When did "Short Scale Shaming" become 'a thing'???

[mmon77]

I think it became a thing the same time unlined fretless player superiority became a thing. Which it to say, it never did, but some people imagine it that way, because they spend too much time worrying about what other people think.

As always, play what you like, and who cares what everyone else thinks.

 

[BergerHead]

It became a thing when people started caring about something quite foolish?

The whole life is about "things" and ime 70% are foolish or unnecessary ...

 

[chris_b]

When did making up a thing become a thing!

 

[RBrownBass]

This was inspired by an earlier post, asking if it is "wrong" to play a short-scale...
Why would anyone be made to feel that way???

That was probably a troll post, not unlike the constant "Help me understand...

5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 string basses
notes that are not on the downbeat
notes that are not the root
playing more than one note per tune
why (someone else's) favorite bassist doesn't swing from a 40' cable
why (someone else's) bass costs more than the OP's
why (anyone else) uses their fingers
why (anyone else) slaps
why (anyone else) plays above the 3rd fret
why a bass should be tuned before playing..."

threads that show up here.

Play what you like.

 

[Ronnie681]

I ditched the long scale for a short scale.. 2 weeks ago it became cool.. lol

 

[BergerHead]

Question 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 string basses: " ... one more thing!" as Steven Jobs used to refer to.
(pic source: talkbass)

 

[Jay2U]

If it plays well and sounds okay, who cares about scale length?

 

[fretlessguy]

Putting ketchup on a hot dog is wrong though

NO it's not! Pass me the the Hienz!

 

[Stempelloos]

When did it become a 'problem' to play short-scale?

That opinion has at least been around since I've started to play bass in 1983.

I remember that people in the local band scene said that the hollowbody shortscale that I played was outdated and hippie-ish. A longscale would suit the type of music that was 'in' then better. It was considered to have a better overall sound too.
And longer neck would make it clearer that you were the bassist, not some hindered guitarist.

Another opinion that was commonly projected then, was that synthesizers did't belong in alternative and punkish music because they would be 'too sterile'.

When I got my Cavern bass and showed it to one of our guitarists, he said "I'm not going to play with you if you use that thing"
His reply on my 'why?' was that it was sixties, had an outdated sound and he didn't like the looks of it. I wasn't playing with him then anyway, so I couldn't be bothered.
But it shows that opinions like that are around.

 

[Copperhead]

Must have missed something. I wasn’t aware it ever was a problem.

A lot of people must have missed something. I'm not aware of recent thread some are making reference to, but there has been a prevalent attitude over the years among many (ignorant) individuals that short scale basses are beginner instruments, lacking tone, wooly muddy cheap, blahblah.

That has changed drastically in recent years, but I am surprised at how many long time TB members say it has never been a "thing" because it was.

BTW I say this in retrospect as a former long time member who was gone for a year and am now back under this new name.

 

[cnltb]

When did "Short Scale Shaming" become 'a thing'???
I have no idea...
Has it?

 

[higain617]

At the same time as round wound shaming.

 

[Stevorebob]

Wow. Short-scale bass hostility. It’s a thing?

 

[vonbladet]

As always, play what you like, and who cares what everyone else thinks.

If you advise people not to listen to worry what other people think, aren't you at risk of vanishing in a puff of logic?

 

[FrenchBassQC]

But, what's the best short-scale for METAL???!??

This one

 

[40Hz]

A lot of people must have missed something. I'm not aware of recent thread some are making reference to, but there has been a prevalent attitude over the years among many (ignorant) individuals that short scale basses are beginner instruments, lacking tone, wooly muddy cheap, blahblah.

That has changed drastically in recent years, but I am surprised at how many long time TB members say it has never been a "thing" because it was.

BTW I say this in retrospect as a former long time member who was gone for a year and am now back under this new name.

I’ve seen a lot of “advice” against playing a short scale directed at beginners. The justification seemed mostly to be that (a) a greater number of instrument choices and (b) overall higher build quality were available if you went with a standard 34” scale instrument.

I don’t recall seeing anything that implied there was someting intrinsically wrong with you as a player (i.e. shaming) for wanting a short scale bass. The motivation seemed (to me) to be driven by an intention to be helpful even if the some of the advice itself was questionable. Not to say there wasn’t any of what you’re talking about. If I saw any I probably just ignored it.

Today, the build quality of short scale basses is easily on par with their longer necked siblings.

The range of choices has improved but still lags far behind the available selection range you’ll find for 34” models

 

[DJCalamari]

Some people think it’s wrong to wear sndals with socks, some people think it’s wrong if you put ketchup on a hot dog, and some people think it’s wrong letting your kids ride in the back of your pickup truck.
Hey, if you’re comfortable with a short-scale bass or even one of those tiny hilarious-looking uke basses, just do you!

All of these things are wrong, but not short scale basses. Am I missing something or are they somehow easier to play? Also I want a uke bass hilarious or not.

 

[bassdude51]

The shamming of short scale basses began when it was discovered that "real men (and women)" play long scale.

 

[rashrader]

It became a "problem" when you decided to listen....

 

[DocTT]

I have a new bass on the way. It's so short it will have negative length. My shame will turn to pride.