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Short v Long Scale - Just an observation

#41
I wish there was a better answer, but it really is just one of those "play what you like" deals. I have had A LOT of basses in short, medium, long, and extra long scale. My favorite short scale without a doubt was the Reverend Dub King (still kick myself for selling it). I only had one Medium Scale, and didn't have it long.. i think it was the builder more than the fact it was a medium scale. My favorite long scale it my Lakland US4460 without question. The best extra long (35 in scale) was my black Modulus FBJ5. There really isn't a good answer here. The norm is that short scale's "thunder more." I can see that to an extent, but sometimes that "thunder" comes at the cost of clarity. You'll go through phases with gear. Some days you'll like the Jag better, and some days the Godin.
 
#42
Hi Jimmy- They've been available for a while (a year-ish? don't quote me on that) and I fell in love at 1st play. Made in Korea, plek'd in Chicago.

I got a gig in a stage play here whereby I'm in a polka trio!! Funny costume and everything.
 
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#43
There are a lot of factors that affect how a bass "feels" - not just body size and weight, but also where the strap pins are, where the neck meets the body, etc. I started on guitar, moved to bass a few years later, and in the past 10-15 years have played everything from a 36" scale Bacchus Up Bass, 34" scale Fenders & Rickenbackers (close anyway), 30" scale Gibsons, Guilds & Alembics, and a Road Toad Tadpole ukulele bass, as well as mandolin for a while. A lot depends on what kind of sound and feel you are going for - I like having different basses, I play differently on each. I think the suggestion to put flats on the Jag is interesting. Get used to switching - you'll find out what you're comfortable on and what you like, and maybe find what is special about each.
 
#45
JimmyM said:
That's cool as heck, Fran! My mom listened to polka music all the time so I'm down.
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Thank you- coming from you Sir, it's an honor.

When I got hired I thought about this model 1st thing and so far in rehearsals it sounds real (but not too) fat for me. (heh-heh.)

OP- sorry for the thread hijack.
 
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#48
I play long scales, short scale, and those micro-sized Kalas. Those include 4 and 5 strings as well, and some being fretless, of course. In the end going from one to another, even in the same set, has never been an issue to me, except in one case: After playing a 5 string and then switching back to a four It feels awkward and takes me some time to readjust.
In regards to the original post, yes, basses differences in scale length and ergonomics do make a difference when playing a new bass that is quite different from what you had. I wouldn't toss out the Jaguar SS just yet.....
 
#49
When I was the guitarist in my last band our bassist had a 5 string Carvin that had to weigh at least 11 lbs and a Squier Jag like yours. When I was playing them back and forth the size of the Jag was very noticeable.... BUT it sounded great and played just fine so I definitely understand what you are coming from. Whenever he wasn't around and I was screwing around with the rest of the band I'd always go for the Jag first. ITS DEFINITELY NOT A TOY!!!
 
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#51
JimmyM said:
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.
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One of my favourite bass players here in Oz is a short female with the smallest child-like hands i've ever seen and she plays a long scale like a boss.

I agree with many of the comments, the Jag certainly doesn't sound like a toy and is most definitely not a toy in its build quality. It just currently feels that way after the full scale. It sounds like if the consensus is anything to go by then I'll get used to switching back and forth when the novelty of the Godin wears off a little.

MrLenny1 said:
BAG ? GoleafsGo? Can you give a quick review of your Godin Shifters ?
Thanks
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Hey Lenny, firstly, I like Jazz type necks and P sound. The neck is as good or better than anything i've played up to and including USA Fender Jazz basses and Jags that i played at my nearest music store. I spent a few hours playing everything they had from the cheapest through to $4000+ basses and this things feels and plays better than any of them. Obviously this is just my personal opinion and some of it is probably due to setup (or lack thereof) on the ones in the shop compared to me being able to get a good setup at home. It sounds fantastic, the fit and finish is as good as i've ever seen and if it wasn't for a niggling ground hum it'd be so close to perfect it's not funny. This thing is definitely a keeper (as is my Jag Shorty). I don't think you could go wrong with one of these. The icing on the cake is that their customer service is as good as any company i've ever dealt with. First contact with them was asking for factory setup specs which they emailed back within 24 hours. I then emailed the same guy for a wiring diagram and he again responded within 24 hours saying he was on holidays and didn't have the PDF on his laptop, and then sent it the day he got home. Absolutely brilliant.
 
#52
BAG said:
Hi all, i'm mainly interested hearing from people who play different scale length basses. I started out only 18 months or so ago on a Jag shorty and really love it. Even after playing every bass (mostly full scale) that I could get my hands on when in the big smoke i still preferred my Jag to even big dollar basses.

I recently acquired a bargain priced Godin Shifter Classic and have really taken to it. Just love playing it and can't put it down. It really talks to me like nothing else I have had a chance to play. However, I picked up my Jag on Tuesday night for a little play and it now feels like a toy.

Anyone else felt this??
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No.

I play guitar as well as bass--with bass I have 30" and 34" and switch back & forth with no problem.
On guitar I play 24", 24.75" and 25.5" and switch with no issues.

It was like that when I was starting and it's like that now--it wasn't a get used to it thing.

I'm also playing mandolin now with a very short scale, and I know someone with a halfscale guitar (not sure the exact scale) that I like to play.

Some people will have a preference, I like them all.

And they don't feel like toys.

What makes something feel like a toy to me is cheap construction.
 
#53
Pickups, amps, and effects today are so product-improved that it is now possible to dial in great tones with virtually any quality axe/amp pairing, regardless of scale length.

What constitutes a "great tone" is entirely subjective though. Our guitarist has a really good ear for tone and I use him as a sounding board for for consensus on just how good (or bad) my EQ is. If we both think the tone is good I think it probably is good. Or at least nobody ever complains.

I routinely rotate between long and short scale basses that include a MIA Precision, a MIM Jazz, a Gibson SG, a Gibson EB-13, and a Danelecto Longhorn. These are all very different basses but they are all capable of decent tones. They just require different EQ'ing. Rotation allows me to be comfortable with either scale length and the result is I never have a preference for one over the other.

IMHO, the Aguilar ToneHammer is the biggest single tonal improvement tool to come along in the last 20 years. It makes everything sound great and goes a long way to equalizing short & long scale basses, tone-wise. And, of course, this is a completely subjective opinion as well.

If we were collectively as concerned about our tones as the audience typically is we wouldn't even be talking about this stuff...
 
#54
IMHO said:
everything[/I] sound great and goes a long way to equalizing short & long scale basses, tone-wise. And, of course, this is a completely subjective opinion as well.
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I like the Hartke Bass Attack for the same reason. I view it as a great equalizer of ( as opposed to for ) amps as well.
 
#55
I've got stubby hands so I usually play a 30" bass.

But, a shorty neck encourages me to play in a different way than if I'm using a 32 or 34. Faster, less fundamental lines that are not as true to the instrument.

I also think that you can hear the extra 4" at times. A 34 scale seems to have more character/intricacy/resonance within the tone, and less thumpy/muddy lows.
 
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#57
BAG said:
One of my favourite bass players here in Oz is a short female with the smallest child-like hands i've ever seen and she plays a long scale like a boss.

I agree with many of the comments, the Jag certainly doesn't sound like a toy and is most definitely not a toy in its build quality. It just currently feels that way after the full scale. It sounds like if the consensus is anything to go by then I'll get used to switching back and forth when the novelty of the Godin wears off a little.



Hey Lenny, firstly, I like Jazz type necks and P sound. The neck is as good or better than anything i've played up to and including USA Fender Jazz basses and Jags that i played at my nearest music store. I spent a few hours playing everything they had from the cheapest through to $4000+ basses and this things feels and plays better than any of them. Obviously this is just my personal opinion and some of it is probably due to setup (or lack thereof) on the ones in the shop compared to me being able to get a good setup at home. It sounds fantastic, the fit and finish is as good as i've ever seen and if it wasn't for a niggling ground hum it'd be so close to perfect it's not funny. This thing is definitely a keeper (as is my Jag Shorty). I don't think you could go wrong with one of these. The icing on the cake is that their customer service is as good as any company i've ever dealt with. First contact with them was asking for factory setup specs which they emailed back within 24 hours. I then emailed the same guy for a wiring diagram and he again responded within 24 hours saying he was on holidays and didn't have the PDF on his laptop, and then sent it the day he got home. Absolutely brilliant.
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Hi Lenny, sorry for the delay in response, was off camping for a few weeks. Agree with everything BAG says, this is a seriously nice bass. I was looking for an MIA P when I found it, and I much prefer the Godin. The neck really is Jazz like, real silky and smooth. And the tone ranges (P, P/J serial, P/J parallel, and J) all are quite useable. And this thing looks as sweet as it plays! I hate to put it down, and my other instruments are not getting their fair share of playtime any more. Electronics, fit, finish, tuners and everything are first rate.
 
#58
"There are a lot of factors that affect how a bass "feels" - not just body size and weight, but also where the strap pins are, where the neck meets the body, etc."

I agree with hieronymous. My Dub King "plays" longer than my Mustang or SX shorties despite having the same scale length. I string them all with flats because the round-wound E string feels too floppy to me (plus I just prefer the sound and feel of flats overall).

a7281d5d-7832-4276-bf12-2edd1f6459eb_zps66f5dc2e.jpg

All my bases are shorties. Of the lot, the SX "P-style" feels the most "toy-like".
 

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