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Which Short Scale Bass?

#181
Lots of cool suggestions but some of them quite a bif different from the P/J configuration that the OP wants. There's definitely a couple of "try-before-you-buy" suggestions IMO, very far from the P/J sound and might not be right, even if they are cool basses.

I haven't read through the entire thread so I don't know if anyone have suggested this:

Have you tried a normal long scale P/J with a basswood body? They can be surprisingly light. Probably even lighter than a short scale with alder/ash body. This will of course only help if it's the weight that's the problem, and not the length of the neck.
 
#183
the PJ mustang is short scale and sounds great. one of the best short scale basses i've played.

personally weight isn't the only issue with some long scale basses for me. it's how i have to reach over the bass, as well. no P or jazz bass has been comfortable to play.
 
#184
I have a VM Jag SS and it sounds nearly identical to my 2001 MIM Jazz with Duncan vintage J pickups.

I also have a Hofner Club and it is light as a feather, but the neck is chunkier than the Jag. The Jag has a classic J feel, only smaller.

I also recently got an Epi EB-0 and I didn’t expect to like it so much, but I love it and it’s the one I reach for now.
 
#185
pcake said:
the mikro is much more available where i am; while the jag ss is available online readily, i've never seen one in a guitar center and rarely see them at sam ash.

i've owned a jag for several years and have owned 4 mikros including a 4-string. the jag seemed to have very little clearcoat, but overall it was a nice bass i enjoyed playing, and it's easier to find strings for. the mikros are easier for me to play - i have wrist and shoulder issues. ibanez sells strings for the mikro, and i've used other strings on them without issues. will it look funny on you? well, my husband is 6'7" and he sometimes plays one my mikros without looking funny.

if you got to try the jag ss and you liked it, why not get it? it's a nice bass, and the slightly longer scale means a little more room for your fingers, which can help.
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Thanks a lot. Good data there.

Yeah, I'm really considering buying that Jaguar. I just also am thinking of the Ibanez 5 string. Working out what is better. I've never had a 5 string before, but I can't buy too many instruments. I got 2 keyboards, an acoustic guitar, electric guitar and a bass, etc. So I'm thinking should I get the Jag, plays nice, or should I get the even smaller Mikro, but go for 5 strings, and learn the B string?
 
#186
pcake said:
the PJ mustang is short scale and sounds great. one of the best short scale basses i've played.
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As I've mentioned earlier in the thread, I've been trying P/J Mustangs whenever I found them and I think they sound very good especially the P only mode (I'm not a fan of bridge pickups). However, their necks have been a bit chunky in profile for me and they were all a bit on the heavy side...Last Friday I tried a P/J with a neck profile my left hand didn't mind and the weight was more reasonable, so I bought it. I installed my preferred tapewounds and spent quite a bit of time over the weekend comparing it to my other shortscales and I have to say the P/J is the best sounding of the bunch.
 
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#187
Lots of advice on here to choose from.

I would concur with the opinion given that the Allen Woody Rumblekat is a smooth player. I have one and it's a dream to play, but it's the heaviest short scale I have.

My Musicmasters are much lighter, but the Hofner Ignition club bass was by far the lightest. I sold mine but can tell you it was very comfortable and a good player as well.

Last time I was on the road and stopped at a GC I played a Gretsch short scale that was well balanced and very light too. I don't recall the name of it but it was priced around $300, nice bass.

You'll just have to shop and try them out for yourself. The down side seems that like me, you are far from big shopping centers so you'll have to travel to do it. Probably the best way to find what you like.
 
#188
jdarctic said:
I'm really interested in the Ibanez Mikro and Squier Jaguar. I'm considering the Mikro 5 string especially or the Jaguar. Had some concerns about weight and stretching... had some pain in my hand, thus my intention to get a short scale. I have a Swing Smash SB-1 and I have been playing for 1 year. () I am really loving it. But I'm wondering it would be better to get a short scale. So I narrowed it down to the Mikro and Jaguar. And for the Mikro, I could get a 4 or 5 string. I was a bit concerned about quality, availability of strings, whether I should even go for a 5 string, whether it might look like a toy on me, and if I'd even use it. I think Squier is more widely available. I liked it when I tried it in the shop, but no Mikros anywhere near me. :( Could you give me your thoughts?
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If you have hand problems, try a Gold Tone Microbass or, if you want 5 string, try Kala UBass.....works for me
 
#189
I'm not a small guy and the Mikro looks too small on me (I'm 218#). The 5 string makes up for that some because of the extra string and I like it pretty well. The Jag is just too heavy for me, I've got a few health issues myself, that's why I got the Madeira. I'll keep it because it sounds pretty good too, but it's heavier than the Mikro 5. If you have some pawn shops in your area, you might go look, they may have a Mikro you could try out when you can't find one elsewhere. Good luck!!!
 
#190
- Jerry Jones or Danelectro Longhorn
The Jerry Jones version is of better quality than the otherwise actually really good Danelectro one, but considerably more expensive, and as it is out of production you would have to find it used.
Really great semi hollow short scale equipped with two lipstick tube pickups and 24 frets that is super easily accessible.

- Chowny SWB-1 Scott Whitley Signature Bass
Amazing quality short scale bass for a reasonable price, 24 frets, 2 J pickups, available in either an active version or a cheaper passive one.

- Fender Mustang Bass
Classic 19 fret short scale P/J bass brought up to date and of great quality that a lot of people seem to like.

- Ibanez GSRM20 or GSRM20B Mikro Bass
22 fret short scale P/J bass that has an even shorter 28,6" scale than the regular 30".
Surprisingly good quality taking the price point into consideration.
A lot of people seem to like this bass as well, either modded with new pickups and eventual hardware or simply as it is from stock, which is actually quite decent.

- Ibanez TMB30 Talman
20 fret, for the price excellent, cheap P/J short scale bass that a lot of people seem to love.
Also a lot of people actually seem to be quite satisfied with it from stock and chose not to mod it.
Has a bit chunkier neck than your typical Ibanez bass.

- Squier Jaguar SS
20 fret P/J short scale bass, also of good quality taking the price point into consideration.
Also has it's dedicated fan base.
Quite decent from stock though a lot of people chose to mod it.
 
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#191
Thanks for everything guys. I'm going to hold off a bit and keep working on my technique on the Swing SB-1 Bass I have (Smash version, Indonesia) and try and get my technique cleaned up and see how that goes before I jump into another bass. These basses are cheap, so there are no further Black Friday discounts which I can see. I also don't know much about getting good tone. All I know so far is "okay, sounds good to me." I usually don't get a chance to compare a lot of bass sounds. Anyway, it's winter almost... so I'll be staying inside a lot and hopefully lots of practicing. :)
 
#192
jdarctic said:
Thanks for everything guys. I'm going to hold off a bit and keep working on my technique
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For your consideration, there's a new kid on the short scale "block", the Invalid Link Removed.

newmustang.jpg
 
#193
I've dropped in and out of this thread, so I haven't read every post. Has anyone mentioned these very-affordable Harley Benton short-scale basses from Thomann?
Invalid Link Removed
And then there is this. The OP didn't ask about 6-strings, but it is a short scale, and a very interesting instrument to boot:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley...5IjoidXMiLCJjdXJyZW5jeSI6NywibGFuZ3VhZ2UiOjJ9
Just some thoughts.............
Greg
 
#195
J-Mags said:
Some of the SS Jags and Mustangs are a good 8.5 - 9 lbs. Make sure you get a light one if you're shopping for a lightweight SS. Or get a Hofner.
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I had a SS Jag that weighed in at 6.5 lbs, but I added .5 lbs of lead weight in the control cavity to help control the neck dive. My CIJ Mustang is 7.5 lbs. Sweetwater has a surf green MIA Performer Mustang, but they haven't weighed it yet.

Sweetwater also has 3 Epiphone Allen Woody Rumble Rumblekats. They weigh between 7 lbs, 6 oz and 7 lbs, 13 oz.

The Hofners are lighter. I'd probably choose one of the Club models because the violin shape never felt comfortable for me. YMMV
 
#196
macmanlou said:
I had a SS Jag that weighed in at 6.5 lbs, but I added .5 lbs of lead weight in the control cavity to help control the neck dive. My CIJ Mustang is 7.5 lbs. Sweetwater has a surf green MIA Performer Mustang, but they haven't weighed it yet.

Sweetwater also has 3 Epiphone Allen Woody Rumble Rumblekats. They weigh between 7 lbs, 6 oz and 7 lbs, 13 oz.

The Hofners are lighter. I'd probably choose one of the Club models because the violin shape never felt comfortable for me. YMMV
Click to expand...
My MIJ Mustang weighs 7lb 12 oz....my Hofner Club is 5 lbs 5 oz. Superlight, but neckdive happens.
 
#199
Using the mobile site was not easy. But I put up some photos. A short scale became available for a decent price and so I snapped it up. Made in China, super light. Decent sound. E string a little floppy. Really have to get used to it. Practiced some songs with my 34" scale Swing bass and switched over to the short scale. Some songs were easier. Still got a learning curve I think.
 

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