zonular Posted September 7 Posted September 7 Long story short I'm looking at picking up a smaller bass to bring with me on a tram and a couch ride (to and from work) to get to practice. I want to keep it on the cheaper side so no mayones mini bass here. If I can order it direct the better as waiting for a 2nd hand item local is a pain. Debating between the following 1. Harley benton pb shorty 30" scale 2. J&d short scale bass 29" scale 3. Flight mini bass 3 u bass I'm not sure if the difference of 30 Vs 29 inch scales would impact string choice either. Is there anything I haven't thought of? Quote
Earbrass Posted September 7 Posted September 7 (edited) https://www.andertons.co.uk/hils-hnb3-headless-shortscale-bass--satin-black/ At £499, it may depend on your definition of "the cheaper side". Edited September 7 by Earbrass Quote
itu Posted September 7 Posted September 7 Any headless is about the length of a g-word. If your background is violins, and your fingers understand very short scales, a fretless Guild Ashbory is small. Quote
BassApprentice Posted September 7 Posted September 7 (edited) JB-62CC Mini SP - Harley Benton https://share.google/PcjFJeHxomT5Dheq6 A 23inch scale Jazz bass might do the trick? Edited September 7 by BassApprentice Quote
zonular Posted September 7 Author Posted September 7 49 minutes ago, Earbrass said: https://www.andertons.co.uk/hils-hnb3-headless-shortscale-bass--satin-black/ At £499, it may depend on your definition of "the cheaper side". Around and under 200 quid. If it's a gig bag on a bus, I don't want to be worried about dings 27 minutes ago, BassApprentice said: JB-62CC Mini SP - Harley Benton https://share.google/PcjFJeHxomT5Dheq6 A 23inch scale Jazz bass might do the trick? I didn't know Harley benton offered a mini, Need to check out string availability Quote
prowla Posted September 7 Posted September 7 I have an Ashbory (Fender) and I find it a completely different instrument to a bass, so I'm not sure how practicing on it would be particularly beneficial. I'd suggest a Steinberger Spirit or Hohner full-scale headless bass. (My Rickenberger.) Quote
prowla Posted September 7 Posted September 7 Ah, sorry: mis-read... You want to play it on the bus/train/tram. That could be annoying for the other passengers. Quote
zonular Posted September 7 Author Posted September 7 10 minutes ago, prowla said: Ah, sorry: mis-read... You want to play it on the bus/train/tram. That could be annoying for the other passengers. God no, it's making travelling as easy as possible, the bus is cramped and I wouldn't dare bring my normal gig bag / j bass with me on it 1 Quote
zonular Posted September 7 Author Posted September 7 45 minutes ago, BassApprentice said: JB-62CC Mini SP - Harley Benton https://share.google/PcjFJeHxomT5Dheq6 A 23inch scale Jazz bass might do the trick? Looks like a limited run 😕 Quote
pineweasel Posted September 7 Posted September 7 The Blackstar mini bass always looked quite nifty to me: https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Blackstar-Carry-On-Travel-Bass-Guitar-ST-White/5GY5 Quote
prowla Posted September 7 Posted September 7 1 hour ago, zonular said: God no, it's making travelling as easy as possible, the bus is cramped and I wouldn't dare bring my normal gig bag / j bass with me on it 🙂 In that case, the Spirit. Alternatively, you could go for a (Steinberger Spirit) guitar and learn come complimentary skills. Quote
Aalin Posted September 7 Posted September 7 I have noticed that for me, in case of, could always have a look https://snap-dragon-guitars.com/products/snap-dragon-e-bass Quote
bassbiscuits Posted September 7 Posted September 7 At the very cheap end is a Tanglewood Elfin bass, or Squier do a mini precision bass. I have a Tanglewood Elfin and it’s merely ok, rather than brilliant. It’s something like 26” which is really short for a bass. Cheap and fairly cheerful tho. Quote
zonular Posted September 7 Author Posted September 7 44 minutes ago, bassbiscuits said: At the very cheap end is a Tanglewood Elfin bass, or Squier do a mini precision bass. I have a Tanglewood Elfin and it’s merely ok, rather than brilliant. It’s something like 26” which is really short for a bass. Cheap and fairly cheerful tho. What do you do for strings? Short scale ok or cutting down? Tbh this for a season of busy work, to have a grab and go bag, mini bass, bdi21, clip on tuner and di cable Quote
tauzero Posted September 7 Posted September 7 Hohner B2 (B2A for active) or Steinberger Spirit XT2. Quote
bassbiscuits Posted September 7 Posted September 7 31 minutes ago, zonular said: What do you do for strings? Short scale ok or cutting down? To be honest it’s got the same strings it came with, which I’d imagine are short scale and then cut down. The Tanglewood probably ain’t what you’re after for a season of proper gigging. Something like a secondhand Squier Mustang or Ibanez Talman etc are much better more solid basses (the Tanglewood was for my son to learn on.) 1 Quote
zonular Posted September 7 Author Posted September 7 Had a talman shorty, very impressed. My daughter stole it while moving out 😅 1 1 Quote
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted September 7 Posted September 7 The Squier Mini Precision is very nice and fits in any standard strat/tele gigbag. 1 Quote
Baloney Balderdash Posted September 7 Posted September 7 (edited) I am really happy with my Ibanez Mikro Basses. And the GSRM20B model in Weathered Black finish even look pretty damn amazing: 28.6" scale length, and fits perfectly in a regular guitar gig bag. Current production models features an Okoume body, Maple neck and Purpleheart fretboard. Swap the stock pickups out with a P/J pair of EMG Geezer Butler or DiMarzio Model P/Model J, according to preferences and taste, and you are golden. Edited September 7 by Baloney Balderdash 3 Quote
rushbo Posted September 7 Posted September 7 4 hours ago, prowla said: I have an Ashbory (Fender) and I find it a completely different instrument to a bass, so I'm not sure how practicing on it would be particularly beneficial. I'd suggest a Steinberger Spirit or Hohner full-scale headless bass. This is good advice. I kept a short scale bass at work to noodle on a lunchtime, but I found that when I picked up my "regular" bass, it took a bit of acclimatisation. A "cricket bat" bass may be the way forward. Quote
manol Posted September 7 Posted September 7 Traveler Guitar TB-4P Bass SBT B-Stock – Thomann UK https://www.thomann.co.uk/traveler_guitar_tb_4p_bass_sbt_b_stock.htm I standby these, I think they're excellent. Quote
Burns-bass Posted September 7 Posted September 7 You’re better off getting a standard short scale bass because then you’ll have a better choice of strings etc. I’d say Squier Bronco is the way to go. I love mine. 2 1 Quote
AlexDelores Posted September 7 Posted September 7 You might well be able to get a Gretsch G2220 ‘Junior Jet’ under £200 2nd hand. They’re fantastic basses for their money and punch well above their price imo. 1 Quote
MacDaddy Posted September 8 Posted September 8 Snap this one up, they're £379 new. 29" scale. I've played mine in a metal band, so yes they are good for metal 😆 https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/snap-dragon-e-bass/ 1 1 Quote
LeftyJ Posted September 8 Posted September 8 On 07/09/2025 at 10:11, prowla said: I have an Ashbory (Fender) and I find it a completely different instrument to a bass, so I'm not sure how practicing on it would be particularly beneficial. I'd suggest a Steinberger Spirit or Hohner full-scale headless bass. (My Rickenberger.) Seconded. I loved my Hohner B2A, it was a full longscale bass but supercompact and easy to carry around. The ergonomics of having the upper strap button behind the 21st fret were a bit weird, but that's easily resolved with a simple mod. Only sold it because I had too many 4-strings and could use the money towards a new car or I would still have it. The Spirit version should be available used within your budget. Quote
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