threads that this Clown named Pyscho used to post about various topics of the Music Industry.....none of which he knew anything about. Despite him being a TOTAL Moron he still had a small band of "Followers" that Worshiped him for being "Anti-Corporate"..... I, too, am "Anti-Corporate".

Moving forward.....and keeping the Word "Corporate" foremost in our minds, let's imagine that people continue to Support the same two or three GIGANTIC Box Stores. At some point, the Small stores disappear. I could go on for HOURS here and I'm not picking on you IN THE LEAST....I'm truly not. What's the Customer Service Number for Amazon? You know....the Number where a well-trained Luthier answers in 15 seconds and takes care of your problem? I'll take it one step further. What's the phone number where you can call Amazon about ANYTHING? All of a sudden the 70's are looking a LOT better, aren't they?

Amazon's customer service number is 888-280-4331.

You can also speak with an Amazon Harmony Associate, someone specially trained in musical equipment, by clicking on the link on the instrument page, and entering your phone number. They will call you.

I miss the 70's, but there are some things now, like technology and inexpensive gear, that we could only dream of back then.

 

[mrufino1]

Dear Alias..... Here's how I work. Please know that in a Small way you could EASILY think I'm picking you out on this topic. Please know that I'm not. Before I responded to you, I went to your profile. You have no name....no picture....very little information, etc. So....what do I then assume, based solely on my Experience in the Music Industry? My Immediate assumption is that, at this very moment, you're sitting in a chair in an office owned by Thomann. Why would I assume that? Because that's the way the internet operates.

In the Grand scheme of things the Internet is very Young and has a LONG wayyyyyyy to go before it should be Trusted. If I were KING of the Internet, every user would need to post a long-form Certificate of Birth and 26 valid forms of Picture Identification....including a note from your Mom.View attachment 3036787

Why? Because in less than 30 seconds I can put up a NEW Profile with a different email address as my only requirement.....and I'm a 32 year old Gorgeous Woman.....or a Talking Goat. How do you like me now? My name is Gretta.....I'm single....and love long walks on the Beach. I also play the bass.

Oh, and I promise that I’m not a 32 year old gorgeous woman or a goat, but I prefer not to put all of my info out there...

So, OP, I hope you get a short scale you like! My strat bass wasn’t too hard to make and I have no skills in building...$20 body from guitar fetish, cheap neck from eBay that is now replaced with a much nicer buzz feiten neck that I got on reverb for $100, a fender fidelitron pickup ($45 on reverb), a rudy’s Music el toro bridge (ok, a remnant of 80’s 48th st! $10 on eBay), and Wilkinson tuners, $25 on eBay....

 

[R Briere]

Your point is well taken but where are these well stocked independent stores you speak of? I live 2 miles from nyc and am in nyc constantly. 48th st, which used to be exactly what you said, is not that anymore. Sam ash is on 34th (so don’t dream of trying to park) and banjo Mart is on 14th (I’ve been to neither). I know Sam ash has Larry hartke’s Bass store there, but the other store is going to be the same as their stores in NJ. The local music store in town here has mostly karaoke machines, another sort of local shop has had the same stuff in it for 50 years, priced not to sell. It’s possible guitar bar still exists in Hoboken, I haven’t looked in a long time, but they were mostly vintage things, and while the owner is awesome, you’re not going to find an Ibanez there. NJ guitar and bass center in Edison is a fairly well stocked store but off the beaten path. Lark St. Music in Teaneck is also a vintage store.

I haven’t bought a bass in a store anyway in probably 20 years.

I’d love it if well stocked local music stores still existed, but it’s just not the way here unfortunately.

Classifieds here and craigslist are definitely options.

Mrufino...... You seem to be a nice, kind and Reasonable guy.....so let me hit you with this first. Ready? I drove to Dunkin' Donuts at the end of my street the other day. The line of cars waiting to use the Drive up Window was all the way around the building and half way up the block. Biggie Here! The parking lot was completely Empty! I parked, got my two Chocolate covered Donuts, returned to my car and was gone (munch, munch munch) in the time it took TWO Cars to be served at the Window. Americans (except for you and me) are Fat and Lazy! They'll burn half a tank of gas waiting in line for a cup of coffee rather than put down their phone, get out of their car, walk in and be waited on immediately. I see it every day.

Transparency and Truth: As a Rep, part of my job was TRAINING the Staff in Big Box Stores. Here's the Rub. Once a month I'd walk in and find 3/4's of the former staff gone....cuz they'd run out of friends to sell to. Every month, for YEARS, it was the same story. The kid worked at McDonalds yesterday and today he's an Expert in Musical Instruments. Am I exaggerating? Not in the least. I'd ask the most basic questions....they'd have no answers. They'd be gone on my next visit. Are there exceptions? There are. Thankfully.

Well Stocked: Mike Tobias /MTD, Yamaha and Music Man are my "Go-to" Bass Companies.....based solely on personal taste and their Business Models. I have other brands as well, very popular basses, but I own them KNOWING that if there's a problem I'm in trouble....as is the dealer because that particular manufacturer has "NEVER ONCE produced a bad bass so it must be something the dealer or the customer did"....so the Dealer eats the shipping both ways and it takes a Year to get their basses. Every Dealer reading this is laughing cuz they know EXACTLY who I'm talking about! LOL

I could, but won't, give you the name of 6 or 8 FABULOUS dealers who will get to know your name, and your kid's names..what kind of food your pets eat.....and your Birthday....and will open 12 boxes marked "Ibanez X-bass", find the nicest one, set it up for you and get it out on a Monday so it doesn't have to sit in a UPS Warehouse over the Weekend. I COULD give you their names....but hopefully a Stocking Dealer or a player with your exact problem, someone NEAR YOU, someone with a Conscious, will step into this thread and say: "I've got what you want or I know where you can get it....! Why? Cuz we're all in this together. MANY big Bass Companies are now keeping their doors open by selling the Candy of the Day...Foot Pedals. Do THEY want you to know that? Nope. Do EYE? Yup. Think about it. BTW....Wanna Donut? #bassilicious.

 

[macmanlou]

I would never hesitate to buy anything from Sweetwater. I've been purchasing basses and equipment from them for more than 5 years. Best attention to detail and customer service I've found anywhere, including brick and mortar stores.

 

[DavesnothereCA]

I would never hesitate to buy anything from Sweetwater.

I've been purchasing basses and equipment from them for more than 5 years.

Best attention to detail and customer service I've found anywhere, including brick and mortar stores.

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If their website is any indication, I agree.
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[NoOtherSound54]

It is my personal opinion that the Guild Starfire or the Gibson EB-3 are the best Short Scale basses around. And of the 2, the Guild is the best sounding. If you like the feel of the EB-3, I would consider swapping pick-ups. The Gibson, to me, doesn't have the sonic capabilities as does the Guild, but again, that is a personal choice. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Nebula24]

While running errands stopped at 2 local music shops across town. 1 nothing of interest. 2nd epi viola, epi eb3 and gretsch G5440LS. Never got to see any of these before.

Loved neck of eb3. Felt like my epi eb0 (probably should). Played pretty good with the skinny necks i love. Played with knobs and chicken head and got lost. Maybe i am better with just 1 pickup. Enjoyed its bassy tone. Tried it standing up and the neck dive kills me. I dont mind it on my eb0. But eb3 still one of the few long scales i like. Other is sub4.

Tried the viola. Liked its tone. But neck to thick for me. Just had v v t with no other buttons or switches so easy on my mind.

Tried gretsch just to hear the lovely tv jones...mmmmmm. bass itself too big neck and body for my taste.

But yeah for finally getting to play eb3 to hear what my eb0 missing with no bridge pickup. Feel im ok just neck. But oh want to mod it (steel bar mod) or put in a bisonic.

Still need to find and ignition club unless it feels too much neck like the viola (gonna go check website). And a hiflyer (eastwood or vintage) just so i can get the neck feel.

 

[JIO]

Amazon's customer service number is 888-280-4331.

You can also speak with an Amazon Harmony Associate, someone specially trained in musical equipment, by clicking on the link on the instrument page, and entering your phone number. They will call you.

I miss the 70's, but there are some things now, like technology and inexpensive gear, that we could only dream of back then.

Well played Nex - miss the 70's? ... maybe miss my own 70's, but not so sure I miss the 70's as a decade.

 

[mapleglo]

Well played Nex - miss the 70's? ... maybe miss my own 70's, but not so sure I miss the 70's as a decade.

Thanks!

I miss the music that was made during the 70's, and the old school gear. I don't miss moving it though. Our memory seems to selectively omit the bad, perhaps so we can bask in our nostalgia, and embrace our "get off my lawn" mentality

 

[JIO]

Thanks!

I miss the music that was made during the 70's, and the old school gear. I don't miss moving it though. Our memory seems to selectively omit the bad, perhaps so we can bask in our nostalgia, and embrace our "get off my lawn" mentality

It was our salad days - and what's not to like about a nice salad! I agree about music - 1970 was the start of a great decade for music.

 

[emjay]

Don't mess around, buy a Birdsong!
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I always loved the tone of the Birdsong, as well those mad by Scott Beckwith's friend, Brady Muckelroy; who makes a 32" Charger bass. I have not owned either though; but the reviews are all fantastic, as well as their sound in videos where the basses are being played.