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What would be the most versatile short scale setup?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by JACink, Dec 15, 2014.

On an active/passive short scale, which would be more versatile?

  1. Precision + Jazz

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  2. Precision + MM

    2 vote(s)
    25.0%

  3. Precision + Soapbar

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  4. Jazz + MM

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  5. Jazz + Soapbar

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  6. 2x MM

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  7. 2x Soapbar

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  8. 2x Precision

    1 vote(s)
    12.5%

  9. 2 Jazz

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  10. Other

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Dec 15, 2014 #1
    JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    Browsing around, I ended up (again) on the Warmoth site, and I found a very nice short scale body, and short scale neck. Once I had added a finish to the body and summed up the price, it was over $750, just for the body and the neck, without shipping. If I add a couple of decent pickups, bridge, tuners etc. it would work out over $1.200 for a Warmoth shortscale. Is it worth it?

    This got me thinking, if I were to take an existing shortscale, refin it to my own tastes (maybe with a laminate top), and add everything I want to the bass, I would be able to get the same bass for half of that (or less if I was able to find some of the parts used). I could even have a body made and just use the neck (as a lot of times I see it is cheaper to buy a bass than a neck, especially if you don't mind the state the electronics and pickups are in).

    So, if you guys were going to build a shortscale to be as versatile as possible, what pickup arrangement would you go for? I know the brand of pickup makes a huge difference, but lets just say that for arguments sake, the pickups would be generally available p'ups such as Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG etc. Also, that you were going to build it to be passive/active, with a middle of the range preamp (such as the EMG preamp if using EMG's etc.).

    If you mark other, please state what setup you are referring to.

    (And please be nice:) OR NOT!)
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2014
  2. Dec 15, 2014 #2
    Exo-Politician

    Exo-Politician

    May 9, 2012
    Melbourne, Australia
    MM and Jazz. My favorite setup these days! Thank you Lakland for opening my eyes.
     
  3. Dec 15, 2014 #3
    JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    Thanks @OzJazzCat

    Any further input is appreciated!
     
  4. Dec 15, 2014 #4
    Baird6869

    Baird6869 Supporting Member

    Feb 16, 2007
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    2 soapbars with single/double capabilities is pretty versatile IMO.
     
  5. Dec 15, 2014 #5
    Gorn

    Gorn

    Dec 15, 2011
    Queens, NY
    PJ.
     
    Fat Steve likes this.
  6. Dec 15, 2014 #6
    Exo-Politician

    Exo-Politician

    May 9, 2012
    Melbourne, Australia
    Hey Jac,

    in my experience, i would go for a pickup and preamp that offers a lot of clarity as you lose that with the shorter scale.

    My most recent project was an EB-3 with an Aguilar Preamp and 2 Bartolini Stingray pickups. It had a huge array of tones and was extremely versatile.

    As far as, is it worth it?

    Warmoth make a great product and generally if you can get a good deal on a neck and body. You can make a bass with much better pre, pups and hardware than a brand name in the same price range.

    Honestly, half the fun is picking all the pieces and putting it together yourself though and creating something of your own design.

    My only advice is maybe look at getting the body painted locally. That can save a huge amount when buying through Warmoth. Especially if you are wanting a solid colour and nothing fancy.

    Cheers,
     
  7. Dec 16, 2014 #7
    Bill Thompson

    Bill Thompson

    Sep 19, 2014
    Jac, I play it as it lays. The only short-scale bass that I have is my Kramer 'Duke'. They were made when Steinberger was hitting the scene, as an alternative. It uses standard strings, light gauge. My Steinberger is 34 inches and my Kramer is 32 inches. It started off with two Jazz pickups side-by-side in the bridge position, but ended up with a DiMarzio Split P in the neck position and the front J-pickup cut off. So it's a P-J setup. No room for electronics, other than two volumes and a mini-switch, which is the pickup selector. Tone is made up from the volume levels. It's a good travel bass and it's sometimes my piccolo. Very Strat-sounding. Cheers. ;^D.
    P.S. What is called short scale is really medium scale. Short scale is 30 inches.
     
  8. Dec 16, 2014 #8
    JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    Thanks for the input @Bill Thompson, I am actually looking at 30" scale. I have a couple of p/j's at the moment (34"), but I was wondering if something else would be more versatile.

    I really like the CallowHill OBS, but $4800 has one too many zeros for me :)

    I may still go the Warmoth route, over an extended period of time, but I still need to decide what pickup routes I want.

    Anyways, this is not an urgent project (none of my projects ever are), so I will still keep investigating and looking for parts used.
     
  9. Dec 16, 2014 #9
    reddog

    reddog

    Mar 5, 2013
    Philly burbs
    Just sold a great sx SS p/j body. Great modding platforms.