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Why DON'T you play a short-scale?

#301
khutch said:
Most of us have absolutely no trouble at all playing the top two frets on a long scale bass. For us there simply is no reason to play a short scale.
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If I may ask,

- can you play the riff to 'when I saw her standing there' starting on fret 2 of the D string as easily as starting on fret 7 of the A string?

- if so, what's your finger span from pinky to index?

khutch said:
So why don't we all just agree that we are all capable of choosing the best bass for our own personal needs
... ?
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That's a given, but it can also be a slow process, hence an exchange of ideas can be useful.
 
#302
topo morto said:
If I may ask,

- can you play the riff to 'when I saw her standing there' starting on fret 2 of the D string as easily as starting on fret 7 of the A string?

- if so, what's your finger span from pinky to index?
Click to expand...

I'm not KHutch, but the "When I saw her standing there" riff is cake at the 2nd fret position on my long scale bases. I play it just as easily there as I do on the A string. I can also play it in the same position on my 41" upright, with a pivot.

In playing position, my index-to-pinky stretch is about 6.25" (16cm). I can span from the 1st fret to the 5th fret on my 34" and 35" basses, though I only do so on the upper strings so my wrist doesn't have to bend around the neck. On the lower strings, I stick to a 1-2-4 fingering pattern most of the time - especially on the B-string with my 6.

The index-to-pinky spread on my right hand is about 1" less than my left hand.
 
#304
lowfreqgeek said:
I'm not KHutch, but the "When I saw her standing there" riff is cake at the 2nd fret position on my long scale bases. I play it just as easily there as I do on the A string. I can also play it in the same position on my 41" upright, with a pivot.

In playing position, my index-to-pinky stretch is about 6.25" (16cm). I can span from the 1st fret to the 5th fret on my 34" and 35" basses, though I only do so on the upper strings so my wrist doesn't have to bend around the neck. On the lower strings, I stick to a 1-2-4 fingering pattern most of the time - especially on the B-string with my 6.
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That's almost an inch more stretch than me - from centre of fingertip to centre of fingertip, I can only manage about 5.25 inches / 13.3 cm.
 
#305
topo morto said:
That's almost an inch more stretch than me - from centre of fingertip to centre of fingertip, I can only manage about 5.25 inches / 13.3 cm.
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I'm not a big guy (5' 10"), and my hands aren't that large. The span on my right hand is about the same as yours. But I've been playing for over 25 years, so my hands have sort of morphed into shape for their respective jobs. I started when I was about 9 with a short scale Gibson, so I literally "grew up" with a bass in my hands. I moved to a 33 7/8" scale Yamaha when I was 14. Then on to a Fender a few years later, and I've had mostly 34" and 35" for the past 20 years.
 
#306
lowfreqgeek said:
I'm not a big guy (5' 10"), and my hands aren't that large. The span on my right hand is about the same as yours. But I've been playing for over 25 years, so my hands have sort of morphed into shape for their respective jobs. I started when I was about 9 with a short scale Gibson, so I literally "grew up" with a bass in my hands. I moved to a 33 7/8" scale Yamaha when I was 14. Then on to a Fender a few years later, and I've had mostly 34" and 35" for the past 20 years.
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I'm about the same height - but I started off on violin - maybe that's why my hands haven't 'morphed'! I don't think I have 25 years to wait for it to happen either!

Incidentally, as this may be a big part of the issue, I started a poll:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/whats-your-finger-span-995013/
 
#307
topo morto said:
I'm about the same height - but I started off on violin - maybe that's why my hands haven't 'morphed'! I don't think I have 25 years to wait for it to happen either!

Incidentally, as this may be a big part of the issue, I started a poll:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/whats-your-finger-span-995013/
Click to expand...

I'm as big a fan of short scales as anyone. I love being able to use "1 finger per fret." But since buying a 5 string ibanez I've noticed that the thin neck and 16.5 string spacing helps as much as scale length. Being able to play higher up the neck helps as well.
 
#308
Zentner said:
Although I own short scale and medium scale basses... I also own this 38" Monster.


100_3055.jpg


There's a fundamental that you don't get from a shorter scale instrument. I really appreciate the extra length on the high C- it's not a fat, mushy bass sound, but rather a big, open, piano sound that almost feels cello-like.

Different tools for different jobs IMO.
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No there is not "a fundamental that you don't get from a shorter scale instrument."

The longer your scale, the more harmonically rich the note will be.

Big, open piano sound is exactly right. You are mistaking the full sound as being the fundamental.

The fat, mushy bass sound you refer to is More fundamental without the luxurious overtones.

Enjoy what you enjoy, but we should at least keep the facts straight.
 
#314
I've just never really felt the need to play a short scale. I have fairly small hands, but like lowfreqgeek, I've worked at it and they've started to adapt. I don't think I've ever actually seen a short scale for sale offline, come to think of it. If I happen to come across one that I like the sound/look of and which I'm able to try out first, I'd be open to buying one if it felt right. But I don't feel the need to specifically seek one out.
 
#318
I dont play shortscale because my wife bought me a Fender P Bass. I told her about one I saw for sale. She said go check it out. I went and looked but didnt have cash. Called my wife she said I'll be home soon me me there. Shortly after the guy called and said it sold. Week later I was gonna pull the trigger on a Jag Bass when my wife gave me the P Bass I thought I missed out on. I was happy 1994 MiM for $125. my guitar tech offered me $300 for it but I turned it down.
 
#319
sjeverett said:
I dont play shortscale because my wife bought me a Fender P Bass. I told her about one I saw for sale. She said go check it out. I went and looked but didnt have cash. Called my wife she said I'll be home soon me me there. Shortly after the guy called and said it sold. Week later I was gonna pull the trigger on a Jag Bass when my wife gave me the P Bass I thought I missed out on. I was happy 1994 MiM for $125. my guitar tech offered me $300 for it but I turned it down.
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Cool story. And Your wife is a sweetheart prankster.

:)
 

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