Wow! New Shortscale Rickenbacker with a two octave fingerboard!

[Low Main]

The headstock looks huge on the shortie.

Herman Munster signature model.

 

[LLendrum]

I would be interested in one in white with black pickguard and that nice checkered binding and shark fin inlays.

I know that would increase the price.
I do like that sound.

Thank goodness I have my short scale active StingRay.

Honestly , what I really want is a nice short scale 5 that can fit in guitar case to fly with.

This Ric sounds great.

Are you even legally allowed to own a non-MM bass?

 

[gln1955]

Which means you haven't really gained anything from the short scale - the reach to the first fret is the same as the long scale instrument. That's insane.

The break in the binding where the bridge would be on a long scale bass...yeah, that looks silly here. It's like they never really looked at what they did objectively, or even asked around to see if folks would like it.

Yes, this is a major ergonomic fail that defeats most of the advantages of a short scale (for those of us that like them).

 

[mapleglo]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Rickenbacker basses, but I am not a fan of these "short scale" Ric basses. I think they totally dropped the ball on these.

 

[woodyng2]

Agreed! I feel like the right hand playing this would be forced into awkward positions unless you wear it really low (which would make it look ridiculous IMO). I have a G&L Fallout bass with similar shortcomings (though the Rickenbacker bridge placement makes it even more extreme)- it is as heavy and large as a long scale with pretty awkward ergonomics, cancelling out several of the benefits of a shorter scale.

I haven't gotten to play a Fallout, but I figure it's roughly the same feel as a Fender Mustang,
which is the only short-scale bass I've ever found comfortable to play. I think the reason I liked it was that it didn't feel like a SS.
I did try a Rascal once, and put it back on the rack in a hurry.

 

[DrBnz]

No..... these are lame. Its a regular size bass with the bridge moved closer, frets are adjusted. PLUS its $4k. Oh hell no.

 

[brianrost]

I really wish they had re-scaled the entire bass rather than just sliding the bridge forward.

It worked for Danelectro just fine

 

[Lackey]

Weak.

 

[sunbeast]

I haven't gotten to play a Fallout, but I figure it's roughly the same feel as a Fender Mustang,
which is the only short-scale bass I've ever found comfortable to play. I think the reason I liked it was that it didn't feel like a SS.
I did try a Rascal once, and put it back on the rack in a hurry.

I have both a Fallout and a Mustang, and the Fallout bridge saddles sit a few inches farther away from the body end than the Mustang so the reach to first position is more like a medium-scale. I actually don't mind the feel of the Fallout as a tall guy, but the weight and overall length are about the same as a long scale which is annoying- I wouldn't have bought one if the deal wasn't too good to pass up (and I missed having a bass with one of those big MFD humbuckers).
My Mustang is 7 pounds and fits in a guitar gig bag by comparison.

This Ric seems more like a Rascal bass as far as having basically the same reach as a long-scale instrument. The Rascal might even be worse due to the oversized offset body. I also picked one up briefly in a Guitar Center and put it right back down after a few minutes! Had a fat, round neck and HIGH action and I didn't even find the tone very appealing despite being a big fan of lipstick pickups (of course lowering the action may have helped there). I really wanted to like it

 

[Nebadon2000]

These have been limited run's, they've been released a couple times over last couple of years...Last batch landed in Europe, few still for sale if you search.

It seems EBMM does the same with
their Short Scale Singrays

 

[sonic boogaloo]

very cool!

just too damn expensive.

 

[woodyng2]

It worked for Danelectro just fine

I remember those….I Didn't like them,either.
I had a proper full scale Dano once, was a great bass.

 

[steve_ss]

I think I need to come to the defense of the 4030. I have two of them. Willcutt Guitars had two limited runs; 2022 (Ruby and Midnight Blue) and 2024 (Autumnglo). I also have a few 4003. For me, I find the reach of my left hand out to the first fret is very comfortable on the both the 4003 and 4030. My problem is short stubby fingers. On a 4003, the distance between the first four frets is a bit of a stretch. On the 4030 with the shorter scale, I can make the reach across the four frets easily. Muscle memory gets my left hand out as far as it needs to be. As for the right hand, I do not use a pick and I hate the plastic cover over the bridge pickup (removed it on some of mine), so my right hand is already in a good position to play the 4030. If you like the 4003 and have short fingers, the 4030 is a real easy choice. If you need the first fret closer to your body, this isn't for you. Find a used 3000 (I have one of them too) and love life.

So for a little comparison, I took a few pictures of a Fender PJ (yes I own one, it was my first bass, I don't enjoy playing it, the neck is too long, it lives in its case under a bed, moving on), Ric 4003, Ric 4030, and a Ric 3000 (30" short scale). I lined up the tails and the Ric nuts, then all of the bridge saddles, then all of the nuts, then the horn for the strap. Pick the bass that fits and feels most comfortable for you and have fun with it.

 

[Aceonbass]

I wish they had shrunk the body somewhat on the short-scale model. It looks like the body is the same shape/size as the long-scale version.

It is, but the neck is the same size to, so the whole thing fits in a standard 4003 case.

 

[Aceonbass]

I really wish they had re-scaled the entire bass rather than just sliding the bridge forward.

This would have resulted in a completely new instrument and case, for what will likely be a nitch instrument.

 

[TonyRo]

Most buying a short scale want it shorter and lighter, that's the main selling point. Absolutely wild design decision - hard for me to even wrap my own head around.

 

[Aceonbass]

Most buying a short scale want it shorter and lighter, that's the main selling point. Absolutely wild design decision - hard for me to even wrap my own head around.

I have no problem carrying a 9 pound bass, but my hands aren't getting any bigger, and carpel tunnel and arthritis are likely here to stay.

 

[gln1955]

This would have resulted in a completely new instrument and case, for what will likely be a nitch instrument.

That's sort of the point of making a short scale bass. Other company's manage to not half-ass it.

 

[TonyRo]

For that much money, they can make a new case. Ernie Ball hasn't had any problems and their short scales are cheaper.

 

[Aceonbass]

That's sort of the point of making a short scale bass. Other company's manage to not half-ass it.

My 4030 doesn't feel play or look half assed. To each his own.