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Short scale bass advice


Jamie1981uk

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I'm currently writing and recording a lot of songs and I'm in need of a short scale bass guitar. I'm no bass player so a short scale would be better for me. I'm no great bass player and what I need it for is pretty standard just to lay some bass on my tracks. What would be the best with a £100-£200 bracket? And should I maybe try second hand? I have no clue what is good or bad when it comes to bass because I'm mainly a guitarist. I won't be using a amp so that isn't an issue. Any help and advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. 

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Given the ease with which parts can be recorded remotely with todays modern technology, and that this is a forum populated by bass players, would it be worth considering asking if anyone would be interested in collaborating with you?

1 hour ago, Jamie1981uk said:

I'm currently writing and recording a lot of songs and I'm in need of a short scale bass guitar. I'm no bass player so a short scale would be better for me. I'm no great bass player and what I need it for is pretty standard just to lay some bass on my tracks. What would be the best with a £100-£200 bracket? And should I maybe try second hand? I have no clue what is good or bad when it comes to bass because I'm mainly a guitarist. I won't be using a amp so that isn't an issue. Any help and advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. 

 

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1 hour ago, SubsonicSimpleton said:

Given the ease with which parts can be recorded remotely with todays modern technology, and that this is a forum populated by bass players, would it be worth considering asking if anyone would be interested in collaborating with you?

 

It is certainly nice to hear that musicians are getting together online. I wouldn't want to seem ungrateful to anyone willing help but, it's something I really want to do for myself. It's a long story but it keeps my mind busy. But I do appreciate what you are saying and I'm sure if anyone required a guitarist for something, I'm sure I could offer my services. 

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10 hours ago, Jamie1981uk said:

Since I'm using a Ibanez guitar it would make sense to use a Ibanez bass too. Might aswell keep it in the family 😉. I assume you guys are on about the Ibanez Tmb30? I have seen it for around £140 which is perfect plus, maple neck....👍 

That's the one. I have two and with the right strings, D'Addario short scale, sound superb. I avoid Rotosound, on short scale, as for some reason the intonation seems to suffer. Might just be me.

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Not played one of those Ibanez short scales, but they do look pretty good.
I've had a couple of Ibanez basses over the years, and played several more. They always seem to be well made instruments.
I was just going to suggest a second-hand Squier Short Scale Jaguar (be careful to make sure it's the SS version though - they do a full scale model too)
I've seen them go for around £130 - £150 and they're great value for that sort of money

Not played a Squier Bronco - but I did consider getting one at one point - because they look quite small and compact, and as they're quite lightweight, it would suit the folk pub-jams I occasionally do
Good luck with your purchase :)

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2 hours ago, mikel said:

That's the one. I have two and with the right strings, D'Addario short scale, sound superb. I avoid Rotosound, on short scale, as for some reason the intonation seems to suffer. Might just be me.

I have pulled the triggered and order the black one. I'll keep note of the strings you mentioned and order some of those at some point. Thanks for the help. 👍 

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17 hours ago, Jamie1981uk said:

I'm currently writing and recording a lot of songs and I'm in need of a short scale bass guitar. I'm no bass player so a short scale would be better for me. I'm no great bass player and what I need it for is pretty standard just to lay some bass on my tracks. What would be the best with a £100-£200 bracket? And should I maybe try second hand? I have no clue what is good or bad when it comes to bass because I'm mainly a guitarist. I won't be using a amp so that isn't an issue. Any help and advice would be much appreciated. Thanks. 

How do you know that you need a short scale bass? Have you actually tried any?

As someone who also plays the guitar I've found that even a standard 30" short scale bass is a big jump up from a 25" scale guitar, so IME you might as well go for a full 34" scale bass. You'll certainly find it easier to find something decent in your price range then, as short scale basses tend to be specialist/niche instruments and the prices tend to be higher for the same level of quality to reflect this.

What you need to do is to get down to your local musical instrument retailer and try as many basses as you can to see what suits you best. As others have said, scale length is only part of the picture, and the only way you'll get the right bass for you is to actually play it.

Edited by BigRedX
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9 hours ago, Jamie1981uk said:

I have pulled the triggered and order the black one. I'll keep note of the strings you mentioned and order some of those at some point. Thanks for the help. 👍 

Well done, you shouldn't go far wrong with that (but see below).  I had one and now have a Squier Jag s-s - equally good IMO but the TMB30 balances better on the strap due to more compact/lighter head-stock.  Just a word of warning - I recently ordered another TMB30 but ended up exchanging it for the Jag because when I received the Ibby it was a mess (dirty scuff-marks and what looked like water damage on the head-stock).  Even on their cheap basses, Ibby quality is normally perfect (as it was on my first one) so send yours back if it's anything less.

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Cort action junior..

I have mostly played short scale and this is by far the best one

Great tone

I have a jaguar short scale for sale! lol

Edited by aDx
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22 hours ago, Jamie1981uk said:

I have pulled the triggered and order the black one. I'll keep note of the strings you mentioned and order some of those at some point. Thanks for the help. 👍 

Another happy Talman shorty owner here, have fun with it :)

Lots of love on here for the Squier Jaguar shorty too, I really must get round to trying - and probably buying - one  xD

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On 17/12/2018 at 13:37, BigRedX said:

How do you know that you need a short scale bass? Have you actually tried any?

As someone who also plays the guitar I've found that even a standard 30" short scale bass is a big jump up from a 25" scale guitar, so IME you might as well go for a full 34" scale bass. You'll certainly find it easier to find something decent in your price range then, as short scale basses tend to be specialist/niche instruments and the prices tend to be higher for the same level of quality to reflect this.

What you need to do is to get down to your local musical instrument retailer and try as many basses as you can to see what suits you best. As others have said, scale length is only part of the picture, and the only way you'll get the right bass for you is to actually play it.

I have had a full scale bass in the past. That is how I know. 

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I'm really happy with the bass and it plays really well. To just go on what BigRedX was saying about the scale length. Yes I have had a full scale one in the past and it wasn't for me. Since I use a Ibanez Jem with a 24" scale and the headstock on Ibanez guitars usually makes them feel bigger than they are, I knew what I wanted. The length of the Ibanez jem is literally 2" shorter than the bass if you go from the bottom (where the strap lock is) to the tip of the headstock.

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