hooky_lowdown Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Talking to a mate last night about switching from long scale to short scale bass, and I've been looking at buying a short scale. However, he mentioned about using a capo on a long scale, i play in standard tuning, he said detune down to a D and put a capo on second fret, which changes 34 inch to roughly 30.5 inch scale. Sounds like a great idea, so was wondering if anyone has done this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 How much do you rely on open strings? You could try just dropping the tuning, play two frets higher and enjoy being able to do a bit of death metal on the side... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 5 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said: Talking to a mate last night about switching from long scale to short scale bass, and I've been looking at buying a short scale. However, he mentioned about using a capo on a long scale, i play in standard tuning, he said detune down to a D and put a capo on second fret, which changes 34 inch to roughly 30.5 inch scale. Sounds like a great idea, so was wondering if anyone has done this? It won't make much difference. It's not the scale you're changing, just the length... If you follow. The distance between each and every fret is scaled down on a short scale, if you drop tune your long scale and just play a little bit further down then yes, you are playing the closer together frets but so what? I really can't see it making much difference apart from being a bit of a mind-fudge when the muscle memory wants to go one way but your ears are telling you something else and finally the brain catches up and you've missed the note anyway (well, that's what would happen to me!). I say just buy a cheap short scale to see if you like short scales and take it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted February 26, 2019 Author Share Posted February 26, 2019 56 minutes ago, uk_lefty said: It won't make much difference. It's not the scale you're changing, just the length... If you follow. The distance between each and every fret is scaled down on a short scale, if you drop tune your long scale and just play a little bit further down then yes, you are playing the closer together frets but so what? I really can't see it making much difference apart from being a bit of a mind-fudge when the muscle memory wants to go one way but your ears are telling you something else and finally the brain catches up and you've missed the note anyway (well, that's what would happen to me!). I say just buy a cheap short scale to see if you like short scales and take it from there. Which cheap short scale would you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 1 hour ago, hooky_lowdown said: Which cheap short scale would you suggest? I recently got a Squier Vintage Modern Jaguar SS just for fun, but I'm rapidly falling for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 10 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said: Which cheap short scale would you suggest? Second hand Hofner ignition or any of the copies of it. Harley Benton do a shorty p bass that lots of people like too. Ibanez do the Talman in lefty too. Rondo music often has some weird and wonderful stuff also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said: Which cheap short scale would you suggest? Gretsch Junior Jet 2. Absolutely trounces anything else in the price range. It's a perfectly giggable bass with unbelievable build quality, looks great and sounds absolutely superb! Edited February 27, 2019 by Newfoundfreedom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Ibanez Mikro is under 30” scale, very affordable and comes in lefty option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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