Oops double post

I had a Univox Hi Flier bass. An ebay impulse buy maybe 10 years ago. I thought it was a steal at $165. Once I set it up as best I could, the neck still had a bow and the saddles were all the way down. It didn't feel like a 30" scale, neck felt a mile long. It was one of the lightest instruments I've ever played. Couldn't have been more than like 6lb. Lighter than most (all?) of my guitars. Electronics were touchy. I wanted to love it, but it wasn't great. Ultimately played and felt exactly like a $165 bass. Although if I saw another one for that price I'd probably buy it again and try and fix it up better.

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:22 am In my old garage rock band I exclusively play short scales because its a little bit more of an acrobatic affair and short scales feels a little more comfortable like that.

It's def easier to play busy stuff on a short scale. Cf McCartney, Jack Bruce.

penningtron wrote:

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:22 am

penningtron wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:01 am Most people I know who play these put flatwounds on them. Is that a correct assessment?

Not sure, dont know who you know.

hah.. ok better worded I meant is that a thing most people do for short scale basses?

If you like flats, I think a short scale would be suited to them, given the lack of overall zinginess to the sound. I don't like flats for my own purposes, even for deep "heartbeat" bass, though I've heard plenty of people make them sound good.

eephus wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 3:34 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:22 am In my old garage rock band I exclusively play short scales because its a little bit more of an acrobatic affair and short scales feels a little more comfortable like that.

It's def easier to play busy stuff on a short scale. Cf McCartney, Jack Bruce.

HA. I meant acrobatic in the traditional definition.

ac·ro·bat·ic
/ˌakrəˈbadik/
adjective

performing, involving, or adept at spectacular gymnastic feats.

They are fun. I play them completely different than I do a full scale bass, so I think having one around is a fun option. I never play my shorty with fingies... they are pick basses. And chords are fun on them. Nc!

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 4:01 pm

eephus wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 3:34 pm

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Wed Mar 08, 2023 10:22 am In my old garage rock band I exclusively play short scales because its a little bit more of an acrobatic affair and short scales feels a little more comfortable like that.

It's def easier to play busy stuff on a short scale. Cf McCartney, Jack Bruce.

HA. I meant acrobatic in the traditional definition.

ac·ro·bat·ic
/ˌakrəˈbadik/
adjective

performing, involving, or adept at spectacular gymnastic feats.

I love watching bass players get super into playing. I used to be fucking drenched after a show when I was playing. I'm sure I looked the fool but who gives a fuck?

I bought a USED short scale bass at Guitar Center for $120... A Curbow. It was made of like carbon fiber or something... Def was cool. I've demo'ed a Spector Legend bass: https://www.spectorbass.com/product/legend-4-standard/

34" scale. Not sure if that's super short scale, but perfect size if you ask me. It's a beautiful instrument by the way. I'd avoid any smaller size than that.

"No Fun..."/"Straight Talk..." opinion...

Before I thought about dropping any money on a short scale, I''d play an actual short scale somewhere. If it is a non-starter, that should sort that part of the equation pretty quickly.

numberthirty wrote: Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:55 pm "No Fun..."/"Straight Talk..." opinion...

Before I thought about dropping any money on a short scale, I''d play an actual short scale somewhere. If it is a non-starter, that should sort that part of the equation pretty quickly.

Yes.^^^ And play it in the room with other musicians if that's your thing.

I'm a small fella with child sized hands so short scale basses had been my go-to. A Gibson EB-0, then a 30" Fender Bullet. Switched to long scale P-bass for several years, then back to shorties: an Eastwood Classic 4 and Univox Lectra. Still have the last two along with a Squier Musicmaster and a Gretsch Junior Jet, but 34' basses have been my choice for the last decade plus.

Straight Talk IMHO: The Fenders (Mustang/MM) record well. But at rehearsals and live performances they sound unfocused and anemic vs. a Precision or Jazz bass. Don't quite carry the room. That said lots of other folks use them and sound great. To me the Gibson/mudbucker style shorties double down on the inherent tubbiness of short scale and make it a different animal. Not great for some things but if your desired bass tones were made before 1969 you might dig it. Never owned a Hofner or Guild Starfire so I can't speak to those.

If bass isn't your main instrument one could probably do well with a short scale. But for me, I need a long scale to be a gunslinger.

ErikG wrote: Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:57 pm

numberthirty wrote: Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:55 pm "No Fun..."/"Straight Talk..." opinion...

Before I thought about dropping any money on a short scale, I''d play an actual short scale somewhere. If it is a non-starter, that should sort that part of the equation pretty quickly.

Yes.^^^ And play it in the room with other musicians if that's your thing.

I'm a small fella with child sized hands so short scale basses had been my go-to. A Gibson EB-0, then a 30" Fender Bullet. Switched to long scale P-bass for several years, then back to shorties: an Eastwood Classic 4 and Univox Lectra. Still have the last two along with a Squier Musicmaster and a Gretsch Junior Jet, but 34' basses have been my choice for the last decade plus.

Straight Talk IMHO: The Fenders (Mustang/MM) record well. But at rehearsals and live performances they sound unfocused and anemic vs. a Precision or Jazz bass. Don't quite carry the room. That said lots of other folks use them and sound great. To me the Gibson/mudbucker style shorties double down on the inherent tubbiness of short scale and make it a different animal. Not great for some things but if your desired bass tones were made before 1969 you might dig it. Never owned a Hofner or Guild Starfire so I can't speak to those.

If bass isn't your main instrument one could probably do well with a short scale. But for me, I need a long scale to be a gunslinger.

Priceless.