Why Are Short Scale Basses Looked Down Upon?

[mcrracer]

Spin off from another thread about a young girl just starting out. Whether to go with short scale or long scale. Most of the responses seem to look at a short scale ( if at all) as a beginners bass or a less than pro instrument. I am a grown man, 53 years old and do not think I will be "outgrowing" my shorties. I played long scale for over 35 years before I figured out that for me a short scale bass was a lot more comfortable to play. I have a SX short scale "P" fretless and a short scale DP Custom which was spec'ed out as my dream bass a few years ago. Truly a high end bass of impeccable quality. I love them both and wanted the SX so my dream bass would not get scratched up and also to get back to basics. I don't see shorties as a stepping stone to a long scale. I suspect a whole lot of the people downing shorties have never tried one. And whats the big deal anyway??? Play what's comfortable to you. But don't tell new people that they "have to have" a long scale bass and just get used to it.

 

[RED J]

Aint looked down on at my house.

 

[cosmicpimp2]

I dont have a shorty but I've played them. Super comfortable. My ric feels kinda like a short neck compared to my alembic. I'm with you man! play whats comfortable not what people tell you to play. If I listened to people I wouldn't have "my sound".

 

[NoobOnRoad]

It's because the short scale have give them a different look, sound and feeling.

And that people do give a **** about look.

I own a shortscale bass. It's my main bass. But the longer scale IMO is better for certain gig.

 

[St Drogo]

People don't like to be known for having a shorter instrument.

Other than that, I guess it's something to do with the build quality of early models, plus the idea that the shorter the scale, the floppier the strings. I believe there are ways around that now (there are quite some 34 inch fivers out there without floppy B's, despite the fact they're not 35 inch).

 

[Spleenface92]

It's because the wood is shorter.... I don't know why. I like them. Don't own any, but I would.

 

[Alucard817]

my next bass will most likely be a shorty, i love the sound of a good short scale.

 

[hdracer]

It is called "The little D**K syndrome"
You just have to have the biggest to make up for it.

 

[ThunderV]

Honestly, I don't like them because I feel like one of those parade clowns driving those tiny cars.

 

[becker4567]

mcrracer,
I read that same post about the girl and thought I'd put my 2 cents in about the virtues of shortys but decided not to. No matter what you say about the benefits of short scale basses, there will those who look down at them. They are definitely not beginner basses and a good one (notice I didn't say an expensive one) can give you a lifetime of service. I have a couple of SX shortys, and they sound great, are fun, and are as solid as a rock. Like you said, I suspect most people who turn their noses down at shortys have never played one, and even if they did, they would never admit how nice they are.

 

[hdracer]

Honestly, I don't like them because I feel like one of those parade clowns driving those tiny cars.

They are still bigger than a guitar. I can put my SG bass next to a SG guitar & the guitar looks like a toy

 

[ThunderV]

Also, I played one of the Epiphone EB-O SG lookin thingys at GC. Could not believe how it sounded, could not believe what I had discovered, could not believe that I had overlooked them for so long. Bought it on the spot, tried using it at my band rehersal only to discover that it totally got lost in the mix. I ended up taking it back in exchange for a Sansamp BDDI. Nice bass just not for me.

 

[St Drogo]

They are still bigger than a guitar. I can put my SG bass next to a SG guitar & the guitar looks like a toy

Guitars *are* toys.

 

[mpdd]

the punchiest, loudest, and deepest sounding bass i have ever had was a vox short scale that looked vaguely like a les paul, i gave it to my old girlfriend, because i have pretty large hands and it was difficult for me to play when compared to my gibson grabber
with it's wider and longer neck

 

[Spleenface92]

Evidently, Mustang basses sound HUGE in the studio.

 

[KramerBassFan]

I love my medium Scale bass.

This one.

32.5 inch scale. Doesn't even feel any different to me from a 34 inch.

Link Removed

(Mind not the assorted equipment)

Never hated any bass JUST because it isn't a 34 inch scale.

Now, it doesnt fit right to me, then that is entirely different.

 

[hdracer]

Also, I played one of the Epiphone EB-O SG lookin thingys at GC. Could not believe how it sounded, could not believe what I had discovered, could not believe that I had overlooked them for so long. Bought it on the spot, tried using it at my band rehersal only to discover that it totally got lost in the mix. I ended up taking it back in exchange for a Sansamp BDDI. Nice bass just not for me.

Try the real thing sometime. No comparison.

 

[ThunderV]

The assorted equipment is an awesome sight, nice gear man!!!!!

I love my medium Scale bass.

This one.

32.5 inch scale. Doesn't even feel any different to me from a 34 inch.

Link Removed

(Mind not the assorted equipment)

Never hated any bass JUST because it isn't a 34 inch scale.

Now, it doesnt fit right to me, then that is entirely different.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Not to derail, but check out my newest thread.


On Short Scales, i rather like Mustangs, Mikro's, and SG Basses. Just don't really see the need to own any of them.

 

[loopee]

did you try EQing your amp?

Also, I played one of the Epiphone EB-O SG lookin thingys at GC. Could not believe how it sounded, could not believe what I had discovered, could not believe that I had overlooked them for so long. Bought it on the spot, tried using it at my band rehersal only to discover that it totally got lost in the mix. I ended up taking it back in exchange for a Sansamp BDDI. Nice bass just not for me.