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Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:06 am
by neonblack
So lately I've been having some wrist and hand issues from playing bass, so I went and bought myself a cheap little Squier jag ss and I'm loving how good it feels in my hands.

It does have some issues though, that keep it from being the one and only. The neck dives like a motherfucker and the pickups leave a lot to be desired. The P pickup is so hot that it sometimes turns my pedals into a squishy mess, and the J pickup is weak and thin. Also, it just has a feeling of general cheapness about it.

So, my experiment in short scale was a sort of success. I like how they feel, but I need something for the long haul.

Anyone know of any decent short scale basses in a reasonable price range? maybe some not-so-well known ones? I imagine the Fender jag would be an upgrade, but the only 2 i can find are the pawn shop reverse bass which imho looks dumb as fuck, and the mastodon dudes signature model, which im not so sure about.

The aerodyne interests me, even though its not ss, and the grabber has :ahem: grabbed my attention as well.

Oh, and that Gretsch junior jet looks fun. but where are the boutique short scales? I'm tired of my gas only extending to pedals. I need an instrument to lust after.

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:36 am
by Mudfuzz
My favorite short scale bass is a Burny, they are one of the "lawsuit" Japanese builders that never stopped making gibson copies better then Gibson can and be of reasonable cost. down side… They aren't imported so you have to pay that "wonderful" shipping price from Japan but really they make the New Gibson SS basses and the Gretsch korean made basses seem like toys.

Also MIJ Fender Mustangs are actually VERY well made basses, it's just the pickup that turns people off, but that is a really easy fix.

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:48 am
by greyscales
Mustang Bass.

Squier or Fender.

Do it.

:)*

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:54 am
by neonblack
Mudfuzz wrote:My favorite short scale bass is a Burny, they are one of the "lawsuit" Japanese builders that never stopped making gibson copies better then Gibson can and be of reasonable cost. down side… They aren't imported so you have to pay that "wonderful" shipping price from Japan but really they make the New Gibson SS basses and the Gretsch korean made basses seem like toys.

Also MIJ Fender Mustangs are actually VERY well made basses, it's just the pickup that turns people off, but that is a really easy fix.
Im gonna check out a Burny fo sho.

whats wrong with the mustang pickup?

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:00 am
by Mudfuzz
neonblack wrote:
Mudfuzz wrote:My favorite short scale bass is a Burny, they are one of the "lawsuit" Japanese builders that never stopped making gibson copies better then Gibson can and be of reasonable cost. down side… They aren't imported so you have to pay that "wonderful" shipping price from Japan but really they make the New Gibson SS basses and the Gretsch korean made basses seem like toys.

Also MIJ Fender Mustangs are actually VERY well made basses, it's just the pickup that turns people off, but that is a really easy fix.
Im gonna check out a Burny fo sho.

whats wrong with the mustang pickup?
Nothing really, they are just a bit low output and a little on the thin side. It really depends on the sound you want, if you want a huge sound you need more bigger amps. but then keep in mind I think every 7 out of 10 Jbasses sound thin too :lol:

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:20 am
by Mike
Have you ever seen the MIJ Jazz Bass "SmartSize"? 29.4" scale. Around $1,000 to the US, maybe less.

Image

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62ss.html

Another oddball shortscale Fender is the MIM P Bass Jr. Strat sized body (maybe even smaller). 28.6" scale. Hard to find, but fun. My wife has 4 basses to choose from, and the P Bass Jr. is always her #1. It is a quality instrument, far from a toy.

Mike

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:24 am
by Mudfuzz
Kawaii desu!!!

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:27 am
by neonblack
I used to be a jazz guy, but it was mostly because of the neck. After playing with a P pickup, I can't go back the jazz. In fact, since I got my jag, I haven't played the jazz for more than about 10 minutes total.

How are humbuckers on bass? Never played with em. How do they handle dirt?

I'm playing a lot of noise rock/punk where I have to compete with some pretty crazy guitars, so I need the punch.

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:32 am
by Mudfuzz
neonblack wrote:I used to be a jazz guy, but it was mostly because of the neck. After playing with a P pickup, I can't go back the jazz. In fact, since I got my jag, I haven't played the jazz for more than about 10 minutes total.

How are humbuckers on bass? Never played with em. How do they handle dirt?

I'm playing a lot of noise rock/punk where I have to compete with some pretty crazy guitars, so I need the punch.
Buckers are like P pickups, which is a bucker anyway, thick sounding.

and there is the Watt factor
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jktPvj6kFPc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxUYAHUg-i8[/youtube]

With dirt… what doesn't sound good with dirt? :lol:

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:40 am
by neonblack
Oh, perfect! I always ask myself, WWWD? What would Watt do?

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:48 am
by Mudfuzz
neonblack wrote:Oh, perfect! I always ask myself, WWWD? What would Watt do?
:thumb: Well he did in fact move to a SS bass because of arm/wrist pain :thumb:

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:52 am
by neonblack
I wonder if I can put a ss neck on an aerodyne.

Or get EGC to make me one. But I don't wanna spend 2 grand and wait 3 years haha

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:52 am
by backwardsvoyager
I have a MIJ Mustang Bass and whilst there is a tiiiiiny bit of neck dive i would still totally recommend it. Weighs nothing, super comfortable to play, i think the pickup is good, works well with pedals, and it won't sound thin if you boost the fuck out of it with a Rusty Box or something anyway.

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 8:25 am
by Gone Fission
The Pawnshop Mustang bass has a Fender mudbucker in place of the split coil pickup. The sparkly Mikey Way sig Mustang has a more modern bass humbucker, as another option. Different options.

Re: Kick ass short scale bass?

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 3:00 pm
by Tristan
Yeah, Mustang bass is awesome, especially an old one, also, SG bass.