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Post subject: Need advise on which bass scale lenght to buy
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:34 pm
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I am a guitar player that is sick and tired of trying to find a bass player for our band. So I have decided that I will learn bass and continue on as a 3 piece band instead of a 4 piece.

My question is what scale length should I look for ? There are times when I have a hard enough time playing a 25 1/2 " scale guitar. I am 55 years old and "old Arthur" has started to set in.

I would like something that didn't require a whole lot of stretching but I also wants something that sound good and sounds like a bass and not a guitar.

I own nothing but Fender but on this one I will buy what ever brand I can get that I can play and sounds good.

What are your honest opinions. Please help me, I have three months to learn
bass before our bassist leaves.

Thanks.


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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:15 pm
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I have small hands and I've not find a problem with 34" scale. I did like my Stu Hamm (original model was a 30") due to the shorter scale. I've had Ibanezes with 35" scale and not have issues with it. Jazz Bass would have a nicer feeling if you like the guitar neck comparo, due to the narrow width of it. Good luck sir.

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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:36 pm
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Thanks for the info. I will look in to the Jazz bass. I would like the feel of a thin neck.

Many Thanks !


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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:45 am
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Anytime sir, another great suggestion my friend told me was, finger extension ex. like on the byzantine scale(s). Good luck.

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'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:34 am
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Nobody mentioned the Mustang bass yet?? I would never switch to it from my Jag bass, but it still sound plenty deep to me (it worked for the Stones), and its plenty easy for me to span 6 frets from the nut. Of course, my hands are big and i'm double jointed :P But historically, the 'stang's been a favorite of guitarists turning bass.


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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:22 am
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Godbody wrote:
Nobody mentioned the Mustang bass yet?? I would never switch to it from my Jag bass, but it still sound plenty deep to me (it worked for the Stones), and its plenty easy for me to span 6 frets from the nut. Of course, my hands are big and i'm double jointed :P But historically, the 'stang's been a favorite of guitarists turning bass.


Which one is it? The Jag or the 'Stang?

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'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:05 am
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At the risk of being heretical, the Epiphone EB-3 style is really light and might even be available in a 30 1/2 inch scale.

The Jazz Bass is really a sweet instrument, the MIM being a great bargain. 'Have a fretless for 8 years, this month.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:40 pm
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PowerJazzBass wrote:
Godbody wrote:
Nobody mentioned the Mustang bass yet?? I would never switch to it from my Jag bass, but it still sound plenty deep to me (it worked for the Stones), and its plenty easy for me to span 6 frets from the nut. Of course, my hands are big and i'm double jointed :P But historically, the 'stang's been a favorite of guitarists turning bass.


Which one is it? The Jag or the 'Stang?


For a guitar player, the Stang. I'd stay away from a jag or a jazz, those are really bass player's basses.


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Post subject: Short Scales
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:22 pm
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Well sir,
You could always try a squier Bronco bass. Its made of good woods and all you need to do to get a professional tone is to change the pickup to a seymour duncan quater-pound for P bass single coil or a Hot for P bass single coil. Otherwise, as someone mentioned, the Mustang bass sounds just like a pro fender and the P bass junior sounds just as good as a fender P bass but with a shorter scale.
I recommend shorter scales as not only are the necks narrower and easier to play, but due to the short scale, the tension of the strings are reduced and makes for even more effortless playing.

Do not hesitate to contact me for any more info.
Thanks


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:06 am
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I don't think the op is looking to spend $150 then another $100 for pick up...not that it matters, looks like the OP is mia anyways. His reply pretty much sums it up, he's done, he's got the advise he needed.

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'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:54 pm
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There are a lot of "purists" out there who think that you simply cannot get a good bass sound out of a short scale bass. Well, they are full of iit! If the Mustang,Musicmaster,or Bronco basses are not to your liking soundwise, try a Hofner ,Hagstrom ,Framus , and yes, even an older Gibson or Rickenbacker (they made 3 scale lengths) might do the trick. You can also get alot of the older Japanese short scale basses from the 60's for not too much money. I find as a bass player, I can move alot faster on the shorter necks. I own a Mustang & a Jazz Bass and both are a joy to play. But if you're having trouble with your hands, try a short scale...They are FUN! You'll feel like you can fly!


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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:52 am
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docfowler wrote:
There are a lot of "purists" out there who think that you simply cannot get a good bass sound out of a short scale bass. Well, they are full of iit! If the Mustang,Musicmaster,or Bronco basses are not to your liking soundwise, try a Hofner ,Hagstrom ,Framus , and yes, even an older Gibson or Rickenbacker (they made 3 scale lengths) might do the trick. You can also get alot of the older Japanese short scale basses from the 60's for not too much money. I find as a bass player, I can move alot faster on the shorter necks. I own a Mustang & a Jazz Bass and both are a joy to play. But if you're having trouble with your hands, try a short scale...They are FUN! You'll feel like you can fly!


I had a Stu Hamm Urge (v.1) which was a short scale. I thought that was a great bass. I liked it a lot, it didn't make it sound bad, the pups on it were awesome.

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'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:02 pm
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Before you make the decision, i think you should definitely try the jag at least once...i love it


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:30 am
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There's an Epiphone EB-0 30" scale 4-string out there for under $300, plays and sounds and looks hot.

On the Fender side, the Bass VI 30 1/2 inch 6-string octave guitar from the Custom Shop is beautiful, magnificently built, toneful, versatile...

...oh, yeah, and like $3800


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:41 pm
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JSJH wrote:
There's an Epiphone EB-0 30" scale 4-string out there for under $300, plays and sounds and looks hot.

On the Fender side, the Bass VI 30 1/2 inch 6-string octave guitar from the Custom Shop is beautiful, magnificently built, toneful, versatile...

...oh, yeah, and like $3800


Actually, it's funny you should mention that Epiphone EB-0 and the Bass VI, because I converted one of those EB-0's into an EB-6 (Gibson's version pre-dated the Bass VI by about 4 years)


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