Quality, Tone, Play ability, and Attitude: A Spector of course.
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Which Short Scale Bass?
- Thread starter gphil
- Start date
Have not done a count but wonder what % of the responses have nothing to do with the actual question?
Oh yeah.... Chambered body, appox 7 lbs. Cavity in the back can hold a second battery to convert the EMG BTS preamp to 18 volts, giving more headroom. Really a cool offering from Spector and is a Euro (Czech) model. Well worth the investment.
The Squier Jag short scale fits this description perfectly. My brother has one and I could play it all day and not be sore: slim neck, well balanced, easy reach.
Hi @gphil,
I'm sorry to see your original post has gone off the rails a bit with all of the vendor quibbling
I have a couple different mini basses, I have an ESP LTD B-5JR Short-scale 5-string which has a really nice slim and comfortable neck, very similar to the Mikro, but in a 5 with just a split P pickup. I bought this one locally at a guitar store for about $150 new (I won't mention the the retailer, but they have a red logo with many locations in the US). I did swap the pickup in this one with an EMG-X becsuse the stock one was junk. I may do like one of the other posts in this thread and swap the body out for a little custom build in putpleheart with some soapbars and keep the awesome neck.
I was in Tokyo earlier this year and played a bunch of Baachus jazz-style basses and came away quite impressed.
When I got back to the states I found out they make a short scale jazz and was 'jazzed' about that!
I found a used Baachus WJB mini in perfect condition that was upgraded with Schaller tuners and bridge. In my experience, it does sound like a full size bass. It also has the Jazz characteristics - sounds like a little jazz, the neck feels like a little jazz with 2 volume pots ant 1 tone - and it is actually quite good and plays great. The stock pickups are quite high output, are passive, and sound good.
My band mates cracked up when they saw it for the first time because I play 4, 5, and 6 string 34" scale Warwicks
but then they heard it and were like WOW that little thing is amazing! Looks and sounds very cool...A buddy sent me a pair of Seymour Duncans that he wasn't using, so I'm going to mod it further with the 1/4 Pounders and may throw in a John East J-Tone that I've got laying around (it may require routing).
So if you're looking for a short scale jazz-style bass, I'd recommend checking these out. They're not expensive if you can find one already imported.
You'll find some threads on this bass here on TB and here's a little article and video on BBG (I have no affiliation with them, just found the article before I bought mine, which helped convince me to find one) Invalid Link Removed
More pictures of mine
Hopefully this info provides you with just another option to consider.
Good luck with your decision!
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I remember trying a talman once and loving it instantly. It was super comfortable. I havea squier jag and it's great too, but the ibby felt better to me. I'd go with either of those
practicing medicine without a license?
I love my short scale Jaguar. It plays (and sounds) pretty good out of the box but is a perfect upgrade platform. I've swapped out the pickups (amongst other things) on mine for a Duncan SPB-2 and an SJB-2 and it's as versatile as I will ever need it to be.
It was a long time ago. IIRC it was "normal" weighted for a short scale. I didn't care much about electronics because I tend to change them on my basses but man that neck... The best 2 necks I tried were that talman's and a gsr320. I'll try to go to a music store this week and try one, and make a more thorough list on pros and cons I see and report back
So here's a shameless plug for Scott Beckwith at Birdsong (I receive no remuneration for this). Calling him is best 512.395.5126 (no texts). If the cost of a Birdsong is too much for you, know that Scott builds the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] under his own name for $1250. Tell Scott why you need a light bass, he'll hand-pick the lumber. I love my walnut Shortbass. It's the most comfortable bass I've ever played.
Don’t get me wrong. I like my Jaggie. But mine has severe neck dive. My understanding from hearing reports from others here on TB is that balance on these is hit and miss. I beleive it has a lot to do with the density if the wood in the body. Lighter weight, less body density, more neck dive. Always good to try out before you buy if possible.
You are correct and I agree, it is in my opinion one of the best upgrade platforms out there.
I’ve done a lot of experimenting with my Jag shortie. I’m in the middle of some really drastic upgrades now, that I hope won’t be downgrades.
The SX bass sold here in the states by Rxxxo music is another great upgrade plateform.
I didn't report your post, either, but in my humble opinion you are being unreasonably critical of a perfectly sound piece of advice. Calling Sweetwater might produce exactly the result the OP is looking for and be a very pleasant experience besides. Was your comment—with its clearly scolding tone—truly necessary? You could have simply left it alone.
Countdown to lockdown...
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I have the 34” scale Talman and it is amazing, if the short scale is anything like it you can’t go wrong.
My son has a Mikro, that’s a 28.5” scale. A little too short for me. Guy and finish are great and for the price it’s a really nice bass.
My son has a Mikro, that’s a 28.5” scale. A little too short for me. Guy and finish are great and for the price it’s a really nice bass.
I have owned a Squier SS Jag and currently have a Mustang P/J. The Jag was lighter but the Mustang beats it hands down for tone. I play in a rock band and the Mustang through a 500 Rumble is just right for me.
But the Mustang is twice the price of a Jag and throw in £100 worth of pickups and the Jag could be a better bet.
But the Mustang is twice the price of a Jag and throw in £100 worth of pickups and the Jag could be a better bet.
The MIM PJ Mustang certainly gets a lot of love here on TalkBass. Of the shorties I have played lately, it is among the best-sounding.
If budget allows, you can make a wonderful short scale from Warmoth parts. Tons of options and mind blowing quality.
If budget allows, you can make a wonderful short scale from Warmoth parts. Tons of options and mind blowing quality.
I just got back from GC where I tried a couple of shortscales they had on the wall. I picked up the Talman shortscale and I was surprised how heavy it was, so heavy that I didn't even bother to try it since I knew I wouldn't want it.
I tried a Fender MIM P/J Mustang, noticeably lighter than the Talman and sounded very nice but as with other copies I tried the neck was too chunky for me. Another I tried was a Squier Bronco. It weighed a bit less than the Mustang (probably due to the tuners) and sounded similar, but the neck profile was very nice in comparison. I may go back and buy that Bronco next week.
