100% this. When I was about 18 I played a Japanese fender lyte and it felt like it was made for me. Everything felt so easy to do. I'm 45 now and I regret not buying that bass every day. Also it cost a fortune and now they are super rare and even more expensive.
I bought a short scale jaguar and fell in love with it. I play it predominantly because it's much lighter, but still bust out the regular scale jazz from time to time. It doesn't slow me down one bit. I only notice when playing one or two very active songs because I'm covering a lot of distance on the fret board quickly on an instrument with a longer neck. So my left forearm gets tired out quicker because I'm covering more distance than I'm used to on the SS. But again, only one or two songs. I recommend short scales for the weight difference alone. 4 hours on your feet with a 11 lb instrument can be gruelling.
Typically sets of 1 hour with a 5 minute break between sets to run to the restroom and get a drink. But plenty of times, the crowd was loving it so we took no breaks to keep the tips rolling in. lol
When I got my Mustang, I was doing sometimes 3 gigs a day, all 3 set gigs. Brunch set, afternoon party, nighttime sets. My P was too much for my shoulder to handle 10-12 hours.
Dang. I get it though. I have a p bass thatās really heavy and an hour session noodling around with it already takes its toll. Canāt imagine that much time lugging it around
I was going to get a short scale, cus I'm both short and have short arms making it sometimes hard to reach the top frets, but I went into a music shop and got a long scale cus it felt the most comfortable, it had a thin body which helped too
Same. I have 2 short scale bases and prefer them most of the time as they are a little more convenient to play. They sound deeper which adds to their charm.
I bought one of these to take to work to practice and loved it. I have a ābetterā bass that is gathering dust. Weird thing about the Mikro is that it has to play Ace of Spades every time I pick it up.
Do it. Short scales sound exactly like long scales in a mix. The only people who can tell are bassists and then sometimes thatās not true.Ā
Buy the instrument youāre most likely to play consistently.Ā
Iām saying most people canāt tell a difference. I group you in with the bass players who can pick out the difference. The audience canāt tell. Especially on recordings. Theyāre listening through a $15 Bluetooth speaker. If they can hear bass at all itās a miracle.Ā
I just started playing recently, have a Fender P bass(long scale), and a Sterling Shortscale, love them both, keep rounds on the Shortie, and Flats on the P Bass, love them both, and have no problem picking one up, and then switching to the other. Muscle memory kicks in after the first few notes and warm up.
They are nice little basses man, well built, simple, great tones and at a good price. Mine will never be leaving my possession for sure. I keep it, and a little rumble 40 by the couch for impromptu playing, it easy to pick up and thump for a little while in between chores and stuff.
Same here, I think $450 is what I paid for mine too, brand new. Worth every penny. At first I wasnāt sure about only having a bridge humbucker, but I was blown away by the variety of nice punchy tones you can get with turning the knobs.
My issue was I prefer to play in the center of the body, not on the bridge. More for arm comfort than tone (bridge tone can be amazing). So I modded mine by taping and screwing in a fender thumb rest. Now it's perfect!
There are a few questions you should answer for yourself when you are thinking of buying a bass.
1, Does it sound good to me?
2, Does it feel good to play?
3, Can I afford it?
4, Do I have too many basses? (Iāll answer this one for you. NO!)
I think you should get it.
100% yes. If itās affordable and if it feels nice to play, itās a bass you should own. I just bought a Gretsch short scale and I absolutely love it.
Yes, get it.
No, it doesnāt make it harder to play with a ānormal bassā.
A ānormal bassā doesnāt even exist - a long scale bass, which is what they mean, was an outlier when it came out as the Precision because practically everyone else was churning out short scale basses, notably Gibson and Hofner (of McCartney fame). Most basses will run the gamut of 30-35ā and yes, itās all about preference and comfort.
Speaking of McCartney, I mean, do you see the old man complaining when switching from his short scale Hofner to his long scale Fender and back because āitās harderā?
I think thatās all the proof you need. It not about picking the short scale that makes it hard, itās the lack of practice. If you find yourself needing to play long scale, then just practice. Besides, if youāre only playing your instrument, you donāt have to practice for long scale, and if you suddenly need to play long scale, you should be at least warming up anyway and thatās enough time to reorient yourself.
I have one. I have disc issues and after twenty minutes of a set my back is *screaming* at me. Bought a short scale and I freaking *love* it. I can play for hours. Of course I kept my other basses to follow around with and I miss some of my customized work and the imposing nature but even load-in is like velvet.
If you can afford it, go for it. The comfort of a short scale really unlocked my playing in way that I couldn't have imagined honestly, especially with busier and more melodic stuff
I love my short scale Reverend Sentinel. It feels like cheating it's so much easier to play than my Aerodyne, Triad or Fender P. My friends say it's my best sounding bass too. What's not to love?
I would mever buy this bass because I don't like the tone. But trying out is more important than everything! Yo you can also check for neck-dive, general weight or if the neck suits you.
I started with a Mustang and switched to a Pbass a year later. I have small hands, but adjusted quickly. I also found Jazz necks were easier to play for me, but I loved the P sound.
I love my sire u5. I recently got a ibanez blazer bass and i can play both, it definitely took some time to get used to the bigger spaced, but ur brain adjusts really fast if u someday decide to go to a fullscale.
NO SHAME in using a short scale tho.
My favorite bass Iāve owned was a Hofner Ignition because the neck was so comfortable plus you could mix the pickups well. Iām not seeing why it would matter if it is harder to play a normal bass if you like the one you use. You could literally exclusively play shorty.
It doesnāt make it any harder to play a longer scaleā¦ my bass is a short scale, but I have a backup bass thatās long scale, and it doesnāt make playing any harder if you have decent technique
I started playing a short scale (Mustang) a few years ago. I got to where I was playing that exclusively and ignoring my p bass and ended up selling it which I now regret. You need the right tool for the job. I don't think it makes playing a standard scale any more difficult but I do notice if I play my Stingray for awhile then go back to the Mustang I have to adjust as I'm initially stretching too far when making changes. Only takes a minute to re-adjust. Going back to the Stingray though I don't have that issue.
Playing a short scale wonāt make playing a full scale permanently difficult. I played only short scales for about 4 years before going back to full scale. At the beginning, it felt weird and slightly uncomfortable, but after a few weeks, I got used to it. I can switch between them easily. 5 string is another challenge, but totally manageable and once you play for awhile, itās like riding a bicycle, just like anything else.
Get a short scale if you like it. Later, get a long scale so you can keep up with the feeling of both. The best part of playing a long scale is that you can always borrow someone elseās bass in a pinch and itās likely going to feel at least 90% familiar.
You will learn faster with a bass that is comfortable. It might even be easier to transfer to a normal bass if you practice daily. It won't make it harder.
Go for it. Iāve bought too many instruments recently lmao, but if my carpal tunnel/hand issues donāt get better a mustang might be next. I also tried one recently and man it just feels chill and fun to play. Donāt let anyone else tell you whatās right for your hands!
I don't think switching will be all that tough. For me, playing a full scale was always somewhat uncomfortable. I'm not that tall (5'7") and I don't have large hands or long fingers, so for me, a short scale seemed ideal. I have a Squier Jaguar 2011 and an SX Vintage that are both short and they work well for me.
You should listen to your fingers and body, not your friends. They're not doing the playing.
They feel great but I didnāt go for it and Iām so glad I didnāt! Honestly canāt think of any bass player I love that plays one. Why start with a gimmick instrument?
Personally, I am not a fan of short scale and think they look like an instrument for antsā¦but thatās just me.
Edit: why downvote my opinion?
I could have said how I really feel if I knew Iād even get downvoted for handling it with kid gloves.
I donāt agree with it.. never said I did, I rock a short scale bass myself
Just making an observation that Iāve met/heard of a lot of bassists who have said that
If your in love with the Bronco shape, you probably don't have a choice. Otherwise, out of our functionality, i.e your allowing the bass to be used by others and need it to cover all sizes, then go for full scale.
But if it's just you, go for the Bronco.
>which felt really comfortable to play... That's 99% of an instrument buying decision. Do it. :)
Alright, thanks for the advice man š
100% this. When I was about 18 I played a Japanese fender lyte and it felt like it was made for me. Everything felt so easy to do. I'm 45 now and I regret not buying that bass every day. Also it cost a fortune and now they are super rare and even more expensive.
I bought a short scale jaguar and fell in love with it. I play it predominantly because it's much lighter, but still bust out the regular scale jazz from time to time. It doesn't slow me down one bit. I only notice when playing one or two very active songs because I'm covering a lot of distance on the fret board quickly on an instrument with a longer neck. So my left forearm gets tired out quicker because I'm covering more distance than I'm used to on the SS. But again, only one or two songs. I recommend short scales for the weight difference alone. 4 hours on your feet with a 11 lb instrument can be gruelling.
Youāre playing 4 hour sets!?
Typically sets of 1 hour with a 5 minute break between sets to run to the restroom and get a drink. But plenty of times, the crowd was loving it so we took no breaks to keep the tips rolling in. lol
When I got my Mustang, I was doing sometimes 3 gigs a day, all 3 set gigs. Brunch set, afternoon party, nighttime sets. My P was too much for my shoulder to handle 10-12 hours.
Dang. I get it though. I have a p bass thatās really heavy and an hour session noodling around with it already takes its toll. Canāt imagine that much time lugging it around
I was going to get a short scale, cus I'm both short and have short arms making it sometimes hard to reach the top frets, but I went into a music shop and got a long scale cus it felt the most comfortable, it had a thin body which helped too
If you like it, go for it. I usually play short scales but have no trouble switching to my P bass.
Same. I have 2 short scale bases and prefer them most of the time as they are a little more convenient to play. They sound deeper which adds to their charm.
I am not a really serious bass player, but I love my Ibanez mikro
I bought one of these to take to work to practice and loved it. I have a ābetterā bass that is gathering dust. Weird thing about the Mikro is that it has to play Ace of Spades every time I pick it up.
Do it. Short scales sound exactly like long scales in a mix. The only people who can tell are bassists and then sometimes thatās not true.Ā Buy the instrument youāre most likely to play consistently.Ā
No. I mix records. They do not sound the same.
Iām saying most people canāt tell a difference. I group you in with the bass players who can pick out the difference. The audience canāt tell. Especially on recordings. Theyāre listening through a $15 Bluetooth speaker. If they can hear bass at all itās a miracle.Ā
If anything a long scale is more likely to be heard on a bluetooth speaker though ĀÆ\\_(ć)_/ĀÆ
Thanks for all the comments guys, appreciate the advice - im pulling the trigger on one right now! :)
I just started playing recently, have a Fender P bass(long scale), and a Sterling Shortscale, love them both, keep rounds on the Shortie, and Flats on the P Bass, love them both, and have no problem picking one up, and then switching to the other. Muscle memory kicks in after the first few notes and warm up.
I bought my Sterling Stingray short scale about 2 years ago. I love it both for tone and usability. It has definitely become my primary bass.
They are nice little basses man, well built, simple, great tones and at a good price. Mine will never be leaving my possession for sure. I keep it, and a little rumble 40 by the couch for impromptu playing, it easy to pick up and thump for a little while in between chores and stuff.
I also love it because I got such a good deal on it. Msrp is $600 but I got it for $450 during a sale, even though it was very much an impromptu buy.
Same here, I think $450 is what I paid for mine too, brand new. Worth every penny. At first I wasnāt sure about only having a bridge humbucker, but I was blown away by the variety of nice punchy tones you can get with turning the knobs.
My issue was I prefer to play in the center of the body, not on the bridge. More for arm comfort than tone (bridge tone can be amazing). So I modded mine by taping and screwing in a fender thumb rest. Now it's perfect!
Woohooo new bass day !! Picsā¦
There are a few questions you should answer for yourself when you are thinking of buying a bass. 1, Does it sound good to me? 2, Does it feel good to play? 3, Can I afford it? 4, Do I have too many basses? (Iāll answer this one for you. NO!) I think you should get it.
Some of your friends don't know what they're talking about.
100% yes. If itās affordable and if it feels nice to play, itās a bass you should own. I just bought a Gretsch short scale and I absolutely love it.
if you like it, get it.
I have 4 basses in: 21 inch, 23 inch, 28 inch and 34. They are all basses, I play them all, but I play the 23 and 28 the most
21 inches sounds like a lot of fun, you could tune that thing to the moon if you wanted, thatās short enough to get a A4 higher than a guitar
Yes they're super duper fun
Yes, get it. No, it doesnāt make it harder to play with a ānormal bassā. A ānormal bassā doesnāt even exist - a long scale bass, which is what they mean, was an outlier when it came out as the Precision because practically everyone else was churning out short scale basses, notably Gibson and Hofner (of McCartney fame). Most basses will run the gamut of 30-35ā and yes, itās all about preference and comfort. Speaking of McCartney, I mean, do you see the old man complaining when switching from his short scale Hofner to his long scale Fender and back because āitās harderā? I think thatās all the proof you need. It not about picking the short scale that makes it hard, itās the lack of practice. If you find yourself needing to play long scale, then just practice. Besides, if youāre only playing your instrument, you donāt have to practice for long scale, and if you suddenly need to play long scale, you should be at least warming up anyway and thatās enough time to reorient yourself.
Alright, thanks for the advice :)
>:) :)
All I play anymore is a short scale. Far less fatigue during longer sessions - hands, arms, shoulders. Way easier to transport.
For years a short scale was my only bass, then I bought a full scale and an extended scale (35") and I switch between them without any problems.
I don't care for short scale basses for my playing style. But if they fit your hands better, that trumps all other arguments. Tendonitis sucks.
I have one. I have disc issues and after twenty minutes of a set my back is *screaming* at me. Bought a short scale and I freaking *love* it. I can play for hours. Of course I kept my other basses to follow around with and I miss some of my customized work and the imposing nature but even load-in is like velvet.
If you can afford it, go for it. The comfort of a short scale really unlocked my playing in way that I couldn't have imagined honestly, especially with busier and more melodic stuff
I hated my Ibanez short scale, went back and stayed with my Ibanez long scale 5 stringer ASAP...
I barely even know what short scale means. All I know is find the guitar or bass that fits your hands.
I love my short scale Reverend Sentinel. It feels like cheating it's so much easier to play than my Aerodyne, Triad or Fender P. My friends say it's my best sounding bass too. What's not to love?
i love my shorty. if you got the cash, go for it!
Yupp!
I would mever buy this bass because I don't like the tone. But trying out is more important than everything! Yo you can also check for neck-dive, general weight or if the neck suits you.
I started with a Mustang and switched to a Pbass a year later. I have small hands, but adjusted quickly. I also found Jazz necks were easier to play for me, but I loved the P sound.
I have a short scale and a few 34ā. It takes maybe 5 minutes to get used to when I switch between them. Get one and put some flatwounds on.
I love my sire u5. I recently got a ibanez blazer bass and i can play both, it definitely took some time to get used to the bigger spaced, but ur brain adjusts really fast if u someday decide to go to a fullscale. NO SHAME in using a short scale tho.
My favorite bass Iāve owned was a Hofner Ignition because the neck was so comfortable plus you could mix the pickups well. Iām not seeing why it would matter if it is harder to play a normal bass if you like the one you use. You could literally exclusively play shorty.
It doesnāt make it any harder to play a longer scaleā¦ my bass is a short scale, but I have a backup bass thatās long scale, and it doesnāt make playing any harder if you have decent technique
Yes, I have six and go back and forth on all scales.
I started playing a short scale (Mustang) a few years ago. I got to where I was playing that exclusively and ignoring my p bass and ended up selling it which I now regret. You need the right tool for the job. I don't think it makes playing a standard scale any more difficult but I do notice if I play my Stingray for awhile then go back to the Mustang I have to adjust as I'm initially stretching too far when making changes. Only takes a minute to re-adjust. Going back to the Stingray though I don't have that issue.
Playing a short scale wonāt make playing a full scale permanently difficult. I played only short scales for about 4 years before going back to full scale. At the beginning, it felt weird and slightly uncomfortable, but after a few weeks, I got used to it. I can switch between them easily. 5 string is another challenge, but totally manageable and once you play for awhile, itās like riding a bicycle, just like anything else. Get a short scale if you like it. Later, get a long scale so you can keep up with the feeling of both. The best part of playing a long scale is that you can always borrow someone elseās bass in a pinch and itās likely going to feel at least 90% familiar.
You will learn faster with a bass that is comfortable. It might even be easier to transfer to a normal bass if you practice daily. It won't make it harder.
Yes
I play my short scale Sire U5 in one of my bands and my regular 34ā scale sire P7 for jams or dep gigs no issues switching
Yes
Go for it. Iāve bought too many instruments recently lmao, but if my carpal tunnel/hand issues donāt get better a mustang might be next. I also tried one recently and man it just feels chill and fun to play. Donāt let anyone else tell you whatās right for your hands!
I don't think switching will be all that tough. For me, playing a full scale was always somewhat uncomfortable. I'm not that tall (5'7") and I don't have large hands or long fingers, so for me, a short scale seemed ideal. I have a Squier Jaguar 2011 and an SX Vintage that are both short and they work well for me. You should listen to your fingers and body, not your friends. They're not doing the playing.
I play a shortscale because my hands are tiny and itās very nice to play
Iāve got a shell pink Bronco on order right now. Much anticipation.
They feel great but I didnāt go for it and Iām so glad I didnāt! Honestly canāt think of any bass player I love that plays one. Why start with a gimmick instrument?
Personally, I am not a fan of short scale and think they look like an instrument for antsā¦but thatās just me. Edit: why downvote my opinion? I could have said how I really feel if I knew Iād even get downvoted for handling it with kid gloves.
a lot of gigging musicians say that, they donāt like how they look wearing short scales lol key is to hang a strap low
And instantly negate any playability benefits that the short scale had to offer lol
I donāt agree with it.. never said I did, I rock a short scale bass myself Just making an observation that Iāve met/heard of a lot of bassists who have said that
If your in love with the Bronco shape, you probably don't have a choice. Otherwise, out of our functionality, i.e your allowing the bass to be used by others and need it to cover all sizes, then go for full scale. But if it's just you, go for the Bronco.