Short Scales, Interesting Trend

[Count Bassie]

I'm looking at a couple short scale basses, after playing 34" scale for pretty much the past 40+ years. I love playing my Epi Thunderbird neck-thru, but the lure of a little more fun down in the Money Position is becoming a thing. I get around on 34" scale fine, but I don't have particularly sprawling hands, and I do have to work a bit for first position.

I'm seeing a lot of older players looking at the new crop of shorter scale instruments. I'm 60, and a life of labor and undisciplined playing technique have taken a share of toll, and I'm thinking I'm not the only one! I'm not going to stop playing, and I need it to keep being fun, and not painful, so I'm looking at shorter scale lengths again.

I'm currently eyeing at a Dano Longhorn '58 reissue, or an Epi EB-0. I know they're old-school, they are pretty limited, and that there are more refined instruments in the new crop of shorties. But these sound cool, are fun to play, and they look cool! I'm done being too very adult and sophisticated about this. The adult part is, however, deciding that something I'm mostly into for my own edification should have a good work/fun ratio.

That's it! And hey, I'm open to hearing wisdom on this... Thanks for reading!

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Welcome to the club! I'm 61 and am very thankful there are so many affordable SS options these days.

 

[Old Blastard]

I started on a short scale in 1972 and never quit playing them, although I've added 32, 33 and 34 to my accumulation. They can play and sound like any other bass but I do find with my short arms and Jimmy Dean breakfast link fingers I play a little easier and a bit faster on them. Variety is good.

 

[msb]

The Longhorn is a great little bass . They develop a serious thump if you leave the strings on them for a while .
The little Gibson Les Paul DC Jr is a beauty too .

 

[mongo2]

I've had many shortscales in my over five decades of playing and I particularly like my early '60s Danelectro Silvertone Model 1444. I've had it for decades and it has never failed me.

As far as currently manufactured basses go, I'm a fan of the Hofner Ignition basses. My favorite is the Ignition Club bass.

 

[brocco]

I really like the SBMM short-scale Olympic white/Rosewood I received from American Musical Supply yesterday. No fret sprout whatsoever. Nice bridge and saddles, truss rod has plenty of easy movement in either direction. Very high output passive electronics, no it will not replace my USA Sterling 4HH ( nothing will ) but for $550 sweet little bass and will be a keeper.

 

[TomB]

I’ve moved to short scale for gigs - more comfortable. The available crop of s 5-strings is quite small, though. Im very happy with my Serek Midwestern2 5-er, but it ain’t cheap! Neither is the gorgeous Birdsong C5 I just saw pictured. But if you only play 4’s, the selection is growing every day, many of them at standard prices.

 

[rpt50]

I'm about to turn 60 and just recently started playing primarily bass (45+ years guitar). I've already been through a few SS basses, but if you don't mind a little tinkering and don't want to risk much money, the Ibanez TMB 30 is a good option. Mine needed a fret polish (big time) and new stings (could not get the originals to intonate), but for $189, it plays great and sounds pretty much the same as any other P bass to my ear. The neck profile is pretty standard P bass too. It is light, has no appreciable neck dive, and is small enough to play on the couch, even in a reclined position if you are just noodling with the TV on.

I've decided that the TMB is a keeper for me and I've continued to tinker with it to refine the neck. I'm also considering new pick ups, but I have to admit that whatever Ibanez puts in the P position actually works very well.

 

[rockscott]

I'm 59, I made the jump to shorts 8 years ago. I'm playing Gibson's & a birdsong I don't miss longscales one bit!

 

[Ken Morgan]

65 here, arthritic hands…and the Fender Mustang PJ and Guild Starfire II are life savers.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I play a 30" short scale 5 and I play 34" and even a 37" Dingwall. While the 30" is easier to play, I primarily play it for the tone. And it gets a lot of play time.

 

[DucRyder]

I say go for it! I had an Epi Eb0 that I loved (though they can be neck heavy). I'd go to a big box music store and get a few of the newer short scale basses under your fingers and see what fits you in tone and ergonomics. If you get the bug to build something "custom" Warmoth does Fender style bodies and necks in SS... good luck!

 

[bmusic]

I’m a big fan of the Japanese-made Mustangs. But I sure would appreciate it if you bought this one before I do:

For Sale - Serek Sacramento 30" Scale

 

[wvbass]

I'm not a short scale convert yet, but when I am, my Guild M-85 is ready and waiting.

 

[jd56hawk]

You won't find anything better.

 

[JIO]

Reverend Wattplower - not mine but from what owners say, it looks to be a winner - (same price as the new Gibson NR T-bird.

 

[micguy]

OK, I don't understand the Reverend Dub King - it has a short scale, but the bridge is at least 4 inches from the edge of the body, as such the reach has to be the same as a full scale when played on a strap. Seems like they've negated one of the primary reasons to have a short scale.

 

[Cowboy0071]

I bought a American Performer mustang a year ago, it's been my go to since.

 

[Ostie]

I have these four shorties, ranked in order of preference:

Epiphone EB-0. I love the neck and the low down thump. Not too heavy. Neck dive is present, but if you use a good wide strap, not an issue.

Epiphone Allen Woody. Great neck and versatility from the HH pickup config. Smaller headstock so less neck dive.

Fender MIM Mustang PJ. Great maple neck and workhorse P pickup. I never use the J pup.

Hofner Ignition Club. Classic Hofner tone with flats. Tuners are archaic. Pup switches make no sense. But if you want early Beatle bass tone without the viola body, it’s the ticket.

 

[JIO]

OK, I don't understand the Reverend Dub King - it has a short scale, but the bridge is at least 4 inches from the edge of the body, as such the reach has to be the same as a full scale when played on a strap. Seems like they've negated one of the primary reasons to have a short scale.

If it's anything like this '65 Teisco Del Rey (at 47" - as long as a Jazz bass but 30" scale) it doesn't 'feel' big or long and is balanced well when playing. (bridge cover is 5" from the end) A great sounding, easy playing ss bass.