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Short scale recommendations

#601
Well, I think every member of TB has posted to this one, so I will add mine...

You like black, want short scale with a budget under $300.00.

Fender Squier VM Jaguar SS (Black), $199.00. I have one and it is a player. Join MF Back Stage Pass (free) and get 8% back towards future purchases. They also have a good return policy.

One thing better than MF is if you have a local shop to try one out and if they would give you a good set up, if you don't do those yourself and an return policy.

IMHO...good luck ;):thumbsup:.
 
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#602
SoulReflection said:
Well, I think every member of TB has posted to this one, so I will add mine...

You like black, want short scale with a budget under $300.00.

Fender Squier VM Jaguar SS (Black), $199.00. I have one and it is a player. Join MF Back Stage Pass (free) and get 8% back towards future purchases. They also have a good return policy.

One thing better than MF is if you have a local shop to try one out and if they would give you a good set up, if you don't do those yourself and an return policy.

IMHO...good luck ;):thumbsup:.
Click to expand...
There's a dark cherry Epi EB-0 on ebay for $175. It's an overstock, still has "new" stickers on it. I already have 5 basses, otherwise I'd grab it.:thumbsup:
 
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#603
RICH HAGERTY said:
Hi Nancy,
I started out on a Danelectro 30", went to a 34" J bass then to a 1965 Gibson EB3, which I still have and love!

Have you tried the Epiphone 30" EB3? Action is decent and price is good too!
Click to expand...
Not yet but hole to some basses out tomorrow
R Briere said:
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. :)
Click to expand...
That didn’t even occur to me - great observation! I was all caught up with their British accents
 
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#604
SoulReflection said:
Well, I think every member of TB has posted to this one, so I will add mine...

You like black, want short scale with a budget under $300.00.

Fender Squier VM Jaguar SS (Black), $199.00. I have one and it is a player. Join MF Back Stage Pass (free) and get 8% back towards future purchases. They also have a good return policy.

One thing better than MF is if you have a local shop to try one out and if they would give you a good set up, if you don't do those yourself and an return policy.

IMHO...good luck ;):thumbsup:.
Click to expand...
I’ve been looking at that exact bass. None of the shops near me have one, or really any of the others on my short list (pun intended) except for the mikro.
Thanks for the tip about back stage pass - going to check that out!
 
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#605
Nancy1234 said:
I’ve been looking at that exact bass. None of the shops near me have one, or really any of the others on my short list (pun intended) except for the mikro.
Thanks for the tip about back stage pass - going to check that out!
Click to expand...

Your very welcome...also check out the no sales tax. It may or not apply to your state.

Whatever you decide, please post your decision and review. I, for one, have a lot of time invested in this thread and would really like to see a great outcome for you! Then we can address the Ampeg/Fender marathon :D;).
 
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#608
I didn't read all 31 pages but I cannot recommend the Ibanez Mikro enough. I had both the 4 and 5 string, $179 and $199 respectively and easily the best bang for the buck. I only play SS basses and they are great in mine and lots of others opinions. Even better are the Fender P JR and the MIJ 62SS Fender Jazz, both are also 28.6" scales but both are incredibly hard to find. Other than that, I would go with one of the newer Fender Mustang basses.
 
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#609
SoulReflection said:
Well, I think every member of TB has posted to this one, so I will add mine...

You like black, want short scale with a budget under $300.00.

Fender Squier VM Jaguar SS (Black), $199.00. I have one and it is a player. Join MF Back Stage Pass (free) and get 8% back towards future purchases. They also have a good return policy.

One thing better than MF is if you have a local shop to try one out and if they would give you a good set up, if you don't do those yourself and an return policy.

IMHO...good luck ;):thumbsup:.
Click to expand...
That bass is definitely the best value. Had mine turned into a fretless and everyone says the neck alone is worth more than the price of the bass.
 
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#611
R Briere said:
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.
Click to expand...

I’m not sure what the point is, but I don’t really shop at those places much. And I very rarely go through a drive through.

I’m just saying that the stores that made up 48th st are gone, so regardless of anyone’s feeling, they couldn’t go there. It would be great to have many independent businesses that could supply what is needed, I agree that knowledgeable sales people are valuable. I do my own research though these days and buy what I need for a job, I don’t really pick up much music stuff “just for fun” unless I can use it regularly. That’s not to say that I don’t have fun with music, I definitely do.

Anyway, no worries. Back to short scale basses.
 
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#614
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and I finally decided to try the bass. I’ve been on the hunt, trying everything I can get my hands on at the local stores, and trying friends’ gear

Half my friends say I MUST get a Jazz, the other say a P. No one suggests short scale except one friend who lives far away and has a 30 year old Mustang.

In my quest to try everything, I have discovered that most stores’ basses are horribly setup. Some are downright painful to try to play, so I’m not gettting a clear view of any basses’ actual potential.

I tried Jazz, Precision, Fender, Squier, fretless, Ibanez of all sorts, Hofner, Ric, Lakland, etc. I found most full scales to be uncomfortable unless perfectly setup. The Mikro I found too small, but really fun.

Along the way I fell in love with the Fender MJM signature Mustang bass, but at $1k, I wasn’t going to jump. The newer PJ Mustangs were cool, but didn’t speak to me in the same way. Different feel, sound, everything really.

Today I was at a nicely stocked Sam Ash and played a dozen over an hour and only two really spoke to me. A very thin hollowbody Hofner double cutaway (instant Peter Hook vibe). It was $650 (all black with stripes inlays), which was a little rich for me. The one I’m still thinking about is the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar short scale. I tried a full size not long ago and it had terrible neck dive, but the short scale felt perfect. Maybe it was the setup, the ultra comfortable neck, the weight, or the cool black headstock and black body, but it checked all my boxes. $200. Wow! I’m probably going back for it, before it disappears. Based on the OP’s requirements, I think this may be the perfect fit for her, too.

Thanks to everyone on this great thread for all the help you’ve indirectly given me as well. Really appreciate it!
 
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#616
joesnewmatch said:
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and I finally decided to try the bass. I’ve been on the hunt, trying everything I can get my hands on at the local stores, and trying friends’ gear

Half my friends say I MUST get a Jazz, the other say a P. No one suggests short scale except one friend who lives far away and has a 30 year old Mustang.

In my quest to try everything, I have discovered that most stores’ basses are horribly setup. Some are downright painful to try to play, so I’m not gettting a clear view of any basses’ actual potential.

I tried Jazz, Precision, Fender, Squier, fretless, Ibanez of all sorts, Hofner, Ric, Lakland, etc. I found most full scales to be uncomfortable unless perfectly setup. The Mikro I found too small, but really fun.

Along the way I fell in love with the Fender MJM signature Mustang bass, but at $1k, I wasn’t going to jump. The newer PJ Mustangs were cool, but didn’t speak to me in the same way. Different feel, sound, everything really.

Today I was at a nicely stocked Sam Ash and played a dozen over an hour and only two really spoke to me. A very thin hollowbody Hofner double cutaway (instant Peter Hook vibe). It was $650 (all black with stripes inlays), which was a little rich for me. The one I’m still thinking about is the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar short scale. I tried a full size not long ago and it had terrible neck dive, but the short scale felt perfect. Maybe it was the setup, the ultra comfortable neck, the weight, or the cool black headstock and black body, but it checked all my boxes. $200. Wow! I’m probably going back for it, before it disappears. Based on the OP’s requirements, I think this may be the perfect fit for her, too.

Thanks to everyone on this great thread for all the help you’ve indirectly given me as well. Really appreciate it!
Click to expand...
You had me at Peter Hook
 
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#618
Nancy1234 said:
You had me at Peter Hook
Click to expand...
joesnewmatch said:
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and I finally decided to try the bass. I’ve been on the hunt, trying everything I can get my hands on at the local stores, and trying friends’ gear

Half my friends say I MUST get a Jazz, the other say a P. No one suggests short scale except one friend who lives far away and has a 30 year old Mustang.

In my quest to try everything, I have discovered that most stores’ basses are horribly setup. Some are downright painful to try to play, so I’m not gettting a clear view of any basses’ actual potential.

I tried Jazz, Precision, Fender, Squier, fretless, Ibanez of all sorts, Hofner, Ric, Lakland, etc. I found most full scales to be uncomfortable unless perfectly setup. The Mikro I found too small, but really fun.

Along the way I fell in love with the Fender MJM signature Mustang bass, but at $1k, I wasn’t going to jump. The newer PJ Mustangs were cool, but didn’t speak to me in the same way. Different feel, sound, everything really.

Today I was at a nicely stocked Sam Ash and played a dozen over an hour and only two really spoke to me. A very thin hollowbody Hofner double cutaway (instant Peter Hook vibe). It was $650 (all black with stripes inlays), which was a little rich for me. The one I’m still thinking about is the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar short scale. I tried a full size not long ago and it had terrible neck dive, but the short scale felt perfect. Maybe it was the setup, the ultra comfortable neck, the weight, or the cool black headstock and black body, but it checked all my boxes. $200. Wow! I’m probably going back for it, before it disappears. Based on the OP’s requirements, I think this may be the perfect fit for her, too.

Thanks to everyone on this great thread for all the help you’ve indirectly given me as well. Really appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Trying to post a peter hook video clip ... technical difficulties. Amazing performance a few years ago...!
Thanks for your input !!
 
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#619
joesnewmatch said:
....The one I’m still thinking about is the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar short scale. I tried a full size not long ago and it had terrible neck dive, but the short scale felt perfect. Maybe it was the setup, the ultra comfortable neck, the weight, or the cool black headstock and black body, but it checked all my boxes. $200. Wow! I’m probably going back for it, before it disappears....
Click to expand...

Hard to go wrong with the Jag SS. Excellent value. Snatch it up and post a pic so we can give you a congrats.
There's a really long multi part thread for the Jag SS club if you want to read more about it:
Squier Jaguar Short Scale Club Part 3

I haven't tried the JMJ Mustang yet.
It's a bit more than I care to spend though, and I've got other basses that work well for me, so I'm OK with not getting one.
 
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#620
joesnewmatch said:
I have been playing guitar for 20 years and I finally decided to try the bass. I’ve been on the hunt, trying everything I can get my hands on at the local stores, and trying friends’ gear

Half my friends say I MUST get a Jazz, the other say a P. No one suggests short scale except one friend who lives far away and has a 30 year old Mustang.

In my quest to try everything, I have discovered that most stores’ basses are horribly setup. Some are downright painful to try to play, so I’m not gettting a clear view of any basses’ actual potential.

I tried Jazz, Precision, Fender, Squier, fretless, Ibanez of all sorts, Hofner, Ric, Lakland, etc. I found most full scales to be uncomfortable unless perfectly setup. The Mikro I found too small, but really fun.

Along the way I fell in love with the Fender MJM signature Mustang bass, but at $1k, I wasn’t going to jump. The newer PJ Mustangs were cool, but didn’t speak to me in the same way. Different feel, sound, everything really.

Today I was at a nicely stocked Sam Ash and played a dozen over an hour and only two really spoke to me. A very thin hollowbody Hofner double cutaway (instant Peter Hook vibe). It was $650 (all black with stripes inlays), which was a little rich for me. The one I’m still thinking about is the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar short scale. I tried a full size not long ago and it had terrible neck dive, but the short scale felt perfect. Maybe it was the setup, the ultra comfortable neck, the weight, or the cool black headstock and black body, but it checked all my boxes. $200. Wow! I’m probably going back for it, before it disappears. Based on the OP’s requirements, I think this may be the perfect fit for her, too.

Thanks to everyone on this great thread for all the help you’ve indirectly given me as well. Really appreciate it!
Click to expand...


I had to upload this to my lame YouTube channel, just so I could share this with you, @joesnewmatch
 
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