Should I buy a short scale?

absolutpepper · January 2021

I'm 6'4" and started on bass before moving to guitar. For me scale length is not an issue on a standard scale bass and my current basses are all standard scale (Ric 4003, Warwick Corvette and a P Bass). Its worth considering that there is often a tonal difference with short scale basses (Reverb did a cool short vid on this recently which is on YouTube) and they tend to have a pronounced lower mid honk to them which can mean if you are looking for a modern sound with a fair bit of clarity in the top end this can be harder to achieve. I would say if you are comfortable with a full scale bass thats what I would go with (you'll very quickly adapt to the neck). I also agree with an earlier comment that neck proportion is probably a bigger factor. Something like a 50s P Bass will likely have a cricket bat of a neck and I find that a more uncomfortable factor than the scale. Something like a Jazz is much narrower at the nut and you might find that more to your liking.

Funkfingers · January 2021

Standard scale … RIC 4003? Only in Edinburgh.

absolutpepper · January 2021

Funkfingers said:

Standard scale … RIC 4003? Only in Edinburgh.

Well standard scale by Ric’s own odd design quirks haha! Also, I’m in Glasgow not Edinburgh...be careful! (kidding)

ICBM · January 2021

absolutpepper said:

Well standard scale by Ric’s own odd design quirks haha!

It sort-of is... Fender's 34" scale is based on their 25.5" guitar scale, extended by five frets. Likewise, Rick's 33.25" is based on their 24.75" guitar scale extended by five frets. So if those two guitar scales are considered 'standard', then the two bass scales are as well. There's little enough difference that it really doesn't change much.

I should have explained the comment above, that Ricks are especially suitable for players converting from guitar - it was meant as a bit of a joke because they're often played with a pick in a 'guitary' style and with fuzz or distortion (even discounting Lemmy!), but I forgot to write that bit

. Otherwise, they're no more or less suitable than any other bass really.

maw4neu · January 2021

Fender Mustang Bass = Winner ! ! ! . . .

Blueingreen · January 2021

I quite fancy a short scale bass. Bass was my main instrument for many years and I still have some really nice basses, but I haven't played them for ages. The result is they feel enormous when I do pick one up these days. I think I'd be more likely to pick up a bass if it felt more like a guitar. I'd probably want to use a pick as well because I'd be so rusty trying to play with fingers.

Funkfingers · January 2021

Blueingreen said:
I'd be more likely to pick up a bass if it felt more like a guitar.

Earlier today, I chanced upon a Philip McKnight YouTube video demonstration of the DiMarzio Relentless middle pickup in a Squier Mini P Bass. Pretty damned good.

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Should I buy a short scale?

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