THE SHORT SCALE BASS THREAD!

[Freuds_cat]

I use Ken Smith stainless shorties on my Alembics in these sizes. Juststrings.com sell them.
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Thanks A9X they look perfect, you know I emailed Ken Smith and was told no they dont do any strings in that gauge/scale.

I also emailed SIT but got no reply.

Showdown, I prefer the attack and feel of Roundwound strings and I guess Woody did too on this bass as thats what came on it from new. My only preference compared to the original guage is that Woody prefered more flex and used a 100 string not a 105.

 

[Freuds_cat]

Ouch!! $19.20 for the strings and $35 for postage from juststrings.com

 

[A9X]

Ouch!! $19.20 for the strings and $35 for postage from juststrings.com

$US19.20 is about $A25. Last time I looked in a store in Sydney, any strings were around the $50 mark

Here's where I got mine. Just remembered the name and found the link. Much better shipping. I forgot Juststrings charges so much.
http://bassguitarstrings.us/store/home.php

 

[Freuds_cat]

Thanks for that A9X, I bought a set of the Ken Smith KS_RWM-S strings to try.

Strings: $19.99
Shipping cost: $16.95
Total : $36.92

or Aus$ 43.00. Thats equel to a local price for quality strings here in Adelaide. The range is pretty limited here though.

Thanks again.

 

[EduardoK]

I have a 30" 5er. (strung E-C) and a 32" 6er. (B-C).
Both are strung with special ordered Fodera strings. I have not found any other manufacturer willing to supply shorter scale 5 and 6 string sets.
Any help on this will really really (and I mean: REALLY) be appreciated !!!!!

 

[Freuds_cat]

OK in an update for any Australian or Kiwi forum members I recieved the following email from Invalid Link Removed after taking A9X's advice and ordering some strings from them:

Hello Bret,

This is just a note to let you know that we've given you a $10 rebate on your order (which shipped today) so that the total charge is $26.94 and not $36.94. We charge a flat fee of $16.95 for international shipments. Your package cost much less to ship, hence the adjustment.

US$26.94 is Aus$31.30

This is super cheap for a brand name set of strings here in Adelaide (or even Sydney for that matter).

Full credit to you bassguitarstrings.us for honesty and thanks!

 

[Freuds_cat]

Well after originally emailing Ken Smith Bass Co and being told by them that they dont do short scale roundwound strings in the gauges that I wanted (45, 65, 85 ,105), I have now received my Ken Smith Short Scale bass strings from bassguitarstrings.us in the following gauges (44, 63, 84, 106). OK now I've been accused of being a pedant from time to time but who was that emailing sales guy and what was he thinking?

I gotta say I can recommend these strings for anyone like me who prefers a 105 E string over a 100. Tension is good and not flappy.
Good bright punchy sound, lots of even bottom end.
On the Epi Rumblekat the 84 A string now has no buzz or fret noise compared to the factory fitted 80 that was on it.
Like the E string it also has better tension than the original strings.

And as I've already posted here before, they were cheap to boot!

 

[GearGod]

I have presently 5 short scale basses: Ovation CC74 acoustic, an Aria early 70's T-Bass copy, a late 60's Aria EB-2 copy, an early 70's EB-3 copy, and a Rogue Beatles bass copy (Yes, a LOT of copies, but I am a measly Bicycle wrench!). I pretty much love them ALL! Medium hands on a medium frame, these basses feel almost like g*****s, But MUCH BETTER! Like Basses! I like them because I can move around the neck easier, and they sound THUMPY AS H**L! I have all but the Ovation strung w/ flats, so they sound SOOOO old skool! I think the Ovation and the T-Bass copy are my favorites! The two Gibson copies are awesome, but they have some Physical problems (Separating fretboard, and a loose sound block) I gotta stop buying basses and get a few repairs (and lessons!)! But recently, my newest fave is my newest bass to me, an Aria SB-900 w/ a 34" scale, go figure!

 

[emblymouse]

I have now received my Ken Smith Short Scale bass strings from bassguitarstrings.us in the following gauges (44, 63, 84, 106).
And as I've already posted here before, they were cheap to boot!

Thanks for the link! I've been going to JustStrings.com and these guys look cheaper.

 

[Mississippi Al]

This is the Hofner Model 187 Shorty Bass.

Very few were made and all three examples I own are different.

I found a web site from Germany written by a fellow who owns one and he and I agree these are serious instruments. Mine has been well recorded and played live. They cost as much as a new Fender Precision Bass when they came out!

Weighs less than 5 lbs and sounds great. 28" scale. This is my most recent aquisition, I found it with the matching 6 string guitar, one serial number apart!

If anyone out there finds another...contact me at once! I have the worlds largest "Shorty" Collection. Here is the link to my collection:

http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/vintage-hofner/factfiles/shorty/main.html

 

[Showdown]

This is the Hofner Model 187 Shorty Bass.

Very few were made and all three examples I own are different.

I found a web site from Germany written by a fellow who owns one and he and I agree these are serious instruments. Mine has been well recorded and played live. They cost as much as a new Fender Precision Bass when they came out!

Weighs less than 5 lbs and sounds great. 28" scale. This is my most recent aquisition, I found it with the matching 6 string guitar, one serial number apart!

If anyone out there finds another...contact me at once! I have the worlds largest "Shorty" Collection. Here is the link to my collection:

http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/vintage-hofner/factfiles/shorty/main.html

Those are very cool. I'm surprised I don't remember them.

 

[Mississippi Al]

Those are very cool. I'm surprised I don't remember them.

Yeah, the fine folks at Hofner don't remember them either!

But they were made and some examples even surfaced in Europe with Schaller Humbuckers instead of Shadows.

All the neck profiles, headstock widths, neck thickness, side position markers ect are different or vary on every example I own. (18 and counting)

My guess is each one was hand crafted and they were never mass produced. I was lucky enough to locate and purchase the remaining NOS Schaller mini tuners produced specifically for these models.

They reissued the 6 string model from a factory in China substituting inferior wood for the all mahogany constuction of the guitars made from 1982-1986.

Somewhere there is a warehouse full of those Kits they offered and I want them!!!!

 

[WLZ]

I played this for about a year or so.never could figure out the exact year, I believe it was a mid to late 80's Carvin. Never got used to the short scale neck, but it sure was easier on the hands.

 

[Peck_Time]

Diplomat semi-hollow shortscale with Darkstar After:



And Before:



The previous owner had removed the mini single-coil and put in a full-size Jazz pickup.

Now it sounds amazing.

 

[CTbass&birdsong]

I currently have 14 with more on the way..here are 6 of my Sadhanas! Sadhana#1,2,4,10,13,& 20 !!!

 

[cervusflies]

I currently have 14 with more on the way..here are 6 of my Sadhanas! View attachment 67666 Sadhana#1,2,4,10,13,& 20 !!!

I love you gearheads like this! When my wife thinks I'm outta control, I just show her threads like these.

 

[bunny10]

Got an email from Jimmy Wilson at Landing Guitars announcing his new 30" and 32" P-Bass.

Looks nice for all of us short scale players.

I put the link to pictures below.

A right handed red one and left handed blue one. It feels like Christmas!

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[TheSuzie]

28.6" scale - you know you want one..
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[Gubna]

Alvarez MSB1 Short Scale Acoustic

 

[okonacat]

Of my 7 basses, these are my two 31" short scale: A 1979 Greco, with Hofner upgrades, and a 1969-70? Aims, with Gibson parts. Both play and sound as good as the originals, IMHO, for a fraction of the price. These are also my 2 fastest basses, with low action, and 1.5 inch nuts. I only have $710 invested in these, including the OHSC's.