Short Scale vs Long Scale

bobross · Post by **bobross** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 7:36 am

I purchased a Rogue copy of a Hofner violin bass a while back and while I'm pleased with the action and playability, I was wondering about the advantages of switching to a Ric Bass for recording. I made the Rogue purchase because of my small hands, but it's a bit lacking in clarity and definition. Switching to the Ric would require me to add more leaps and slides to my technique because of my small hands. Any comments or advise as what to expect sonically with recording the Ric?

Thanks...

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 7:40 am

John,, Ric made a model number "3000" (and a 2030, I think), which were short scale basses. Perhaps that's the answer.

iamthebassman · Post by **iamthebassman** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:35 am

You want "clarity and definition"? Then a cheap Hofner knock-off is not the way to go. If that's what you're looking for in a short-scale I would suggest a Dano Longhorn reissue for about the same $$ as the Rogue. It's a hollowbody, short-scale with plenty of tone variations.

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:24 am

For that matter, if you want clarity and definition, a REAL Hofner ain't the way to go either! I own two, and have had dozens, and none of them, new or old had any clarity. Cool basses, but very one-dimensional. Ronn is 100% on the Dano. My Longhorn Reissue is the best sounding short or medium scale bass I've owned.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:00 am

Dave, the 2030 is long scale, a development of the 3001. Only the 3000 was short scale. There were, supposedly, a handful of experimental 4001 short scale, but documentation has not been discovered to prove it.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:30 am

Yes, the Danelectro longhorn reissues out there are quite cool. They have amazingly good sound and they are easy to play.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:33 am

the 2030 is 33 1/2" scale like the 4003 but it has a slim neck like a jazz bass ... the 2020 has a neck profile that is pretty much like a 4004 ...

bobross · Post by **bobross** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 2:49 pm

"For that matter, if you want clarity and definition, a REAL Hofner ain't the way to go either!"

That's one of the reasons I didn't drop two grand for the Hofner.

I think that I'll try the Longhorn before I go with the Ric. I noticed from the ones on eBay that the intonation couldn't be adjusted from the bridge (no surprise there), but is it acceptable?

Thanks for all the info.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:31 pm

If anyone is interested in a 3001, I know of one in the Detroit area for sale...(not mine..saw it on Craigslist for sale today)
http://detroit.craigslist.org/for/154876858.html

fran4001 · Post by **fran4001** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:58 pm

Bobross, the Danos are marginally adjustable by sliding the wooden bridge, if it's an original 50s/60s or late 90s reissue. If it's one of the '06 reissues, it'll have the improved adjustable saddles. I think that bridge is also available as a replacement.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:46 pm

I had a 90s reissue that would intonate perfectly with that sliding bridge.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:56 pm

Rickenbackers are great for recording, if you can swing the scale length.

Another short-scale option is the Fender Mustang bass:

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0253900540

I don't have any first-hand experience with the Mustang, but I've seen at least one bassist I really like (in Sloan, from Canada) use them, and it's another option for you. The Dano might work well, too. Good luck!

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:10 pm

I guess im kinda lucky. Most of my basses are long scale but one is short scale and i hardly notice it. I can tell its shorter but as far as playing it any differently it doesnt effect me. I can hardly tell. Then again I played a 35" fretless 5string and hardly noticed the difference.

Theres always this option,
http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=839752
Just messing around.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:13 pm

Wouldn't it be cool if Rickenbacker introduced a short-scale bass with an ultra-slim neck?

Do you think there'd be any demand for them?

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:41 pm

I'd buy one. What I always thought would be cool is if they took a guitar body and just put a 30"-scale neck on it . . . even better if the guitar body happens to be a 430 or whatever the "cresting wave"-shape guitars were . . . then it'd just be like a mini Ric bass, and the shorter neck wouldn't look awkward, because the body would be smaller too . . .