Small bass for cramped public transport

[zonular]

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?

[Earbrass]

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, 2025 by Earbrass

[itu]

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. 

[BassApprentice]

JB-62CC Mini SP - Harley Benton https://share.google/PcjFJeHxomT5Dheq6

 

A 23inch scale Jazz bass might do the trick?

Edited September 7, 2025 by BassApprentice

[zonular]

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 

[prowla]

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.)

[prowla]

Ah, sorry: mis-read...

You want to play it on the bus/train/tram.

That could be annoying for the other passengers.

[zonular]

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

[zonular]

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 😕 

[pineweasel]

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

[prowla]

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.

[Aalin]

I have noticed that for me, in case of, could always have a look
https://snap-dragon-guitars.com/products/snap-dragon-e-bass

 

[bassbiscuits]

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. 

[zonular]

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

[tauzero]

Hohner B2 (B2A for active) or Steinberger Spirit XT2.

[bassbiscuits]

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.) 

 

 

[zonular]

Had a talman shorty, very impressed. My daughter stole it while moving out 😅

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

The Squier Mini Precision is very nice and fits in any standard strat/tele gigbag.

[Baloney Balderdash]

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, 2025 by Baloney Balderdash

[rushbo]

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. 

[manol]

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.

[Burns-bass]

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.

[AlexDelores]

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. 
 

 

[MacDaddy]

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/

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LeftyJ]

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.