Well, you made an incorrect and inappropriate logical assumption based on a limited data set. And that's why I said what I did.
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What's driving the shortscale revival?
- Thread starter mrpackerguy
- Start date
Did I?
Go back and look at the first few pages of comments. Many of them point to the reason for short scale basses being used by people here are for health reasons. Age related health reasons.
The older demographic of TB has long been established by several polls of users. Go look them up.
Are the reasons I pointed out the ONLY reasons? No. Does it seem to be a serious factor? Yes.
We are going down a pointless rabbit hole. Don't agree with my assertion. Cool. Wouldn't be the first, won't be the last. I've been here since 2009. I'm used to the Gestalt of this place.
There are a lot of assertions being made. Yes, TB skews old. Yes, there is increased interest in short-scales on TB. Yes, many people on TB play them due to injury (often related to age). No, it does not mean short-scale popularity is an age thing. Because young people are under-represented on TB, we don't know what young people are doing, or why. Short-scales are only selling to TB members? Seriously doubt it, since I can easily name 10 fairly major instrument companies making a bunch of them. A portion of TB can't support that.
I'm sure there is a lot I haven't addressed, and I'm probably wrong. But a person has to be careful what they conclude, even if it is based on facts (or close to it).
I'm sure there is a lot I haven't addressed, and I'm probably wrong. But a person has to be careful what they conclude, even if it is based on facts (or close to it).
I think my feathers got mildly ruffled when someone insinuated I'm a four year old for liking my new Mustang. It wasn't directed at me specifically. Just a weird thing to say, imo.
I'm tall 6'4. They look ridicules on me, but I really enjoy playing one. It makes me approach the bass in a whole different way. Inspiring? maybe.
Watch a YouTube channel like KEXP (NPR station in Seattle) and not insignificant percentage of younger original bands have short scale basses. I highly doubt those bassists are here on TGP.
One of Fender's more popular SS bass is a signature model of a younger player, Justin Meldal Johnsen of Nine Inch nails (at least younger compared to me)
Last seen playing with St. Vincent...
If they ever offer a non relic version of that bass I’ll be all over it in a heartbeat!
Scale length different from 34” is, for many buyers, as new a frontier as cars with touch screens built in- some might curmudgeonly argue that SS, XLS, & MS are as worthwhile a frontier for them to explore, too.
Whether simply curious about any potentially beneficial sonic difference or just getting something that is different in a way that wasn’t as prevalent an option in recent history, I’d bet $5 that if all SS buyers were polled, 30-50% did not buy for physical health reasons.
Whether simply curious about any potentially beneficial sonic difference or just getting something that is different in a way that wasn’t as prevalent an option in recent history, I’d bet $5 that if all SS buyers were polled, 30-50% did not buy for physical health reasons.
Yes. Maybe an e-tailer like Sweetwater could pick out one with a lighter relic, but like you, I'm not really into the medium-relic'd look.
It’s too much like buying distressed jeans for me. If that’s what a person likes, cool. But I like breaking stuff in myself!
For me, it's cheapness. Why pay more for something that's beat up? I buy used to pay less for beat up things.
I use my short scale basses for piccolo tuning. It works great for me since the thinner strings don’t have as much tension as a when they’re strung on a 34 scale bass 
I tried it out first on two cheaper Brice 30 scale basses (5 and 6 string). Then I went for a custom Mensinger after I knew I liked how they played.
I tried it out first on two cheaper Brice 30 scale basses (5 and 6 string). Then I went for a custom Mensinger after I knew I liked how they played.
It's a few things for me.
When I bought my first Hofner (damn I miss my V'63) I didn't know there were different scales for basses. I just bought it for that warm, woody thump.
Now, closing in on 50, it's a mix of arthritis and carpal tunnel. 36 years of guitar and bass, plus computers for work and home, and being a gamer once upon a time, and a martial artist when I was younger... yeah, my hands and wrists aren't what they used to be. Lots of damange. Anything other than short scale isn't a pleasant experience.
When I bought my first Hofner (damn I miss my V'63) I didn't know there were different scales for basses. I just bought it for that warm, woody thump.
Now, closing in on 50, it's a mix of arthritis and carpal tunnel. 36 years of guitar and bass, plus computers for work and home, and being a gamer once upon a time, and a martial artist when I was younger... yeah, my hands and wrists aren't what they used to be. Lots of damange. Anything other than short scale isn't a pleasant experience.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I think it comes down to less younger than older people playing bass today.
Either that, or once I started playing Short Scales the rest of the world realized it was cool.
Either that, or once I started playing Short Scales the rest of the world realized it was cool.
Exactly, that's what I would think based on what I see (which isn't THAT much, admittedly).
