The mustang build quality was awesome, it just was not my cup of tea, but neither was the epiphone viola!
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Short Scales, Interesting Trend
- Thread starter Count Bassie
- Start date
I picked a Sterling up yesterday and plucked at it a minute, it felt substantial but not particularly heavy at all. Must've been less than 8 lbs, maybe more like 7...
What have you found satisfactory for a short-scale 5-string?I say get both, they're small....... Seriously.
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.
I'm a tall person, and I really would like to see some short scale basses out there with standard size bodies on them. I don't know if that would place the bridge in a unusable position or not.
There's a couple of things on my pie in the sky "wishlist."
*I wish Steinberger made a short scale bass in their original L2 configuration.
*I wish the Epiphone Jack Casady bass was a short scale Bass with the same size body but again the bridge position thing nags me.
*I wish I still had my '68 EB3, but it's looong gone.
* I miss that $25 Vox Cougar semi-hollow that Vince McAllister sold me back in 1970
There's a couple of things on my pie in the sky "wishlist."
*I wish Steinberger made a short scale bass in their original L2 configuration.
*I wish the Epiphone Jack Casady bass was a short scale Bass with the same size body but again the bridge position thing nags me.
*I wish I still had my '68 EB3, but it's looong gone.
* I miss that $25 Vox Cougar semi-hollow that Vince McAllister sold me back in 1970
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
See post #20 - these basses are generally available, a couple NB1's on eBay and a number of EB-200's on Reverb right now (no affiliation with either)
Out of these two, I'd get the EB0. I've never had a Dano LH but they look pretty cool.
I guess I don't understand the single wooden saddle.
What happens if you have intonation issues?
This may not actually be a concern, I just don't understand.
But I do own a modded EB0 and I love the feel of the neck.
Some say it's a one-trick pony but that's not an issue since I have other basses anyway.
Besides, it does that one trick very well.....057912
I have an MIJ Mustang (stock pup replaced with Nordstrand NM4) but prefer the Guild Starfire and Reverend Dub King:
The recent "Newark Street" (MIK) Starfire I repops (like the one in the video above) though still available used, have been superseded by a less expensive version made in Indonesia:
They MIK Starfire II (loaded with BiSonic pups) is still in production.
The recent "Newark Street" (MIK) Starfire I repops (like the one in the video above) though still available used, have been superseded by a less expensive version made in Indonesia:
They MIK Starfire II (loaded with BiSonic pups) is still in production.
The Dano saddle is pretty ok, you get it in position for the E and G strings, and the rest is in the ballpark. Intonation can be less precise on a shorty anyway, so it's not much of an issue.
Frets are a (lesser known) problem anyway, not much is perfect. I like the Dano because 1) it's cool! And 2) it's got a novel, and very usable tone. May be more of a one-trick chicken than the EB-0, but yes if you have that it's likely because you already have something else...
Side question here.
If you had to pick one, would you get a five string or a shorty? Consider the obvious reason about playing in an upper position for the scale length issue... Then you've got the ability if you have need of the 5er's low B.
If you had to pick one, would you get a five string or a shorty? Consider the obvious reason about playing in an upper position for the scale length issue... Then you've got the ability if you have need of the 5er's low B.
It’s not an either/or thing for me. I like the short scale and I like a 5-string. The B- string does offer the comfort of the closer-to-the-body positions, and the short scale length offers a different set of comforts altogether. …apples and oranges.
So if I have to pick just one, it’s a 5-string shorty. Oh wait, I already did that
.
Actually, I build my own, so I have limited experience. As far as production basses, I own a Brice 5 string 30" scale that is pretty nice. I like it (still own it) however, didn't heavily bond with it due to the narrow string spacing. 16.5mm. Some folk like the narrow spacing, just a little cramped for me. But if you don't mind narrow spacing, they're a good buy IMO.
If I were to go buy an off the rack bass right now I would most likely buy an Ibanez Mezzo SRMD205 (32" scale) Nice, well built, good sounding bass. (Mezzo $350; Brice $500).
If budget allowed, I'd be looking at Maruszczyk, Kiesel. Both have various models in 30" and 32" scale. $1,100. to $1,500 and up. The Spector Bantom 5 is 32" scale. They are pretty pricey. $2,300.
The aforementioned "trend" started for me back in '83...although I've played long-scale basses as well...
The current SS stable
1976 Guild JS-2
From left to right:
1968 Gibson EB-2
1969 Gibson EB-0 (heavily modded)
1970 Gibson Les Paul Bass
The current SS stable
1976 Guild JS-2
From left to right:
1968 Gibson EB-2
1969 Gibson EB-0 (heavily modded)
1970 Gibson Les Paul Bass
Attachments
It's a "trend" because there seem to be more of them visible, and more manufacturers are making them. Just because they've always existed doesn't mean the were popular. Just check out how many people have seen them as "student models", "beginners' instruments" and "toys", Felix Pappalardi and Jack Bruce notwithstanding...
For many years in 70's I even did not know there is short scale bass. First time, I've seen Stanley Clarke live, I had a sense he is a giant. Well, not so much, he is just a bit taller than I am (had a chance to meet him for a second).
One of my heroes from the youth played Gibson Les Paul bass and I was looking around maybe I can get something. But, they were rare and expensive. Somehow, I decided to get Epiphone Rumblekat, since I've seen original in ABB Museum.
It needed some change and work to fit my expectations. But, that was my first (for now and only one short scale).
I call it "my air guitar". So easy and pleasure to play. I tried several more short scales in the stores. But, I could not find anything very distinctive to go above Epiphone. Rumblekat might be soon gone. But, while it's there check it out.
I did some blind testing with video with my guitar buddies, including Squier P, Fender P, Yamaga BBG5 and Epiphone and out of 5-6 guitar players, who were communicating with me, every single one choose Epiphone as the best sounding bass on that test. so....
One of my heroes from the youth played Gibson Les Paul bass and I was looking around maybe I can get something. But, they were rare and expensive. Somehow, I decided to get Epiphone Rumblekat, since I've seen original in ABB Museum.
It needed some change and work to fit my expectations. But, that was my first (for now and only one short scale).
I call it "my air guitar". So easy and pleasure to play. I tried several more short scales in the stores. But, I could not find anything very distinctive to go above Epiphone. Rumblekat might be soon gone. But, while it's there check it out.
I did some blind testing with video with my guitar buddies, including Squier P, Fender P, Yamaga BBG5 and Epiphone and out of 5-6 guitar players, who were communicating with me, every single one choose Epiphone as the best sounding bass on that test. so....
There is a sweet spot for the wooden Dano bridge . And it’s pretty easy to reset if your intonation is off .
If you really want a short scale, a 5 string (or a 4 tuned BEAD) with a capo on the 5th fret is a 25.5 inch scale with a low E.
I've done that, and tuned to low D and capo'd the 2nd fret. It's visually weird and takes a little time to get oriented.
