I have a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz bass and it just seems hard for me to play because I have to do too much moving around on the neck just to play it. I have a hard time reaching some of the frets because I'm not good at using my pinky finger. I assume a short scale bass, like the Squire Modified Jaguar SS would be much easier to play? But will the sound be very different?
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Should I get a short scale bass?
- Thread starter Figaro
- Start date
Go to a store and try one out! If it makes the world of differance to you then yes. If not then save your money!
Go for the shortie, IMO. I am 6'1 and not a small dude and shortscales are all I use. They sound great IMO. I have a $169 shortie Squire Jaguar and a $2000 Stambaugh ss. Both great, but naturally the Stammie is amazing.
IMHO don't give up on a 'standard' scale bass solely because of reach issues. It's mostly just a matter of training your fingers to reach. Michael Lima is an example of the fact that just because you have small hands or short fingers, doesn't mean you have to resort to playing a shorter scale bass. About eight years ago I lost half of my fingertips above the first joint on both pinky and ring fingers of my fretting hand in a motorcycle racing accident. It took several years for me to learn how to compensate but it's no longer an issue.
That being said I do have a few short scale basses in my tool shed. But I play them for the same reason that I play different standard scale basses... because they each have their own feel and tone. If you can appreciate them then more power to you.
That being said I do have a few short scale basses in my tool shed. But I play them for the same reason that I play different standard scale basses... because they each have their own feel and tone. If you can appreciate them then more power to you.
I have about a half-dozen short scales and a half-dozen standard scales. It's all good - get one and enjoy it.
I'm 55, played bass in a band after high school for a few years. I never had formal lessons and I just never learned to use my pinky very much. Then I quit playing in the band, got married and have just played guitar a little around the house ever since. I have the chance to play bass again in a friend's band, two acoustic guitars and drums playing Americana, classic light rock, country, etc... nothing too serious.
Is the Fender Squire Jaguar SS about the best short scale bass for the money?
Is the Fender Squire Jaguar SS about the best short scale bass for the money?
I just bought a SS Jag for that reason. I've been playing for about 8 years, using standard-scale basses. I have small hands and short fingers. I've developed a lot of strength in my pinky and use it frequently. (It's the only way I can play an octave below the 7th fret.) But my technique is still pretty sloppy -- a lot of moving around of my hands --and I'd like to spend more time thinking about what to play and not where my fingers are going to land. So I took the plunge and got the Jag last week. I really like it and think it's an incredible deal for the money. I am getting around certain riffs with a lot more ease now. I still like my main regular-scale bass for its tone and feel (I like strings with more tension, and that's harder to get with a short scale), but I'm afraid it's not going to get as much playing time now.
My favorite is a Dano Longhorn . Hollowbody , made from the finest Korean masonite , light as a feather , sounds great .
Unfortunately there are those who think they are ugly , I feel sorry for them.
Unfortunately there are those who think they are ugly , I feel sorry for them.
Yeah, one of the best out there for the money IMO. Maybe go try one and see what you think.
Your pinky has absolutely noting to do with it/ This is an issue of efficiently holding onto your instrument.
Keep the flat of your thumb on the middle on the back of your bass neck, fret with your fingers, grip it with your thumb and fingers, NOT your hand. You can pivot with your thumb and will have enough stretch to get anywhere you need to go with less effort and more overall strength in fretting. You'll be able to play for longer and faster.
Django Reinhardt played his crazy gypsy jazz with his index and middle fingers only - there's no reason you can't play bass with a huge instrument if you hold it right.
I say get the shortscale, but only because they sound awesome.
Extra points for grabbing a fiver and playing a string lower and fretting the chord's first note with your ring finger. It's amazing how much less we need to stretch and move when we can figure out how to efficiently play.
I'm no virtuoso but I've been stress free when it comes to my technique for years because I can move around my instrument without being stuck in one spot by my hands anchoring me in one place.
It also helps a boatload to keep the body of your instrument on the front of your body instead of playing your bass to the right (or left if you're a lefty)...less back strain and less twist...less fatigue. Keep your fretting arm on its side of your body and move your picking hand to the middle. It's amazing how many players cower to one side because they're too lazy or fat to hold their instrument properly and readjust their strap.
Keep the flat of your thumb on the middle on the back of your bass neck, fret with your fingers, grip it with your thumb and fingers, NOT your hand. You can pivot with your thumb and will have enough stretch to get anywhere you need to go with less effort and more overall strength in fretting. You'll be able to play for longer and faster.
Django Reinhardt played his crazy gypsy jazz with his index and middle fingers only - there's no reason you can't play bass with a huge instrument if you hold it right.
I say get the shortscale, but only because they sound awesome.
Extra points for grabbing a fiver and playing a string lower and fretting the chord's first note with your ring finger. It's amazing how much less we need to stretch and move when we can figure out how to efficiently play.
I'm no virtuoso but I've been stress free when it comes to my technique for years because I can move around my instrument without being stuck in one spot by my hands anchoring me in one place.
It also helps a boatload to keep the body of your instrument on the front of your body instead of playing your bass to the right (or left if you're a lefty)...less back strain and less twist...less fatigue. Keep your fretting arm on its side of your body and move your picking hand to the middle. It's amazing how many players cower to one side because they're too lazy or fat to hold their instrument properly and readjust their strap.
Technique is very important. Although no rule is absolute, here are some guidelines that I have received from credible sources. The ultimate choice of fingering; however, depends on your origin and destination:
Use your pinky finger.
Play 124 below the fifth fret (plus or minus) and one-finger-per-fret above that.
"Always" play octaves using the index and pinky fingers.
Use flatwounds.
Me? I play a short scale primarily for ease, since I have smallish hands. I can play a 34-inch scale bass using 124 fingering with pivoting/shifting. Flatwounds ease shifting.
It also depends on the type of music. For a lot of chromatic notes, the short scale will obviously be easier. You can play root-fifth lines all night long with two fingers.
If there's any question, go with a short scale.
Use your pinky finger.
Play 124 below the fifth fret (plus or minus) and one-finger-per-fret above that.
"Always" play octaves using the index and pinky fingers.
Use flatwounds.
Me? I play a short scale primarily for ease, since I have smallish hands. I can play a 34-inch scale bass using 124 fingering with pivoting/shifting. Flatwounds ease shifting.
It also depends on the type of music. For a lot of chromatic notes, the short scale will obviously be easier. You can play root-fifth lines all night long with two fingers.
If there's any question, go with a short scale.
Can't say it a Squier Jag SS is THE best for the money, but you can't go wrong with it. I LOVE mine. You may have trouble finding one to try in a store, though. I checked GC and our big local independent and neither of them were stocking them so I bought on-line solely on the strength of the comments and reviews here. And I'm glad I did!
Played my first gig with my Dano longhorn last night. It did take me a bit of getting used to being a Fender only player owning both long and short scales from P basses to Musicmasters. The Dano is like playing a guitar with a slim neck and no weight at all but huge tone. The neck took a while to get used to but now we are home and this thing rocks..looks cool too.
To Newbold, regarding the use of the pinky finger:
Of course, Django Reinhardt played incredible lines, essentially with a thumb and two fingers. It is a testament to the power of humans to adapt to adversity. To compare guitar and electric bass technique is incorrect; however, since they are different instruments, and they require different techniqueso says Carol Kaye.
fingerbun questioned the use of flatwounds:
While using the 124 technique, flatwounds will make shifting "easier" by reducing string noise.
Of course, Django Reinhardt played incredible lines, essentially with a thumb and two fingers. It is a testament to the power of humans to adapt to adversity. To compare guitar and electric bass technique is incorrect; however, since they are different instruments, and they require different techniqueso says Carol Kaye.
fingerbun questioned the use of flatwounds:
While using the 124 technique, flatwounds will make shifting "easier" by reducing string noise.
+1
I'm a big fan of medium scale basses. Go to rondomusic and drop a hundred buck on this:
Link Removed
Set it up with some new strings and you can't go wrong.
Warwick also has a higher end model coming out this year.
Pascualito said:
Ok. By 124 I assume you mean Simandl fingering? Works fine with rounds as well. I slip into it on electric sometimes.
Conversly my understanding is flats have more tension.
