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Which Short Scale Bass?

#102
Not sure on the QC of MIM P/J Mustang, but have heard there have been issues with the toggle switch on it. I've also tried a couple and frets were a mess, don't expect them to be perfect...just usable out of the box. I'll also second that B5-JR from ESP/LTD, had one for about 6 months, but just couldn't adjust to a 5'er (second try at it too).
 
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#103
An oft-repeated pattern for me is that Squier will come out with a cool short- or medium-scale bass that I like but do not buy. Then it gets discontinued and I suddenly want it like the girl I cannot have.

Case in point: the Squier Vintage Modified Mustang Bass with the mini-P pickup, string-through bridge, and maple fingerboard.
 
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#107
selowitch said:
An oft-repeated pattern for me is that Squier will come out with a cool short- or medium-scale bass that I like but do not buy. Then it gets discontinued and I suddenly want it like the girl I cannot have.

Case in point: the Squier Vintage Modified Mustang Bass with the mini-P pickup, string-through bridge, and maple fingerboard.
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Yep...that one sure is nice! Like the one in my avatar? Sounds great with LaBella Flats and D'Addario Half-Rounds. Funny thing is...I wanted the black one and could only find the burst!
 
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#111
Here's apic of a warmoth G4 single cut I had super light and the size of a telecaster guitar.Pictured here w/ my trussart tele

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#113
I think it's been mentioned, but I'd recommend a ubass (term used generically). Very light, very short scale, easy to carry around, not too pricey and sort of a gas to play.

In my opinion they put out very nice tone. They're available fretless if you want "close to" a double bass tone and feel. I use mine as a backup for when I don't want to schlep my DB around.
 
#115
gphil said:
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
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I've read through the thread...and may have forgotten already, but what types of music do you play? The small guitar scale acoustic/electric basses may be the ticket..or maybe not.
 
#117
gphil said:
My current SR-400 weighs a little more than 8 1/2 pounds.
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then you have some options depending on budget and preferences.

the mustang bass isn't going to be much lighter - they run from 7 1/2 to 8 pounds. great bass, but probably won't help your situation much. the squier short scale jaguar bass runs around 7 pounds, give or take. not a huge weight savings, but some and it's fun to play.

if you don't mind a hollow or semi hollow body, the hofner club bass weighs in around 5 pounds, and the hofner ignition violin bass at a bit less than that. the epi violin bass weighs more, but i don't have the numbers in front of me.

the squier bronco bass weighs in at from just over 6 pounds to 7 pounds. if you buy used, you could ask sellers for an exact weight, but this is the one bass i regretted selling. my ibanez mikro basses have ranged from just over 6 pounds to a bit over 6 1/2 pounds, and they have a slightly shorter scale than other short scales.

and there's the smallguitars.com little bass. a fellow TBer let me try his, and it's the first bass i've been totally comfortable standing while playing in years. i really liked it, but the scale length is just under 25", so you'd need to get strings made for that scale. there's a thread going on now with some ideas for that.
 
#119
JoeWPgh said:
Here's the Stratobasstard. I've since changed the tuners to small ultralite clovers. The only negative to the Bronco neck was the stock tuners
View attachment 3187738
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Gee! That is really nice looking.
Bronco neck on a Strat guitar body or bass body?
(I’m not good at recognizing stuff like that.)

It does look very “right” proportionally.
And you did a real nice job with the rest if it.
I’d love a shortie with that body style.
Fender Modern Player SS bass comes to mind, but they are insanely pricy now, if you ever see one.
 
#120
The band I am in now is a rock band. everything from the 70's through the early 2000s. I am looking for a solid body bass right now if I can find one that works.

I would like to get a semi-hollow body bass down the road, but not right now as a main player.

I also had not posted my budget, I would like to keep it at $500 or less.
 

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