Sharkfinger

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face' post='36314' date='Jul 24 2007, 11:57 AM']Well here we go. I kept a list when I asked some while back of all the shortscale basses that were available and here is the reply.....happy researching

Here's a stab at the list with scale lengths:

Fender Mustang 30"
Fender Bass IV 30"
Musicmaster 30"
Fender Urge 1 32"
...................[/quote]

Wow, the mother lode of scale lengths! Will have a good dig around.

[quote name='bass_in_ya_face']To be honest, i paniced when i first got a 34" scale bass because I'm a 6ft bloke with girls hands!

I swapped in my first Ibanez gsr200 and traded it in for a short scale bass and it felt horrible, more like playing a toy or a six string.

I was told not to worry that with various hand stretching excercises I would be able to play ok so I sold the short scale and now have two 34" scale basses and i can easily span across 4 frets even with my girlie hands

So what i'm trying to say is to carry on with the large basses because if I can play them, anyone can[/quote]

Well, I've been playing a good few years now. I just want to see if it will make things easier, rather than struggle on with something when there seems to be another way around.

[quote name='Sibob' post='34064' date='Jul 19 2007, 11:51 AM']I was thinking the other day, that fundamentally i'm not particually fussed about having active EQ's on my basses, but for some projects, mostly live, i like the extra grunt and output they afford.
Would it be possible to take a passive bass, and have someone custom wind some pickups really hot so as to get a similar output to an active bass??

Cheers
Si[/quote]

Does you amp have an input level? Turning it up might go some way to curing your "oomph" problem but if you have your heart set on new pickups then that's only a half-way house, really.

[quote name='fullrangebass' post='34241' date='Jul 19 2007, 05:49 PM']A good bass of 32" scale is the Warwick Jonas Hellborg bass. The bass sound fantastic (esp for a 32" one) and has a high price tag too from what I know[/quote]

Nearly £3400? Ouch!

[quote name='paul, the' post='34155' date='Jul 19 2007, 03:09 PM']Aria Pro II Cardinal Series

The [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Aria+Pro+II/CBS-380+Cardinal+Series/10/1"]CSB-380[/url] being my favourtie
[url="http://clanesb.free.fr/bass/fichiers/190420061741574f381a1ff4ffd4c3885de761cbb3b80a.mp3"]http://clanesb.free.fr/bass/fichiers/19042...761cbb3b80a.mp3[/url][/quote]


Might be tough finding one of those. There's a short scale Aria on eBay that looks good, i.e. doesn't look "wrong" because of the short neck. Let's see how much that goes for.

Having said that, the one for sale on eBay you posted on here didn't actually sell, so I've contacted the seller to see if he still has it. I have an Aria Pro II and I know they're superb instruments for the money.

[quote name='P-T-P']£365 from Thomann new [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_allen_woody_rumble_kat.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_allen_woody_rumble_kat.htm[/url][/quote]

It's short scale but looks nice. Will see if I can pick one up second hand. I take it it didn't suffer sound-wise being short scale?

[quote name='alexclaber' post='34138' date='Jul 19 2007, 02:29 PM']The easiest way to try this out is by using a capo and retuning. A capo at the 1st fret will get you a 32.2" scale length whilst a capo at the 2nd fret will get you 30.3" scale length. Remember to tune all the strings down by one or two semitones to get the right pitches and tension.

Alex[/quote]

That's an excellent suggestion! Might be a bit confusing at first but I'm sure I'll get my head around it. Thanks.

My only concern would be if the distance between the frets would be different on an actual medium scale length bass.

[quote name='The Burpster']Or this little sweety.....

[url="http://www.daisyrock.com/products/basses/elite_bass.htm"]http://www.daisyrock.com/products/basses/elite_bass.htm[/url][/quote]

You take-a the peees?

Acutally, if it didn't have such a "girly" colour and name, I'd have been very tempted. I may not be huge bloke but I'm no less manly, thank you very much!

All good suggestions, so far but they seem to be mostly of the 30" (short scale) variety. John, will definately check out Landing basses, thanks.

Thanks for the advice.

According to the description, that's a 30" scale as well. Anyone know if there's anything decent by a "major" manufacturer, that's 32"?

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='34106' date='Jul 19 2007, 01:47 PM']if you just want to try it out, everyone (apart from neephied) i've heard from who owns an eb-0 or 3 absolutely hates them. So if you just want to try one out, the ibanez is probz ur best bet, if you did want something more expensive, you could just scroll down a bit and you would have seen this: [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_65_mustang_bass_fr.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_65_mustang_bass_fr.htm[/url] also in white.

By the way, the epi's scale is 30"[/quote]

Not being an especially large chap with small hands, I've been considering getting a bass with a scale length of less than the standard 34". I understand the 30" scale makes a substantial difference in sound so I thought maybe check out something with 32" scale length?

Really, I'm after advice from anyone who's made the switch or attempted to. Pros/cons/advice needed.

Also, I've had a quick look at basses but the only ones I can see being half-way decent are these:
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_ebo_sgstyle_ebass_sw.htm?sid=a68f3639a59e98a4bc21bb340832408c"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_ebo_sgst...c21bb340832408c[/url]
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_gaxb_150_bk.htm?sid=a68f3639a59e98a4bc21bb340832408c"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_gaxb_150_b...c21bb340832408c[/url]

However, they stink of "cheapness". The other end of the spectrum is getting something custom made which doesn't seem like a good idea just to try it out.

Frank

[quote name='Muppet' post='30512' date='Jul 12 2007, 12:12 AM']On the normal Jazz V I think it was post 2004 and the Deluxe switched around 2003 I think...[/quote]

If I were to make a guess, I'd say it has something to do with the string tension being to much (or too little?) when there is that much "trailing" string between the nut and the machine head. I remember reading somewhere that this may have been an issue even on 4 strings, which is why LF came up with the 3+1 arrangement for the stingray. Don't know how accurate that story is; it may have been conjecture on the part of the author.

[quote name='paul, the' post='29531' date='Jul 10 2007, 03:23 AM']That looks pretty nuts to me. I've seen [url="http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/product/Fender/American+Hot+Rodded+P-Bass/10/1"]American hot-rodded Precisions[/url] go for that price. A little rare, but well received.[/quote]

Hmmm, good point! Will definately check them out. Have also seen ones with a humbucking J at the bridge, which I like the look of.

Hi Guys

What are the chances that this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330142554239) actually had that jazz bridge pup fitted at the factory? I think it's prettly unlikely, myself, which may make that price-tag a little rich. Howerver, I own both a JV squier J and P and can vouch for their value for money. Having said that; really hankering for a P with a maple fretboard and the J pup is always good to have, so I'm a bit tempted.

Thoughts?

[quote name='kevbass' post='23562' date='Jun 26 2007, 03:02 PM']seen this, he's said he's willing to let it go for cheap, a good clean and a refinish and it would make a very nice bass

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Fortress-One-Bass_W0QQitemZ270136869793QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Warwick-Fortress-One...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url][/quote]

Looks good to me! Judging by the shot from the nut down to the body, looks straight and true. The price will shoot up, don't you worry! If you don't buy it, I will.

I have a new feedback topic, please use that instead. This poll didn't seem too popular.

Damn thread-jackers!

[quote name='David Nimrod' post='4668' date='May 22 2007, 08:45 PM']I feel the need for a really Fender sounding bass to compliment my Ibanez gear....

The trouble is I like the Precision sound *and* the Jazz sound.

For Jazz I love the *growl* and for Precision I love the *deep clank*

As to necks I really like the Jazz neck better...

Budget would be no more than £600 or so new...

I'm considering the Geddy Lee, the Reggie Hamilton, the Jazz 24,

I have to say that I like Japan or Korea more than Mexico, but that's because of a bad experience with a really crummy MIM Jazz a while back.

Of course, maybe the Fender sound is better from someone elses brand ;-)

Any thoughts please...[/quote]

Your description sounds exactly like my JP-90 (which just happens to be on sale, hint hint )

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=393"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=393[/url]

[quote name='Bassassin' post='3699' date='May 21 2007, 03:53 PM']Sharkfinger - does yours say Made In Japan on the neckplate? If so, ask the Aria Pro board at www.matsumoku.org - someone might have some info.[/quote]

After digging around the suggested site, I found this:
[url="http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?t=1544&highlight=leb"]http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic...p;highlight=leb[/url]

This is non-active version but it led me to find the exact model number of mine: "LEB-CLS Classic". Why they didn't print the exact model number somewhere is anyone's guess. An "official" listing is here:
[url="http://www.ariausa.com/archives/bas.html"]http://www.ariausa.com/archives/bas.html[/url]

This all suggests that it was definately made at the Matsumoku factory, as I suspected. The bass like mine that MB1 saw, may have been the "Heritage", which is almost exactly the same but with no active circuit. So still not sure of current market value but it's not really an issue at the moment.
So that seems to be it! Thanks to everyone that contributed/helped/cheered.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='3699' date='May 21 2007, 03:53 PM']The LEBs were from about 85-86, which was about the time Aria transferred production from Matsumoku in Japan (which went on to make Singer sewing machines.[/quote]

Kinda had the feeling it was a Matsumoku: has that "look". Know what I mean?

[quote name='Bassassin' post='3699' date='May 21 2007, 03:53 PM']Sharkfinger - does yours say Made In Japan on the neckplate? If so, ask the Aria Pro board at www.matsumoku.org - someone might have some info.[/quote]

It most certainly does, Jon. Will definitely take a look at that board.

[quote name='stewblack' post='2885' date='May 20 2007, 02:40 PM']Anything [url="http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fyfeholt/aria.htm"]here[/url] that helps?[/quote]

I'd seen this site and although there are a few similar basses, there are none quite like mine. I've found a couple of references to them on the web so I know there are (or were) a few others. At least, in this country. There don't appear to have been that many bolt-on neck models. Mainly thru and set necks. Also, none of those that I saw had the pup configuration that mine has. The mystery only deepens!

[quote]When you say 'absolutely' not for sale?
[/quote]
When I say "absolutely", I mean that its sentimental value to me would put it's price tag far above what I expect anyone would be willing to pay for it.

Bough this in the early nineties when I started playing. Moved onto an Ibanez soundgear a couple of years later and I've not gigged this since. Been in storage a lot of the time still plays like a dream and kept it's tuning! Going to take it for a set up soon and bring it out of retirement. The preamp is a monster and takes two 9V batteries.

Don't know what the body wood is but it's made of a few pieces and has a lovely red stain. The neck appears to be three piece maple(?). It has a bridge "jazz" style and a what I assume to be a humbucker in the middle position.

I've googled the long title but found virtually nothing about it. Can anyone out there help? A current market value would be good, although it's absolutely not for sale. I paid about £150 at the time, I think.