Short scale

[Nephilymbass]

Have a 20th anniversary Squier P Bass and my old fingers are hating the fret reach. So I am looking at short scale and ready to purchase from either American Musical or Sweetwater. The price range is $350 or less. Looking now at Gretsch JR Jet. Opinions, please.

First thing id mention is have you tried adjusting your playing position? I say that because I’ve played various basses in different scales and the longer the scale of the bass the lower and more vertical I tend to wear it so I don’t have to reach far. Have never played a Gretsch. If you’re wanting to stick to fender/Squier id suggest doing a google search for 32” scale fender bass. They’ve done a few 32” over the years along with 30” might be able to find one of those 32” jazz basses. Warmoth also does short scale. Seems like there’s some chatter over the new 30” supro basses but I’ve never seen one in person to give it a spin.

 

[lowplaces]

He wants a 30 inch scale with humbuckers.

 

[Steve-D]

First thing id mention is have you tried adjusting your playing position? I say that because I’ve played various basses in different scales and the longer the scale of the bass the lower and more vertical I tend to wear it so I don’t have to reach far. Have never played a Gretsch. If you’re wanting to stick to fender/Squier id suggest doing a google search for 32” scale fender bass. They’ve done a few 32” over the years along with 30” might be able to find one of those 32” jazz basses. Warmoth also does short scale. Seems like there’s some chatter over the new 30” supro basses but I’ve never seen one in person to give it a spin.

The reason I want to go short scale is the distance between frets. My arthritis won't be as big a problem with less finger stretch. Have been researching a lot. Thanks for your input.

 

[Steve-D]

hmm! I'm suprised that no one has mentioned the Jackson Concert Minion bass! 28.6 scale and looks like well a Jackson!. Not my cup of tea but a decent and cheap shortie!

I am also looking into a Gretch Jet 2 for the same arthritis reasons

Well you just gave me another bass to do some research on. Thanks!

 

[MCF]

new mustang pj is 575. worth it although the pickups aren't the best in the world imo. changing them out was an enormous improvement to an otherwise fantastic instrument

I love mine. I actually like the pickups. Only downside for me are the tuners. I’ve decided I’m keeping it, as it is an early one with a really nice Rosewood fretboard. Looking to replace the tuners though.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

By the way just noticed your recent join date , welcome to Talkbass. I ‘m just a little younger than you, started with my 1st guitar Christmas 1969 and got interested in playing bass around 2006. Long time forum lurker, got more bass serious and joined in 2011. Of all gear forums I frequent I’ve learned more and get a better vibe from TB than anywhere else. Enjoy.

 

[MCF]

Have a 20th anniversary Squier P Bass and my old fingers are hating the fret reach. So I am looking at short scale and ready to purchase from either American Musical or Sweetwater. The price range is $350 or less. Looking now at Gretsch JR Jet. Opinions, please.

I’ve admired that Gretch from afar for some time now. I have never seen one in a store to give it a try. I know I could order and return, but I know that even if I didn’t care for it, it would stick around until I got ambitious and tried to sell it. If you get one, please post a review,

 

[dragon2knight]

This thread piqued my interest so much that I just ordered a Gretsch tonight Figured I had nothing to lose in seeing how it is.....might just keep both for the different tones, like that matters as I'm just learning...but still. My Mikro is a very short scale, nearly 2 inches shorter scale than the Gretsch....worth a shot seeing which one I like better. Thanks for the G.A.S.

 

[bearfoot]

Caught my eye:

Dean Evo XM

Luna Tat30

Italia Maranello Cavo - out of stated price range, sorry

 

[jpmcbride]

The Gretsch is a nice bass. Easy to play, looks good, nice tone and some variety with the controls.

 

[40Hz]

Go for the Gretsch. @40Hz can help talk you into it.

I guess my reputation precedes me.

Seriously though, it’s a great little bass for not a lot of money. I’ve played a lot of basses. And in the last few years I’ve a lot more attention to the short-scales than I have in the past. And of the shorties I ended up buying, the Junior Jet was definitely the biggest surprise in terms of versatility and value. I’d have no qualms about gigging it or bringing it into the studio.

If you’re just looking for a short scale length but prefer one that sounds more like a long scale, then check out a Chowny SWB-1 Signature. They go for around $500-650 new depending on the version, direct from Chowny. To my ears mine sounds and responds far more like a JB than it does a short-scale bass.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Problem is, those are long scale, not short. I’ve owned several.

Aw shoot. Guess they wrote it wrong.

 

[Bthebassplayer]

Hofner Verythin HCT 500/7 SB




Second hand that is...

 

[CalBuzz51]

For short reach, look for the bridge as close to the butt of the bass as possible. You can have a 30” scale, but if the bridge is in the middle of the body, it’s a longer reach than if its mounted close to the end of the bass. See post #35 from bassmangotdblues pix.

Edit: fixed post #.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I've owned a ton of short scales. Sold them all, but... ONE.
If You can find one of these... BUY IT!!!

Just my two cents.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Have a 20th anniversary Squier P Bass and my old fingers are hating the fret reach. So I am looking at short scale and ready to purchase from either American Musical or Sweetwater. The price range is $350 or less. Looking now at Gretsch JR Jet. Opinions, please.

The Gretsch is a great little bass.
I have the Jr. Jet 2220 and it blows my Squier VM Jag shortie out if the water for tone. (The Jag has upgraded pickups too.)
If you weren’t aware, Gretsch is owned by Fender. Mine has the same Fender 5 screw bridge, so there are a lot of options if you want to upgrade.
When I bought mine, I was thinking about a better bridge, but it sounded so much better than I expected it to that I decided to just leave it as is.
Other upgrades down the road would be better pots and a better switch, but only if what I have now starts getting wonky.
The strings on the Gretsch are Chrone flats. The Jag has tapewounds but used to have Chromes and even then, the Gretsch was just so much better. I think the Gretsch mini-humbuckers make all the difference.
Of course it does need a tort pickguard in order to be a real bass.

 

[mongo2]

For short reach, look for the bridge as close to the butt of the bass as possible. You can have a 30” scale, but if the bridge is in the middle of the body, it’s a longer reach than if its mounted close to the end of the bass. See post #35 from bassmangotdblues pix.

I agree.

However, I've found that short scales with the bridge closer to the end of the body result in my left arm being jammed up against my body when playing past the 6th fret and awkward left hand contortions. I find middle of the body bridge location and/or an offset body design to be much more comfortable for me while still being a shorter reach than a long scale bass.

 

[40Hz]

Minor note: If you do get the Gretsch, pull the flats and try a set of GHS Pressurewounds instead. That give you the best of both worlds IMO.

 

[Slinger]

I'd like to add another "vote" for the Squier VM Jag SS. Having said that, it's the only short-scale I have any experience with but I love mine to bits. It's also the perfect starting point if you decide to mod/upgrade later on.

 

[bearfoot]

Did this not come up yet?
Don't sell them short -