I think I'm gonna be in the market soon for a very cheap bass just to lay down some lines when recording (which is just home noodlin stuff really). As my man-cave hasn't room to swing a cat and as I'm a guitarist through and through, I was thinking of a short scale - prob a 30".
What do they sound like though, I.e. What is the compromise in tone for having something easier to play and swing around?
I'd probably be looking at the Ibanez Talman shortscale or the new Squier Jag bass shortscale.
Any experiences appreciated, this bass lark has me out of my depth!
Comments
To be honest, I don't think the scale length difference will really help. If you are worried about the feel of it as a primarily guitar based player, then I would suggest low tension strings on a full scale. The neck width and feel will make more of a difference as a guitarist.
Depends on the sound you are after. Want that classic bass thump? Get a Precision. Want something more rounded and defined - like a Motown or funk sort of sound? Get a Jazz. Or you could get a PJ which is a bit of both.
I would go with a Squier Affinity or something in that range - or maybe one of the Yamaha lower range ones - all great basses. The Squiers tend to have thinner necks which you will appreciate more.
Or or you could strike up a friendship with a friendly bass player and get them to put lines down to your noodling - bass players are often on the lookout for projects they can do at home to play along with!
Maybe a full scale P type but with a slightly smaller body would do the trick.
Buy a Stingray.
It might as well be the only bass, because it's the best bass by such an enormous margin.
Otherwise, get a P
Granted they are not cheap for a 'student' short-scale bass, but they really are good. Now if I could only remember where mine is… I think I last saw it disappearing into my daughter's bedroom...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
What I do know is this shortscale Jag bass looks cool as, and as I'm spending teenage money on one, there's nought wrong in using teenage principles to choose...
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n505/dindude/IMG_1535_zpsfyp6ncsr.jpg
I may or may may or may not be considering a junior girly student short scale musicmaster for my collection... ahem
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
DRs seem to last for ever. Before I got my Rickenbacker I think I changed basses more often than strings .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
If you are thinking teenage what about the Gretsch short scale basses? You can pretend to be in Royal Blood.
My bass playing sounds pretty much like the OPs, but never found a full scale bass to be a problem (although I don't think I've played a short scale bass since my bandmate's Kay in the 80s...)
There are some real 80s and 90s bargains to be had out there. Take Peavey - less than £400 for high quality USA made kit
My Squier jag bass is still for sale . . .
It's red, not black, and currently has 30-90 Rotosound strings on (I've still got the original strings here somewhere) barely been played and sounds pretty good.
I confess I'm not aware of current prices (or what I was asking for in my post, TBH), so asking for a "best price inc.shipping" might have helped had you been interested - and if you really need a couple of pics taken on a phone which tell you nothing much other than it exists then ask for some