Time for a second bass, maybe...

[Outbush]

What about a Short Scale MusicMan Stingray, or its cheaper sibling the Sterling by Ernie Ball SS4? Never played one but they have their fans - and if short scales are working for you...

 

[Mr Kringle]

If it doesn't have to be a Fender-Shaped-Object (FSO), how about something completely different?

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I have the Multi-scale 5 string version of this and I absolutely love it.

 

[chris_b]

Any suggestions most welcome. Especially pointing towards a few that are sufficiently different that I might actually be able to hear and feel the difference.

Why not get another Mustang and put rounds on.

 

[Geogio]

Get a used cort p-bass atround 1990 or so maybe $200
Rock solid
Built like a tank
Very affordable.

Throw in an EMG PASSIVE p pickup.

It aint a real fender pbass, but neither are the new ones. Real pbass fell out of existence when the neck/nut width was reduced from 1.75"
The only true to spec pbass produced by fender today is the Roger Waters model.

That said if I was looking around for a pbass I would get the Dirnt model... or the Waters or the later 50s p-bass with the staggered p bass pickup.

If you want to stick with a short scale that is not an FSO check out the Allen Woody epiphone or a Höfner club. Samick made a few interesting short scale basses. Ibanez has a couple of hollow body basses that are shortscale.

Thirdly or fourthly... small scale basses are not just made for shorter players. Stanley Clark had short scale basses in his quiver. But more importantly players with hand injuries, broken wrists, broken arms etc... neck, shoulder issues, don't necessarily feel at all comfortable playing longer scale basses. For them, and for me, injury has made short scale basses a very fitting option.

 

[shadven]

I am not a great person to ask. I have a little bit of a collectors gene, but at rgee we very least you need a backup. I like to have a little variety at the ready.

 

[Mike Marshall]

Playing for a bit over a year now, mainly rock, able to hold my own with a very friendly group.

I have one bass, a Fender Mustang P/J MIM (30"), with flatwounds. Like it a lot.
My hands are on the small side, which is why I chose the short scale initially.
Could probably handle a more standard scale with 124 fingering in the lower frets, though not without difficulty at first.

Thinking of getting a second bass, for variety, tone etc. Not sure what to go for. A different short scale, with round wounds this time? A medium or standard scale, with rounds or flats?

Could try out a few at the local Guitar Center, but went there yesterday and was really sort of lost amid the variety.

Any suggestions most welcome. Especially pointing towards a few that are sufficiently different that I might actually be able to hear and feel the difference. Thanks!

Michael

You may want to check out a Danelectro Longhorn it is surprisingly a really versatile bass with many usable tones that really responds tonally to string changes.

 

[Fynn]

Playing for a bit over a year now, mainly rock, able to hold my own with a very friendly group.

I have one bass, a Fender Mustang P/J MIM (30"), with flatwounds. Like it a lot.
My hands are on the small side, which is why I chose the short scale initially.
Could probably handle a more standard scale with 124 fingering in the lower frets, though not without difficulty at first.

Thinking of getting a second bass, for variety, tone etc. Not sure what to go for. A different short scale, with round wounds this time? A medium or standard scale, with rounds or flats?

Could try out a few at the local Guitar Center, but went there yesterday and was really sort of lost amid the variety.

Any suggestions most welcome. Especially pointing towards a few that are sufficiently different that I might actually be able to hear and feel the difference. Thanks!

Michael

Think about what you could want from a bass. If you tried a few basses and none of them struck you as particularly outstanding, then maybe you just don't need another bass yet. Think about your favorite artists and what they play. Maybe there's a specific tone you really enjoy.
I personally only buy a bass when I know exactly what I want from it. You could do the good old: just buy one of every popular model. Meaning it may be time to just get a Jazz bass or a precision. But if you don't just have money to spend on such things I would highly recommend you go to guitar center again and try as many basses as you can. And don't go there with the expectation that you need to buy something. It sounds alot like you just don't really need another bass right now. Which may lead you to buying other things like effects or a new amp or something like that. Don't force another bass on yourself if you don't specifically desire that as a means of change and difference.

 

[mjnyc]

Think about what you could want from a bass. If you tried a few basses and none of them struck you as particularly outstanding, then maybe you just don't need another bass yet.

This is good advice, as are all other suggestions.
I will take my time trying things out.
If, after I try out a few, I feel like 34" and switching between 30 and 34 is not for me, I'll probably go for a different short scale with rounds, as several have suggested.
If not, will probably go for a p bass or equivalent.

As always, great answers, many thanks.

Michael

 

[TrevorG]

DON"T DO IT!! Never buy a second bass... EVER!!! Sorry I just wanted to write something that had never been said on TB before. I'd get a Jazz for the benefit of the neck single coil or maybe a Spector with the soap bars or BOTH!! Yes that would be three but this is TB. We're all junkies here! Good luck.