To each his own. I'm only about 5'6" tall so long scales are just disproportionately big to me, and I find the frets can be a real reach.

I love my short scale Musicmasters. I can certainly play a long scale but just find them uncomfortable.

I'm typically a 6 string guy but my girlfriend decided to pick up bass and that question was my dilemma as well. Being shorter and a beginner I thought she would learn easier on a short scale but having to move up to long scale could be challenging being accustomed to the facilities of the shorter neck. I got a good deal on a EB3 $@! copy from the 70s and after a complete and much needed setup it plays really well and doesnt sound half bad.

Do you guys find it an issue to move between neck scales? I play Strats and I had several short scale 6 stringers in the past as well, like Duo Sonics, Mustangs, etc.. and I always ended up somewhat screwing up adjusting to the fretboard.

I have commandeered my daughter's P-Bass copy since she moved away,but find it unplayable because of the long-scale neck.I have to use my old Vox Astro IV bass when I play.Our bass player had a '72 Jazz Bass and I could play that no problem so if I was in the market for a bass these days it would have to be a Jazz,Mustang or Jaguar(which I have major GAS for).

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Isnt the Jazz a standard 34 scale? The Jag and Mustang are short 30 right?

Yea, Jazz is normal scale but neck is narrower.

"Bass Long Scale, Over Short Scale?"
I have always played a long scale bass guitar

the Fender Mustang bass guitar has a great sound. I have been thinking about playing one my next visit to a music store.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I am 5'4 and have small hands. I can play any bass...however I find that the thinner necks help. I play 2 four string Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling basses They are long scale but the necks are thin and narrow with fast low action. Perfect!

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Thank God for modern Hi-Gain crunch!!!!

Though this picker-plucker's hands are not huge, preference is for long scale for playing weekly church bass. 23 inches feels and sounds "better" for that application.

That said, for just sitting in the music room and "blowing sax," the Fender VI short scale is magnificent.

The short scale bass neck is fine. 30.5" On the Gibson SG Std.