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Why do some people love short scales?

#45
My LEJ-5 is a short scale; it's hands-down the nicest bass I've ever picked up, let alone owned. Reasons I dig the scale include:
  • My hands are small and pudgy.
  • The string tension is reduced compared to a longer scale.
  • I *hate* *hate* *hate* neck dive.
  • Brian has somehow managed to find a way for short-scale 'B' strings to not sound floppy (or I wouldn't be posting this).
  • Less chance of banging into stuff.
  • Less hand fatigue after long sets/shows (I'm getting old)!
To be honest, I didn't like short scale basses either, until I picked up the LEJ; they always seemed 'light' in the bottom end thunder department, and the Low B always sounded clanky/floppy. Obviously, some builds are more difficult than others; I think it just takes a gifted luthier to deliver a short-scale bass with any strings lower than an E that doesn't sound like crap. JMHO, YMMV, etc.
 
#46
After many years of playing guitar and converting to bass last year, I decided to go for a short scale (Gibson SG reissue) believing it would be easier than the long scales, I do have short fingers, I had borrowed a Fender MIM P (which is now mine) and it seemed difficult whereas the SG felt easier, I sold the SG a little while ago after finding my perfect tone with long scales, the SG just did not have the tones I want with my GK MB210 amp, I know pick ups have a say in this but I just decided that I like the sound of longer scales better, also my hands are much stronger now than when I started so I dont need short scale, I now have a 34" and a 35" - love it :bassist::D
 
#47
Garry Tallent sure looks cool and sounds great playing his short scale Spector USA Bolt-On bass:

garrymadrid2008-706196.jpg
 
#48
Speaking as an arranger, engineer, producer, songwriter kinda guy, I'd say tha short scales tends to have a softer attack, takes up a lot of space and tends to sit back a bit further while sounding deep. I'm talking vintage beatle, guild, epi rivoli.
And a jerry jones is just a hoot!
 
#50
Getting ready to take the short-scale plunge. Very small hands here. I've played a regular scale in the 8 years since I took up bass (at age 40) and never complained. Look at Django, I tell myself. But my left-hand technique is not pretty, and my tennis elbow frequently bothers me. I keep thinking how nice it would be to spend more time thinking about where I want my fingers to go, and less time about how I'm going to get them there.
 
#51
tubaman2 said:
I'm not trying to bash them, I'm just really curious. I don't like them at all personally, but that's just me. What makes some people just go crazy about them?
Click to expand...

This is one of those topics where doing a search would provide you with all the answers you need! The merits of short-scale basses has been the topic of many threads on TB. In short (no pun intended), some people go crazy about them because they are so fun to play and sound great.
 
#55
I started on upright bass at age 14, so there's no problem with reach or hand span. Then I got my 34" 1963 P, and in recent years I've been adding basses. I have four 30" scales, two 32" scale basses, and about a half-dozen 34" scale basses. I play them all.

To me, the short scale basses have real advantages...

- Lighter
- Easier reach on the bottom five frets (where I play 90% of the time)
- Great sound

I don't hear any difference in the sound QUALITY between ho short and long scale basses. I hear differences between the individual basses, but I also hear differences between my 34" scale basses.

Now, I don't always hear a LOT of difference between some basses and I hear a lot of difference between others, but my Casady doesn't sound like my J doesn't sound like my P doesn't sound like my Gretsch 5123 doesn't sound like my Gretsch 2202 doesn't sound like my '64 EB-0 doesn't sound like my Dearmond Jet Star doesn't sound like my Bronco with a TV Jones pickup.

But funny thing - I play surf music, and I can play it with ANY of those basses. The short, medium and long scales all sound great when they're played well.

To me, it's a combination of basses that are fun and enjoyable to play, and having options in sound. I don't want to have all my basses sound or feel the same.
 

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