Which Short Scale Bass?

[MrLenny1]

#1 is a short scale.
#2 is a 34 " " .

 

[gln1955]

I mentioned Sweetwater because I know they are willing to weigh instruments and find one that suits your needs. I'm speaking from experience. I don't work for Sweetwater, I'm just an impressed customer. My apologies if my post upset you.

Nothing at all wrong with that post. We plug Sweetwater all the time for their customer service.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I didn't report this post but it's inappropriate. It's an ad. Lots of places sell short scale basses and he's posting here for advice. If you have no advice other than "call this store" then just don't post.

It’s not an ad it’s a recommendation. Yeah, there are lots of music stores - and here’s one that many (my self included) have received exceptional customer service from.

 

[gphil]

I agree with the praise for Sweetwater. I order from them quite a bit. I actually will probably buy this bass through them.

My problem is that it has been a long time since I have bought a new bass and I have never bought one without playing it first.

I am just in the first stage of looking at a short scale and I am wondering what is available that I don't know about, and recommendations.

Thanks for all the information so far.

 

[Ghook]

I bought the Hofner Ignition Viola bass. My first bass ( many many years ago) was a Framus Star, single pup, short scale. The Hofner is really light and easy. Took some bridge moving to intonate but meets my ears standard. I left the rounds on it, although I did purchase some LaBella Flats . I really love short scale and am now looking at thevTMB30, another choice, but heavier.

 

[el jeffe bass]

That is beautiful

Mikro neck on a few chunks of wood glued together and carved into a replacement body. If I can do it, anyone can.View attachment 3187057

 

[Karlson541]

I own a Ibanez Mikro, and I was very surprised by the quality of this cheap bass, even if I did eventually swap the pickups for some better quality ones.

Otherwise it's one of the best basses I ever owned.

I hear great things about all the 4 basses you mention though, so guess it will be down to personal preferences.

The Ibanez Mikro is just 28,6" scale length whereas the others are standard short scale 30".

 

[el jeffe bass]

I really like MY Squier Jag SS

 

[J-Mags]

#1 is a short scale.
#2 is a 34 " " .

I'd bet that #2 is short scale. Slightly tubbier sound. But really, it could be either.

 

[PauFerro]

To me, you have a weight problem, not a scale problem. My solution would be to hang your SR400 bass on one of these braces. I have two of them for different purposes. It's liberating to be on stage without being tied to any one bass. I used to switch between two basses many times with these within the same song. It is very comfortable, and you can kind of hug the bass back to you to put it on a comfortable angle if you want...

https://www.amazon.com/MBrace-MBR-1...&sr=1-1&keywords=Mbrace+Guitar+Support+System

 

[Karlson541]

You're not going to find a short scale bass that sounds exactly like a full scale Jazz or Precision so I wouldn't get too attached to the PJ pickup configuration if I were you, unless that's just your preference for looks.

If your reason for wanting a short scale is a medical one, I would look to the Hofner and Hofner style violin basses first. The bigger questions are, What is your budget and what type of music do you play? Also, do you care about looks at all?

I didn't report this post but it's inappropriate. It's an ad. Lots of places sell short scale basses and he's posting here for advice. If you have no advice other than "call this store" then just don't post.

I didn't report this post but it's inappropriate. It's an add. Lots of brands makes short scale basses and he's posting here for advice. If you have no advice other than "buy this brand" then just don't post.

Lots of brands make hollow bodies as well if it is the weight that is the issue, and if it is the length an Ibanez Mikro would be a better fit.

 

[jefff100]

Consider if you want the Kiesel Vader.

Available as a 30” scale. Different pickups available.
I picked one up used from Reverb a little over a year ago.

The neck is comfortable - and I like slim jazz necks. Mine has the Split humbucking P-type neck pickup and the Radium soapbar in the bridge. Its comfortable to play & travels nice. Its probably not my favorite bass but with some minor tweaks it coold be much more.

Just something else to consider - its small & light. Its the one I pick when my back is hurting.
Mine is just a shade over 7 lbs.

Good luck and take care of those injuries

 

[gphil]

It is a little of both weight and scale.

Due to the restricted range of motion in my shoulder, reaching out to the end of the neck is quite uncomfortable. I don't feel the discomfort quite so much when I play my Breedlove acoustic guitar.

The weight is also a factor after it has been hanging on my shoulder for a while

 

[mongo2]

I’ve never played a Hofner like Mongo2 suggested, but wow- 4.5 lbs! That sounds amazing!

I've had a few of them and they were all between 4.5 and 5 lbs.

 

[GlueKill]

Was one of the Slingers a hip strap?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Mikro neck on a few chunks of wood glued together and carved into a replacement body. If I can do it, anyone can.View attachment 3187057

Great job!!

 

[EatS1stBassist]

To me, you have a weight problem, not a scale problem. My solution would be to hang your SR400 bass on one of these braces. I have two of them for different purposes. It's liberating to be on stage without being tied to any one bass. I used to switch between two basses many times with these within the same song. It is very comfortable, and you can kind of hug the bass back to you to put it on a comfortable angle if you want...

https://www.amazon.com/MBrace-MBR-1...&sr=1-1&keywords=Mbrace+Guitar+Support+System

Thanks

 

[Nephilymbass]

I have been dealing with neck and shoulder problems for about 1 1/2 years from an auto accident. My bass is currently a mid 90's Ibanez SR-400. I am very happy with this bass and really don't want to change.

Because of my neck and shoulders, is is sometimes quite uncomfortable having my bass hanging on my shoulders. I have tried many different straps for this, including the different slinger straps and the duostrap. The duostrap works the best, but I am thinking of looking at getting a short-scale bass to see if it would be a little lighter.

The short scale bass I have found are the Ibanez Talman, Ibanez Mikro, Fender Mustang PJ, and the Squier Jaguar. I am hoping to find one of these close enough to where I can try them, but I live in a rural area and there are not that many options close to me.

Are there any other short scale basses I should look at. I want a PJ configuration and I am partial to jazz style necks.

I would also appreciate any comparisons of these basses if you have experience with one or more of these basses.

Thanks

If I was in the market for a 30” scale bass it would be one of these, maybe in a different finish though.

 

[GlueKill]

Yeah those Supro Huntington basses have a piezo bridge that adds brightness if you like a short scale length but miss the clarity of a long scale.

 

[matante]

I didn't report this post but it's inappropriate. It's an add. Lots of brands makes short scale basses and he's posting here for advice. If you have no advice other than "buy this brand" then just don't post.

Lots of brands make hollow bodies as well if it is the weight that is the issue, and if it is the length an Ibanez Mikro would be a better fit.

I said Hofner style, not just Hofner. Big diff.