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Should I do it?

Get the short scale?

  • Total voters
    143
#21
Diogenes said:
Why?
Click to expand...

The short scale bass neck can not handle the tension of a conventional .105" low E string or the tension of a medium gauge 4 string set. .045" .065" .085" .105" This gauge is designed for a full size 34" fender style neck.

These short scale basses play much nicer with a set of
lite gauge .040" .060" .080" .100"
Or even an extra lite gauge of .040" .060" .075" .095"

My favorite string set is the Fender Original 7150 Pure Nickel Medium Light round wounds .045" .065" .080" 100".
These vintage strings are perfect for Jazz, Blues, R&B.
They have that warm, fat, clear tone with alot of definition, but not overly tinny with high harmonics like stainless steel.
The Fender price for the Original 7150's pure Nickel, $45.99
 
#22
I played a Fender Coronado II as my primary bass for years, back in the day. And I did NOT experience any limitations other than sound at all. I had some TI flats on it lately but hated them on that bass because of the low tension. They work better on my P, but the jury is still out on them in general. Now I have chrome’s on it and they work just fine. This particular short scale bass takes long scale strings because of the bridge and tail piece. Before the chrome’s I had GHS Brite Flats which are 52-65-84-103. I never notice strings this bass did not like (neck wise).

I’ve also thought that this bass was easier to play than a long scale, especially if you’re playing and singing. I got a jazz bass later, and that’s the one that took some getting use to. So it depends which one you start with. I reach for my P or J first only because I’m looking for the sound they offer, but the CII will always be my favorite bass to play.

http://s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv127/eslie_jaggers/?action=view&current=CoronadoII.jpg&newest=1
 
#23
Short scales are a different animal than long scales. The only way to find out is to try one. For the price of the SX you can't go wrong. Though not a short scale I have a SX SJB '75 that kicks big time. 90% of my basses are long scale but I do have a few shortys, '65 Hofner , '75 Fender Musicmaster, 72 Gibson EBO. All cool basses that have their own personalities and uses.
 

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