Short Scale Suggestions

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:17 am

Hmmm.......I'll keep an eye out for one....Are they a current model ?

hoptownbass · Post by **hoptownbass** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:51 pm

I have owned a Gretsch Broadkaster. It was a fine bass, just kind of bla (IMHO). There is a great company out of Texas that specializes in short scales basses. If you're into short scale basses check them out at www.birdsongguitar.com. They’re true artist and they won’t break your bank. I have one on order right now. The starting price is right around $1,500.

hoptownbass · Post by **hoptownbass** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:53 pm

I mistyped the web address...it is
www.birdsongguitars.com

Sorry

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:16 pm

Those are nice looking basses! Looks like a company worth checking out.

rumbush · Post by **rumbush** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:15 am

Heh I had the opposite reaction - not so nice looking. But hey, to each his (or her) own. Style-wise I guess I'm partial to single cutaway basses such as the Broadkaster, Guild M-85, and Hofner Club. Ah but to have a modern Rick short-scale bass...sigh.

Barry have you found anything yet that is worth your hard-earned pay?

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:31 pm

I checked out the Birdsongs a few months ago . Nice but Not enough pickup options for this ol single coil guy . Still looking at the Broadkaster . Have not found an M-85 too $$$$$ . Will probably go with a Fender Stu Hamm Urge 1 .

coreyk · Post by **coreyk** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:17 pm

A friend who plays primarily high-end long-scale basses can't say enough good things about her two Landing basses-they run approximately $1200 a copy with lots of options.

http://www.landingbass.com/New%20Main%20Page.html

Also, my wife plays a '98 Dano longhorn reissue as a short-scale alternative to her Jazz Bass...with a little intonation and fret work and a set of TI flats, you will get very, very old school sounds. We just got her a Yamaha NE-1 preamp to go with the '67 Fender Bassman amp (1 x15" in a combo cabinet)
and boy oh boy, will it "Take You There". It is capable of a good modern midrangey rock growl, too. This is a *lot* of bass for $300 or so.

What kind of amp rig are you running?

CK

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:28 pm

Hi Corey . I am using a Gallien-Krueger MB150S head with Avatar Neo 1-12 and Avatar Neo 210 cabs . A very mini but potent stack for the lower volumes I play at . I will check out the Landings and definately buy another Dano . I just bought an all Warmoth P bass with Jazz neck dimensions so I will see how the thin neck works for me .

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:21 pm

PS . Checked out the Landings......Very interesting.....I like the 32" 3 pickup model . My 77 AutumnGlo 4001 will be sold in December so maybe a Landing in the house . Thanks for the info .

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:23 am

Sorry, late to this thread.

I also have the Jay Turser JTB-134 and like it very much.
There's me playing mine at a gig:

http://www.beltwayrockers.com/bios.html

Barry C - I also had an intonation problem with my JTB-134. But brought it to the shop and now all is well.

My only complaint with the Turser is that the tone knob doesn't really change the tone at all very much. At least not to my ears.

The Birdsongs look very nice but I'm afraid $1500 right now for me does come close to breaking the bank.

If you are considering the budget route - the Ibanez GAXB is a great little machine.

http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/series.asp?s=gaxb&l=b

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:22 am

Thanks Mark . My Turser is a little different than yours . Different bridge I think . The Ibanez is interesting......looks like I could maybe fit a RIC HI Gain in there !

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:27 pm

I didn't read all this... Sorry. But I mean theres only like 5 pages

. Im a little behind. But How much of a difference is their within a long and short scale. And well the difference really help your hands that much? I have a short scale acoustic. I didn't notice it until playing it a few times. All the other are long scales then Iv played a 35 (i think.. cus most is 34 right?) and Iv never really noticed a difference in any of them. I just adapt like normal.

Just didn't think their would be enough difference to help any problems with your hands.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:53 pm

My bass from 35 years ago was short scale, and I did fine with it. Now my Rick feels normal, and if I try a short scale, I overshoot the mark! Go figure.

I will say playing a I-III-V with the I-III on the lower string (ala McCartney on his Hofner) is easier on a ss base.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:23 pm

Jacob . In my case.....I was playing a Dingwall Afterburner 5 string 37" scale and a 64 P Bass ..........no problem.....until I had a bad motorcycle accident........both wrists broken.....the scar tissue that developed during healing has created a rotation limitation in my left wrist.........can not reach the lower notes on the large neck Dingwall etc........I have discovered 30" scale or a narrow Jazz style neck is a little better to get around on . I also had my 4004 Cii converted to a 5 string ( Mr Rath ) so the E thru G are closer together . My 77 4001 has a very thin neck that is also easy to play.....but......I do not like the binding .

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:54 am

Jacob, funny you should ask. I just posted something about this over on the RIC site.
Here are some measurements.
The difference between the distance of the 2nd and 3rd fret on a 34" and a short-scale is only 3/32 of an inch. And you're right. That alone doesn't make much of a difference. However, if we add that up when spanning four frets with four fingers, it comes to about a 1/3 of an inch more that your hand has to spread (at the lower end). That can be a lot for people with small hands. I can play both, the small scale just feels more comfortable. It also looks better - better proportions compared to the human playing it.
[PS: Casady played a short-scale Guild for several years and now his signature model is standard length and he seems to be doing fine.]

Barry, interesting that your bridge might be different. I'm curious to see. Do you have a photo? I can post a close-up too of mine.