Recommendations for an affordable (shortscale) bass

[fese]

Hi,

Like many guitar players I secretly wish I could be a bass player ...
So my goal for this year is to start to learn playing the bass.
Every time I had my hands on a proper bass though, I found it a bit too big and uncomfortable. I don’t have the biggest hands either.

Now I learned that there are shortscale basses, too, which sounds definitely interesting.

So my question: Does anyone have a recommendation for a general purpose shortscale bass in the sub 500€-range?
Are there any downsides to shortscales?

Thanks!

[DMG68]

I picked up a Fender Mustang PJ about a year ago and really like it, I think it’s not made anymore but there is still a Mustang bass, just different pickups. You may find a PJ in stock somewhere as well. No downsides for me, in fact, I got rid of my full scale bass after. The sound is great, still nice and beefy. Good luck.

[Bombadil]

Höfner Ignition Beatle Bass.

[CapnLockheed]

Like many guitar players I secretly wish I could be a bass player ...
So my goal for this year is to start to learn playing the bass.
Every time I had my hands on a proper bass though, I found it a bit too big and uncomfortable. I don’t have the biggest hands either.

Same here. I play short scale basses exclusively. I have a vintage Kay & a Danelectro that I love to pieces. But I also had an Epiphone EB-0. SG shaped, (I love SG's!), very easy to play, great tone and value. Gretsch also makes a very nice affordable shorty.

[Mister Natural]

https://www.zzounds.com/item--SQU0310902
Squire Bronco
best of luck

[revvy]

Nothing wrong with short scale, some lovely basses avaliable.


That said, I prefer full scale. When I first picked up a bass I too found it uncomfortable, especially holding it and trying to play like a regular guitar, it felt massive. That was my first mistake - don't carry it exactly like a guitar, maybe shift it higher. Also, hold your hands and arm slightly differently. Search around for beginner guides. Finally, one-note-per-fret is tricky at the low end of the neck, so try a different approach and/or pivot your hand around rather than stretching the full span with your fingers like trying to play a chord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdrDozdlEWc

You don't need to be tall/have big hands to play full scale bass, you just need decent technique and practice. It's not just a 4-string guitar, I think you need to approach it a bit differently.

Anyway, bass is great so enjoy whatever 6you get.

[fese]

..
That said, I prefer full scale. When I first picked up a bass I too found it uncomfortable, especially holding it and trying to play like a regular guitar, it felt massive. That was my first mistake - don't carry it exactly like a guitar, maybe shift it higher. Also, hold your hands and arm slightly differently. Search around for beginner guides. Finally, one-note-per-fret is tricky at the low end of the neck, so try a different approach and/or pivot your hand around rather than stretching the full span with your fingers like trying to play a chord.

You don't need to be tall/have big hands to play full scale bass, you just need decent technique and practice. It's not just a 4-string guitar, I think you need to approach it a bit differently.

You're probably right, there must be loads of bass players who don't have monster hands and they get by
Full scale might open up the used market where you most likely don't find as many short scales on offer...

[revvy]

..
That said, I prefer full scale. When I first picked up a bass I too found it uncomfortable, especially holding it and trying to play like a regular guitar, it felt massive. That was my first mistake - don't carry it exactly like a guitar, maybe shift it higher. Also, hold your hands and arm slightly differently. Search around for beginner guides. Finally, one-note-per-fret is tricky at the low end of the neck, so try a different approach and/or pivot your hand around rather than stretching the full span with your fingers like trying to play a chord.

You don't need to be tall/have big hands to play full scale bass, you just need decent technique and practice. It's not just a 4-string guitar, I think you need to approach it a bit differently.

You're probably right, there must be loads of bass players who don't have monster hands and they get by
Full scale might open up the used market where you most likely don't find as many short scales on offer...

Yup.

BTW I meant to say one finger per feet can be tricky, not one note per feet. I think basses do ok for one note per fret

[GaryG]

]
You're probably right, there must be loads of bass players who don't have monster hands and they get by

Google pics of Suzi quattro or Tina Weymouth

Having said that I bought a cheap short scale to jam on, broke my left wrist as a kid and have scar tissue that makes any guitar playing a bit uncomfortable, especially full size bass. The strings are looser so maybe not as twangy but if it's good enough for McCartney and Watt.

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-B ... burst/1YJX

[Magic Russ]

I got my son a short scale bass kit (Fender P-bass clone) from TheFretWire a while back. It turned out to be a surprisingly decent instrument, but when you throw in the price of finishing supplies the Squire might be less expensive.

[Monsum]

Ibanez PNB14E is an electric-acoustic bass guitar which sounds great, is easy to play due to its strings and size and it's cheap.
I'm a guitarist so I needed something to lay down bass tracks. I tried and owned a Kala U-Bass, a full size acoustic bass, Fender Jazz Bass and finally the Ibanez PNB14E turned out to be something I kept and I still enjoy playing it.

[fese]

Ibanez PNB14E is an electric-acoustic bass guitar which sounds great, is easy to play due to its strings and size and it's cheap.
I'm a guitarist so I needed something to lay down bass tracks. I tried and owned a Kala U-Bass, a full size acoustic bass, Fender Jazz Bass and finally the Ibanez PNB14E turned out to be something I kept and I still enjoy playing it.

I’ve seem that before, it looks like fun! I’ve actually played another Ibanez Minibass once in a store, I really liked it but it was +500 and fretless . Couldn’t find it anymore.

I already have an Ukubass, a really cheap one from Harley Benton/Thomann. It sounds surprisingly nice when recorded, but isn’t really fun to play due to those weird plastic strings and the overall cheap-ish feeling. How is that onyour Ibanez?

[Monsum]

I already have an Ukubass, a really cheap one from Harley Benton/Thomann. It sounds surprisingly nice when recorded, but isn’t really fun to play due to those weird plastic strings and the overall cheap-ish feeling. How is that onyour Ibanez?

As I said I love grabbing the Ibanez and playing it, it's so much fun and surprisingly sounds good recorded.
It doesn't have plastic strings like U-basses but Taylor strings which were especially designed for their GS mini Bass.
The strings feel is a bit too flexible for my taste but you can get used to it. The advantage is how easy it plays, more like a guitar than full size bass. The Ibanez is not good for slapping but any other techniques sound great.
If you have a chance to test one I definitely recommend it.

I made a couple videos a while back with it:
https://youtu.be/BiE69WrmhzA
https://youtu.be/-3VNZqRNc6c

[donkey tugger]

As a guitarist, you'll be wanting something with the proper number of strings. 4 is so....boooring..

https://www.revelationguitars.co.uk/guitar/rjt-60-b/

Also available in Fiesta Red I hear.

[fese]

So I finally got the Ibanez PBN14E this week. 224€, you really can’t complain, you get a lot for it. Quality is definitely better than I expected for the price. And it’s about the size of my acoustic guitars, so I have no problem playing it on the couch
Sounds a bit “harder” than I expected, but that might be because of the new strings, dunno.
Thanks for the recommendation, Monsum!
Now I only need to learn to play bass