Short Scale thougths

[DrBnz]

So I want a short scale (only cause I don't have one). I don't know a whole lot about them (hence the post) and I'm looking for inputs on which would suit ME best.

- I am getting older .... so lighter is better
- I'm a P-Bass fanatic really
- I do like thicker necks, but its not a show-stopper
- I do like nice rosewood on the neck. Just the look of them "gets" me.
- I appreciate inexpensive. But if it feels/looks cheap, I won't have it.

I "think" I want a Squire Mini-P and (maybe) upgrade the strings, pickups later. Maybe even paint it. So not only fun to play but a hobby item. Now that's only $200. But the fingerboard does look "inexpensive".

Then I see the Mustang Bass'. Especially the USA models that "LOOK" more impressive but are 6x the price. Now cost isn't a real issue, so long as I perceive quality.

So I "like" the mini-P idea.... But I fear that it won't meet my quality standard. Now I've never held either of these. I'm going out Monday to do that. I was just looking for inputs from people who already traveled this path..... Thoughts???

 

[west al]

The Epi EB-0. A 30.5" neck, 12" radius fretboard, and a 1.5" Jazz size nut. The Sidewinder Humbucking, puts out a great clear, deep low tone. New price, $269., restrung with D'Addario ETB92S Nylons. This is the one bass I will not part with.

 

[DrBnz]

I'll take a look at those too...... I do like the color.... I see the rosewood fingerboard.... Its hitting all the marks. Why the nylon strings? I don't know anything about them (either). Do you select them because of they sound appreciably better on a short-scale or just cause you like nylon strings?

 

[LetItGrowTone]

My Ibanez TMB30 weighs 8.3lb
nut width 1.61", thickness .85" at 1st fret, 1.01 at 12th fret. With regard to dead or weak spots, it's my most solid.

My Gibson SG(EB) weighed 7.2lb stock. With ultralites and without the pickguard it weighs 6.6lb.
nut width 1.60", thicknesses .85", .93". Dead/weak spot performance a very close second to the TMB30.

 

[west al]

I'll take a look at those too...... I do like the color.... I see the rosewood fingerboard.... Its hitting all the marks. Why the nylon strings? I don't know anything about them (either). Do you select them because of they sound appreciably better on a short-scale or just cause you like nylon strings?

I've used D'Addario ETB92 series Nylons on almost everything for years now. Long, Medium, and Short scale basses. I do prefer the Nylon/Flat strings sounds they put out. Versatile sounds depending on the bass settings. A deep, mellow tone. Easy on the fingers, the fretboard, and they last for a very long time. I've never had any intonation issues with the D'Addario ETB92 Series Nylons either.

 

[Lowendchamp]

I own both and both are fantastic. I am a P guy too and from what you said I think you would benefit from both as well. My AP Mustang is so perfect it remains unaltered and gets played regularly in my line up. Outstanding craftsmanship and feel it is definitely worth the money. The mini is outstanding in a different way due to the design it can hang in there with my more expensive Ps after an upgrade to the bridge and pickup which doubled my cost. The mini is much lighter but also about an inch and a half shorter, but travels extremely well in my Strat gig bag ( the Mustang won't fit). If I had to only have one it would be my Mustang. The sound and feel alone makes it unique and capable of attaining that old Gibson EB0 sound as well. I hope this helped.

 

[Jefenator]

I think I finally bonded with a shorty, last night. Was playing a Kay 162 on a party gig and it just gelled.
I tried the old P-bass for a short set. Usually long scale quickly wins be back over with its deeper authority but this time it just seemed dull - and harder to play.
For a more compact P vibe, you might want to look at the Musicmaster. IME the real vintage ones are a bit cheesy with the hardware and construction - but they also have loads of character. And with a decent pickup, they can really roar.

 

[Jack Deth]

Unless they’ve sorted it out, obtaining strings for the Squire Mini has prevented me from getting one. I won’t get a bass that doesn’t also have the support logistics behind it. Wrapping the thick part of the E string around the tuning post is a no-go for me. I seen where folks over on the Club thread had a group order done, and that’s cool, but doesn’t solve the long term problem.

 

[abarson]

Luna short scale P bass
Tattoo Electric Bass - Short Scale | Dean Guitars

 

[TK4261]

I bought a Mini P last year for a project Bass and I am really happy with it. I basically took apart the whole thing and only used the neck & body. The Laurel fretboard is just fine on it. I play this bass most of the time at home on the couch as it it very comfortable and light at 6lbs. With the mods, it sounds like a full size P.

 

[Jack Deth]

bought a Mini P last year for a project Bass and I am really happy with it

What do you do for strings?

 

[TK4261]

What do you do for strings?

I use D'Adadario EXL170S Nickel wound short scale rounds 45-100 and I also use the stainless steel version. No issues with the strings on the tuners. It stays in tune no problem either. I don't use flats or strings with a silk wrap. so far so good

 

[LetItGrowTone]

I see that @Jack Deth's preference is strong and I don't want to contradict that, but I'm just telling you that I ran 36" scale TIJRs on a 33.25" scale Ric for over two years with no problems (and I only removed them to try something else).

But most types of flats would probably be less cooperative.

 

[Lowendchamp]

I bought a Mini P last year for a project Bass and I am really happy with it. I basically took apart the whole thing and only used the neck & body. The Laurel fretboard is just fine on it. I play this bass most of the time at home on the couch as it it very comfortable and light at 6lbs. With the mods, it sounds like a full size P.

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Is that light up side dots on your mini? If so that has to be one of the coolest mods I've ever seen! Reminds me of the Warwick Pnut 3.

 

[srayb]

I recently got a Gretsch G2220 short scale and love it. I’ve played long scale 6-string basses for over 25 years, so I really like that the Gretsch is 2lbs lighter, very comfortable to play and sounds great with the DR Legend flatwounds I put on it.

 

[Jack Deth]

For short scale I picked up an Ibanez EHB1005SMS since I’ve become a fan of multiscale. It fits my needs perfectly, and with the headless design you can use just about any length strings on it.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So I want a short scale (only cause I don't have one). I don't know a whole lot about them (hence the post) and I'm looking for inputs on which would suit ME best.

- I am getting older .... so lighter is better
- I'm a P-Bass fanatic really
- I do like thicker necks, but its not a show-stopper
- I do like nice rosewood on the neck. Just the look of them "gets" me.
- I appreciate inexpensive. But if it feels/looks cheap, I won't have it.

I "think" I want a Squire Mini-P and (maybe) upgrade the strings, pickups later. Maybe even paint it. So not only fun to play but a hobby item. Now that's only $200. But the fingerboard does look "inexpensive".

Then I see the Mustang Bass'. Especially the USA models that "LOOK" more impressive but are 6x the price. Now cost isn't a real issue, so long as I perceive quality.

So I "like" the mini-P idea.... But I fear that it won't meet my quality standard. Now I've never held either of these. I'm going out Monday to do that. I was just looking for inputs from people who already traveled this path..... Thoughts???

The last short scale bass I’ve played was a Mustang back in the 70’s. At the time I had an EB3 and almost traded it even up for it as it was that good sounding. Saddens me I didn’t. I can’t offer an opinion on the newer ones as I haven’t seen one in the wild.

 

[TK4261]

Is that light up side dots on your mini? If so that has to be one of the coolest mods I've ever seen! Reminds me of the Warwick Pnut 3.

Its Luminlay glow side dot material. Just charge it up with a tiny UV light and it lasts for a bit. Kind of a pain to install but not hard. I use a finger drill to take out the old side dot material. I've done it to quite a few project basses and really like it.

 

[Red Scorpion]

I have a short scale EB-0 and it's a good bass. It fits a certain niche that i need to fill. I like it a lot.

But is it right for you? Nobody can answer that except you yourself. I suggest trying one out at a shop or borrow one from a friend and play through it for a bit and see if its a good fit. You'll know when you put it in your hands whether or not it will work for you.

 

[Lo-E]

My only shorty (for now) is a late '60s Dan Armstrong/Danelectro single cutaway with a single pickup. These are fairly uncommon and not so cheap anymore but the various reissues of Danelectros are very playable, reasonably priced, sound good and look classy in a campy kind of way. They're very lightweight and have rosewood boards as well. I really like the way they sound.

A local player who's playing and tone I admire a lot has used an Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat as his main gigging bass for the past several years and that thing sounds just great! The ones I've taken off the wall at guitar shops felt pretty good in my hands, too.

I like the look of Epiphone's EB reissue basses but, sadly, I've never really gotten along with the ergonomics or the tone of those basses, personally. The balance has always felt weird to me and the tone was much too wooly for my tastes.