For the same reasons I've gone to a Hofner Verythin Contemporary short scale. Less than a $1000 and very high quality. If you get one get a case too. They're hard to find and it won't fit in gig bags.
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Short Scale
- Thread starter JimmyAZ
- Start date
if you stay with E standard tuning, they are great. I own 3 SS's. My build in my avatar is my new #1. Great playing and sounding ss.
The only negative I can think of is if you use it to knock things off high shelves at the grocery. Otherwise a short scale is a great option. And you likely won’t notice any difference.
Fun experiment before you buy. Capo your first couple frets and you can use a shoelace temporarily if you don’t have a capo. Tune as normal and play for a few minutes. That’s what you’ll get.
Fun experiment before you buy. Capo your first couple frets and you can use a shoelace temporarily if you don’t have a capo. Tune as normal and play for a few minutes. That’s what you’ll get.
I resisted the move to short scales for decades until I needed a smaller bass for more convenient travel. Today, a many great options are available new and used, and if you're interested in hollow, or semi-hollow body guitars, I don't think there's been a better time. Just like long scale basses, they all have different personalities. Lots of good suggestions from the posters above.
One word of caution though - although short scale bass scale lengths are pretty well established, the required actual string lengths (incorporating the silks) seem to differ dramatically between instrument and string manufacturer. I've found that it can often be challenging to fit the string of your choice to the instrument of your choice without either cutting silks or winding the thick part of the string.
One word of caution though - although short scale bass scale lengths are pretty well established, the required actual string lengths (incorporating the silks) seem to differ dramatically between instrument and string manufacturer. I've found that it can often be challenging to fit the string of your choice to the instrument of your choice without either cutting silks or winding the thick part of the string.
U5 is a great choice, I really should've gotten one of those instead of my American Performer Mustang. They aren't better enough to get rid of the Fender, but it's still amazing how great the quality is for a fraction of the price. The U5s I've tried have all been extremely comfortable and very resonant. Both pickups sound great and are noticeably quieter than my Mustang as well.
It's a somewhat different instrument, but no short comings whatsoever compared to an equal quality regular 34" instrument,
I doubt Stanley Clarke would have a short scale bass as his main if that was not the case (he also is an accomplished upright player, and is a tall man with huge hands, so that is not why).
I doubt Stanley Clarke would have a short scale bass as his main if that was not the case (he also is an accomplished upright player, and is a tall man with huge hands, so that is not why).
I was a Pbass guy that got into Rics , and then about 25 years ago I picked up a Dano Longhorn reissue that had just come out. Now at first I really didn’t care for the shorter scale but there was something about that little bass. It weighed next to nothing , it was really fun to play , and it sounded great.
I became a Dano guy.
Today I mostly play short scales , and one medium scale. I have about a dozen now , all quite different. My favourites have been the Danos , and a couple of Gibson short scales , and now a couple of Gretsches.
Here’s the Gibsons , and the Gretsches , the big orange one is a 32 scale.
I became a Dano guy.
Today I mostly play short scales , and one medium scale. I have about a dozen now , all quite different. My favourites have been the Danos , and a couple of Gibson short scales , and now a couple of Gretsches.
Here’s the Gibsons , and the Gretsches , the big orange one is a 32 scale.
I have a Talman , I dropped a Tbird pickup in it. Fat chunky neck , bit of neck dive , has some weight , but it sounds good.
No experience but the new SS "Sentinel" from Reverend caught my eye. If light weight is the goal Sweetwater is showing at least one iteration as low as 6 lb 3 oz.
Just a reminder OP asked for couch sized short scale and under $500 dollars. While some have made some great short scale bass recommendations, several have been large in physical dimensions and way more than $500.
Dimensions are really important for a couch bass and short scale models like G&L Fallout bass or short scales with tail piece bridges are not much smaller than a long scale/34” scale bass.
OP can you confirm what is more important for you, dimensions or scale?
I really like the Squier Classic Vibe Mustang basses, it’s bright with the tone all the way up but it fattens up nicely rolling the tone down to 75% I’ve had one in pretty much every color they’ve come in and they’ve all been great!
In my opinion there are really just two "problems" with short scale basses:
1) Many short scale basses are entry-level models, seemingly aimed at beginners, or to be an extra, "fun" bass for long scale players. These are the models that give short scale basses a poor reputation. If you want a short scale bass as your main instrument you should spend the same (or more) as you would for a good quality long scale bass. Avoid the cheapest models, most of them are more like toys, or practise instruments for kids (or maybe modding platforms at best IMO). But a GOOD short scale bass can be every bit as good as a long scale bass. At least if you also find strings that work for your playing style...
...which brings me to:
2) On a short scale bass there's a VERY fine line between too light gauge strings (causing fret buzz unless you play very softly or raise the action) and too heavy gauge strings (causing weird "out of tune" overtones in higher frets, particularly on the lower strings). If you go any heavier than 45-105 the tone/intonation in the upper frets will start to suffer. But 45-105 on a short scale bass will feel noticeably lighter than 45-105 on a long scale bass. The choice of decent quality short scale strings is rather poor, unless you prefer relatively low tension strings, and a supple "feel".
If you're used to playing 40-100 (or lighter) on a long scale bass you should be able to find strings that will work fine for your playing style on a short scale bass too. But if you're used to 45-105 hex core (or heavier) on a long scale bass, and want to be able to dig in relatively hard (fingerstyle) without excessive fret buzz, the choice of decent short scale strings becomes extremely limited. You may need to adapt your playing style a bit, and maybe also raise the action slightly higher than you're used to. The best choice of strings will of course depend on your playing style, what kind of music you play, and what type/gauge of strings you're used to on a long scale bass. But some of the short scale strings you find for sale are UTTERLY USELESS, no matter what kind of music you play. Rotosound short scale strings are probably the worst strings you will even find (and I love Roto long scale strings). I honestly don't understand how anyone can play the short scale Roto 66s. They're too supple/loose to even hold a steady enough pitch to tune them properly! And unless you play them with a feather (or raise the action sky high) they will buzz like crazy. I can't believe they still sell this junk.
I think it's also worth noting that the stiffness of many (but not all) flats can be a good thing on short scale basses. I can only think of ONE type of roundwound short scale strings that work for my playing style, that I also like the tone of: Pyramid Pure Nickels 45-105. With flats I can think of at least three different types that I love on a short scale bass: Pyramid Golds, LaBella DTFs and D'Addario Chomes. In fact, Chromes are a very good example of what I'm talking about. I absolutely hate them on long scale basses. I find them stiff, unresponsive, inarticulate. But this extra stiffness means they work much better for me on a short scale bass, where the stiffness compensates for the lower tension. But this is of course for MY taste and MY playing style. The best choice of strings will of course always be very subjective.
1) Many short scale basses are entry-level models, seemingly aimed at beginners, or to be an extra, "fun" bass for long scale players. These are the models that give short scale basses a poor reputation. If you want a short scale bass as your main instrument you should spend the same (or more) as you would for a good quality long scale bass. Avoid the cheapest models, most of them are more like toys, or practise instruments for kids (or maybe modding platforms at best IMO). But a GOOD short scale bass can be every bit as good as a long scale bass. At least if you also find strings that work for your playing style...
...which brings me to:
2) On a short scale bass there's a VERY fine line between too light gauge strings (causing fret buzz unless you play very softly or raise the action) and too heavy gauge strings (causing weird "out of tune" overtones in higher frets, particularly on the lower strings). If you go any heavier than 45-105 the tone/intonation in the upper frets will start to suffer. But 45-105 on a short scale bass will feel noticeably lighter than 45-105 on a long scale bass. The choice of decent quality short scale strings is rather poor, unless you prefer relatively low tension strings, and a supple "feel".
If you're used to playing 40-100 (or lighter) on a long scale bass you should be able to find strings that will work fine for your playing style on a short scale bass too. But if you're used to 45-105 hex core (or heavier) on a long scale bass, and want to be able to dig in relatively hard (fingerstyle) without excessive fret buzz, the choice of decent short scale strings becomes extremely limited. You may need to adapt your playing style a bit, and maybe also raise the action slightly higher than you're used to. The best choice of strings will of course depend on your playing style, what kind of music you play, and what type/gauge of strings you're used to on a long scale bass. But some of the short scale strings you find for sale are UTTERLY USELESS, no matter what kind of music you play. Rotosound short scale strings are probably the worst strings you will even find (and I love Roto long scale strings). I honestly don't understand how anyone can play the short scale Roto 66s. They're too supple/loose to even hold a steady enough pitch to tune them properly! And unless you play them with a feather (or raise the action sky high) they will buzz like crazy. I can't believe they still sell this junk.
I think it's also worth noting that the stiffness of many (but not all) flats can be a good thing on short scale basses. I can only think of ONE type of roundwound short scale strings that work for my playing style, that I also like the tone of: Pyramid Pure Nickels 45-105. With flats I can think of at least three different types that I love on a short scale bass: Pyramid Golds, LaBella DTFs and D'Addario Chomes. In fact, Chromes are a very good example of what I'm talking about. I absolutely hate them on long scale basses. I find them stiff, unresponsive, inarticulate. But this extra stiffness means they work much better for me on a short scale bass, where the stiffness compensates for the lower tension. But this is of course for MY taste and MY playing style. The best choice of strings will of course always be very subjective.
Thanks. Yes dimensions are it. When I get a chance going to the Guitar Center and try some out. I know we all hate GC but where else will have any chance of a selection? LOL
77stingray
Supporting Member
You should check out an Acinonyx. The weigh about 6.5 pounds and they are one of the few 4 string basses that have 17mm string spacing.
Not a fan of GC either but it is a great place to get your hands on something. When you go to GC look for the Kala UBass solid body, that will give you a feel for the 23” scale. Try out a Ibanez Micro or Squier Mini P that will give you the feel of the 28” scale. Then try out Squier Sonic Bronco that will get you the feel of the 30” scale. GC usually has all those models on hand.
I had a Squier Bronco Bass back in the day and it played and sounded pretty good, only $200, and you can get a rail replacement style pickup to mod it if if you want to beef up the sound.
Have fun at GC
Limited addition purple broncos on sale at fender.
www.fender.com
AFAIK. These style strat rail pups are a drop in replacement for the bronco.
Limited Edition Squier Sonic® Bronco® Bass | Squier Electric Basses
FSR Squier Sonic® Bronco® Bass, Maple Fingerboard, Black Pickguard, Ultraviolet
AFAIK. These style strat rail pups are a drop in replacement for the bronco.
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As an update for those who have offered advice I will be having a lesson with my bass teacher SUnday and will ask his opinion before going to GuitarCenter probably Monday.
Thanks for all the tips.
Thanks for all the tips.