Short or Medium Scale Basses

[TomNicoBassman]

Hey folks,

I am considering moving to a short or med scale bass. I haven't been able to play one yet but I thought I would ask first what you folks thought.
What are your experiences with the shorter scales? What do they offer in ways of tonality and playability?
Will appreciate all advice.

Cheers,
Tom

[2pods]

As I've posted elsewhere on the forum, I had an Aria TSB550N which was 32" medium scale, with a through neck, and I loved it.
Very comfortable.

I also had a 32" medim Yamaha BB of some description after I had the Aria de-fretted. That was nice and comfy too.

Most of the 32" I've seen recently tend to be either cut down PJ's, or very expensive Mark King Statii, Stu Hamm Urges etc.

If I had the money I'd try and get one built for me, as I've got hand trouble these days.

HTH

[derrenleepoole]

I couldn't happier after making the move to shorties after 20+ years of playing. Do a search, as this topic is cropping up more often on BC and quite a few threads discuss the pros and cons of the move

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='derrenleepoole' post='918199' date='Aug 7 2010, 06:14 PM']I couldn't happier after making the move to shorties after 20+ years of playing. Do a search, as this topic is cropping up more often on BC and quite a few threads discuss the pros and cons of the move [/quote]
Here you go:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=97762"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=97762[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=95334"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=95334[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90957"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90957[/url]

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='2pods' post='918079' date='Aug 7 2010, 04:05 PM']As I've posted elsewhere on the forum, I had an Aria TSB550N which was 32" medium scale, with a through neck, and I loved it.
Very comfortable.[/quote]
I had an Aria TSB550 too. It's a very nice bass. My one criticism of it would be the narrow string spacing at the bridge but that might not bother you.

[derrenleepoole]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='918214' date='Aug 7 2010, 06:26 PM']Here you go:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=97762"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=97762[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=95334"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=95334[/url]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90957"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=90957[/url][/quote]

Thanks, I've got my new born baby in one arm, so you've saved me some work

Edited August 7, 2010 by derrenleepoole

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='TomNicoBassman' post='918061' date='Aug 7 2010, 03:51 PM']Hey folks,

I am considering moving to a short or med scale bass. I haven't been able to play one yet but I thought I would ask first what you folks thought.
What are your experiences with the shorter scales? What do they offer in ways of tonality and playability?
Will appreciate all advice.

Cheers,
Tom[/quote]
You do need to try some. They vary just as much as 34" scale basses do.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='derrenleepoole' post='918218' date='Aug 7 2010, 06:28 PM']Thanks, I've got my new born baby in one arm, so you've saved me some work [/quote]
You're welcome. There are almost certainly many more - those were merely the first three I found.

[Chris2112]

My Kubicki Ex Factor is 32" scale. You don't really notice the difference apart from on the body, where the gap between the bridge and neck is noticeably smaller. In terms of tension, the 2" difference seems minimal and it doesn't feel loose or flappy whatsoever. So for me, it's something that works very well.

[TomNicoBassman]

Thanks for the info. It is a great help to me. Shall get looking into what specs might suit me and then will get down to guitar guitar to try out lots .
Thanks again.

[derrenleepoole]

Here's an incomplete list of all shortie basses:

Fender Mustang 30"
Fender Bass IV 30"
Musicmaster 30"
Fender Urge 1 32"
Fender Bullet 30,32" (also 34")
Fender P-Bass Jr. 28.5"
Bronco 30"
SX (Essex, Rondo) shortscale P and J 30"
Alembic (custom)
Birdsong 30.5"
Landing 30,32"
Gibson EB2 30.5"
Ric 4001 and 4003 33.25"
Gibson EB1 EB0 and EB3 30"
Danelectro
Hofner Violin 30"
Rob Allen Mouse 30"
Ovation Typhoon 30.5"
Epiphone Allen Woody 30"
Epiphone ET-280
Ventura 32"
Carvin SB series
Phantom bass (new reissue) 30"
Vox 30"
Gretsch G2202 Electromatic Junior Jet 30"
Cort Action Bass
Samick Corsair 26"
Ovation Applause AE-40 30"
Teisco 30,31,32"
Hamer Slammer 30"
Hallmark Swept-Wing 30"
Guild Starfire
Guild JSB-2 31"
James Bass (custom)
R Bass (custom)
Michael Dolan (custom)
FBB (custom)
LeCompte (custom)
Framus 30"
Egmond 30"
Gibson Les Paul 30.5"
Wishbass (custom)
Ampeg SSB 30"
XStrange/Bruce Johnson SSB 30.5"
Ampeg AMB-1 (Dan Armstrong) 30.5"
Jay Turser 30"
Ibanez GAXB 150
Gretch hollowbody
Gibson EB-6
Gretsch Synchromatic BassVI
Epiphone Rivoli
Epiphone EB-O 30"
Epiphone Viola
Jerry Jones Longhorn 30"
Jerry Jones Longhorn BassVI
Jerry Jones Shorthorn 30"
Harmony 30"
Hagstrom (various models) 31,31.5,32"
Hamer 8-string
Hamer 12-string
Rickenbacker 3000 30"
Hofner Club
Hofner President
Rogue VB-100 31"
Fender Hello Kitty/Badtz-Maru 30"
Daisy Rock 30"
Fender Squier P-basses (a few) 32"
Kubicki Ex-Factor 32"
Kramer (aluminum neck) 31.5"
Westone 32"
Aria (some older models) 32"
Univox 30,32"
Vantage 30,32"
Epiphone EA-260
Lyle
Hohner
Dean Evo 30"
Luna
Tanglewood 30"
Brice HVB-600 30.3"
Douglas WVEB Violin Bass (Rondo)

[2pods]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='918217' date='Aug 7 2010, 06:28 PM']I had an Aria TSB550 too. It's a very nice bass. My one criticism of it would be the narrow string spacing at the bridge but that might not bother you.[/quote]

Looking back I think that's one of the things I really liked about it.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='2pods' post='918320' date='Aug 7 2010, 08:33 PM']Looking back I think that's one of the things I really liked about it.[/quote]
I can't have disliked it very much because I had it for over twenty years - longest I've ever had any bass.

[Oggy]

[quote name='TomNicoBassman' post='918061' date='Aug 7 2010, 03:51 PM']Hey folks,

I am considering moving to a short or med scale bass. I haven't been able to play one yet but I thought I would ask first what you folks thought.
What are your experiences with the shorter scales? What do they offer in ways of tonality and playability?
Will appreciate all advice.

Cheers,
Tom[/quote]

Hi Tom,

My reason for migration to a Short Scale was ‘pain’. I’d played standard scale 34” for several years and over the last couple of years found that my right hand finger joints were developing a touch of arthritis, not too much of a problem at first but it gradually got worse and I had to look for a solution, it got to a point where I’d start getting pain in the joints then cramp would set in. I tried a couple of short scale basses and found that it was easier on the joints – so short scale was the way to go if I wanted to keep playing. I’ve only had a short scale (Gibson SG re-issue) for about six months but it’s made the difference I was looking for. I still get a wee bit of pain but nothing like it was.

The Short Scale Gibson is a great little bass, with the mini humbucker at the bridge end and the fat humbucker at the neck end the range of tones available is pretty good (remember I play mostly Blues or Blues/Rock so it suits pretty well. I’ve recently acquired a Fender Mustang, it’s early days with this and I’m still getting used to it – for some reason it feels smaller than the Gibson, it balances on the strap a lot better than the Gibson (neck dive even though it’s short scale – something to consider).

At the moment I think I’d have to say I prefer the Gibson but that might all change as I get used to the Mustang. I’m on the lookout for a medium Scale (32”) at the moment. I’d like to try one for a bit and if it doesn’t work for me (joints) then I’d pass it on.

If you know anyone with a short scale I’d suggest you have a go, maybe borrow one for a practice session where you play for a while with it. For the type of stuff I play both the Gibson and Mustang are OK, I have no idea if they lend themselves to popping and slapping – not my thing I’m afraid.

As you can see from some of the other replies there are quite a few to choose from, some easier to source than others and quite a range of prices.

Oggy