Suggestions for a cheap short scale bass?

[Jammy Jellyfish]

Squier Bronco? Hofner Ignition Pro Club? Squier Mustang?

 

[PBandJazzBass]

I own an Ibanez Mikro and think it sounds and plays pretty well.

 

[leafhill]

I also vote for Ibanez Mikro. I have it and I love it.

 

[Ivan R]

Ibanez Mikro.

 

[Sharko]

Gretsch 2202

 

[BGroovy]

The Gretsch is my favorite of the low cost shorties.

Most of them are easy to find at guitar shops. Go try em all if you can and pick the one that feels and sounds best to you.

 

[TeeSee]

IF you want a more contemporary sounding bass then there is the Cort GB Shortscale comes in 3 funky colours - not to everyone's taste if you just want boring tobcacco burst - that's if you can get hold of one, seem to be in short supply presently.

 

[crazycloud]

Cort GB Short Scale.

 

[JC BASS 91]

I have a Gretsch G2220 and the Squier Sonic Bronco. Both are fun little basses to play and, at least for me, were both setup dead on right out of the box.

 

[felis]

I've had lower cost Squire, Gretsch, Ibanez, Cort and Hagstrom short scale basses.
I settled on Squire. A major reason for me was the fret board radius.

 

[Polfuste]

A used Sire U5. Incredible quality versus price instrument.

 

[godofthunder59]

The Squier Paranormal Rascal bass gets my vote, excellent build quality and the two Wide Range humbuckers sound huge. Plus it's incredibly versatile.

 

[GregT]

I had to give up playing long scale bass due to my left hand a few years back. I just got a "Smurf Blue" Squier Sonic Bronco (Calif. blue) last week as a backup to my Schecter Banshee shortscale bass. I am amazed at the quality. All I had to do was tune it, lower the saddles one half turn and just barely touch the truss rod. It stays in tune and plays great. It is one of the best musical investments I've made. My Schecter is neglected for now because the Bronco is so much fun and easy to play. I usually play flatwound strings, but for now I'm enjoying the roundwounds that came on it. The weight is good and it is very well balanced. I would feel confident taking this bass to a gig with no backup tonight.

 

[scuzzy]

The Squier Paranormal Rascal bass gets my vote, excellent build quality and the two Wide Range humbuckers sound huge. Plus it's incredibly versatile.

if they are the same pickups as the Starcaster bass reissue, I would agree. they are a very authoritative pickup. very even across all the strings.

 

[Bassa Nova]

I would say go and try them out and see what feels the best. I like the Gretsch Junior Jet, but I personally went for the Squier Sonic Bronco. See black on pictured. I swapped in a Curtis Novak MM pickup and LaBella LTFs. All in I am in for like $280. Honestly, the stock pickup and rounds were fine.

Another one to consider is an Epiphone Rumblekat. Short and semi hollow. A bit more expensive, but available used as well.

 

[LowWay]

I like my CV Squire Mustang, but I would be hard pressed to not want to seriously consider the cort GB based on the reviews. If I weren't on a spending freeze in my personal life, I'd be buying a Cort myself.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I'm especially fond of the design of the Epiphone Newport.
Super comfy.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

In addition consider Epiphone EBO & Sterling Short Scale Stingray. Used is your friend.

 

[Liam Wald]

The Ibanez Mikro is 28.5" scale (1.5" shorter than short scale).
I bought one for travel and as it turns out I absolutely love it. The construction is excellent and the play-ability, sound and ergonomics are great.
These sell new for $219 and I have seen them used for $100.
I highly recommend checking these out.

 

[funkinbottom]

Ibanez Talman. The have a 4 string, TMB30, and a 5 string, TMB35. Around $325 new.