Short v Long Scale - Just an observation

[bearfoot]

Maybe put a flatwound string on your Mustang. The higher tension will make it feel more substantial, and you'll get a fat vintage tone from it that will always be useful in your arsenal.

 

[GretschWretch]

After working out on a DB, everything feels like a toy. Except maybe a big Gretsch hollowbody.

 

[GM60466]

Many years ago I had the opportunity to speak with Jack Bruce. He said that he went from a short scale Daneelectro Long Horn to a Fender 6 to the Gibson EB3 for no particular reason other than it was the bass the dealer had in stock. He played a lot of 34" scale basses before making a deal with Aria. He also said it was tough to for from his Warwick fretless signature model to the hot rod EB1 because of scale. It takes a few moments to get the intonation right. I have seeveral shot scale basses, but for playing and recording I always use a long scale bass.

 

[felis]

I don't really switch scales. I've got 4, 30" short scales. And the only thing I switch to is a 28.5 scale Mikro.
The Mikro does feel a little smaller, and also lighter, but it doesn't really feel toy-like.

 

[pnchad]

I've got them all too. 22, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 & 41/42

Almost all Fretless except the 33 and a Smith at 34. I have no problem adjusting. It is harder to adjust to different string spacing than scale for me.

But my choices for the best tones start at the top with a DB and 36" EB. String length does something for low notes.

 

[NoiseNinja]

I've played a normal 34" scale bass with way too high action for years, I was pretty happy with it to start with, but then I realized it was not ideal at all, and knew for long that I was looking for something smaller and easier to play.

Ibanez Mikro, with it's 28,6" scale length, was it, the end of the search.

Doesn't feel like a toy at all, it feels pretty normal to me as a matter of fact.

My 34" on the other hand now feel helplessly and unnecessarily clumsy to play.

 

[RED J]

I switch hit depending upon my mood.I do play my short scales more these days, Sometimes a long scale just feels right, and vice versa. To muddy up the mix a little , one of my most comfy is my AGB 5 short scale, which has a wide nut but short scale. On my long scales I prefer a jazz width neck. None feel like a toy or a monster. My Eastwood doesn't feel llke a short scale at all though it is.

 

[ZenG]

Right now I have 2 shortscales and 1 longscale...

I play all of them all the time....with no concern about anything.....I just thoroughly enjoy myself.....

But being happy is not normal and leads to mental issues......

 

[Groove Doctor]

But my choices for the best tones start at the top with a DB and 36" EB. String length does something for low notes.

+1.

I really love playing melodies for Jazz tunes on my 30" basses - the 7th to 17th frets really sing well. I also played guitar as a kid, so I really feel at home on them.

That said, if I want huge bottom end - it's DB time!

 

[stuntbass77]

If you play a four string I don't see a need for 35" (just my opinion). If you play a 5 or 6 and want a really tight sounding/playing B string then 35" is nice. I can't play 35" basses anymore as the extra inch effect my nerve in my neck/shoulder. All my 5 strings except my old K5 were 35", even my thumb bass was a special order 35" neck. Long isn't better just a matter of taste. I've heard 34" B strings that sounded outstanding. A lot of guys/studios keep a short scale bass around as they can make for great recordings (talking under the standard 34").

 

[Brohawk]

This discussion is relevant to my interests. Some people have long fingers, like the legs on an Alaskan King Crab, but mine are some stubby Jimmy Deans with limited reach. I'm looking at picking up a short scale to accommodate my shorter digits.

 

[electracoyote]

I play 30", 34", 35" scale fairly regular. They all have a purpose.

I dropped my short scale bias back in 1963 when McCartney came out of the gates, then again in 1976 when I learned Tom Scholz recorded the bass tracks on the first Boston record with a Gibson EBO.

But if it's a variety pop cover gig with lots of slap and notes below E standard, I'll take the 35" active fiver.

 

[JimmyM]

This discussion is relevant to my interests. Some people have long fingers, like the legs on an Alaskan King Crab, but mine are some stubby Jimmy Deans with limited reach. I'm looking at picking up a short scale to accommodate my shorter digits.

The size of your hands is unrelated to how much mobility you have. I have the smallest hands of any male I ever met in my life, and I not only play long scale electrics but I also play upright. It's all in the technique. OTOH, not trying to talk you out of a small scale bass, as they can be quite excellent.

 

[pnchad]

I'll second Jimmy. I have average hands but the thing that convinced me was a clinic with Eddie Gomez

Now he has monster chops, is a tiny guy (pin all the way in) with itty bitty hands. Gets around pretty good I'd say.
hehe

 

[pnchad]

 

[seanm]

Are the proportions the same? Aren't frets closer together on shortscale than longscale?

It's like playing with a capo on the second fret. Guitar players do it.... so how hard could it be

 

[Jughead6]

dude, short scale basses absolutley rip!

we tuned it down to Drop C# and its growls like a dog. awesome.

What is it with bass players and cats?

 

[Jughead6]

I always take two basses to a rehearsal or a gig - one standard 34" and one 30". It's nice to keep the fingers and mind guessing.

But, now that I think of it, I don't get paid to play, so I guess in theory all of my basses are toys.

 

[bassfran]

I just picked up one o' these beauties for a new gig I landed-

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(Full disclosure- I'm a (very) lucky Lakland endorser.)

I will do an 'NBD' thread as soon as I put a few miles on her in battle conditions.

And I have also used a JJ Longhorn for many years. Shorties kill it.

 

[JimmyM]

Is that Lakland new?