Unless you are using a model with mud-buckers, what you are hearing is a rise (doubling) in the upper-bass/lower-midrange, with a marked loss of its low-end frequencies.
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Unless you are using a model with mud-buckers, what you are hearing is a rise (doubling) in the upper-bass/lower-midrange, with a marked loss of its low-end frequencies.
Nope, that hasn't been my experience. A long scale precision has a lot more low mids, upper bass than any shortie I've ever played.
Sorry, but the Fenders produce exactly the kind of skewed tone that I highlighted above.
The others have the correct type of Humbucker.
No I don't think so. I think it's exactly the opposite. SS basses by their nature have more bottom than a long scale with all other things being equal. What they lack is overtones and top end.
Look forward to the pictures. I have the same bass and am curious as to how it would look with a different guard.
The Vista certainly has a wide variety of tones available just from the tone control. Different strings can make a big difference.
I'm not sure what's going on with the side argument on whether short scales or long scales have deeper tones, but I will say the Vista has a growlier, brighter tone than some of my other short scales. I personally like the growl that comes out of the stock pickup.
Well I was about to join the club, but I see George is here, so maybe not.
I should've known...
Harshness aside I am trying my luck at getting one of these pretty babies, but with what I can spend right now most auctions and sellers are finding higher dollar amounts.
I am telling you George, it is the strings, not the pickups. You want far from any short scale throw away the 40-95 strings. Feesics trumps enjeneerists.
I should've known...
Harshness aside I am trying my luck at getting one of these pretty babies, but with what I can spend right now most auctions and sellers are finding higher dollar amounts.
I am telling you George, it is the strings, not the pickups. You want far from any short scale throw away the 40-95 strings. Feesics trumps enjeneerists.
George, we are all brothers.
Here is my take: if there is a perceivable 'short scale sound' characteristic and we want to lessen the difference in sound between a short scale and a long scale ww need to address the cause. The only variable that all different and assorted short scales have similarly different from all different and assorted long scale basses is the string length. Pickups vary in each scale, body wood varies in each scale, but 30s are 30s and 34s are 34s.
Now, we need to put on our critical thinking hats and examine why the strings sound different. Basic answer is the short scale strings have less tension and vibrate in a looser fashion over whatever pickup is underneath it, whether it be a Mustangpickup, a Jazz, a Precision, a humbucker, etc. and a long scale string is typically tighter and such vibrates in a tighter fashion.
Okay, so the constant variable is the strings and they behave differently. So what can we do to make shorter strings vibrate more tightly? Well, bigger strings.
The 95 E on a shorty vibrates about like an 80 or 85 on a longscale. I can tune my longscale A down to E and sound pretty 'short-scaley' if I want to.
On the flipside, the Motown Girl I asked about in the recent threat is now the happy owner of a Jag SS which I setup with DR Sunbeam 45-105s. When I play it, it could be any generic bass of any scale, it sounds killer.
Now the 105 on a 30 is only about as tight as a 90 or 95 on a long scale, but a 95 is a pretty accepted size, although light. It makes a longscale sound different, but nobody would ever accuse such a user as sounding 'too short-scale like' even though that is precisely how the sound is changing, the bibration is looser over the pickup.
Now if you'd rather focus on the pickup, that is your choice. But a pickup could care less whether it is under a string that is ten inches or fifty, it only cares how it moves.
I found ir simpler just to ditch the 40-95 strings everyone insists on putting on these from the factory, and it has worked for me.
And you CAN cop Motown on a Jag SS.
Here is my take: if there is a perceivable 'short scale sound' characteristic and we want to lessen the difference in sound between a short scale and a long scale ww need to address the cause. The only variable that all different and assorted short scales have similarly different from all different and assorted long scale basses is the string length. Pickups vary in each scale, body wood varies in each scale, but 30s are 30s and 34s are 34s.
Now, we need to put on our critical thinking hats and examine why the strings sound different. Basic answer is the short scale strings have less tension and vibrate in a looser fashion over whatever pickup is underneath it, whether it be a Mustangpickup, a Jazz, a Precision, a humbucker, etc. and a long scale string is typically tighter and such vibrates in a tighter fashion.
Okay, so the constant variable is the strings and they behave differently. So what can we do to make shorter strings vibrate more tightly? Well, bigger strings.
The 95 E on a shorty vibrates about like an 80 or 85 on a longscale. I can tune my longscale A down to E and sound pretty 'short-scaley' if I want to.
On the flipside, the Motown Girl I asked about in the recent threat is now the happy owner of a Jag SS which I setup with DR Sunbeam 45-105s. When I play it, it could be any generic bass of any scale, it sounds killer.
Now the 105 on a 30 is only about as tight as a 90 or 95 on a long scale, but a 95 is a pretty accepted size, although light. It makes a longscale sound different, but nobody would ever accuse such a user as sounding 'too short-scale like' even though that is precisely how the sound is changing, the bibration is looser over the pickup.
Now if you'd rather focus on the pickup, that is your choice. But a pickup could care less whether it is under a string that is ten inches or fifty, it only cares how it moves.
I found ir simpler just to ditch the 40-95 strings everyone insists on putting on these from the factory, and it has worked for me.
And you CAN cop Motown on a Jag SS.
I'm a P bass player and have owned quite a few short scales. Today the only one I own is a vista MM. To say they are all low end is wrong. My vista sounds like a P bass with huge output for a tiny pup and getting high end is no issues at all.
Sometimes you just need to really play and know these things to understand that.
Sometimes you just need to really play and know these things to understand that.
FourBanger, I find fault with nothing that you have stated. You points are valid, and do well to emphasize my own.
My point is that there is a reason why the most successful designs (low frequency wise) have utilized humbuckers!
Sure. Heavier strings and amp eq can make the standard Fender-type short scale measure up. That's not the case I was arguing.
My standard go-to string is the DiAddario Chromes in 45-100 (no tension problems). To me, they have the best balance and feel and overall sound.
Can a string do me better tone-wise and still provide me with the Chromes feel and playability?
My point is that there is a reason why the most successful designs (low frequency wise) have utilized humbuckers!
Sure. Heavier strings and amp eq can make the standard Fender-type short scale measure up. That's not the case I was arguing.
My standard go-to string is the DiAddario Chromes in 45-100 (no tension problems). To me, they have the best balance and feel and overall sound.
Can a string do me better tone-wise and still provide me with the Chromes feel and playability?
Not saying they are all low end.
George implied that SS basses are shy in the low end compared to a LS. That is preposterous!
My original point was although you can cop the tone of your typical Motown recording, you are still missing its critical weight and fundamental (with flat amp eq).
My response was primarily aimed at the beginner who has no experience in shaping their tone.
It's a simple fact that is widely recognized in technical circles, and thoroughly proven thru scientific methods!
Where? In the American Journal of Scientific Bass? Mensabass? Chest Thumping Annual?
I have never heard that from anybody anywhere anytime other than you George. Sorry.
Have you ever listened to Cream, the Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead or Talking Heads?
