Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Short(er) Scale length?


Sharkfinger
 Share

Recommended Posts

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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"

Edited by EdwardHimself
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Check this puppy out......! Yuuuuummmmmeeeeee!


[url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/17913"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/fl...roduct_id/17913[/url]


Or this.... pant... pant...!


[url="http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.025-3900-541"]http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.025-3900-541[/url]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='The Burpster' post='34124' date='Jul 19 2007, 02:15 PM']Check this puppy out......! Yuuuuummmmmeeeeee!
[url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/17913"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/fl...roduct_id/17913[/url][/quote]

i don't care what anyone else says, THAT'S NOT A BLOODY BASS!!! It's still quite nice tho.

Edited by EdwardHimself
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[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!

Edited by Sharkfinger
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Sharkfinger' post='34142' date='Jul 19 2007, 02:36 PM']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]

no it will be the same, otherwise the intonation would be out.

And i actually think those daisy rock basses look quite nice, not the weird 70's shaped ones, the "normal" ones i think look quite good.

Edited by EdwardHimself
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to have an Epiphone Allen Woody Rumblekat bass which was short(er) scale. Not sure if it was 32" or 30" but it was epic and I regret 100% having sold it. Looked pretty smart too. Obviously not designed for slapping and was tonally more thundering lows than honky mids but enough of everything that it was usable in most situations. Never really tried it with a pick, but am guessing that would have brought about a whole new palatte of tones.

You can get them for about £200 on eBay from the US plus postage and customs/tax. All told no more than about £350.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can vouch for the Aria Cardinal series as well.

I tried one of these in the 80's when I couldn't get my own bass to a rehearsal. I must have been an hour in before I had to ask if it was a short scale bass - it took a lot longer for me to admit to myself that it was actually a better instrument than my precision (US). In the intervening years I bought myself a CSB300, and I'm using it more than any of my others.

So it's not really a great leap from a 34" to a 32" scale, though obviously the differences are there in both sound and reach.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Sharkfinger' post='34192' date='Jul 19 2007, 04:14 PM']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]

You'll do well to find one on eBay UK. They do come up in the US, but unless you can get around the customs and tax fees, might as well spend the extra £15 and get one from Thomann.

It sounded great, didn't lack bottom end at all but lacking a little at the top end, not much growl, more a full on woof! Great for rock/soul/blues and some pop/funk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[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!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...