What short scale has the most tonal options?

[Topkat13]

The major scale is a short scale and IMHO offers tonal versatility.

 

[BassBrass]

If you’re looking for tonal options in a shorter scale, this bass is an active PJ 32” scale and fairly lightweight. The MTD Kingston LK5 is 32” and fairly light. The 32” scale is much easier for me to negotiate. 30” was a bit too short and compromised the deeper lows. I absolutely love this bass.
I’ve included links to the 4 string and 5 string versions. These are very high quality and well made.
NOTE: If you contact Bass Central they’ll weigh them if you like.

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MTD Kingston Lynn Keller 5 (V2), 32" Medium Scale, Sky Blue Metallic *IN STOCK*

MTD Kingston Lynn Keller (5), 32" Medium Scale, Sky Blue Metallic / Maple

basscentral.com

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MTD Kingston Lynn Keller 4 (V2), 32" Medium Scale, Mystic Seafoam Green / Maple *IN STOCK*

MTD Kingston Lynn Keller (4), 32" Medium Scale, Mystic Seafoam Green / Maple

basscentral.com

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MTD Kingston Lynn Keller 4 (V2), 32" Medium Scale, Lake Placid Blue / Maple *IN STOCK*

MTD Kingston Lynn Keller (4), 32" Medium Scale, Lake Placid Blue / Maple

basscentral.com

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Wow, that's the closest body shape to my beloved long lost Aria Pro II from the late 70s. Great price too.

 

[MCF]

+1 for both the Schecter Banshee and the Reverend Sentinel. Both have great build quality, and more tonal variation than I would have expected from a single P pickup.

Many of the short scales I've tried have been P/J, and the tone knob was really a switch that turned the J on/off, P always on.

But I'd suggest the Reverend Wattplower II for most tone versatility. Not conventional looking, but there is a lot going in with those pickups.

I also had to move to shorter for medical reasons. Be mindful that not all short scales are the same. Example, to me the G&L feels basically the same as a 34" because of how it hung on me.

+1 for the Wattplower.

 

[Ric Vice]

I play a Lakland HB-30. Lots of tonal options between mixing the 2 pickups, the tone knob and hand placement. Very different and great tones available from plucking just at the neck to the bridge.

Really light too.

You must have been fortunate enough to get one that was lighter than standard. The ones I’ve seen are on the heavy side. As an owner of two Lakland 55-94’s that are under 9lbs. 10 lbs 6 oz seems heavy by comparison. Just my take of course.

 

[Squawk]

What exactly is "tonal versatility" to you? Is there any point in getting a bass that has four different sounds that you don't like, instead of a bass that has one sound that you like? You will have to define what you want a bit better.

Eric Wilson - Sublime

Something in that realm.

 

[jd56hawk]

I agree on this one.

 

[Pep]

Wow, that's the closest body shape to my beloved long lost Aria Pro II from the late 70s. Great price too.

It’s a great bass. The pickups are a special size due to the 32” scale but Bartolini has pickups to fit it if you care to upgrade. They also have a preamp for it.

 

[Squawk]

Given your ergonomic needs, I suggest going to try a bunch and picking the most comfortable one. You can always go with a less expensive multi effects unit like the Line 6 Pod to mess with your tone.

I say this because I'm in a similar boat. Multiple hockey-related shoulder and hand injuries combined with some mild early arthritis has made me super picky. For me, the JMJ Mustang fits me the best so far, but there are a lot of great short scale basses out there.

I don’t really have the option of trying a bunch. Only thing close to me is Guitar Center and the options are limited.

Bronco and Mikro was all they had last time.

 

[T McClure]

I don’t really have the option of trying a bunch. Only thing close to me is Guitar Center and the options are limited.

Bronco and Mikro was all they had last time.

Oh, that's really unfortunate. The GCs near me have lots of options to try out. Sorry, dude.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

It’s a great bass. The pickups are a special size due to the 32” scale but Bartolini has pickups to fit it if you care to upgrade. They also have a preamp for it.

Have you done the upgrades on yours ? Do you feel it was necessary? Tell me more please. BassCentral is my local store . I might run down and check one out.

 

[cheddar]

I have a Mustang PJ and a Sterling Stingray short scale. Though I don't use all, or even many, of the tonal options, they both cover a lot of ground. The tone knobs on both and the 3 pickup positions on the Mustang PJ shape the sound considerably.

 

[BarfanyShart]

In terms of comfort and ergonomics, Ibanez EHB bases are a game changer. Also, as an aging guy with back pain and tendonitis myself, I have found that 5-strings are actually really good for pain because I can play things up the neck onnthe lower strings more comfortably. I find myself having to remember to try arranging things higher up the neck, and every time I do it's like, "ah, that's better."

 

[Ignatius]

You must have been fortunate enough to get one that was lighter than standard. The ones I’ve seen are on the heavy side. As an owner of two Lakland 55-94’s that are under 9lbs. 10 lbs 6 oz seems heavy by comparison. Just my take of course.

Yes I got lucky I guess.

Bought it from Sweetwater 5 or so years ago and picked the lightest one at just over 7 lbs. I was playing a Lakland 44-60 which is the best sounding and playing bass I have ever gotten my hands on but as age and other realities set in I had to find something smaller and lighter.

 

[WG Plum]

Surprised no one has mentioned Wilcock yet.

Wilcock Basses/ Home

Each Wilcock custom bass is designed and hand-made in my workshop in east London. Inspired by over 40 years of collecting, playing and a passion for the instrument.

www.wilcocklondon.com

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

If you want short scale with a lot of tonal variety, my suggestion is any active Ibanez 5 string (or better yet a 6 string).

Everything you can play on a short scale 4 string can be played entirely between the 5th and 12th frets without having to reach in either direction, unless you want to or can.

 

[DionClassic]

A fender or squier bass vi would probably be the best answer for the question as it does give you lots and lots of tonal options but it is a different animal.

 

[Squawk]

Oh, that's really unfortunate. The GCs near me have lots of options to try out. Sorry, dude.

Yes. It sucks. Went two days ago. Bronco was it. Just terrible selection of Bass guitars overall.

A fender or squier bass vi would probably be the best answer for the question as it does give you lots and lots of tonal options but it is a different animal.

i started as a guitar player and still play acoustic more than bass. Might have to look into the Bass VI

 

[CaptainRuss]

I’ll add another vote for the Reverend WattPlower II. I have one, play it more often than my Stingray Special HH, (lots of tonal options but not short scale), and am able to find a use for all three PU positions. Not the case with the Stingray, it’s either position 1 or 4.

WattPlower is super light and is very fun and easy to play. It exceeded every expectation I had for it.

 

[Ejek]

If you don't mind medium scale 32'' and second hand options, this is very versatile.View attachment 7301677

What are these? And where can I get one?

Looks amazing.

 

[brocco]

This gets my vote
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...string-bass-guitar-dragon-eye-burst-low-gloss