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Short Scales, Interesting Trend

#21
Collis fracture, plate, screws, pins, glue and 18 months of PT.

My hand is now at about 80% of what it used to be with long scale and extended range basses no long useable. I went to an SS Höfner. I still know where all the notes are, and I still have some equipment that needs trading off.

But... short scale basses are workable.
My guitar is down to a classical and a 22" radius electric with .008 gauge strings because of tactile creepy feelings with heavier gauges. Flats on the basses are comfortable as well.

It is what it is, I'm real pleased that the short scale basses are working out.
 
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#23
Count Bassie said:
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!
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Don’t give it a second thought. Get yourself a short scale and rock on!!
 
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#24
If you truly need a short scale there are plenty of good options available to you. If, however, you are judging short scale only against a Thunderbird then you should also try playing a Fender style 34” scale bass. The Thunderbird, because of how they hang from your body, feels longer — I.e. the first fret is longer reach.
 
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#25
brocco said:
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.
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I bought one of these basses several months ago after a couple of shoulder surgeries. It looks really nice and was reasonably well adjusted right out of the box. I hated the strings that came on it, but I swapped them for a set of short TI Jazz Flats and it’s jamming. I think it’s good for what it cost, but it doesn’t challenge any of my more serious more expensive basses
 
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#26
brocco said:
I really like the SBMM short-scale Olympic white/Rosewood I received from American Musical Supply yesterday. No fret sprout whatsoever.
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Gizmot said:
I bought one of these basses several months ago after a couple of shoulder surgeries. It looks really nice and was reasonably well adjusted right out of the box.
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Sorry to be "that guy", but I'm searching for the right one also. No one mentions the weight on these, and that's important to me, and my deteriorating back. What do the SBMM and EBMM Shorties weigh?
 
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#28
JIO said:
Reverend Wattplower - not mine but from what owners say, it looks to be a winner - (same price as the new Gibson NR T-bird.

View attachment 4544492
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This is the Mk II - I have the MkI which I enjoy more than my Fender Professional MIA P Bass. It’s very light, easy to play and sounds very much the same as my P Bass which are both strung with La Bella Deep Talkin Flats . Very well built.
 
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#31
Count Bassie said:
I'm currently eyeing at a Dano Longhorn '58 reissue, or an Epi EB-0.
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I say get both, they're small....... Seriously. :woot::D

Count Bassie said:
I'm looking at a couple short scale basses, after playing 34" scale for pretty much the past 40+ years.
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Count Bassie said:
and I do have to work a bit for first position.
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I was kinda in the same boat. Little life changes (hand surgery left hand) led me to short/medium scale basses about 4 - 5 years ago. Absolutely love 'em. Occasionally a long one comes off the wall for duty, but not very often. Not only did I switch to short scale (31" and 32") but also moved to 5 string so I have the option of all the 1st position stuff higher up the neck on the B string. Much easier on the left hand. And now with more manufacturers producing shorties, there is better selection of strings. A great time to be a bassist.
 
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#32
2cooltoolz said:
Sorry to be "that guy", but I'm searching for the right one also. No one mentions the weight on these, and that's important to me, and my deteriorating back. What do the SBMM and EBMM Shorties weigh?
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My SBMM is somewhere between 8 & 8 and a half pounds, my luggage scales are quite unreliable, but I'd estimate 8lb 3 or 4oz.

The body is very small and comfortable, and the balance is good but not perfect. If it was my main gigging bass I'd put some Ultralites on, which would definitely fix and minor dive.
 
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#33
Scroll down the TB page that I'll post here until you get to the list of Short Scales from halfwound21 with his collection. It's a pretty good reference. I have 3 on this list, the Lakland Hollowbody, Nordstrand Acinonyx Cat and the Schecter Banshee which just had a price hike of $100. Much better selection that when I bought the Lakland several years ago. Good luck with your search!

The Official Short Scale Bass Club -- Part 4 | Page 339 | TalkBass.com
 
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#35
2cooltoolz said:
Sorry to be "that guy", but I'm searching for the right one also. No one mentions the weight on these, and that's important to me, and my deteriorating back. What do the SBMM and EBMM Shorties weigh?
Click to expand...

I've used lighter basses for about 20 years but due to a mild stroke a few years ago I've become very serious about light weight basses which is one of the reasons I have a Hofner Ignition Club that weighs only 4lbs 8 oz and I'm working on a project that will use a solid body made of that looks like it will weigh about the same.
 
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#38
I like your thread about short scales and I also like what you said.

Short scales are becoming more and more acceptable. They used to be kind of thought of as a "student starter bass". Of course, Uncle Paul played short scale with The Beatles, didn't he?

32 inch is an excellent compromise. In between 30" and 34".

Just like you, I am an aging baby boomer with "issues". I never like short scale basses. A prejudice. "Short scales look like toys." "Real men play 34." Kind of mentality.

But, my son bought me a Fender Squire Bronco Bass. He found it used. Cheap as dirt, about $149. I switched out the pickup to a Strat dual blade alnico.

WOW!

As long as I pretty much stay low register...........sounds like a full scale bass. No problems at all.

Longhorn? Yeah! DO IT!!!!!!!!!!

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