Cheap bass for recording stuff - Harley Benton PB-20 vs PB-shorty

[RoderickF]

Hi guys !
I bought my first bass a few months ago (I've been playing the guitar for 10 years) which is the Harley Benton PB-50 and I love it ! It's a bargain. For the price, it is the perfect bass to play classic rock, jazz and R'n'B but the single coil pup isn't really efficient for recording 'cause it creates a lot of noise.

Now I'm looking for a second bass (with a split coil pup) for all my recording (metal) stuff and I'll replace the pickups with EMG PHZ.
I don't know what would be the better choice : the PB-20 or the PB-shorty (a short scale bass).

In fact the thickness of the neck isn't a problem for me but a thinner neck could be interesting for an electric guitar player and maybe the right choice for techniqual metal riffs 'cause my hands aren't really big and having two very different basses could be great.
Does a short scale bass can lack of mid punch ?

You guys were very helpful when I was looking for a first bass so I can't wait to read your advice.
Thank you in advance

(I'm sorry for my english, I'm french)

 

[kodiakblair]

I had the PB-20. Solid dependable bass. Sold it to a young metal guitarist so he could record bass tracks,sounds a bit like yourself

He had it featured in his next YT video 24 hours later so I'd say he was pleased with it.
Personally I'd suggest going with the PB-20 as it does the job well and importantly the choice and availability of strings is much greater.

 

[RoderickF]

Thanks for your reply kodiakblair Yes, he does sound like me ! Ahah
However avaibility of strings isn't a problem, I found some great short scale strings on the internet.

1-0 for the PB-20 over the shorty