Where do you find the shorties?

[Forty-Thirty]

I keep seeing people here talking about their different short-scale basses, so obviously there is a variety out there. But where do you find them? I pretty much HAVE to play a shorty--I'm a petite woman with small hands, and the big ones just don't work for me. I own the VM Jaguar and love it, but like just about everyone, I'd like to have another one. When I look for other shorties, the only ones I ever really come across are the Jag and the Ibanez Mikro, and I'm not terribly interested in that one. So am I missing something, or are they just not making many short-scale models at the moment? This is good for my GAS, I guess, but it's still frustrating.

 

[bholder]

Lots of options out there if you're ok with semihollows - Ibanez AFB, Eastwood Classic 4, Epiphone Allen Woody, just a few.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Sweetwater lets you filter by scale length.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Lots of options out there if you're ok with semihollows - Ibanez AFB, Eastwood Classic 4, Epiphone Allen Woody, just a few.

I 'spose I should specify that I haven't found them in my price range (which is under a bazillion dollars). I've seen a couple in the $7-800 range and that's just not happening.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Are you looking for something other than a Fender type of bass? One of multiple pickups? Active/passive? New or used? As for modern (relatively speaking) basses, I used to have a 2007 Höfner 500/1 V63, and a 1996 CIJ Fender Mustang Bass, both were very nice, but I would look for another Mustang Bass if I was looking for another short scale bass for a reasonable price.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Sweetwater lets you filter by scale length.

That's good to know. I've not shopped with them.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Are you looking for something other than a Fender type of bass? One of multiple pickups? Active/passive? New or used? As for modern (relatively speaking) basses, I used to have a 2007 Höfner 500/1 V63, and a 1996 CIJ Fender Mustang Bass, both were very nice, but I would look for another Mustang Bass if I was looking for another short scale bass for a reasonable price.

Probably a non-Fender type of bass. Mine's got both P and J pickups, so I don't see a huge need for a near duplicate. I've never played on active pickups, so that would be fun but not necessary. Tell me about the Mustang if you don't mind. Is it similar to the P at all?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Hofner seems to be the way to go for inexpensive SS:

The Jaguars are cheaper.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Hofner seems to be the way to go for inexpensive SS:

View attachment 775764

The Jaguars are cheaper.

Ooo, color me intrigued by the Hofner Club bass... That may be just the right kind of different for me!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I have never directly compared the Mustang i had to a P Bass, (I did have a '97 California Precision Special (CPS) for a while, years before getting the Mustang and I did not have them at the same time). The CPS is a P/J type with a Jazz Bass neck but I never really bonded with the sound of it, it was always kind of thin sounding to me, but the Mustang was fat, meaty, and could be somewhat grindy when desired. Mine had a Jazz Bass feel by the neck, very slim and thin, and I used TI Jazz Flats on it. The tone control was very effective and could help produce a very deep or mellow tone depending on how I played the bass.

I agree that active electronics are not a necessity to sounding good so long as the bass itself has good tone. Since you do want some variety, the suggestions for a hollowbody is a good one, I used to have a hollowbody Rickenbacker bass for 38 years, it was the first Rick I had ever bought (in 1973), but it is a 34" scale length and they are only available on the used market for significant $$$, these days. Can you deal with a "standard" size body (Gibson/Epiphone/Guild/Gretsch, etc.) or a smaller body like the various violin shaped ones? Personally, if I were to buy another Höfner, it would be a 500/2 Club Bass instead of the 500/1 "Beatle" bass, otherwise I'd go for a standard size one, probably a Guild of some sort.

 

[bholder]

I've scored Ibby AFB200s for as little as $350 on ebay, but that was right after they were discontinued. Still, might want to keep a search out there, some music stores are still trying to move new old stock (just no cheapies at the moment).

 

[bholder]

I also check Eastwood's B stock sale site sometimes, a couple of nice shorties on there now:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I've got 2 Eastwoods I bought as B stock - but they sent me A stock instead, I did not complain.

 

[gabrielvv7]

Luna makes some short scale basses. Never tried them, but one of my friend's has one, "tattoo" I think. It looks kind of cool. Also, Dean has the Hillsboro Junior.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Luna makes some short scale basses. Never tried them, but one of my friend's has one. It looks kind of cool. Also, Dean has the Hillsboro Junior.

I get the impression that Luna is more about looks than sound, but I could be totally wrong. Besides, I'd prefer something less girly, more badass.

 

[radioripster]

Hey Forty-Thirty...

I have to pass along a recommendation your way.

Ever heard of SX basses? I heard about them and while I was out of town on a job, I bought a SX short scale to carry on the road with me.The neck profile is wonderful.

My gosh, after I got it set up, it is the best playing little bass I think I could ever find.

It's a 30 inch scale.

Click on these links. Link Removed

Link Removed

Here's mine...I love it.

Happy Hunting...

Keep us updated on your progress.

Take care,

"rr"

 

[mongo2]

I've found a couple of my short scales at garage/yard sales, but not for several years. I bought a couple off Ebay about a decade or so ago and a couple from Rondo Music via the internet. The vast majority of the short scales I've had came from local stores.

I've also built a few DIYs using parts from Warmoth, GFS, and other sources.

 

[gabrielvv7]

I get the impression that Luna is more about looks than sound, but I could be totally wrong. Besides, I'd prefer something less girly, more badass.

True.
How about a Dean Evo or Hillsboro Junior , they do come in short scale.
Or maybe something like this: HAMER SLAMMER SB4 SHORT SCALE BASS GLOSS BLACK WITH HARD SHELL CASE

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Can you deal with a "standard" size body (Gibson/Epiphone/Guild/Gretsch, etc.)?

Oh yeah. Body can be whatever--it's the neck that I have to worry about (both length and girth (wow, that sounds like I'm describing something else doesn't it? ) since I have small hands). I will look into Mustangs too! That's my preferred car--maybe it'll also be my preferred bass.

 

[AaronVonRock]

Ebay.

short scale bass | eBay

 

[Forty-Thirty]

SX

I think I may be in love!

If it sounds and feels great for that price, I won't have to do too much persuading with the husband! So many colors to choose from! Thanks for making me aware of this.