Scott here-not many of you know this but I am a long-standing HUGE Medium Scale bass evangelist. I have a Japanese Fender J as well as a custom Scale Model Guitars Ric-style that are both 32" and I love them each. There's just something that feels so natural about it to me. So, what's your favorite bass scale length? Let us know!
After watching this, I’m really looking into a 32’. I’m planning on retiring my Mark Hoppus Signature P to the closet since it’s worth money now, and replacing it with one of those new Squire Jaguars H’s with the same P split coil in there instead. Really, I want a shell pink bass and they just dropped a pink Jag finally. So I’m just justifying it to myself as well as my wife. Lol.
my current go to bass combines all of these: the Ibanez EHB1005SMS. The low B is 32" and the high G is 30". It has many sound options, both acitive and passive. It has a very light chambered body and no neck dive because it's headless.
I started on upright so pbass was the most natural for me starting out, however I went to a fretless musicman for a long time and currently alternate between Ibanez sr650e and a mim fender jazz
About Jamerson: Aside from the early Motown recordings with upright bass, Jamerson was p-bass all the way and hardly ever strayed away from the “first position” (like on an upright bass).
I bought a used 30" scale SX P bass a few months back for €40 and it plays great! My main bass is a 33" Roscoe LG-3005 5 string (strung B-G) and its a beast! Even at 33" scale the low B is great!!!
I love my 30" Sire. It allows me to continue to play live with a bad shoulder. I do miss the tone that comes from higher tension on the E & A strings. But it still sounds great.
Short scales have less high end harmonic content So it appears to be more full That’s why flatwounds and a sponge help a 34 inch scale have the same sound You can only cut frequencies in instrument (without active circuitry)
This is a weird comment. Of course a different instrument can have more sound in certain frequency ranges. It doesn't have to be about cutting the other frequencies unless you're talking about a passive eq, etc.
I just got my first 32” bass (I guess RUclips knows it). Until now, I’d been squeezed between uncomfortable 34” and not-that-great-sounding 30”. On the 32, I finally feel like a bass player.
Bass scale length, buying strings for them, and dealing with fretboard radius were some of the hardest things for me to grasp learning the instrument. Always glad to see good info on this. And nice lapel mics, the voices are coming in nice and clear :)
I've been playing guitar for 25 years or so now, had to get a Bass, the only one I ever wanted was a Spector. Something about what I can only call a "smokey" sound lol. I was never huge into Bass, but I noticed every time I heard a Bass I liked and researched what it was , it was a Spector lol. I picked up the Spector Performer4 , even at entry level, outstanding Bass! This was a very interesting video guys, Cheers!
Dingwalls are super interesting. I got a 5 string combustion a year ago and since then I basically stopped playing my other basses. Weirdly enough even though it has the longest scale length of my collection it also has the best sounding G and D string. Maybe something to do with the pickups. Love how versatile this thing is. Personally I mainly play folk and blues stuff and it fits in really well.
I love the string tension of LaBella 45-105 flats on a 34" scale. Also, where the strap connects will push the first fret further away from you or pull it closer, depending where is connects to the body.
I got out my old 32” Ventura SG copy while listening to this video. It was my first bass, and I hadn’t outed it for decades maybe. It was still in tune, first of all, but it was so fun!! My main rig is a 34” fretless Jazz, and it was super fun to get this thing in my hands again. And you’re totally right, all the high end stuff sounds noice and toight! Ha ha! Thanks guys for a cool and informative video
As the scale is lengthened, the fundamental is suppressed - the tension of the string won't allow it to vibrate as widely. For my taste, 34" gives a perfect balance between the fundamental and the overtone series for the E string. While 32" is ideal for the G string. The Kubicki Factor bass has a really interesting approach, with an overall scale length of 32", but with an extension on the E string, allowing you to reach down to a D.
@@blaness13 On a 30" scale bass tuned to standard EADG, all the strings are looser than on a 34" scale bass. Try it yourself. As the strings are looser, they have a greater range of motion, allowing the fundamental more energy, thus more volume relative to the overtone series.
@@bongosockthat still makes no sense, So I went one (or 5) steps further and I toke my 5 string and recorded E1 in several different ways, (1st) on the Open E string, 36lbs (2nd) I tuned down a whole step putting E1 on the 2nd fret, creating effectively a 30in or close to bass (30 1/4), and the tension of a 30 ish scale, 28lbs (3rd) I tuned down 2 whole steps, so E1 is on the 4th fret, (27in) scale effectively) and even lower tension 22lbs (4th) I played E1 on the 4th fret of the low B string, So effectively making that last one the same tension as the open E1 on the E string, at a 27in scale, 34lbs (Close enough to the Low E string tension) And (5th) I tuned the low B string up a whole step putting E1 on the 2nd fret putting E1 back at 30in scale bass territory, but at 43lbs of tension, And then played each one through EQ with a visual graph, and what i found is that the tension of the string didn't change the relationship of the decay of the fundamental and harmonics, I would half to build a Jig to test the pickup positions effect, but how much tension or how loose the string is didn't change the graph in any meaningful way, the 2nd and 5th test decayed in the same way and the 3rd and 4th tests decayed the same. I'm not going to tune a .125 gauge string up so that E1 is open on the low B (that would be 61lbs of tension) not on my actual Bass anyway. so i can't compare the 1st E1 to anything, the relationship between the fundamental and harmonics doesn't change with tension or scale, as far as the physicality of the string is concerned, It's about the position of the pickup, or effectively where the pickup is "hearing" the string as it decays. because in this test every scale change shorter, moves the pickup closer to the center of the string, picking up more of the fundamental,
@@blaness13 That was excellent work btw! The relationship between the fundamental and the overtone series is not so much to do with the decay over time, though. It's more instantaneous: like a snapshot at any given moment. As you no doubt well understand, the tension of the string effects how far the string can travel backwards and forward as it vibrates. Looser strings have a greater range of motion - most pronounced at their midpoint. This is particularly important for the instantaneous volume of the fundamental tone relative to its overtone series. The greater range of movement allowed at the 12th fret means the fundamental of the open string has more energy, which translates as more volume at the pickup. As the tension on the string is increased, the string becomes increasingly constrained in it's range of motion. The effect of this is the volume of the fundamental tone relative to the overtone series becomes less, and the timbre of the note becomes 'brighter', or 'twangier'. For this reason, an open E string on a 34" bass can sound fat and rich, with a good balance in the instantaneous volumes of its fundamental and overtones, while the open G string tends to sound 'thinner' and 'over-bright'. This same effect can be seen in guitars: with shorter scale length Les Pauls generally sounding 'warmer' and 'creamer', while the longer scale length of Strats give them a 'brighter', and more bell-like sound. Interestingly, the bell is a musical instrument in which the fundamental tone is entirely absent, and all you can hear in its ringing is the overtone series. There are other factors as well, of course, such as the mass and the elasticity of the string, but scale length is crucial. For example, if you put guitar strings on a bass, and strung it up to the pitch of a guitar, it would sound very bright indeed! Let me know what you think :)
@@bongosock It is possible i wasn't clear, (or I'm missunderstanding ) but the reactions and sound of the strings were consistent between the tests at the same scale length, despite the big difference between tension, on test 2 and 5, With an increase in tension, you get a higher pitch due to the constraints, because the energy you put into the string manifests into faster vibrations, over a smaller area, (think of a ice skater spinning and pulling their arms in to spin faster, the relative relationship of the fundamental and the overtones are still the same just at higher pitch, and the inverse with lower tension and lower pitch, Again it comes back to the pickup and pickup position, the closer to the bridge the less motion is going to be heard by the pickup, and the difference between a single coil and a humbucker is a big factor and is huge reason why LP's are generally darker than strats, (not string tension) I have a 27in LP style baritone, and in a drop B/or C vs my strat in the same tuning, the Baritone is still the darker guitar, because of pickup type and position, This definitely a interesting conversation, I'm definitely going todo more research and tests when i can.
I love the 34" length for my 4 string electrics. However, my Fender acoustic is a 32" scale. I've never wanted a 30" scale as my hand can span 4 frets easily. Also, I watch a lot of bass videos and you guys have great chemistry!
Everyone needs to grab a short scale. Even a cheapo. Go to a pawn shop and grab an EBO/SG bass, or a Hofner copy. Often when they're used someone already modded them. I've been playing bass for over 20 years though recently obtained an IYV Beatle Bass... and it's scary good. The original Hofner basses were meant to sound like an upright and the short scale, flatwound strings, and mostly hollow chambers really make you think differently. Next is a 32 - something in the middle... though really the shorty covers so much ground I'm not too pushy yet.
I've also got a Epiphone Violin bass that sounds and plays great-even better (IMHO) than the Hofner I used to have. AND, the Epiphone is definitely more durable and less fragile than the Hofner. As a result, I sold the Hofner several years ago, and still have the Epiphone.
Very good overview of the three primary scale lengths of four string basses. I have four strings in 30, 32, 34, as well as, 35 inch scale lengths. I have only recently started acquiring 32 scale basses and am finding I prefer that scale length myself. All of my medium scale basses are Japan manufacture such as Fender, Aria, Yamaha, and yes Concord shaped headstock Jackson basses. Japan is an excellent source for good to great quality medium scale basses. The main con about that is the shipping cost from Japan to the U.S. is getting more exorbitant by the day. Thank you for the playing examples of the different scale lengths.
Heard of the Ibanez SRMD series? 32 inch and comes in 4 and 5. All of the ones in my local store had frets that stuck out and sliced my thick calluses pretty bad. Probably because of the very dry climate here compared to Asia where they're manufactured, which is a bad excuse. We're it not for that, I would have probably snapped it up.
Yes I have heard and played the Ibanez Mezzo medium scale basses and found them decent instruments. I should have added a qualifier to my first post. All of my Japan manufacture basses are from the eighties and nineties, which makes them vintage instruments. The quality back then was much higher than today. My vintage medium scales all cost between $250-$900. I already own a 30" (short) scale Spector Bantam bass, and am looking at acquiring a 32" scale Spector Bantam five string. The only thing I am hesitant on is the price of a new one, and my Bantam 4 developed fret sprout the first winter I owned it. That issue was easily corrected and now it is a great playing bass. I especially like the option to change the EMG 35 series pickups out easily due to the solderless system EMG has. Thank you for your reply, all information and feedback is greatly appreciated.
@@carpediemarts705 Quality was very good back then. However, there are some high quality mid market imports from Asia and Europe that I have owned and played. In the 80's and 90's the Japanese manufacturers were producing instruments that equaled or rivaled US made name brands in quality and performance. Many US manufacturers were licensing instruments to be made in Japan back then while they got their act together quality wise after the mistakes they made in the 70's. Japan took their quality serious at that time, and these days as well. The Matsumoku made instruments are legendary, and often highly coveted for their quality. Those instruments often sold too well and cut deeply into the USA made sales. So the USA manufacturers often ended the Japanese made lines. Please be well, and do well in all of your endeavours.
I started with a Fender Mustang, so I really didn't understand the differences until later. My second bass was a Kramer aluminum neck that was medium scale and I started to notice that all the high stuff I played sounded smaller. Then when I for a long scale bass, I really noticed that I had to change my playing style because it sounded thin in the middle and higher registers. But I loved the rock solid low end on my long scales. Today, it's a must have for me to one both and select the instrument that is appropriate for the track, especially when recording. Some bass lines just sound better on the short scale and vice versa. I did find it interesting that Ian kept going back to Carol Kaye. She played a Fender Precision back in those days, but I think perhaps what Ian is hearing is that she often doubled her base lines (tic-tac style) with a Danelectro 6-string bass, similar to the Fender VI.
I have a 1965 Hofner Violin Bass at 30", a 1986 Westone Thunder 1A fretless and Ministar 5-string fretless travel bass (just a neck) at 34". Lastly an Aria electric 3/4 double bass with a string length of 42.5". Some time ago, after the Hofner had been stolen, and before I recovered it in a local music shop, I had a Japanese bass based on the Fender Telecaster. It was 25.5" scale and i found it to be too short to enjoy playing. The Hofner has a great "woody" sound due to the hollow body with no sound holes. The Westone is active with a wide range of tones. The Ministar is carried in a rifle case and has the low B string. It can also be played as a guitar or upright. I have no problem instantly adapting to each instrument scale length when I switch from one to another, and am used to listening to what I play much more since going fretless with no fret markings.
In the past whenever I played either of my short scale Gibson basses (EB-0, EB-2) in a band situation, they didn't have the same precence in the room as my Fender Jazz or Precision basses.
I have one bass in each of these scale length. I can easily identify the sonic signature of 34" vs. 30", but I can't really identify a sound specific to a 32" scale. Maybe something about the way the low notes can be simultaneously farty and defined, as Ian showed. I find the 32" to be the easiest to play, however, and the most versatile. Like Ian, I feel most comfortable onstage with a P or a J, however. I'm 6'2" and over 200. I initially bought my PJ because I thought I looked huge playing a Mustang. My 32" Greco is tiny.
Brilliant😁👍 I had a Greco acoustic bass many years ago (frets were removed by a previous owner). The scale had to have been over 34" but unfortunately , I didn't measure it. It was stolen during a gig in Belgium and I've been searching for another one ever since.
The reason why people look down on short scale basses is simply because the Precision Bass and Jazz bass were marketed as the "professional" level instruments, and the Mustang and the Musicmaster were marketed as the "student" level instruments, and Fender basses came to be regarded as the model for what bass guitars should sound like. So, people came to believe that short scale basses were for children or women, and not as high quality as the long scale basses. And when it comes right down to it, 34" scale just sounds better for modern popular music than 30" scale.
good on the pair of you for not buying into the bigger is better toxicity. literally a matter of its not the size of the instrument, its what you can do with it. I love a short scale bass the fretting is a lot easier, I play a modded Squier Bronco and its an awesome bass. there is something I think you didn't look into with these basses, on a Fender, normally the P or J with the 34 scale the neck pickup or only pickup is in the middle, on a Gibson with the 30 scale, there is often a neck pickup and a bridge pickup and the neck is actually in the neck, I have always maintained this affects the tone as the neck pickup is picking up the string vibration differently. Also if your 30 inch scales are short scale, what would you call my 25.5 inch scale bass?
i've been wanting to get my hands on a 35" scale ibanez btb, but they regrettably didn't make too many of the 4 string model. i'd never even considered shorter scale basses, but now i'm definitely interested in giving one a go.
Main reason I don't play 4s anymore is because of the lack of 35" ones. Spent 20 years with a Yamaha TRB4II so got used to that extra inch! Sadly the weight started to become a bit of a challenge for my back. My Mike Lull 5s are over a pound lighter.
This shined a bit more light - massive thanks! I'm that guitar player wanting to visit the other side but in addition to length concerns, I have severe neuro-muscular pain issues that literally stem from my lower back and play 99% seated but cannot sit hunched over or inclined to reach out toward any guitar. A Les Paul on my lap is excruciating within 10 minutes of playing for example, so I'm avoiding 'low rise' bodies like the Hofner (to my heartbreak). Sounds - and looks - like 32 might be the solution. Up to now I was eyeing the 4003s at 33-1/4" I think, but that price... I have more traditional body style/classic rock fanboy taste like the Jazz bass (or Ric crested wave). Worried the Mustang I was close to going for is too small? I'm 6'4" with long arms and cephalopod fingers. Anyone... ?
Love my short scale Mustang with flats. Trying to adapt to my new 34” jazz bass which I bought for songs that are in alternate tuning (my mustang just sounds flabby when dropped down a full step). It’s a bit of a struggle, as I’m not a big person. I can’t play it for as long quite yet.
I am just the same! Not that I can't play it, I just don't prefer it 🤷🏼♂️ I feel that full length basses are too big for me.. I look stupid in photos too 😅
@@danmorrison8194 Sorry, I couldn't resist! I have a '73 Fender Mustang. I don't think I've ever played a 35" scale bass before but was considering getting a 5 string one. Lakland are on my list to try.
@@asw7696 no worries. I shouldn’t post before coffee. I think Laklands are great! I lot of bass for the $. I bought a 55-02 from their B stock list that had no blemishes; they only replaced the neck for some reason. New neck=good neck.
I really like my Ibanez EHB1005-SMS 30"-32" multiscale (now with Aguilar PUs). Very easy to play with the shorter scale relaxing the strings a bit and allowing my aged, arthritic hands a bit of a break.
I bought a short bass for my 10 year old. That was a good call. I think its great. The rate he is growing I will be in the market for a sandard long scale 34 in say four years. Was a good call to get a smaller axe for a child
I started with a short scale when I was a kid. then, later I bought a full scale 34" bass. Worked great for decades but now I'm too old to reach across the room to hit the further away frets. Revisited short scale but it felt like a toy. I found a medium scale bass and it felt JUST RIGHT! Unfortunately medium scale basses are very rare, especially left-handed.
For people like me who despise playing near the headstock but still want tight B and E strings accors the neck, I find 35" inches necks to be a GODSEND. I just play around the middle of the neck to get that short scale tone (treating the B E A D strings like a short scale E A D G bass) while still having access to the tasty Low B notes
being in a wheelchair, short scale basses work best for me for body size, even though I have long arms and can reach the full length on a 34” scale bass
Theoretically what is the difference of being in a wheelchair and those who play while sitting? I don't see where bringing a handicap in changes the fundamentals of a guitar. Not being insensitive but sharing private things like that with complete strangers only makes you look like you seek sympathetic responses.
@@silencedones4421 look at a wheel chair, for god sake… It has two armchairs which prevent the use of big body. I am not « disabled » but it seems pretty clear to me that a short scale bass is more handy to use in such a situation as the body size is way smaller than a regular body size. Jeeezzz 🙄
Weren't the Fender Jaguars *all* 32" originally? In any case, there seemed to be a lot of them around in the 80's onward, before disappearing. I'd happily buy a Squire P/J config at 32", whatever shape, if it was light enough... bad back/multiple surgeries mean I either play 30" or Uke-Bass live... or not at all. High end USA P-Bass has remained in case for 10+ years!
I think a 32 with a reverse P pickup would be perfect for getting the ping out, giving you extra thick lows, while still having enough attack for versatility and better tuning stability especially with drop and downtuning, at least if reports of bass forums and reddit about 30 inch basses being bad at that are to be believed.
To get round the "pingy" tone on the G and D strings of a standard or long scale bass, why not move the bridge for those strings forward towards the neck? It'll look weird, maybe why that's not a thing already.
I really wish I could enjoy the short & medium scale basses. Very compact for easy transport. Just couldn't get past their thin tone & floppy string tension. Disclaimer: I own 2, but that's because my 8 & 12 year old daughters are learning to play on them.
Would definitely recommend bumping up a string gauge! Medium gauge strings would fix a lot of these issues (assuming you're used to 45-100 or 45-105 on Long Scale)
When I was 12 my Mom gave me like 150 bucks to buy a turquoise Fender Musicmaster AND a Fender 50 Bassman amp with (I think) a 2x12 cab. Don't even remember where those went, but It would do anything to get them back I can tell you!
I had rotator cuff surgery and will never be able to reach the end of a long scale neck. I have a Jazz bass that I cannot stretch to the 3rd fret without relocating the guitar. I have a Gretch short scale which does well for me. My fun bass however is one of those $150 Hofner basses. I'm not sure how short the scale is. The guitar is tiny. Short scale strings are too long for it and it has 6 string guitar size tuners. I did put a very short scale fender set of strings on it which are made for one of fender's short neck instruments. For the money the Hofner sounds good and stays in tune. I record with it and sit on the couch rattling the neighborhood with it. Standing side by side the Hofner bass is shorter than my Mexi-telli by a few inches.
Really interesting video. Not played a short scale bass in years, but am considering picking one up for a very different vibe. I'm a 35" scale fan, mostly on 5s these days. BTW, did you forget to colour grade the footage? Looks very washed out...
In addition to playing guitar in my three piece classic rock cover band, I was asked if I would be willing to join my son and youngest daughter in their first rock band, which is also three piece, after their guitar player left to play in an acoustic duo. Of course I said yes! What father wouldn't treasure the experience of performing live with his children, even if they're both in their mid thirties? In this band, however, I'm being asked to play both guitar and bass because my son, who first played bass, then mandolin in a Bluegrass Gospel band we had for a decade, wants to play some guitar along with bass in this new band. Although I've played bass in bands before, I've never been in an arrangement where I'd need to switch back and forth between guitar and bass through a three hour show. I know from experience that every time I've ever picked up a bass immediately after playing guitar, the instrument feels huge and awkward. Picking up a guitar after playing bass is even more awkward. So, I'm considering a short scale bass to help minimize the difference between the feel of the two instruments. Your video has been most beneficial in helping me to prepare and to understand the differences between long and short scale basses.
I never understood the spilt P pickup.. having the EA part nearer to fingerboard and the DG closer to the bridge.. It should be opposite like Lee Sklar "frankenstein" bass.. But everything in this clip makes sense. A short scale has it strength on the DG string due to scale lenght. Where the 34" is better for the low E and A.. That the entire philosophy behind the fanned fret of the Dingwall. Longer scale lenght for the bass end and shorter for the treble side.. (like a piano).. A 34" scale bass can be good for downtuning to E-flat .. or D standard with a heavy and stiff set of 50-70-90-110. (DR DDT)..
I can appreciate that Jameson’s choice in bass guitars was limited, but he did know exactly what sound he wanted to achieve and which instrument could produce it. When his 50s P was stolen, he replaced it with another P immediately. Despite all the new models that came out, he remained with his one P. The question is, which P did he actually prefer, the maple or the rosewood?
Man I love Jamerson speculations. The fact that he is probably the most influent bass player ever and that we barely know anything about his bass habits makes him almost ghostly, like a reclusive prophet of bass that we have to interpret with so little certainty.
I appreciate the fact that so many makers have short-scale offerings now, to accommodate players who might not have been able to wield a 34" bass. That's cool. But tonally, the trend is going in the opposite direction I want: more resonance, more harmonics, more sustain, better string tension, better intonation. Anyone who's had to deal with a floppy, dull-sounding E or B string that can't hold a pitch can attest to my frustrations with that. So makers: thanks, but can we get some XLs too?
Great video. I was so pleased you pointed out the uneven tone onto the G-string with long scale basses. People always go on about the amazing low end on multi-scale basses like the 5-string Dingwall's, but for me the real plus is that they have a more even tone because the G is shorter.
The 1st bass I loved the sound of, I bought. A peavy cirrus 35" scale. I've played long scale ever since. I have nothing against short scale bass and I have no inferiority complex. Please don't ever make your reason for choosing a bass because it covers your gut. I'd buy a short scale, if I had tons of money to spend, as well as a dingwall. Fenders are famous for that timbre change. Get some Nordstrand pickups. Jameson played Fender P. Standard scale.. mostly. Ooh, I'd get a medium scale if I could, sounds sweet. A 6 string too. I've played a Conklin 7 and loved it. Give me all basses. I wish I was rich.
Lmao! As a 6'4" 220+lbs dude....i felt this conversation deeply. I love using a Thunderbird since it feels comfortable. I picked up a shortscale once and felt awkward as hell
have you notice that few years ago there were not so much short scale basses on the market then like suddendly, the major (and not so major) brands add short scale models in there catalogue? I wish they will do the same with medium scale basses very soon! and I wonder if Fender japan made these 32" basses (on demand?) was because of the average height (not so tall?) of japanese people?
Ibanez's (eeebanez not eyebanez) SRMD200 is dirty cheap and available w/maple or rosewood fretboard and is an excellent little bass and widely available and beautifullly crafted. Stanley Clarke played a short scale Alembic. Hagstrom's Swede bass (70's issue) is a short scale w/an attitude and an ebony fretboard, if you can get one. The little Music Man is lovely. The Sire U5 is gorgeous but its neck is different. Squier's cheap short scale are cheaply made and to be avoided. I've tried every short I could and the Ibanez came out as the winner: 32 inch medium scale length.
My main bass is a short-scale Ibanez bass. It's wonderful for most applications, with one exception; it can't play a 24th fret note (e.g. needed for that one note in Tool's the Pot). Otherwise though, I love it. Although, I feel I would look cooler playing a full-scale. 😂
...and then there's the increasingly popular 28.6". And the Beatles bass. And the mini-P. The list goes on (but not and on) - and hopefully continues to grow. Ha. Thanks for this video - It was helpful! All the best.
the 30" short scale is more even tonally up and down the fingerboard, easier to play and cart around, and sounds more upright like (especially hofners) . I'm not sure why 34" became the standard, if indeed it is because most british invasion music was played on a short scale.
Hey Ian, I was rather confused to hear you mention Carol Kaye in association with short scale basses, not once, but several times, as it's well documented, and Kaye, herself, has written that all her work back in the day was done on a P-Bass with flat-wounds, felt muting, and a pick! Though she's played other basses over time, and settled on Ibanez for a while, she went back to Fender after she felt Ibanez quality declined. Great job of Good Vibrations on that Epi, but it was a P-Bass on the original, sorry!
I love 30 scale basses, except the accessories are pretty limited. So whatever strings you may love for 34, are either not available or do not translate well to 30 scale. There are great short scale strings, but much less to choose from. Also many brands have weird rules for short scale basses, and odd tensions that make the feel quite different than 34 scale basses. But I still think they can be awesome, and will never take for granted that a long scale must be better than a short scale. I do have a short scale I love and will never let it go, even though I play mostly my 34 scale basses. I like the usual extra bloom of short scale basses-not always the case, but common. (I played classical guitar as a young man-30 scale feels perfectly natural to me. I do not play electric guitar-pretty bad with a pick! Though it can be played fingerstyle, I started to play bass for the bass, never came to it from my previous musical instruments. So I never planned to learn electric guitar, and honestly do not believe I ever will-no offense to guitarrists, as I played classical and still play violin!)
Okay, so I’m not the only one! I as well hate the sound of the G string on the lower frets LOL. I’m a 5 string player, I didn’t switch to 5 string because of the lower register. I switched because I like the sound of frets 6-12, so that’s my home base (pun intended?) this was a great video. I’m super nerdy about strings and scale lengths and things alike. No one ever seems to understand 😂
Scott here-not many of you know this but I am a long-standing HUGE Medium Scale bass evangelist. I have a Japanese Fender J as well as a custom Scale Model Guitars Ric-style that are both 32" and I love them each. There's just something that feels so natural about it to me. So, what's your favorite bass scale length? Let us know!
After watching this, I’m really looking into a 32’. I’m planning on retiring my Mark Hoppus Signature P to the closet since it’s worth money now, and replacing it with one of those new Squire Jaguars H’s with the same P split coil in there instead.
Really, I want a shell pink bass and they just dropped a pink Jag finally. So I’m just justifying it to myself as well as my wife. Lol.
30"
Do you guys sell 30in scale strings?
my current go to bass combines all of these: the Ibanez EHB1005SMS. The low B is 32" and the high G is 30". It has many sound options, both acitive and passive. It has a very light chambered body and no neck dive because it's headless.
I started on upright so pbass was the most natural for me starting out, however I went to a fretless musicman for a long time and currently alternate between Ibanez sr650e and a mim fender jazz
ok but lowkey we should appreciate these two guys openly and freely talking about body confidence issues and unlearning them!
I was just about to comment on that fact! 🙌🏻
One of the reasons I play a Mustang! Being a tiny guy, a full length looks too big..
No cap. Full disclosure. On god.
Totally. 💯
Weak
I just bought an Ibanez Mikro bass with a 28.6” scale length. I love it
I have a 32 in Jaguar bass PJ configuration by Squire. I also have an esp ltd 4-string 35 inch scale neck through EMG active humbucker pickups.
About Jamerson: Aside from the early Motown recordings with upright bass, Jamerson was p-bass all the way and hardly ever strayed away from the “first position” (like on an upright bass).
Good to know thanks.
I bought a used 30" scale SX P bass a few months back for €40 and it plays great! My main bass is a 33" Roscoe LG-3005 5 string (strung B-G) and its a beast! Even at 33" scale the low B is great!!!
I love my 30" Sire. It allows me to continue to play live with a bad shoulder. I do miss the tone that comes from higher tension on the E & A strings. But it still sounds great.
Short scales have less high end harmonic content
So it appears to be more full
That’s why flatwounds and a sponge help a 34 inch scale have the same sound
You can only cut frequencies in instrument (without active circuitry)
This is a weird comment.
Of course a different instrument can have more sound in certain frequency ranges. It doesn't have to be about cutting the other frequencies unless you're talking about a passive eq, etc.
Bro, you didn’t even read my comment
@@Pabloignacioalvarez yes, I did
do it again and tell me what you don’t get
@@Pabloignacioalvarez lol
I just got my first 32” bass (I guess RUclips knows it). Until now, I’d been squeezed between uncomfortable 34” and not-that-great-sounding 30”. On the 32, I finally feel like a bass player.
This is a super fun and engaging video. Love these guys. Entertaining and informative! Well done!
Thanks so much!
As far as I know, Carol Kaye played a standard PBass
Correct, and she used felt taped over the top of the bridge to mute the strings.
She also played Aria Pro II basses. Highly underrated guitar brand back in the 70s. The newer ones from the 80s up not so much!
@@moushunter yes, i had one of those Aria Pro basses. Hated that thing.
Ian is always amazing. Awesome video thank you for sharing. Cheers
Bass scale length, buying strings for them, and dealing with fretboard radius were some of the hardest things for me to grasp learning the instrument. Always glad to see good info on this. And nice lapel mics, the voices are coming in nice and clear :)
My pastor bought a set of strings through you guys after the stock E string from a bass kit I built broke. They play really good.
I've been playing guitar for 25 years or so now, had to get a Bass, the only one I ever wanted was a Spector. Something about what I can only call a "smokey" sound lol. I was never huge into Bass, but I noticed every time I heard a Bass I liked and researched what it was , it was a Spector lol. I picked up the Spector Performer4 , even at entry level, outstanding Bass! This was a very interesting video guys, Cheers!
Do you have any videos on Mustang basses? I'm thinking about the classic vibe and throwing some flats on it.
Talking about short scale - Once you've played a Kala U-Bass with a 20.375" scale, you get looks!
Since you were talking about scale length, I'm surprised you didn't bring up the concept behind the Dingwall basses..
Dingwalls are super interesting. I got a 5 string combustion a year ago and since then I basically stopped playing my other basses. Weirdly enough even though it has the longest scale length of my collection it also has the best sounding G and D string. Maybe something to do with the pickups. Love how versatile this thing is. Personally I mainly play folk and blues stuff and it fits in really well.
@@AluinKali That's literally the point of a multi-scale instrument
I live vicariously through Ian.All my knowledge has been mentally transferred to him
I love the string tension of LaBella 45-105 flats on a 34" scale. Also, where the strap connects will push the first fret further away from you or pull it closer, depending where is connects to the body.
I got started on what I think is a 32”, bought my own 34” and currently considering a 35”-37” multi-scale.
Why not a 32 to 37 scale fan fret? That would be wild! Probably hard to play though
Interesting discussion thanks.
I got out my old 32” Ventura SG copy while listening to this video. It was my first bass, and I hadn’t outed it for decades maybe. It was still in tune, first of all, but it was so fun!! My main rig is a 34” fretless Jazz, and it was super fun to get this thing in my hands again. And you’re totally right, all the high end stuff sounds noice and toight! Ha ha! Thanks guys for a cool and informative video
Does anyone know whether the intro song used at 0:21 is a full song? If anyone knows, please drop the name, it sounds super cool!
As the scale is lengthened, the fundamental is suppressed - the tension of the string won't allow it to vibrate as widely.
For my taste, 34" gives a perfect balance between the fundamental and the overtone series for the E string.
While 32" is ideal for the G string.
The Kubicki Factor bass has a really interesting approach, with an overall scale length of 32",
but with an extension on the E string, allowing you to reach down to a D.
"As the scale is lengthened, the fundamental is suppressed" where did you hear that, That makes absolutely zero sense.
@@blaness13 On a 30" scale bass tuned to standard EADG, all the strings are looser than on a 34" scale bass. Try it yourself.
As the strings are looser, they have a greater range of motion, allowing the fundamental more energy, thus more volume relative to the overtone series.
@@bongosockthat still makes no sense,
So I went one (or 5) steps further and I toke my 5 string and recorded E1 in several different ways,
(1st) on the Open E string, 36lbs
(2nd) I tuned down a whole step putting E1 on the 2nd fret, creating effectively a 30in or close to bass (30 1/4), and the tension of a 30 ish scale, 28lbs
(3rd) I tuned down 2 whole steps, so E1 is on the 4th fret, (27in) scale effectively) and even lower tension 22lbs
(4th) I played E1 on the 4th fret of the low B string, So effectively making that last one the same tension as the open E1 on the E string, at a 27in scale, 34lbs (Close enough to the Low E string tension)
And
(5th) I tuned the low B string up a whole step putting E1 on the 2nd fret putting E1 back at 30in scale bass territory, but at 43lbs of tension,
And then played each one through EQ with a visual graph, and what i found is that the tension of the string didn't change the relationship of the decay of the fundamental and harmonics,
I would half to build a Jig to test the pickup positions effect, but how much tension or how loose the string is didn't change the graph in any meaningful way,
the 2nd and 5th test decayed in the same way and the 3rd and 4th tests decayed the same.
I'm not going to tune a .125 gauge string up so that E1 is open on the low B (that would be 61lbs of tension) not on my actual Bass anyway. so i can't compare the 1st E1 to anything,
the relationship between the fundamental and harmonics doesn't change with tension or scale, as far as the physicality of the string is concerned,
It's about the position of the pickup, or effectively where the pickup is "hearing" the string as it decays. because in this test every scale change shorter, moves the pickup closer to the center of the string, picking up more of the fundamental,
@@blaness13 That was excellent work btw!
The relationship between the fundamental and the overtone series is not so much to do with the decay over time, though.
It's more instantaneous: like a snapshot at any given moment.
As you no doubt well understand, the tension of the string effects how far the string can travel backwards and forward as it vibrates.
Looser strings have a greater range of motion - most pronounced at their midpoint.
This is particularly important for the instantaneous volume of the fundamental tone relative to its overtone series.
The greater range of movement allowed at the 12th fret means the fundamental of the open string has more energy, which translates as more volume at the pickup.
As the tension on the string is increased, the string becomes increasingly constrained in it's range of motion.
The effect of this is the volume of the fundamental tone relative to the overtone series becomes less, and the timbre of the note becomes 'brighter', or 'twangier'.
For this reason, an open E string on a 34" bass can sound fat and rich,
with a good balance in the instantaneous volumes of its fundamental and overtones,
while the open G string tends to sound 'thinner' and 'over-bright'.
This same effect can be seen in guitars:
with shorter scale length Les Pauls generally sounding 'warmer' and 'creamer',
while the longer scale length of Strats give them a 'brighter', and more bell-like sound.
Interestingly, the bell is a musical instrument in which the fundamental tone is entirely absent,
and all you can hear in its ringing is the overtone series.
There are other factors as well, of course, such as the mass and the elasticity of the string,
but scale length is crucial.
For example, if you put guitar strings on a bass, and strung it up to the pitch of a guitar, it would sound very bright indeed!
Let me know what you think :)
@@bongosock It is possible i wasn't clear, (or I'm missunderstanding ) but the reactions and sound of the strings were consistent between the tests at the same scale length, despite the big difference between tension, on test 2 and 5,
With an increase in tension, you get a higher pitch due to the constraints, because the energy you put into the string manifests into faster vibrations, over a smaller area,
(think of a ice skater spinning and pulling their arms in to spin faster, the relative relationship of the fundamental and the overtones are still the same just at higher pitch, and the inverse with lower tension and lower pitch,
Again it comes back to the pickup and pickup position, the closer to the bridge the less motion is going to be heard by the pickup, and the difference between a single coil and a humbucker is a big factor and is huge reason why LP's are generally darker than strats, (not string tension) I have a 27in LP style baritone, and in a drop B/or C vs my strat in the same tuning, the Baritone is still the darker guitar, because of pickup type and position,
This definitely a interesting conversation, I'm definitely going todo more research and tests when i can.
Have ac multi scale and I like the tight B string but I hate that mines has narrower string spacing. Great talk!
I love the 34" length for my 4 string electrics. However, my Fender acoustic is a 32" scale. I've never wanted a 30" scale as my hand can span 4 frets easily. Also, I watch a lot of bass videos and you guys have great chemistry!
Everyone needs to grab a short scale. Even a cheapo. Go to a pawn shop and grab an EBO/SG bass, or a Hofner copy. Often when they're used someone already modded them. I've been playing bass for over 20 years though recently obtained an IYV Beatle Bass... and it's scary good. The original Hofner basses were meant to sound like an upright and the short scale, flatwound strings, and mostly hollow chambers really make you think differently. Next is a 32 - something in the middle... though really the shorty covers so much ground I'm not too pushy yet.
I've also got a Epiphone Violin bass that sounds and plays great-even better (IMHO) than the Hofner I used to have. AND, the Epiphone is definitely more durable and less fragile than the Hofner. As a result, I sold the Hofner several years ago, and still have the Epiphone.
Very good overview of the three primary scale lengths of four string basses. I have four strings in 30, 32, 34, as well as, 35 inch scale lengths. I have only recently started acquiring 32 scale basses and am finding I prefer that scale length myself. All of my medium scale basses are Japan manufacture such as Fender, Aria, Yamaha, and yes Concord shaped headstock Jackson basses. Japan is an excellent source for good to great quality medium scale basses. The main con about that is the shipping cost from Japan to the U.S. is getting more exorbitant by the day. Thank you for the playing examples of the different scale lengths.
Heard of the Ibanez SRMD series? 32 inch and comes in 4 and 5.
All of the ones in my local store had frets that stuck out and sliced my thick calluses pretty bad. Probably because of the very dry climate here compared to Asia where they're manufactured, which is a bad excuse. We're it not for that, I would have probably snapped it up.
Yes I have heard and played the Ibanez Mezzo medium scale basses and found them decent instruments. I should have added a qualifier to my first post. All of my Japan manufacture basses are from the eighties and nineties, which makes them vintage instruments. The quality back then was much higher than today. My vintage medium scales all cost between $250-$900. I already own a 30" (short) scale Spector Bantam bass, and am looking at acquiring a 32" scale Spector Bantam five string. The only thing I am hesitant on is the price of a new one, and my Bantam 4 developed fret sprout the first winter I owned it. That issue was easily corrected and now it is a great playing bass. I especially like the option to change the EMG 35 series pickups out easily due to the solderless system EMG has. Thank you for your reply, all information and feedback is greatly appreciated.
@@thermionicemission8136 so workmanship was better in the 80s 90s. Ok
@@carpediemarts705 Quality was very good back then. However, there are some high quality mid market imports from Asia and Europe that I have owned and played. In the 80's and 90's the Japanese manufacturers were producing instruments that equaled or rivaled US made name brands in quality and performance. Many US manufacturers were licensing instruments to be made in Japan back then while they got their act together quality wise after the mistakes they made in the 70's. Japan took their quality serious at that time, and these days as well. The Matsumoku made instruments are legendary, and often highly coveted for their quality. Those instruments often sold too well and cut deeply into the USA made sales. So the USA manufacturers often ended the Japanese made lines. Please be well, and do well in all of your endeavours.
Les Claypool’s main bass, his walnut bass is 32 inch scale 😉
That’s why I bought an Ibanez mezzo for $300. So fun to play.
I have a 32 " scale Ibanez Mezzo which is a dream to play. And sounds good.
WHEW, that Serek sounds good! We need more 32" scale basses tbh.
Ibanez makes a really solid one for cheap
I’m a lifetime member of SBL, and I use string strings!!
I started with a Fender Mustang, so I really didn't understand the differences until later. My second bass was a Kramer aluminum neck that was medium scale and I started to notice that all the high stuff I played sounded smaller. Then when I for a long scale bass, I really noticed that I had to change my playing style because it sounded thin in the middle and higher registers. But I loved the rock solid low end on my long scales. Today, it's a must have for me to one both and select the instrument that is appropriate for the track, especially when recording. Some bass lines just sound better on the short scale and vice versa.
I did find it interesting that Ian kept going back to Carol Kaye. She played a Fender Precision back in those days, but I think perhaps what Ian is hearing is that she often doubled her base lines (tic-tac style) with a Danelectro 6-string bass, similar to the Fender VI.
16:41 - Can you tell me what overdrive was used to make this sound? I’ve been searching for this town for a long time.
I have a 1965 Hofner Violin Bass at 30", a 1986 Westone Thunder 1A fretless and Ministar 5-string fretless travel bass (just a neck) at 34". Lastly an Aria electric 3/4 double bass with a string length of 42.5".
Some time ago, after the Hofner had been stolen, and before I recovered it in a local music shop, I had a Japanese bass based on the Fender Telecaster. It was 25.5" scale and i found it to be too short to enjoy playing. The Hofner has a great "woody" sound due to the hollow body with no sound holes. The Westone is active with a wide range of tones. The Ministar is carried in a rifle case and has the low B string. It can also be played as a guitar or upright.
I have no problem instantly adapting to each instrument scale length when I switch from one to another, and am used to listening to what I play much more since going fretless with no fret markings.
i have a book showing Jamerson playing a a very rare Fender 5 string which used short scale dimensions i believe.
In the past whenever I played either of my short scale Gibson basses (EB-0, EB-2) in a band situation, they didn't have the same precence in the room as my Fender Jazz or Precision basses.
Ian makes the Epiphone Viola bass sound tasty! That was the first bass I ever had.
I would love a medium scale Jazz bass. Impossible to find in the UK.
I have one bass in each of these scale length. I can easily identify the sonic signature of 34" vs. 30", but I can't really identify a sound specific to a 32" scale. Maybe something about the way the low notes can be simultaneously farty and defined, as Ian showed. I find the 32" to be the easiest to play, however, and the most versatile.
Like Ian, I feel most comfortable onstage with a P or a J, however. I'm 6'2" and over 200. I initially bought my PJ because I thought I looked huge playing a Mustang. My 32" Greco is tiny.
Brilliant😁👍
I had a Greco acoustic bass many years ago (frets were removed by a previous owner). The scale had to have been over 34" but unfortunately , I didn't measure it.
It was stolen during a gig in Belgium and I've been searching for another one ever since.
The reason why people look down on short scale basses is simply because the Precision Bass and Jazz bass were marketed as the "professional" level instruments, and the Mustang and the Musicmaster were marketed as the "student" level instruments, and Fender basses came to be regarded as the model for what bass guitars should sound like. So, people came to believe that short scale basses were for children or women, and not as high quality as the long scale basses. And when it comes right down to it, 34" scale just sounds better for modern popular music than 30" scale.
Since I tune very low on my 6str Dingwall, I feel like I take full advantage of these characteristics, my G is 33.25
good on the pair of you for not buying into the bigger is better toxicity. literally a matter of its not the size of the instrument, its what you can do with it.
I love a short scale bass the fretting is a lot easier, I play a modded Squier Bronco and its an awesome bass. there is something I think you didn't look into with these basses, on a Fender, normally the P or J with the 34 scale the neck pickup or only pickup is in the middle, on a Gibson with the 30 scale, there is often a neck pickup and a bridge pickup and the neck is actually in the neck, I have always maintained this affects the tone as the neck pickup is picking up the string vibration differently.
Also if your 30 inch scales are short scale, what would you call my 25.5 inch scale bass?
i've been wanting to get my hands on a 35" scale ibanez btb, but they regrettably didn't make too many of the 4 string model. i'd never even considered shorter scale basses, but now i'm definitely interested in giving one a go.
Main reason I don't play 4s anymore is because of the lack of 35" ones. Spent 20 years with a Yamaha TRB4II so got used to that extra inch! Sadly the weight started to become a bit of a challenge for my back. My Mike Lull 5s are over a pound lighter.
This shined a bit more light - massive thanks! I'm that guitar player wanting to visit the other side but in addition to length concerns, I have severe neuro-muscular pain issues that literally stem from my lower back and play 99% seated but cannot sit hunched over or inclined to reach out toward any guitar. A Les Paul on my lap is excruciating within 10 minutes of playing for example, so I'm avoiding 'low rise' bodies like the Hofner (to my heartbreak). Sounds - and looks - like 32 might be the solution. Up to now I was eyeing the 4003s at 33-1/4" I think, but that price... I have more traditional body style/classic rock fanboy taste like the Jazz bass (or Ric crested wave). Worried the Mustang I was close to going for is too small? I'm 6'4" with long arms and cephalopod fingers. Anyone... ?
Love my short scale Mustang with flats. Trying to adapt to my new 34” jazz bass which I bought for songs that are in alternate tuning (my mustang just sounds flabby when dropped down a full step). It’s a bit of a struggle, as I’m not a big person. I can’t play it for as long quite yet.
I would try a 32”. Probably still not ideal to tune down to D, but it’ll take it better than the Mustang
I am just the same! Not that I can't play it, I just don't prefer it 🤷🏼♂️ I feel that full length basses are too big for me.. I look stupid in photos too 😅
I’ve gone from my 35”Lakland and ‘75 30” mustang in the same day and my mustang, lakland, and double bass in the same weekend. That was a trip.
75'? That's a very long neck!
@@asw7696 Oops. I fixed it.
@@danmorrison8194 Sorry, I couldn't resist! I have a '73 Fender Mustang. I don't think I've ever played a 35" scale bass before but was considering getting a 5 string one. Lakland are on my list to try.
@@asw7696 no worries. I shouldn’t post before coffee. I think Laklands are great! I lot of bass for the $. I bought a 55-02 from their B stock list that had no blemishes; they only replaced the neck for some reason. New neck=good neck.
I have a 32" scale Vantage S600B that is one of the best sounding basses I've ever played.
The Danelectro longhorn bass is pretty cool short-scale bass
I agree. One thing I love about mine is it's easier to swap between bass and guitar during a gig without everything feeling wierd for half a song!
I really like my Ibanez EHB1005-SMS 30"-32" multiscale (now with Aguilar PUs). Very easy to play with the shorter scale relaxing the strings a bit and allowing my aged, arthritic hands a bit of a break.
I bought a short bass for my 10 year old. That was a good call. I think its great. The rate he is growing I will be in the market for a sandard long scale 34 in say four years. Was a good call to get a smaller axe for a child
Any plans to do 5 and 6 string bass sets in medium and short scale? There's a few of us out here now playing shorter ERBs...
We've talked about it, just haven't found the time yet. It's on the roadmap though!
@@Stringjoy awesome, looking forward to them coming along.
Such a great video! I could listen to Ian talk bass all day long.
Great video. Thanks guys!
My current choice, if I had money to get yet another bass, would be to go for a J/MM (neck/bridge) like on some Laklands or Sandbergs.
I started with a short scale when I was a kid. then, later I bought a full scale 34" bass. Worked great for decades but now I'm too old to reach across the room to hit the further away frets. Revisited short scale but it felt like a toy. I found a medium scale bass and it felt JUST RIGHT! Unfortunately medium scale basses are very rare, especially left-handed.
eastwood, fender japan, SX, and ofc warmoth and other custom part builders do lefty medium scale basses :) - a fellow lefty
For people like me who despise playing near the headstock but still want tight B and E strings accors the neck, I find 35" inches necks to be a GODSEND.
I just play around the middle of the neck to get that short scale tone (treating the B E A D strings like a short scale E A D G bass) while still having access to the tasty Low B notes
being in a wheelchair, short scale basses work best for me for body size, even though I have long arms and can reach the full length on a 34” scale bass
Theoretically what is the difference of being in a wheelchair and those who play while sitting?
I don't see where bringing a handicap in changes the fundamentals of a guitar. Not being insensitive but sharing private things like that with complete strangers only makes you look like you seek sympathetic responses.
@@silencedones4421 look at a wheel chair, for god sake…
It has two armchairs which prevent the use of big body.
I am not « disabled » but it seems pretty clear to me that a short scale bass is more handy to use in such a situation as the body size is way smaller than a regular body size.
Jeeezzz 🙄
@@r3b0rn80 just as I do not understand his point in his comment I also do not understand your point other than the two of you speaking just to speak.
LOL! 🎵 That Guy with the Tiny Bass 🎵
The 34 inch bass Ian is holding in the beginning only has 20 frets. Is that a normal combination?
And the short scale Epiphone has 22 frets, how come?
Weren't the Fender Jaguars *all* 32" originally? In any case, there seemed to be a lot of them around in the 80's onward, before disappearing. I'd happily buy a Squire P/J config at 32", whatever shape, if it was light enough... bad back/multiple surgeries mean I either play 30" or Uke-Bass live... or not at all. High end USA P-Bass has remained in case for 10+ years!
My hands are small and I'm 67. I'm switching to medium scale basses but considering possibly getting a small scale.
I think a 32 with a reverse P pickup would be perfect for getting the ping out, giving you extra thick lows, while still having enough attack for versatility and better tuning stability especially with drop and downtuning, at least if reports of bass forums and reddit about 30 inch basses being bad at that are to be believed.
To get round the "pingy" tone on the G and D strings of a standard or long scale bass, why not move the bridge for those strings forward towards the neck?
It'll look weird, maybe why that's not a thing already.
That's just a multi scale you would need to fan the frets and at that point just make it multi scale
I really wish I could enjoy the short & medium scale basses. Very compact for easy transport.
Just couldn't get past their thin tone & floppy string tension.
Disclaimer: I own 2, but that's because my 8 & 12 year old daughters are learning to play on them.
Would definitely recommend bumping up a string gauge! Medium gauge strings would fix a lot of these issues (assuming you're used to 45-100 or 45-105 on Long Scale)
No surprise that I’m loving the vibe of that Serek…I have 8 now. 😂😅
When I was 12 my Mom gave me like 150 bucks to buy a turquoise Fender Musicmaster AND a Fender 50 Bassman amp with (I think) a 2x12 cab. Don't even remember where those went, but It would do anything to get them back I can tell you!
I had rotator cuff surgery and will never be able to reach the end of a long scale neck. I have a Jazz bass that I cannot stretch to the 3rd fret without relocating the guitar. I have a Gretch short scale which does well for me. My fun bass however is one of those $150 Hofner basses. I'm not sure how short the scale is. The guitar is tiny. Short scale strings are too long for it and it has 6 string guitar size tuners. I did put a very short scale fender set of strings on it which are made for one of fender's short neck instruments. For the money the Hofner sounds good and stays in tune. I record with it and sit on the couch rattling the neighborhood with it. Standing side by side the Hofner bass is shorter than my Mexi-telli by a few inches.
What is this first p bass?
Really interesting video. Not played a short scale bass in years, but am considering picking one up for a very different vibe. I'm a 35" scale fan, mostly on 5s these days. BTW, did you forget to colour grade the footage? Looks very washed out...
I do believe that the Hofner Beatle Bass and its Epiphone counterpart have a 30-1/2” scale
What about my Fender Precision Junior (28.5" scale length)? These aren't even that short!
Interesting what he says about the g on 34 inch. Find that to be a less of problem with flats, but still..
In addition to playing guitar in my three piece classic rock cover band, I was asked if I would be willing to join my son and youngest daughter in their first rock band, which is also three piece, after their guitar player left to play in an acoustic duo.
Of course I said yes! What father wouldn't treasure the experience of performing live with his children, even if they're both in their mid thirties?
In this band, however, I'm being asked to play both guitar and bass because my son, who first played bass, then mandolin in a Bluegrass Gospel band we had for a decade, wants to play some guitar along with bass in this new band.
Although I've played bass in bands before, I've never been in an arrangement where I'd need to switch back and forth between guitar and bass through a three hour show.
I know from experience that every time I've ever picked up a bass immediately after playing guitar, the instrument feels huge and awkward. Picking up a guitar after playing bass is even more awkward.
So, I'm considering a short scale bass to help minimize the difference between the feel of the two instruments.
Your video has been most beneficial in helping me to prepare and to understand the differences between long and short scale basses.
I never understood the spilt P pickup.. having the EA part nearer to fingerboard and the DG closer to the bridge.. It should be opposite like Lee Sklar "frankenstein" bass.. But everything in this clip makes sense. A short scale has it strength on the DG string due to scale lenght. Where the 34" is better for the low E and A.. That the entire philosophy behind the fanned fret of the Dingwall. Longer scale lenght for the bass end and shorter for the treble side.. (like a piano)..
A 34" scale bass can be good for downtuning to E-flat .. or D standard with a heavy and stiff set of 50-70-90-110. (DR DDT)..
Was that a Rita Coolidge bass riff?
The Gibson/Epiphone short scale is actually 30.75" scale, not 30". Warwick also uses 30.75" scale for their short scale instruments.
I can appreciate that Jameson’s choice in bass guitars was limited, but he did know exactly what sound he wanted to achieve and which instrument could produce it. When his 50s P was stolen, he replaced it with another P immediately. Despite all the new models that came out, he remained with his one P. The question is, which P did he actually prefer, the maple or the rosewood?
Man I love Jamerson speculations. The fact that he is probably the most influent bass player ever and that we barely know anything about his bass habits makes him almost ghostly, like a reclusive prophet of bass that we have to interpret with so little certainty.
I appreciate the fact that so many makers have short-scale offerings now, to accommodate players who might not have been able to wield a 34" bass. That's cool. But tonally, the trend is going in the opposite direction I want: more resonance, more harmonics, more sustain, better string tension, better intonation. Anyone who's had to deal with a floppy, dull-sounding E or B string that can't hold a pitch can attest to my frustrations with that. So makers: thanks, but can we get some XLs too?
Great video. I was so pleased you pointed out the uneven tone onto the G-string with long scale basses. People always go on about the amazing low end on multi-scale basses like the 5-string Dingwall's, but for me the real plus is that they have a more even tone because the G is shorter.
The 1st bass I loved the sound of, I bought. A peavy cirrus 35" scale. I've played long scale ever since. I have nothing against short scale bass and I have no inferiority complex. Please don't ever make your reason for choosing a bass because it covers your gut. I'd buy a short scale, if I had tons of money to spend, as well as a dingwall.
Fenders are famous for that timbre change. Get some Nordstrand pickups.
Jameson played Fender P. Standard scale.. mostly.
Ooh, I'd get a medium scale if I could, sounds sweet. A 6 string too. I've played a Conklin 7 and loved it. Give me all basses. I wish I was rich.
Lmao! As a 6'4" 220+lbs dude....i felt this conversation deeply. I love using a Thunderbird since it feels comfortable. I picked up a shortscale once and felt awkward as hell
have you notice that few years ago there were not so much short scale basses on the market then like suddendly, the major (and not so major) brands add short scale models in there catalogue?
I wish they will do the same with medium scale basses very soon!
and I wonder if Fender japan made these 32" basses (on demand?) was because of the average height (not so tall?) of japanese people?
I miss my medium scale Fender Urge. It was nice.
Ibanez's (eeebanez not eyebanez) SRMD200 is dirty cheap and available w/maple or rosewood fretboard and is an excellent little bass and widely available and beautifullly crafted. Stanley Clarke played a short scale Alembic. Hagstrom's Swede bass (70's issue) is a short scale w/an attitude and an ebony fretboard, if you can get one. The little Music Man is lovely. The Sire U5 is gorgeous but its neck is different. Squier's cheap short scale are cheaply made and to be avoided. I've tried every short I could and the Ibanez came out as the winner: 32 inch medium scale length.
I have literally heard no one in my 25 years of playing guitar call it an eeebanez.
@@williamfrank83 😆 I know
My main bass is a short-scale Ibanez bass. It's wonderful for most applications, with one exception; it can't play a 24th fret note (e.g. needed for that one note in Tool's the Pot). Otherwise though, I love it. Although, I feel I would look cooler playing a full-scale. 😂
what kind of amp are you using??
I had always tuned my 4-String tuned one whole step. Did anyone try that on a short scale? I'm wondering if that this still works.
Do you mean "de-tuned"?
I do tuned DGCF all my basses. Even the short Scale... Just get 110 instead 105
Not very well to my experience.
...and then there's the increasingly popular 28.6". And the Beatles bass. And the mini-P. The list goes on (but not and on) - and hopefully continues to grow. Ha. Thanks for this video - It was helpful! All the best.
Ian,,,,YOU ARE THE MAN 🎸🤠
the 30" short scale is more even tonally up and down the fingerboard, easier to play and cart around, and sounds more upright like (especially hofners) . I'm not sure why 34" became the standard, if indeed it is because most british invasion music was played on a short scale.
Oh great, now you’ve got me wanting to build a 30in Warmoth Mooncaster. Thank you SO much. 😂
Hey Ian, I was rather confused to hear you mention Carol Kaye in association with short scale basses, not once, but several times, as it's well documented, and Kaye, herself, has written that all her work back in the day was done on a P-Bass with flat-wounds, felt muting, and a pick! Though she's played other basses over time, and settled on Ibanez for a while, she went back to Fender after she felt Ibanez quality declined. Great job of Good Vibrations on that Epi, but it was a P-Bass on the original, sorry!
I love 30 scale basses, except the accessories are pretty limited. So whatever strings you may love for 34, are either not available or do not translate well to 30 scale. There are great short scale strings, but much less to choose from.
Also many brands have weird rules for short scale basses, and odd tensions that make the feel quite different than 34 scale basses.
But I still think they can be awesome, and will never take for granted that a long scale must be better than a short scale. I do have a short scale I love and will never let it go, even though I play mostly my 34 scale basses.
I like the usual extra bloom of short scale basses-not always the case, but common.
(I played classical guitar as a young man-30 scale feels perfectly natural to me. I do not play electric guitar-pretty bad with a pick! Though it can be played fingerstyle, I started to play bass for the bass, never came to it from my previous musical instruments. So I never planned to learn electric guitar, and honestly do not believe I ever will-no offense to guitarrists, as I played classical and still play violin!)
We try to have a fairly broad range of gauge options for Short and Medium scale basses, at least better than most brands.
Danelectro 59 short scale. G string doesn't intonate properly. Need to look for the long scale.
Titans of the industry!
Ian has such character
Okay, so I’m not the only one! I as well hate the sound of the G string on the lower frets LOL. I’m a 5 string player, I didn’t switch to 5 string because of the lower register. I switched because I like the sound of frets 6-12, so that’s my home base (pun intended?) this was a great video. I’m super nerdy about strings and scale lengths and things alike. No one ever seems to understand 😂