Short scale versus Long scale

[Eddie Jones]

Being new to bass, I keep seeing posts about long scale, traditional basses (P and J) as well as short scale (Mustang bass). My question is this...I am coming from playing guitar. I also like low end thump. Would the short scale basses like the Mustang and the Talman TMB30 give me the low end I love or is that a product of the scale and tuning? Please enlighten me. The idea of the short scale bass intrigues me because it will be very similar in feel to a Strat or Les Paul (so I can become accustomed quicker and know my place on the fretboard) Do the short scales (30") have the clang and pop or would I quickly tire of limitations and get a standard (34"?) bass? Or, are they any true limitations other than me?

 

[msb]

Most short scale basses have plenty of thump .

 

[HelpImaRock]

I played a Precision before moving to a Reverend Watt, which is a 30" scale. I too come from guitar. You're never going to get one true answer to this. There's too many factors.

For me, the biggest parts of the equation are the amp and the strings. Like on guitar, if you've got a great amp, then the instrument itself is going to matter less. Strings seem to play bigger on a bass than on a guitar because of the increased tension and generally cleaner sound. Regarding both of those areas, you've got to figure out what works best for you.

A short scale bass will always sound "thumpier" than a longer scale because of the overtone series. Though like on guitar, differences in pickup construction and body type will have their effects. Even though a Mustang and a Hofner share the same scale length, the particularities of their construction will make them sound different. Personally, I like the Mustang better. That doesn't mean a short scale can't sound brighter and clangier, like a Jazz bass. It just means you'll want to learn how to dial in the sound you want.

Lastly, don't worry about scale length translating back to the guitar. You'll want to stop thinking like a guitarist and relating to the guitar as quickly as possible. Bass fills a different function in a band context and the sooner you take it as its own instrument instead of as a lower tuned guitar, the better you'll get.

 

[GIBrat51]

Well...
Short scale basses (30",+/- a little) can be a good place to start for a guitar player. In fact, some of them -
like my Gretsch Broadkaster - were originally guitars (a Tennessee Rose, in this case) converted to basses. As for the low end thump? It depends on the bass, but a lot of long scale bass lovers will tell you that short scale basses have too much low end thump. This is, IMO, a left over from the early short scale basses like the early "mudbucker" equipped Gibsons, which, given the amps and strings available at the time were, indeed, muddy sounding and thumpy. But, that was then; this is now. None of my short scale basses sound like that - although I can make a couple of them get kind of close, if I work at it... And yes, you can get clang and pop from a short scale bass. But, it depends on the bass. You won't get it from a Broadkaster or a violin bass, but from any solid body shorty? Yeah, probably. That isn't something I normally want from a bass, but..
this Kramer Duke can get pretty clangy if I want it to. As for pop? Not something I want, either..
The only real drawback to a short scale bass? String availability; although, to be fair, that isn't the problem it used to be - for short scale basses that take real short scale strings. Some shortys, though, like..
this old Epiphone EA-260, pretty much need medium scale strings because of the extra distance back to the tailpiece. My Broadkaster actually needs long scale strings most of the time. Very few medium scale strings will fit it. Besides the distance back to the tailpiece, it's just physically a big bass.. You need to be sure which strings will fit the bass you decide on. There is a lot of variation between the basses themselves, as well as in the different manufacturer's short/medium scale strings. There are string length charts (stickies in the Strings forum, in fact) to help you find the right ones for your particular bass..
So, if you want a short scale bass? By all means, get one. Just try to play as many of them as you can, to find the one you like. Good luck...

 

[neo 7]

My shorties got plenty of low end thump.

 

[Nebula24]

Shorties got me back into playing. Never bonded with full scale so it stayed years upon years in my closet. Wasn't really aware of them when I started or availability was lacking...

Tried the eb0, micro and bronco and couldn't put the eb0 down. Neck just feels great to me. So traded in my full scale. Have been playing it almost daily for nearly 2 years. Never played my full scale this much.

If buying now would have probably got the gretsch jr jet if looking starter level. Was holding out for the squier mustang for my 2nd bass but found a used eastwood jetsons that I couldn't let pass on month ago.

As said above only annoyance is have to order strings online. And selection isnt as great locally if your neck picky like me and want to be hands on before purchase.

Cant hurt to try one. Find the bass you love and hold on to it no matter the scale.

I still try any bass I havent seen before when I got stores but definitely short scale for me.