Underwhelmed by my Mustang PJ

[bassbenj]

There is a reason most folks prefer longer scale basses - they simply sound better.

Played short scale for a long time and don't agree. What is true is that it's HARDER to get a short scale to sound good than a longer scale. It takes more experimentation and trial and error, But when you get it sounding good, it is good.

But trying new strings or even new pickups might help.

Yep all part of the experimentation.

 

[BusyFingers]

While the pickups in the Mustang are no G&L hotties, they should not really be wimpy. Maybe you should adjust their height higher before you give up on it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I guess no bass is for everyone. My own experience, plus the clips I hear, sound good to my ears.

 

[rockscott]

Im sure the 66 mustang was amazing. My cream of the crop mustang opinion was based on mustang basses that are readily available to purchase today. Basses built in the past 25 years if you will.

 

[shoulderpet]

There is a reason most folks prefer longer scale basses - they simply sound better.

But trying new strings or even new pickups might help.

Disagree with this, a well made short scale bass can sound as good as a well made long scale bass , there are some badly made short scales that sound bad but then there are just as many badly made long scales that also sound bad, I am sure Stanley Clarke would disagree that his short scale Alembic doesn't sound as good as a long scale bass

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Disagree with this, a well made short scale bass can sound as good as a well made long scale bass , there are some badly made short scales that sound bad but then there are just as many badly made long scales that also sound bad, I am sure Stanley Clarke would disagree that his short scale Alembic doesn't sound as good as a long scale bass

So you disagree that most folks prefer them? That seems self-evident. That longer scale basses sound better is subjective, to be sure.

 

[StudioGC]

Ok everyone. Time to stop feeding Harry.

 

[shoulderpet]

So you disagree that most folks prefer them? That seems self-evident. That longer scale basses sound better is subjective, to be sure.

I wouldn't disagree that long scales are preferred by the majority of people , i disagree that long scales sound better although this is subjective as you have said

 

[mjmeche]

I wouldn't disagree that long scales are preferred by the majority of people , i disagree that long scales sound better although this is subjective as you have said

I think it has more to do with strings, electronics and setup but this would go for any bass.

 

[shoulderpet]

I think it has more to do with strings, electronics and setup but this would go for any bass.

Definitely, after all it is the change in string tension that makes a short scale sound different so by changing the string gauge (and therefore tension) and setup accordingly you can compensate for this

 

[WES JETT]

Why do we have to chose one or the other? I have short scale and long scale basses, and they all rock!

 

[craigie]

Stanley Clarke has mad hands lol. He plays an upright like it's a flamenco guitar.
OP: one thing that occurred to me today: you know about using 1-2-4 fingers instead of the "finger per fret rule"? Basically the fingering used for upright. I use it a lot because of nerve a muscular problems. Makes for a more relaxed hand and less stretching.

 

[mbell75]

One major reason 34" scale basses are preferred is because there are what? 20 models to every short scale? Good to see more manufacturers starting to make short scales though. By the way, anything less than a 42" scale bass is a short scale bass

 

[honeyiscool]

Stanley Clarke has mad hands lol. He plays an upright like it's a flamenco guitar.
OP: one thing that occurred to me today: you know about using 1-2-4 fingers instead of the "finger per fret rule"? Basically the fingering used for upright. I use it a lot because of nerve a muscular problems. Makes for a more relaxed hand and less stretching.

I actually think one finger per fret is a terrible habit ergonomically and musically. Even if you're in a chromatic box, your fingers should always be jumping rather than stretching. It's not guitar. You don't need to hold intervals.

 

[nostatic]

I actually think one finger per fret is a terrible habit ergonomically and musically. Even if you're in a chromatic box, your fingers should always be jumping rather than stretching. It's not guitar. You don't need to hold intervals.

Depends on what kind of music you're playing. I switch between 1-2-4 and one-finger-per-fret even within a tune.

 

[Antisyzygy]

Depends on what kind of music you're playing. I switch between 1-2-4 and one-finger-per-fret even within a tune.

Yeah, I do the same. I have big hands and long fingers though.

Really I shift between 1-2-4 and 1-3-4 depending on what sort of run I'm doing.

 

[grenadilla]

My new 'Stang came yesterday and right off I noticed they had the strings very low and on the verge of fret buzz. A lot of people like this and many folks swear this buzz does not come through the amp. I raised the E string and it got deeper bass immediately. It sounds more "normal ", like a long scale bass when you play over the pickups. When you dig in near the neck and the strings slap against the frets the characteristic "Stang twang" emerges.

 

[shoulderpet]

My new 'Stang came yesterday and right off I noticed they had the strings very low and on the verge of fret buzz. A lot of people like this and many folks swear this buzz does not come through the amp. I raised the E string and it got deeper bass immediately. It sounds more "normal ", like a long scale bass when you play over the pickups. When you dig in near the neck and the strings slap against the frets the characteristic "Stang twang" emerges.

Possible the neck relief might be slightly off, when i got my mustang the neck had very very little relief , had to loosen the truss rod slightly to get rid of fret buzz

 

[shoulderpet]

One major reason 34" scale basses are preferred is because there are what? 20 models to every short scale? Good to see more manufacturers starting to make short scales though. By the way, anything less than a 42" scale bass is a short scale bass

Very true,much fewer short scales around unfortunately

 

[RocknRay]

My Mustang PJ sounds thin with round wounds, especially with both pickups on. That is expected as they are now in parallel making a lowpass filter to ground, as with JJ pickups. (The body resonance is also higher than a standard P because it is lighter.) But the snap/bite more than makes up for it and so does the ease of playing. Please don't spend time and money modifying pickups or whatever until you try thicker sounding strings. I love the sound with D'Addario Chromes or nylon tape wounds. Both are available in short scale. Finger style or pick.