My nine year old daughter wants to learn to play electric bass, so I'm in the market for a short-scale instrument. I started on a Fender Musicmaster Bass back in 1975, so I have a soft-spot for Fenders. What are your views on the Squire Bronco Bass? What about any other short-scale basses?
All I'll say is I love my Bronco Bass. After a simple pickup change, it sounds fantastic, too. The neck is absolutely great. Just make sure you get it dressed properly. Between my Bronco, Musicmaster, and Mustang Basses, I think the Bronco has the best neck.
My buddy has a Bronco. It plays nice but doesn't sound very good IMO. Maybe because its going through a 10 watt Traynor. Otherwise a decent bass for the money ($170 CDN or so)
As far as a short-scale, I would definitely reccomend the Bronco, I used to use one in my rehearsal space before someone came by and took it home with them, they play great, well worth the $.
my friend has his 8 year old playing his EBMM: {} {} he also has a few youtube vids of him playing it. http://www.youtube.com/user/periii1963?feature=mhum#p/u/1/dHhu23w2Xqc so cute...lol He only did that because why start out on something that in a couple years is gonna be replaced anyway.... now I understand that you may not want to go out and buy your daughter a full scale 1000.00 bass to begin with, but if you have something for her to use...let her get used to it
Three good options for a young beginner: Squier Bronco SX short scale from Rondo Music Home Page Ibanez Mikro (young girls seem to like these a lot) Hope that helps.
Should definitely consider this one. The four-saddle bridge means that really the pickup is the only weak point here.