Which Shirt Scale Bass Should I Get???

Mustang!!!

 

Mustang PJ.

 

The Fender Mustang PJ is a very popular short scale pick for a lot of people. MIM so reasonably priced, very popular so I'm sure a used one would be found easily enough, and it has standard Precision & Jazz pickups so it'll give you that Fender sound. Also easily upgradeable/changeable if you want a different vibe.

Sterling by Music Man have also just released a short scale Stingray, passive with series/singlecoil/parallel modes, so will also get close to a Fender vibe (maybe not in the same way as the PJ). I'm very interested in that model, there's some great videos out there showing the sound, and it's still mid-range in price, a little more than the Mustang PJ. I'll probably end up getting one to try. There's also a US EBMM model if you want to spend much more money.

Squier have a Classic Vibe Mustang range, one traditional Mustang split coil pickup rather than the PJ of the MIM, which will likely be a more 'vintage' sound. This'll be the lowest priced option of the ones I've mentioned. If the traditional Mustang sound is what you're after, there's a more expensive MIM Vintera model, and another step up with the US Performer range (which have a Mustang pickup, and a Jazz bridge pup as well).

I'm not a SS expert by any means, but I have been interested in one, and these are the ones that have caught my eye in that price range. Sire are also releasing a short scale PJ bass, and there's a Gibson Les Paul Jr SS bass that seems reasonably popular, and can be found at a decent price. I can't try those out & have no experience with the brands, so they're not on my radar as much, but might resonate with you.

 

The models that came out about 2 years ago (what were they called?), just killed.

 

Plain white T.

 

I use a Hofner Ignition Club bass which is much more familiar to me than the violin style I used for a few years before the Club became widely available. The necks are the same but I like them a lot. It gets most of my playing time.

My other most frequently used bass is a Mustang P/J. The only thing I that keeps me from playing it more is that it's almost twice as heavy as the Hofner and weight has become an important issue in my geezerdom, but other than that it's fine.

Another one I used quite a bit is the Squier Jaguar VM shortscale. They have the my favorite neck profile I've ever played in my 50+ years of playing. They're not made anymore but I saw a couple used prior to the pandemic closures.

 

'Shirt' Scale?

All kinds of info here.

The Official Short Scale Bass Club -- Part 4

 

I see you recently joined TB on April 21, 2020
If no one has said it yet, may I be the first....WELCOME TO TALK BASS!!!!

 

Road Worn is cool:
Fender JMJ Road Worn Mustang Bass - Black
Fender JMJ Road Worn Mustang Bass - Faded Daphne Blue

I head one of these and it sounded great:
Fender Special Edition Mustang PJ Bass - Tidepool with Pau Ferro Fingerboard - Sweetwater USA Exclusive

Looks like an eggplant in a good way:
Fender American Performer Mustang Bass - Aubergine with Rosewood Fingerboard

 

This Mustang CME edition is pretty cool looking though I've never played one. I believe they are MIM.

 

Mustang

 

What’s your budget? On the lower end, the short scale version of the Squier Jaguar Bass is pretty killer. They quit making them, but they come up used on eBay & Reverb pretty often.
If you can swing $1k, I just bought a Reverend Sentinel and it absolutely rules.

 

It really depends on if you want a button down or pullover.

 

My wife loves hers.

 

I prefer Plain black T.

 

If you want deep and punchy..... Starcaster.