The Short Scale Bass Appreciation Society!

[fretmeister]

On 11/10/2025 at 16:08, BassApprentice said:

Not sure what or why, but I just wouldn't buy a Retrovibe. I guess I think they are quite expensive for what they are. Bitsa basses with a nice setup.

 

Every fender ever built is a bitsa.

[fretmeister]

On 31/10/2025 at 10:29, eude said:

 

Weird choice, but might be based on available string lengths, as I would guess the reverse headstock might let you have a full scale E string without any of the wound string on the tuner?
 

 

 

That feature really appeals to me - would massively increase the amount of strings that would fit - particularly flats.

 

The Ibanez Mezzo 4 string (32 scale) had the E string tuner relatively far from the nut so could take a wide variety of strings, but it was a small post so long scale flats would still break. Had to get specific medium scale ones. The 5 string mezzo was actually worse for string availability. I used Dunlop medium scale flats on that exclusively. Really lovely strings - but at about £90 they'd have to be!

 

Reverse headstock is a very easy solution to the problem. If I ever ordered a second Lionel I'd spec a reverse headstock for that reason.

[TheLowDown]

When using short scale strings, the E string always sounds somewhat dead and disconnected from the sound of the other 3 strings on my U5. Yesterday I used an old long scale E string strung-thru the body, and what a massive improvement! 

[Chienmortbb]

 

[MichaelDean]

I will second that video. I bought a pack of medium scale shorties strings off Merton (excellent seller BTW). They are just excellent. Stainless steel aren't normally my thing and I still think they're not, but these are less grabby than others I've tried. The E string on my Mustang has never sounded better. If you like rounds, give Newtone's shorty sets a go. They're a big step up in clarity from the D'Addarios I had on it. 

[MichaelDean]

Anyone need an Atelier shortie?

https://bassbros.co.uk/product/2024-atelier-z-baby-z-4j-vintage-2/

[BassApprentice]

If that was a 5 string I'd be very tempted 

[scrumpymike]

1 hour ago, MichaelDean said:

Anyone need an Atelier shortie?

https://bassbros.co.uk/product/2024-atelier-z-baby-z-4j-vintage-2/

That's a good price from a retailer!! I've had one of these and it was very nice indeed.

[msb]

Nice looking thing , priced reasonably. Now most things I’ve imported have come from the US , and a bargain is no longer a bargain after you factor in the exchange , duty , shipping , and occasional brokerage fees. I haven’t done any imports from the UK , yet …

[ped]

https://reverb.com/uk/item/93109785-atelier-z-zpo-4-jr-short-scale-natural

 

 

[ezbass]

13 minutes ago, ped said:

https://reverb.com/uk/item/93109785-atelier-z-zpo-4-jr-short-scale-natural

 

 

Ooffftt! 😍

[slowTwitch]

Anyone here got a Ibanez EHB1000S that's surplus to requirements? 

I've got Reverb, eBay, FB et-al covered.

[fretmeister]

3 minutes ago, slowTwitch said:

Anyone here got a Ibanez EHB1000S that's surplus to requirements? 

I've got Reverb, eBay, FB et-al covered.

 

There's a specific WANTED section in the classifieds that might get you better results than 1 post in a long thread about shorties.

 

Good luck!

[slowTwitch]

2 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

 

There's a specific WANTED section in the classifieds that might get you better results than 1 post in a long thread about shorties.

 

Good luck!

It's for supporting members only.

I may consider becoming a supporting member though - thanks.

[LeftyJ]

On 14/11/2025 at 15:46, ped said:

https://reverb.com/uk/item/93109785-atelier-z-zpo-4-jr-short-scale-natural

 

 

 

Those are little beasts! It was the predecessor to the Baby Z-4J, and it's specced very similarly but minus the neckdive and I believe with an EQ that's boost/cut instead of the boost-only job in the Baby Z. They're amazing little basses, and sound very modern and punchy. The 17 mm string spacing will not be for everyone. 

[BassApprentice]

Alpher making some very tasty looking classic styled basses...

[Woodinblack]

Love the alphers, but that seems a step back for me, certainly the brown one.

[BassApprentice]

I kind of understand what you mean - but they must be seeing how well the JMJ and other mustang models are doing and decided to do a similar model.

 

Don't worry, they still do the mad and wonderful stuff too (I'm sure they would do these in shorter scale too)

[fretmeister]

Great. Now I want a Mustang type.

 

Dagnabit.

[Clarky]

On 14/11/2025 at 14:46, ped said:

https://reverb.com/uk/item/93109785-atelier-z-zpo-4-jr-short-scale-natural

 

 

This is now significantly reduced in the Fenderfever sale, in case anyone was pondering it

 

edit: here https://fenderfever.com/products/atelier-z-zpo-4-jr-short-scale-natural?_pos=1&_fid=dfd8784d9&_ss=c

Edited 3 hours ago by Clarky

[Chienmortbb]

I have a rotator cuff injury and cannot currently play my 34" basses. I have a U Bass (23") and it helps, but I am now looking at a 30". Not only that, but I am on a budget. I could probably stretch to £250, so what is worth getting?

 

A bit of info, the Kala U Bass Solid Body is not as good as any cheap bass I have bought in the last 10 years, so I have been looking at Ibanez, Hartwood, Harley Benton and looking for advice.

[BassApprentice]

If it's only a temporary injury, you could do worse than a Squier Bronco or Gretsch Junior Jet 2nd hand.

[Obrienp]

1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said:

I have a rotator cuff injury and cannot currently play my 34" basses. I have a U Bass (23") and it helps, but I am now looking at a 30". Not only that, but I am on a budget. I could probably stretch to £250, so what is worth getting?

 

A bit of info, the Kala U Bass Solid Body is not as good as any cheap bass I have bought in the last 10 years, so I have been looking at Ibanez, Hartwood, Harley Benton and looking for advice.

Gear4Music have a Mustang like bass in their Hartwood range. https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Hartwood-Delta-Bass-Guitar-Sunburst/6PQE
 

There are other finishes. Apparently it’s pretty good for the money. I have the weirder Satellite medium scale and fit and finish are impressive for a sub £200 instrument. If that carries over, then worth a look IMO.

 

Failing that, if you can find a used Sire U5 for your money, I would definitely check it out.

[fretmeister]

1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said:

I have a rotator cuff injury and cannot currently play my 34" basses. I have a U Bass (23") and it helps, but I am now looking at a 30". Not only that, but I am on a budget. I could probably stretch to £250, so what is worth getting?

 

A bit of info, the Kala U Bass Solid Body is not as good as any cheap bass I have bought in the last 10 years, so I have been looking at Ibanez, Hartwood, Harley Benton and looking for advice.

 

You might get a Jim Deacon shortie precision for £150. The construction of them is great but they do really need a few upgrades. I have two of them and put in a good pickup and loom (the stock pots were really on/off without gradient) and as they are neck-divey I put a set of Hipshot ultralite tuners on. So if you can find one of them and some luck with parts in the classifieds and you'd have a great little bass.

 

One has rounds with an EMG P-X pickup and the other has an Aguilar AG-4P pickup and flats. They sound like great P basses. Just 30 inch. Slim nut with some nice chunk front to back and reasonably narrow spacing at the bridge too. Super easy to play.

 

I'll quite often pick them before my Lionel, they are great with the upgrades.

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, Chienmortbb said:

I have a rotator cuff injury and cannot currently play my 34" basses. I have a U Bass (23") and it helps, but I am now looking at a 30". Not only that, but I am on a budget. I could probably stretch to £250, so what is worth getting?

 

A bit of info, the Kala U Bass Solid Body is not as good as any cheap bass I have bought in the last 10 years, so I have been looking at Ibanez, Hartwood, Harley Benton and looking for advice.

There’s a bunch of Harley Bentons in different designs for your budget. The Mustang alikes are good, especially since the switch upgrade. The J pickup is not as powerful as the P (not unusual in budget basses of any make), but the whole thing makes for a good upgrade chassis (an EMG GZR set would be perfect).

https://www.thomann.co.uk/short_scale_basses.html?manufacturer[]=Harley Benton&gk=GIEBSC&sp=solr_b&cme=true&filter=true