henry norton Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='neepheid' post='410885' date='Feb 16 2009, 12:18 PM']The last Rivoli to sell on eBay went for £900. Whether or not that means it'll be back up for sale due to non-payment remains to be seen.[/quote] Yeah, I just spotted that. Mental money, even for a minter, especially since last week an original EB-2 (effectively the same bass) got no bids for a starting price of 1000 Euros (less than £900), on Ebay France. Maybe the bidder got 1996 mixed up with 1969 and thought it was a US made original I stand by what I said earlier though - reproduction Rivoli (not at Ebay prices) or a DeArmond Starfire (and I have seen these on US Ebay for around the £400 mark. Much cooler looking than the short scale fenders and a better range of sounds IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boneless Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 (edited) But what is, really, the appeal of a short scale? I have never found a short scale with the right string tension, and the lower strings tend to sound muddy and without much clarity (the only exception maybe being the Danos, since they are so bright and jangly). I understand some may appreciate the punchiness of a short scale, but I don't really get it I'm not criticizing, but what do short scale enthusiasts actually like of short scales? (By the way, I have a medium scale and I hate it ). Edited February 16, 2009 by Boneless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='Boneless' post='411443' date='Feb 16 2009, 08:10 PM']But what is, really, the appeal of a short scale? I have never found a short scale with the right string tension, and the lower strings tend to sound muddy and without much clarity (the only exception maybe being the Danos, since they are so bright and jangly). I understand some may appreciate the punchiness of a short scale, but I don't really get it I'm not criticizing, but what do short scale enthusiasts actually like of short scales? (By the way, I have a medium scale and I hate it ).[/quote] Ease of playing mostly. Getting one to do your first gig to try and tilt the odds in your favour a little might be regarded as cheating, but that's what I did. I quite like the looser feeling of the short scale. I have a Bronco and an EB-0 and I like them both. I might well mod the Bronco for through body stringing to see what effect that has on string tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='Boneless' post='411443' date='Feb 16 2009, 09:10 PM']But what is, really, the appeal of a short scale? I have never found a short scale with the right string tension, and the lower strings tend to sound muddy and without much clarity (the only exception maybe being the Danos, since they are so bright and jangly). I understand some may appreciate the punchiness of a short scale, but I don't really get it I'm not criticizing, but what do short scale enthusiasts actually like of short scales? (By the way, I have a medium scale and I hate it ).[/quote] It's not a simple answer (for me anyway). 34" scale is like Ford - you see it everywhere - it works but there's been reluctance to stray too far from this formula. Only recently are we seeing 5/6 string production basses with a longer scale and I think it's working the same way for shorter scales now. They are more comfortable to play, they can balance better and whilst they might not have exactly the same sound as a long scale bass, that doesn't mean it's a worse sound. You can play faster and stretch further and three or four inches and a pound off what you're carrying in the gig bag on the tube really can make all the difference. It's a confidence thing for players as well as makers - "will people take me seriously with this 'toy bass'?" BTW, if 34" scale is like the Ford of scale lengths then the Jaz bass must be the Ford Escort.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 [quote name='Boneless' post='411443' date='Feb 16 2009, 08:10 PM']But what is, really, the appeal of a short scale? I have never found a short scale with the right string tension, and the lower strings tend to sound muddy and without much clarity (the only exception maybe being the Danos, since they are so bright and jangly). I understand some may appreciate the punchiness of a short scale, but I don't really get it I'm not criticizing, but what do short scale enthusiasts actually like of short scales? (By the way, I have a medium scale and I hate it ).[/quote] Ease of playing, especially for any multiple note work. The tone, you can get quite a 'poppy' tone (not as in slap and pop, or as in pop music). The fact that you can bend them further. Just the general feel - I'm a big bloke but I find that the medium scale just feels like an extension of your body, whereas the a 34" scale feels less like that. Obviously other people may dislike short/medium scales for the same reasons as I like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boneless Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Just to be safe, I wasn't questioning anyone's taste It's just that short-scale basses always seem a bit more "bland", compared to long scale ones. To me, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Why short scale for me? Well it's quite simple really - using SC bass I find myself focusing less on the mechanics of playing and more on the music, I can hear the (positive) difference, my fellow band members can hear it and hopefully so can my audience, and that's all that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 [quote name='2x18' post='410988' date='Feb 16 2009, 12:49 PM']I have one in the for sale section! Will.[/quote] Oh I know, believe me I know ......... If fumps' buddy decides to have my Cort Curbow I could well be on my way to Leeds this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2x18 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 [quote name='HarryPotter' post='411647' date='Feb 17 2009, 01:10 AM']Oh I know, believe me I know ......... If fumps' buddy decides to have my Cort Curbow I could well be on my way to Leeds this weekend [/quote] You are more than welcome to come over and try the Urge! You can also Try out my other shorties to get an idea of what suits you best! Fender Mustang reissue Landing L1 ( USA Custom made ) Gibson Supreme ( EB0 ) Eko ( Mustang style) Mustang-- Kalamazoo Frankenstang and I also have a Vantage 32" in the process of being restored. Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 [quote name='2x18' post='411705' date='Feb 17 2009, 09:01 AM']You are more than welcome to come over and try the Urge! You can also Try out my other shorties to get an idea of what suits you best! Fender Mustang reissue Landing L1 ( USA Custom made ) Gibson Supreme ( EB0 ) Eko ( Mustang style) Mustang-- Kalamazoo Frankenstang and I also have a Vantage 32" in the process of being restored. Will.[/quote] That is some seriously tasty basses. I hate you (kidding) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 [quote name='redstriper' post='413581' date='Feb 18 2009, 08:19 PM']Why not? I use mine for 'serious' use and no one's said anything about it not being good enough - should I keep it just for comedy gigs?[/quote] Basically cause it picks up more E.M. radiation than Jodrell Bank, I've actually had to switch to another bass lately because of it. I tend to play in Churches mostly - induction loops play holy hell with it (no pun intended) . I won't be selling it as it's great to play and was a bargain. However the search for replacements just intensified as I've just sold my last long scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryPotter Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 [quote name='redstriper' post='413676' date='Feb 18 2009, 10:21 PM']Sorry you've lost me, I don't know what you mean, I've played mine in all sorts of venues wihout problems and I've owned and played basses costing a lot more that sounded no better. Maybe there's a problem with yours that could be fixed without the need for a new bass. My main bass is now an Ashbory and if you like short scale and lightweight it might suit you too.[/quote] It's certainly possible and I can think of a few things to evaluate. The electrics may benefit from switching over to Gibsons original EB-0 schematics, it could certainly do with shielding and I suspect that the tape wound strings aren't grounding through the bridge. Having a 30k atrec pickup fitted hasn't helped matter too much (but man does it thump ). I can sort them all, and at some point i will, but I also want a second shorty. It's manageable in most venues but in places with induction loops fitted it goes bonkers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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