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Your Go-To Short Scale?

#181
Go to short scale? Right now, I have very little call for a short scale bass, but when I need one, it will always be my M85.
94252700-F42E-4C5C-BACB-D6E3679AB033.jpeg
 
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#182
IMG_6163.jpg

The '78 Musicmaster... This is the latest incarnation... I recently swapped the converted fretless neck out for my other '78 neck and it made both my Musicmasters come to life... this one is currently sporting a Novak BS/DS pickup and LaBella White Tapes. It's a very authorative sounding bass! I also have another loaded pickguard that has the DiMarzio Model G pickup that this bass was originally wearing. It's another fantastic sounding pickup!!

The Serek MW2 is my main player, but it's 32"...

-robert
 
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#184
rllefebv said:
View attachment 4387050
The '78 Musicmaster... This is the latest incarnation... I recently swapped the converted fretless neck out for my other '78 neck and it made both my Musicmasters come to life... this one is currently sporting a Novak BS/DS pickup and LaBella White Tapes. It's a very authorative sounding bass! I also have another loaded pickguard that has the DiMarzio Model G pickup that this bass was originally wearing. It's another fantastic sounding pickup!!

The Serek MW2 is my main player, but it's 32"...

-robert
Click to expand...

Look like some potent combos here.
 
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#186
I play a Madeira 30 1/2" bass. It was made by Guild as their 'off brand' in the early 70's. It has seperate vol and tone for each pup and the 3 way to choose which pups (neck-both-bridge) to play through. I love it, it's very light, about 6lbs, and very fast. I've tried most strings but Nylons are best. I'll try to get a pic up soon. You can get about any sound you want out of it if you have a good amp. GK stacks are good for outdoors and it sounds great through my Ampeg Micro bass amp and a 4-8 cab I got locally. I've got an Ampeg 112 HLF cab too if I need it. If you try it, you'll never go back!!
 
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#187
Space Ghost said:
I play a Madeira 30 1/2" bass. It was made by Guild as their 'off brand' in the early 70's. It has seperate vol and tone for each pup and the 3 way to choose which pups (neck-both-bridge) to play through. I love it, it's very light, about 6lbs, and very fast. I've tried most strings but Nylons are best. I'll try to get a pic up soon. You can get about any sound you want out of it if you have a good amp. GK stacks are good for outdoors and it sounds great through my Ampeg Micro bass amp and a 4-8 cab I got locally. I've got an Ampeg 112 HLF cab too if I need it. If you try it, you'll never go back!!
Click to expand...

I had a good friend band mate who played a Madeira SG copy in the 70s that was awesome. Great copies. I didn’t know Guild made them.
 
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#188
Space Ghost said:
I play a Madeira 30 1/2" bass. It was made by Guild as their 'off brand' in the early 70's. It has seperate vol and tone for each pup and the 3 way to choose which pups (neck-both-bridge) to play through. I love it, it's very light, about 6lbs, and very fast. I've tried most strings but Nylons are best. I'll try to get a pic up soon. You can get about any sound you want out of it if you have a good amp. GK stacks are good for outdoors and it sounds great through my Ampeg Micro bass amp and a 4-8 cab I got locally. I've got an Ampeg 112 HLF cab too if I need it. If you try it, you'll never go back!!
Click to expand...
I remember the ads for those in Guitar Player Magazine, back in the day. Always had a feeling they were something special, but the local dealers never brought them in. Post pics! :)
 
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#192
Love short scale threads. And then sad my local stores only ever have same 5 or so shorties.

Love my epi eb0. Neck just feels like home. Dodnt play much until recently as never bonded with a full scale and didn't really know of shorties somehow. Saw a used epi eb0 and haven't put it down. Dig it with tapewounds and now with low tension flats. Modded cuz I like to tweak things (guild bisonic reissue, surface mount victory gold foil, varitone to replace tone knob).

20200816_224037.jpg

And somehow my local store had a mint used eastwood airlines jetson jr. Love the quirk shape. Added a bridge cover only. And again low tension flats.

20201010_210523.jpg

Next needs to be non red. Just due to me buying used. Not my actual preference. Though think they both look good.
 
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#198
I have three short-scale basses:

The Invalid Link Removed is my #1. It's light (8 lbs. 4 oz.) and well-balanced. The neck profile is thin and fast (like a Fender Aerodyne Jazz). It sounds like a typical P-bass. Just for fun, yesterday put on a set of GHS Brite Flats and replaced the stock pickup with a DiMarzio Relentless Middle. I'm still in the honeymoon phase, so I'll resist saying anything about the mods.

I have a second [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (weighs 7 lbs. 13 oz.). I had a local luthier turn it into a fretless. I don't play fretless very often, but when I do, I'm glad I have the Banshee.

Finally, I have an SBMM StingRay short-scale bass in Dropped Copper (7 lbs. 15 oz.). It's a fine bass, but it's not as comfortable to play as the Banshee and the neck profile is a bit more like a traditional J-bass. I *hated* the electronics and pickup. I found the rotary pot awkward to use and the push-push volume pot flimsy. I could never get that beautiful StingRay mid-honk out of it. So, back in May 2022, I gutted the bass and put in an EMG MMTW. Now I'm MUCH happier with the tonal possibilities.

I bought and returned a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I can't say there was anything wrong with it, I simply didn't bond with it. The Banshee thrills me. The StingRay has its place in the tonal soundscape. The Sire U5 simply didn't offer enough to replace one of my other basses.

Oh... I forgot. I also have a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] listed for sale on Craigslist. I liked the neck profile, very round and chunky. Unfortunately, I hated everything else about it. It is the most uncomfortable bass I've ever played. The neck dive is unbearable. The tone is dark and muddy.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your search.
 
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#199
HoHumbucker said:
I am still new to bass, but have found that short scale suits me well. I first bought a Gretsch G2220. But I now play my Sire U5 nearly every day. I really like how it feels. Better quality build than the Gretsch.View attachment 4884412
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Congrats on the U5. Such a great bass I gig mine all the time, along with my Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS.
 
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