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Why do some people love short scales?
- Thread starter tubaman2
- Start date
I don't go crazy about them, I just can appreciate what they offer. My short scales are lighter and smaller so they're easier for me to transport via bicycle or motorcycle yet they play and sound like a pro instrument should.
Pro-tip: Not all short scales feel or sound the same. Don't generalize, or this'll just be a flame-war.
I just haven't played one I liked. Obviously, most of them have the same basic characteristics, and many of them sound very similar. I'm really just wondering why some people love them. I have no problem with people loving them, I just don't. I was never out to start a flame-war. Just curious about the instruments.
- Nov 8, 2010
- 1,391
- 9
- Disclosures
- Unofficial Endorser: Ibanez, D'Addario, Zoom
I think it's mostly a matter of what you used early in your playing; my first bass was a Hofner Beatle-Bass copy, and I loved it. Later I used longer scale instruments, but I still like the shorties.
The big advantage to me was always that a short-scale neck was easier to play with small hands, and now that I'm getting older I appreciate them being lighter as well. They've always been comfortable for me. I don't own one at present (unless you consider my Ashbory a "short scale"), but I hope to get one in the near future if I can find one I really like the sound of. In the meantime I'll just stick with my Peavey.
The big advantage to me was always that a short-scale neck was easier to play with small hands, and now that I'm getting older I appreciate them being lighter as well. They've always been comfortable for me. I don't own one at present (unless you consider my Ashbory a "short scale"), but I hope to get one in the near future if I can find one I really like the sound of. In the meantime I'll just stick with my Peavey.
I happen to play a short scale semi-hollowbody at the moment because it gets the tone I'm looking for. Huge attack, very responsive.
i actually really like the feel, and i can go a lot faster on a short scale (only played an EB gibson reissue) but they look funny on me cause theyre so short. i know its not about look, but i just feel funny playing a bass thats that small.
Easy to play and sounds great. My short scale basses are also light weight as well. Except for my upright, all my basses are short scale.
Short fingers create my interest in short-scale basses. But at presnt I don't own one; I have 2 34" scale basses.
I am gassing to make a frankenbass EB0 with added P & J pups... making it a PBJ.
I am gassing to make a frankenbass EB0 with added P & J pups... making it a PBJ.
I would not trade any of my short scale Birdsongs for any long scale custom at any price unless I could sell the long scale and buy two more Birdsongs....
I also play an Azola Bug Bass which is REALLY long scale, a Franken-P and a Warwick Corvette fretless 5'er but I still prefer my Birdsongs for 90% of my playing.
I am currently waiting for a Kala U-bass 20" scale which should be interesting.
I also play an Azola Bug Bass which is REALLY long scale, a Franken-P and a Warwick Corvette fretless 5'er but I still prefer my Birdsongs for 90% of my playing.
I am currently waiting for a Kala U-bass 20" scale which should be interesting.
I like all scales. I have a 20 inch scale Kala Ubass, 30 1/2 inch Musicmaster, standard 34 inch P bass and a 42 inch scale upright. They are all fun to play.
I hear you. My main bass is a Birdsong and I have 2 on order. Sold 2 nice old Fenders to fund them.
I have really small hands and I still refuse to play shorties. I'll be honest... it's partly because of how they look. 
