deanbean502 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I have been looking recently at a few very nice short scale basses and i have played a few and quiet like them, but is there technically anything you can't do with a short scale rather than with a long scale or is it just personal preference? Technically I mean things like drop tuning and tuning down a step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 The strings can get a bit floppy when tuning down but if you don't mind raising the action and tweaking the intonation and truss rod (or just playing with a lighter touch) they don't work too badly. Most of the complaints about short scales come from people who've never played one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 As a convert to short-scale (I play them almost exclusively), I haven't found there's anything that I'd want to do and can't. To echo hn's point, strings can feel a bit floppy with down tuning but I'm a big fan of high-compliance, low-tension and play with a very light touch anyway. If you have large hands or thicker fingers, you may also feel that 30" scale can get a bit tight higher up the board, and especially on a 24 fret instrument. Again, this has never bothered me at all - it may just take a bit of adjustment. I've nothing against 34" scale and have retained a couple - I just find short scale easier, and to be honest, a bit more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I prefer a few 32 inch scalers I've had before. The main reason I don't use 32 incvh scale at all is because ernieball don't make one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I love the fender mustang, it has a great sound. I play full scale basses in general, so I only use a 3/4 for a particular sound (mustang) however, it is a bit confusing, if I don't do it often as the notes are physically in a different place to my body. But if you like the short scale, go for it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I've often looked at the Birdsong basses on the web - only shorter scale bass i've owned was a 32" (Status KB). I like the idea of a 33", reckon it would suit me down to the ground. Drop tuning will make things go a bit floppy (!) i reckon, but again, can be tweaked to adress some of this. My advice - Go for it Graeme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeatNut Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote name='algmusic' timestamp='1316686220' post='1381319'] I love the fender mustang, it has a great sound. [/quote] Ooohh you shouldn't have reminded me of that, now I'm gassing for one again. They do have a distinctive sound ... last time I picked one up in a shop I nearly bought it on the spot ... with tapewounds on, just the sound I was aiming for with another bass I already own. If they only made a 5-string mustang I'd be all over it Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote name='BigBeatNut' timestamp='1316686630' post='1381333'] Ooohh you shouldn't have reminded me of that, now I'm gassing for one again. They do have a distinctive sound ... last time I picked one up in a shop I nearly bought it on the spot ... with tapewounds on, just the sound I was aiming for with another bass I already own. If they only made a 5-string mustang I'd be all over it Andy [/quote] you don't need a 5-er.. I used 5's for years.. and now rarely use them now. Using a bass like this will make you say, what 5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeatNut Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 [quote name='algmusic' timestamp='1316688623' post='1381396'] Using a bass like this will make you say, what 5? [/quote] Possibly. OTOH, past experience tells me that 5's get taken to gigs and 4's stay at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I wouldn't think too seriously about detuning a short scale other than half a step or maybe a step at a push. And even then, you'll likely need some thicker strings to keep it sounding a feeling good. They are neat items on their own but not ideal for detuning. Can you imaging Stanley knocking out low B's on his Alembics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wotcher Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I played long scales until I found this 73 Musicmaster - really enjoy playing the short scale now and looking at the new Squier mustang that's just come out. Had an issue getting the low E to sound good and needed to go for a thicker string, but it sounds fine now, though it's not loud compared to other basses. There's room for both in your collection... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wotcher Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I played long scales until I found this - really enjoy playing the short scale now and looking at the new Squier mustang that's just come out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wotcher Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vibrating G String Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 [quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1316704988' post='1381736']I wouldn't think too seriously about detuning a short scale other than half a step or maybe a step at a push. And even then, you'll likely need some thicker strings to keep it sounding a feeling good. They are neat items on their own but not ideal for detuning. Can you imaging Stanley knocking out low B's on his Alembics?[/quote]Yes, I could. Matt Garrison plays short scale with light strings and drops his E to an A with a Hipshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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