The Tone Thread

[muttley]

They are some of the best funkmeister bass's... Love em..

[Greg_L]

Short scale for the win.

[JD01]

Don't know if there's any drawbacks to short scale, but I could just play this thing like it was a guitar.

[Greg_L]

Don't know if there's any drawbacks to short scale, but I could just play this thing like it was a guitar.

Because it's a short scale.

[JD01]

Don't know if there's any drawbacks to short scale, but I could just play this thing like it was a guitar.

Because it's a short scale.

Just wondering if there are any drawbacks over a normal scale bass - I like my normal jazz bass but thing was even better (aside from the weird strings).

[JD01]

This wasn't quite what I was expecting
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/risks-of- ... le-2124837

[rayc]

I currently have one short bass but have owned another. I also have two normal scale + a 5 string.
Short scale are great fun, easy to play & not much loss of low end as a result.
The 5 string I have I don't get along with at all. I did some research and the common responses are that if you play a 5 you have to relearn to play bass as a 5 OR start with a 5. Personally I'd prefer a 5 that was strung low E to high B - that wouldn't require the brain gym.
I actually saw the same model short scale that I started on (in 74) on a music gear page on fb a week a go. It was up for sale with no price so I contacted the bloke & asked what he wanted for it, (it had a badly reset bolt on neck - the bolts weren't in straight, a replacement bridge which left holes on either side from the original etc etc), and he reckons he paid $800 for it a couple of years ago & wanted at least $450 - as the famous quote from "The Castle" goes...""tell him he's dreaming". I did tell him it cost $70 in 74 and I'd pass thank you very much.
Back to the story - short scale are fun and can sound great.
oh, flats - LOVE em. They'll give you a different tone for certain - older more trad bass tone - but they feel beautiful, sound fab but a short scale set of flats would be a little expensive, (as are all bass strings for that matter).

[rayc]

This wasn't quite what I was expecting
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/risks-of- ... le-2124837

Punny

[Greg_L]

Just wondering if there are any drawbacks over a normal scale bass - I like my normal jazz bass but thing was even better (aside from the weird strings).

Did you notice any drawbacks? Probably not because there aren't any. "Regular" bass strings might feel a bit more slinky. That's not really a drawback and there are sets for short scale basses.

The only "drawback" might be that normal scale bass players may scoff at you. But who the fuck cares what a bass player thinks anyway?

[JD01]

Cheers, I think I will look at getting a short scale at some point - maybe if I get a lot of new songs on the go at once that all need new basslines written.

Lately my basslines have got quite fast and stretchy and I've noticed that I do get a lot of aching hands and fingers, this could be just the sort of thing I need.

[JD01]

Just wondering if there are any drawbacks over a normal scale bass - I like my normal jazz bass but thing was even better (aside from the weird strings).

Did you notice any drawbacks? Probably not because there aren't any. "Regular" bass strings might feel a bit more slinky. That's not really a drawback and there are sets for short scale basses.

The only "drawback" might be that normal scale bass players may scoff at you. But who the fuck cares what a bass player thinks anyway?

I didn't notice any drawbacks - just wondering if there was anything I didn't think of. Ben (Bristol house mate) who's actually a really good bass player and also plays double bass in a couple of bands said it really wouldn't be any sort of drawback for the sort of music I play.

I wouldn't want to play with flatwounds though, didn't like that at all!

One thing I have been getting when I play lots of fast stretchy baselines is a blister on the side of the tip of my little finger from sliding up to notes that I can't reach quickly.

[Greg_L]

Cheers, I think I will look at getting a short scale at some point - maybe if I get a lot of new songs on the go at once that all need new basslines written.

Lately my basslines have got quite fast and stretchy and I've noticed that I do get a lot of aching hands and fingers, this could be just the sort of thing I need.

If I was interested in getting a new bass, I'd get a short scale in a heartbeat.

[JD01]

If I was interested in getting a new bass, I'd get a short scale in a heartbeat.

Yeah - just didn't consider it when I was shopping. I was purely looking at Squire Vintage Modified basses. You use a P-Bass don't you?

Last night Ben was playing all his funk stuff on it and it sounded great, I was playing my usual fast punky stuff with pick and it sounded great too - I'm gonna keep an eye out for a deal on one over the next few months.

[JD01]

They even do a Squire VM version of it!
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sq ... ass-guitar
I think I could just get one and get Ben to set it up the same as his.

Also, this:
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-vintage ... -red/49443
Supercheap!

[Greg_L]

Yeah - just didn't consider it when I was shopping. I was purely looking at Squire Vintage Modified basses. You use a P-Bass don't you?

Last night Ben was playing all his funk stuff on it and it sounded great, I was playing my usual fast punky stuff with pick and it sounded great too - I'm gonna keep an eye out for a deal on one over the next few months.

I've pretty much always used P-Basses. I love them, but a short scale would be fine too. The difference in scale length will make zero difference in tone for what and how I play. I just don't care that much. I'd only consider a short scale if I were actually looking for a bass.

Some people say a short scale can actually sound fatter because the lower tension in the strings creates fewer high end overtones. That might be true.

[JD01]

Some people say a short scale can actually sound fatter because the lower tension in the strings creates fewer high end overtones. That might be true.

Not sure I'd either notice or care.

[WhiskeyJack]

I just spent a few hours playing on one of these:

My house mate in my rental place in Bristol bought it a couple of weeks ago. Really nice bass. Super easy to play, really comfortable... I've got a bit of bass envy! He's a funk/soul player (he's really fucking good) and he has flat wounds on it which was a bit weird, but it still felt really nice. All his other basses of 5 strings and I just can't get on with them. But this one is really nice.

I have played one of these before and i loved it. Bit of a shorter scale than my Pbass and drea mto play. If i am ever in the market for another bass (lol) i made my mind up i am definitely getting one of those!

I mentioned a Gretsch bass in another thread here a few weeks ago. They are also short scale, price is super low for what you are getting and i dare say played much much nicer than those SC Mustang Rigs.

For your consideration.

[muttley]

The only real and factual disadvantage on a short scale bass is the options for string gauge and tension you can get. My best mate who is a pro session bass player has both and will use whatever suits the gig. Long scale for the deeper growl and short scale for the funchier grind. If you are happy with the range of string gauge and string tension then you would be good...

[WhiskeyJack]

RayC got me interested in a Mel9 pedal. I would likely use it here and there. Just keep watching / waiting for a respectable deal

Mellotron VSTs. Free. Save yourself hundreds of dollars.

Is that so. Welll i will have to poke around and see if i can track them down. thanks Armi!!!

[liv_rong]

Its weird because I think mine is 34" but it looks short to me.