What is wrong with short scales.

The reason is obvious. A short scale bass is almost 4 less than a real scale bass. It's like how an amp that goes to "11" is better than a lesser amp that only goes to "10". It's simple maths, really.

 

Nothing much, why?

I've played 34" my whole life and recently got into some shortys. Love the feel. No problem switching between short and 34. I have a 31" semi-hollow and a P bass next to each other on the wall and I am 4' from that wall and they look about the same size, just saying unless you are closely comparing instruments nobody would know it's short unless they are an experienced bassist. They're fun to play and mine sound basically just like my longer scales. So crack a beer and enjoy.
Can't personally speak for a short B, I don't own a short 5-string. But I have played a Birdsong 5 and the B was as solid as anything. So that is in the design.
Also, FWIW, I can palm a basketball, I don't have a problem stretching frets. I just think shorts are a way wo add some new fun to my playing.

 

I'm tall, and I look dorky playing a little bass. Think "Tiny Tim" for you folks with a few decades under your belt. I do have one - if I end up playing somewhere where things are crowded, the dork factor is outweighed by the "not running into everyone else on stage with my headstock" factor.

I also have enormously long fingers, and feel cramped on a short scale.

Whatever works for you, works for you.

 

There's absolutely nothing wrong with short scale basses.

I've played long and short scales (actually ranging from 4/4 upright to 18" Guild Ashbory) for decades. In fact, I find SS basses of my acquaintance control dead and hot spots better than long scale basses of my acquaintance and the shorts are easier to play and lighter in weight, all three characteristics are major plusses in my book. Over the last 15 years have phased out all but one of my long scales and I use only short scales for shows.

 

I see a lot of perceived criticism of the concept of short scale basses but almost no actual criticism.

 

To each their own. I play shortscales, they sound great to me, granted my basses are higher end instruments. I am a much better bassist on the shorter necks!

 

I like a good 4 string short scale. Love Danelectro and Guild.
However I have yet to meet a 5 string short scale that works.

 

Stigma

 

I've never personally experienced this so-called "short scale disapproval." On the contrary, I get compliments on my sound/tone. On the occasion when others play my bass, they generally have a great time.

 

I surprised that Stanley Clarke plays short scale electrics.

 

I love the sound of a good short scale bass, but I'm 6'5 and make a Precision look small. If I were to strap on a regular short scale, I think I'd look like I was playing a large stratocaster LOL. I've been sorely tempted by some of the large-bodied short scales, such as the Guild Starfire II, but the narrow string spacing at the nut puts me off a bit. Likewise the Hofner Verythin. LOVE the bass and the way it sounds, but the string spacing at the bridge is just way too narrow for me.

 

Where in Leo Fender's lifelong search for ways of improving and developing instruments did you find the clue that told you that when creating the Precision he abandon his principles and purely for the benefit of sales *checks notes* deliberately made his bass unnecessarily hard to play?

 

I was unaware there was a stigmata about short scale basses. I never get the memos. I don't think I've ever noticed the diff when watching another band either.

Is it possible you've merely developed a complex about having tiny hands?

IIRC Jack Bruce played shorties. He knew a wee bit about playing bass.

 

You care too much about what other, some other people think or might think. Much too much. It is not that you have bought an atomic bomb and plan to attack another country and are confronted with people who might think that this is a wrong idea.
Play what you love, be proud of what you love and show people, who bore or annoy you, one of your short fingers.

 

Well ... that bit is actually true. God told me this himself just last week, as we were discussing why he's sending people who defret Rickenbackers straight to hell. Kinda unfair, I told Him. Especially if they restring with tape wounds.

 

Nothing wrong with short scale basses. My granddaughter plays one.

 

string-selection alone kills it for me
down-tuning on a short-scale isn't great, & when people claim you just get larger-diameter strings, there aren't many, if any

 

I haven't observed this. My personal experience is that I have not yet met a short scale that I liked the sound and feel of.