Your Go-To Short Scale?

[One_Dude]

I have a lot of basses, and several of them are my favorites. In the short-scale world it has to be the Epiphone EBO; I love that rattle-the-windows capability of a correctly eq'd muddbucker pickup. Next on the list is my fretless Epi Viola, again with that muddbucker pickup. There's a certain liberating freedom about playing a fretless, plus it can come close to an upright sound. I have three other short scales; my EPI Viola (Beatle Bass) , that has it's own unique sound. The other two are "also rans" in my opinion; a Squier VM Jaguar, and an Ibanez Micro. I have never played the Micro on a gig so don't know how it sounds live. The Squier VM Jag sounds good in my music room, but I can't get "my sound" from it when playing live, so it stays home these days.

One other bass that feels like a short scale, and may actually be one is my 5 string Bass Collection. It's a fine instrument that will be a favorite to play out if I can ever get proficient enough with a 5'er.

Thump on,

One_Dude

 

[Chondroulis]

There are a lot of pro's in Los Angeles (and elsewhere) buying Nordstrand Acinonyx "Cat" basses. Well made, affordable, fun to play basses that sound great. They seem to be selling them faster than they can make them, so you might have to get on a waiting list. Worth a look.

Haven't heard of this one before. They look pretty cool and have some interesting features for sure.

 

[GregT]

100% original 1978 USA Fender Musicmaster bass with original case. It's rare to find one that has not had any modifications whatsoever. Practicing is so much easier with the Musicmaster for my old hands.

 

[77stingray]

Nordstrand Acinonyx and Alien Audio Constellation!

 

[rockscott]

im loving my birdsong shortbass, my gibson sg and my new gibson les paul dc!

 

[Chondroulis]

Depends. I own three and only play SS basses.

I've got a J style Bacchus WJB Mini (for sale in classified)
A Fender P Bass Mini (from 2006)
And....a Reverend WattPlower for that EB tone.

The Wattplower is a decidedly smooth player that can't make a bad tone. I recommend Reverend as they have several short scales.

That said, if you want a J, hit me up. They're hard to find.

I am digging the Reverend basses that I've seen so far.

 

[Chondroulis]

My Supro Huntington 3 is my only electric bass guitar at the moment, so i gues that makes it my go to. Seriously, it is a nice instrument, and I am very happy with.

I think the Huntingon checks all my boxes. I definitely have my eyes peeled for one!

 

[13bass]

One of these two, both Warmoth builds, both with roasted maple necks, both light weight.

 

[Chondroulis]

Gibson SG Standard

View attachment 4378284

I just love how the bass sounds and looks. I have always loved the SG design. The only thing that I don't like is the neck dive.

Very good looking bass!

 

[13bass]

I have been wanting a short scale bass for some time now. There seems to be a lot of choices out there at all different price points; so many pros and cons. And it's a bit overwhelming, honestly.

I've been thinking about that perfect blend of versatility, playability, looks, and value. What are you guys playing and why?

I'd sell you my TMB30 if you were local, probably not worth the cost of shipping for you. Nice bass, and I like it a lot, just play it the least.

 

[msb]

I have about a half dozen now , but my two favourites would be my trusty old Dano Longhorn , and the DC Jr ,

 

[MTN.bass72]

My one and only shorty is a Squier Jag. It’s a cool little bass with a bunch of potential but I decided that I’m a standard scale guy so it and I will probably be parting was soon.

I absolutely loved how my Jag SS played. Didn't like the bridge PU solo to well, but I traded it off, because I couldn't handle the neck dive... I'd love to have another, though, just for sitting around the house with, and so my young son can use it. He can't quite handle my Duck Dunn just yet

 

[MTN.bass72]

Guild"Newark Street" Starfire and Reverend Dub King are two great choices. I was able to find each used but in excellent/mint condition for under $1K w/HSC:

View attachment 4377345





The Guild has narrower (17mm) string spacing at the bridge and a 1.5"-wide nut. Dub King string spacing and nut are more "standard" (19mm and 1.65"). Guild fretboard radius is 9.5", while the Dub king's is slightly flatter at 12".

Both these basses are made in South Korea. The workmanship on mine is excellent.

The Starfire I that appears in the above video has been superseded by a newer, less-expensive one which is made in Indonesia with significantly different specs. I can't say anything which is based on personal experience about that one.

View attachment 4377366

Holy moly!!! That Dub King sounds phenomenal!
Do you own one? Any neck dive while standing?

 

[MTN.bass72]

If you consider 32" scale, short?

This is my go-to, period.

It sounds like an every so slightly fat P bass.

View attachment 4377593

What is it?

 

[logdrum]

The bass strings on my Hybrid guitar (3 bass strings + 4 guitar) It's my only short scale. I am also getting my old Mustang back. I gave it to my friend Roland and he never bonded with. Will pick it up when I visit him in NC.

 

[Low Down Brown]

+1 more for the Reverend Dub King. I have mine strung with GHS Pressurewounds. It can go from a gnarly pick tone to thumpy fingerstyle and all points in between. Mine gets played out quite a bit and I haven't noticed any neck dive. I sure wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of the Nordy's or a G&L Fallout one day

 

[Mustang Surly]

Holy moly!!! That Dub King sounds phenomenal!
Do you own one? Any neck dive while standing?

Mine does not neck dive either. The body would probably most accurately be described as "chambered" rather than "semi-hollow": there is a large, hollow area around the single sound hole. On the other side of the body, I'm pretty sure it is completely solid (no chamber/sound hole) except for the control cavity. In addition to helping reduce any tendency to feed back, I imagine this helps to keep the instrument balanced on the strap. I think Reverend is using even lighter tuners on current production DKs (I got mine several years ago) so this might further reduce any likelihood of neck dive.

One complaint some have made about shorties is that the E string sometimes gets "flubby" down around frets 1-3. I use D'Addario Chromes on all my shorties (which I mention only eliminate string differences as a factor) and have to say that the DK has about most articulate low E-G of any shorty I've played. I utilize the string-through option (the DK bridge can also be top-loaded, if you so choose).

My only beef with Reverend is their color choices, many of which strike me as butt ugly. My DK is sunburst, like the one in the video. My second choice would've been the orange. Many of the other colors they've sprayed on these are bilious, IMHO. But that is all just a matter of personal preference: "your results may differ".

I thought the general design was ugly at first, but it grew on me and now I like it a lot. It's definitely "different" looking. Being old, I guess my aesthetic sensibilities lean toward older, more "classic" designs. In the end, of course, the sound is what really matters most.

 

[B-Mac]

I have been wanting a short scale bass for some time now. There seems to be a lot of choices out there at all different price points; so many pros and cons. And it's a bit overwhelming, honestly.

I've been thinking about that perfect blend of versatility, playability, looks, and value. What are you guys playing and why?

Here's a list of the short scale basses I currently own:

• Gretsch G5442BDC Electromatic (2015) Maple Hollow Body Black Gloss Passive Black Top Filter Tron pups Short Scale 30.25-inch used set
• Gibson SG Standard (2008) Mahogany Trans Cherry Gloss Passive 30.5-inch scale set neck used MIA
• Gretsch 6073 Electrotone (2006) Burgundy Trans 30.25-inch (sealed Hollow body) used Passive set MIJ
• Ibanez (2014) AGB205 DVS 12-01 5 String Dark Violin Burst Bass Guitar 30.25-inch semi-hollow body Passive used set
• Eastwood Classic 5 (2017) (custom order 1 of 12) 30.5-inch semi-hollow body Passive new set
• Ibanez AFB200 SRD 12-04 (2008) Sunset Red (Semi-hollow Body) 30.25-inch used Passive set
• Ibanez GSRM20B Mikro Scale 28.6-inch Walnut Oil Passive P/J style PU (2017) bolt-on new
• Ibanez AGB200 VLS 12-03 (2013) AGB200 4 String Violin Sun Burst Bass Guitar 30.25-inch semi-hollow body Passive used set
• Stagg AB203CE-SB 30 inch 4 string dreadnaught ABG pre-amp used set
• Gretsch Thunder Jet (2017) 30.5" Black Chambered set passive TV Jones used MIJ
• Eastwood EB-1 30.5” Chambered (2018) new Passive set MIC
• SX URSA 3 JR MN ALDER 3TS SHORT SCALE 2020 bolt-on Passive MIC new

I'm not a gigging bassist, just a bedroom bass playing hack, but I have to say that the Gibson SG Standard consistently puts the biggest smile on my face after playing it as far as short scales go.

 

[Lo-E]

My go-to (in fact my only) short scale bass is my 1969 Dan Armstrong/Danelectro single cut, single pickup bass. For years I was not a fan of short scale basses but, when I bought this from an old friend who had stopped playing for health reasons about 15 years ago, I found I liked playing it quite a lot and I use it for the occasional R&B gig.

Since that bass opened my eyes to what I had been missing I've considered other shorties as well but I haven't acted on any of them.... yet. I have given strong consideration to the Hofner President, the Harmony H22 and a couple of Gretsch models. I have a lot of instruments so I really haven't been making a concerted effort to find any of these. If one of them makes itself available, though.... look out!

 

[Mustang Surly]

Here are more Reverend Dub King sounds to give you a clearer idea of the range of styles for which it is suitable. The other link I posted above (see page 1 of this thread) sounded like flats to me. This one is likely rounds (which was what mine came strung with from the factory):