Is a short scale bass easier to play?

[solspirit]

Well, is it?
It seems like they should be.

 

[idsnowdog]

With more women players many manufacturers have rolled out short scale models. They are easier to play but their quality varies widely. The main issue with a shorter scale length is a lack of clarity due to intonation and often crappy pickups. The Squire Bronco bass is great if you replace the bridge with a four saddle model and put a cheap active single coil in it like GFS or Dragonfire. Glarry makes a copy of the Bronco and it already has a four saddle bridge.

 

[Mincer]

I think they have their own sound. I tend to like Bass VI-type instruments, with 6 strings and 30" scale. It can function as a bass (and did for lots of bands). I say, play whatever makes you smile and not struggle.

 

[Clint 55]

I'm used to regular scale, but short scale does feel a little easier and more convenient.

 

[idsnowdog]

This guy has quite a few short scale tests. [video]https://www.youtube.com/@jonathanwong458music[/video]

 

[beaubrummels]

Yes

 

[ICTGoober]

Easier to play compared to what? Accordion? Harpsichord? Baritone Sax? Kazoo?

 

[KNUCKLHEAD]

Easier to play compared to what? Accordion? Harpsichord? Baritone Sax? Kazoo?

u forgot skinflute

 

[idsnowdog]

He also demos many short scale basses.
[video]https://www.youtube.com/@LowEndLobster[/video]

 

[Chistopher]

I've debated buying a short scale bass and tuning it like a cello.

 

[ehdwuld]

i prefer the short scale

you have your arms in a more normal positon
rather than you left hand at way out there
they are lighter

I have a headless shortscle right now that is my favorite

I also have several Ibanez SR series basses that are really good sounding

 

[solspirit]

With more wàomen players many manufacturers have rolled out short scale models. They are easier to play but their quality varies widely. The main issue with a shorter scale length is a lack of clarity due to intonation and often crappy pickups. The Squire Bronco bass is great if you replace the bridge with a four saddle model and put a cheap active single coil in it like GFS or Dragonfire. Glarry makes a copy of the Bronco and it already has a four saddle bridge.

What other new off-brand, Chinese, or where ever South Korean, or Indonesian brands,you consider. There are several that I'd like to try. If nothing else they'll become partscasters most likely. I bought one a few months ago, I knew nothing about the company, but figured I'll chance it. The brand is, SUPQ. It's a double hum strat type.

. They mistakenly sent me a little 20 watt combo with it.

 

[solspirit]

Easier to play compared to what? Accordion? Harpsichord? Baritone Sax? Kazoo?

What do you think? We're on a sub-forum for bass guitars, hosted by a pickup forum for electric guitars.
Seriously. . ...
Is this where you go, when you want to discuss your harpsichord, accordion, baritone sax, or kazoo?

 

[donaldr]

They are easier to play for sure. But the sound is a bit different.
Tune your regular bass in Db standard and put a capo on 3rd fret, that would give you an idea how a short scale will play.

 

[idsnowdog]

What other new off-brand, Chinese, or where ever South Korean, or Indonesian brands,you consider. There are several that I'd like to try. If nothing else they'll become partscasters most likely. I bought one a few months ago, I knew nothing about the company, but figured I'll chance it. The brand is, SUPQ. It's a double hum strat type.

. They mistakenly sent me a little 20 watt combo with

The Glarry short scale Bronco Bass is $90 and you get it in 3 days. I have watched half a dozen reviews of this 51 style p-bass pickup and people rave about it! It is a vast improvement over the crappy Bronco style pickup for $20. With a pack of strings you would spend $150. It's a cheap experiment and would be easy to flip on CL if it's not for you. Otherwise you can find used Squier Bronco Basses on CL for around $150. But you would need a better bridge and a better pickup. Once again a cheap experiment and fairly easy to flip on CL.

 

[solspirit]

They are easier to play for sure. But the sound is a bit different.
Tune your regular bass in Db standard and put a capo on 3rd fret, that would give you an idea how a short scale will play.

I'm going to try this, because I really don't like playing my regular bass. I'm getting old and weak, with all my physical issues, and I really cant handle playing anything that far down the neck.

 

[Mincer]

I'm going to try this, because I really don't like playing my regular bass. I'm getting old and weak, with all my physical issues, and I really cant handle playing anything that far down the neck.

Actually, it is a great idea. I don't play my bass a whole lot, but I'm not a big guy, so 34" scale is a bit big for me.

 

[jeremy]

short scale basses can still sound huge in a mix. a mustang bass with a p bass pup is wonderful

 

[donaldr]

I'm going to try this, because I really don't like playing my regular bass. I'm getting old and weak, with all my physical issues, and I really cant handle playing anything that far down the neck.

Actually I think a 5-string is easier to play, if you start at the 5th fret it's like a 4-string.

 

[beaubrummels]

short scale basses can still sound huge in a mix. a mustang bass with a p bass pup is wonderful

This is true. I have a stock Gretsch 6210 that I use to write and practice parts, and record the track with a Rickenbacker. They sound close enough I almost considered just keeping the Gretsch takes.