Have the exact same bass Sonic Blue. I love it. I'm a guitar player and find it to be an easy transition when I switch to bass. Plays & sounds like a dream! I use a Fender Rumble 100 amp. Great amp. Get one!
It's interesting because you had mentioned that you feel it's more trebbly because it's small but i actually think that the shorter scale length puts less tension on the strings and they tend to sound lower/more "tubby" sounding. Very cool liking bass.
Dear lady, I enjoy your videos and reviews about basses because they are so neat without going into cosmic deepness of bass philosophy. I did not know that you had a neck injury. I could recommend one great and lightweight bass guitar for you. That is East German made end 60's Musima 25 DeLuxe Bass, extremely lightweight, short scale, and simply amazing tone. Also it is a really budget friendly bass, since in Europe it can be found in great condition for not more than 150$, but actually not so easy to find. I'm residing in Serbia and sending you a greetings from Belgrade.
As a working guitarist, I was borrowing my buddy's bass for some high-end gigs. Finally bought one of these. It feels really good to play and a bit more natural feeling.
I'm an older musician/songwriter I started as a drummer in 1972, I learned guitar to write music I have been looking for a bass for home recording. I was thinking of a short scale bass because of my back. I do like the sound of that mustang bass thank you for the demo
Hi Di I have just put this Bass on lay-by here in Australia. I have Fibromyalgia and arthritis, and have found that the Short-scale Bass is much more comfortable for me to play now. I'm really looking forward to playing this at church, and getting a new Fender Rumble Bass amp cab, or equivalent. Thanks. ❤️❤️❤️🎸🎸🎸
@@realbeal Yeah, I am thinking of something like a Fender Rumble 200, or 500. There also seems to be similar-ish priced cabs from Ampeg and Gallien-Kruger.
You kept your promise, and demo'ed the Mustang! Beautiful Bass, has a rich full tone. I do prefer flatwounds, but those roundwounds are sounding clean and not "scratchy". Thanks for sharing Di, and good luck with the new bass!...Frank
I have a 1979 Musicmaster bass (same body style and neck as the Mustang), and flats cut right through the mix on my worship team band! Plus, they sound more like a bass!
@@abk868s That really depends on the player, their technique, and their fingertips (assuming fingerstyle playing). I can't play flatwounds because my fingertips are really soft, my technique is a very light touch and flatwounds absolutely do NOT cut through when I'm playing them. There is no definition at all, just mud. On the other hand, I have bassist pals who use flatwounds and they sound great. So... it's really dangerous to tell bassist that "flatwounds are great." Maybe they are and maybe they are not. It just depends on the player and the sound they want/get.
@@realbeal i also prefer flatwounds as they are warm sounding , whereas roundwounds are more bright sounding . to my ears a bass musn't sound bright ( plus they make my fingers bleed ) !
That new Fender Mustang is such a solid bass! First time I saw it is from Janek Gwizdala's video. It's a cool vlog and story of how he ended up buying it. I also personally like it with the tone down to give it that fat, bass-y sound. I like the sound when you first play it. One thing about the strap, even though it'll cost more, I HIGHLY recommend getting those thicker leather straps. I've been having some neck/shoulder problems, and in turn nerve problems on my left arm. So I purchased a Levy's 4" leather strap. It makes a huge difference, especially for those long rehearsals. I think on Amazon USA, the cheapest one is around $65. So worth it though.
@@realbeal I like it. Compared to just recording plugged straight into my daw, it sounds awesome. I have a small bass amp also but the sansamp sounds really good to me.
Hi, Russ here... A really good non slip and comfortable straps that I use are made by "Lee", be sure to get the cotton ones.... , they have leather ends and come in many colors to choose from... :)
I have the same bass in Olympic white. I agree if you don’t get the right strap this bass can have a lot of neck dive. But for the money it’s super fun to play and it is well-made. I really enjoy mine. I also have a 1991 “Crafted in Japan” version of the Mustang and my 2016 Mustang PJ is just as much fun, just as well made, and a lot cheaper! But it doesn’t have that cool vintage vibe that the CIJ exudes.
Stick a piece of foam under the strings at the bridge. It will give you that "Thump" that basses should have. Also check out "Half rounds" the best of both worlds.
I some fenders have a 4th position on that switch changes the phasing on the pickups. Great video thanks but you can't beat the Jazz or Precision Fenders. That is simply from the 'sound guys' POV.
There is no way you suck! I’ve heard you 😊 you are cool. Just pick something you love to play. And have fun or not,I enjoy your videos either way. Keep up the great work!
A short scale P Jazz bass!! I'm intrigued. I'd be just as happy with a regular Squier five string P-Jazz bass. The first Mustang bass I ever saw belonged to the bassist in Scottish rock band Nazareth in the 1970s. Very distinctive looking guitar.
I play bass at church too. I use a medium scale which is 32". Sometimes I think it would be fun to try a 30". Chicago Music Exchange has this in a shell pink with a maple neck which looks amazing but I don't have a way to test it against what I have. Thank you.
That's a great, sleek and versatile bass for your gigs. Does it intonate good? I've experienced a slight tendency with shortscales to fail sometimes. I've had 2 fender jaguars, that are very similar to this one. The 2013 indonesian one was way better than the 2018 mexican 'modern player' one, that hummed ferociously. I've had that strap once - it tore into my neck while playing in a tank top.switched to the fender monogram one, the classic look - problem solved. There's a monogram one with black/grey/blue theme that would suit you and the sonic blue finish. Great work!
Nice review that covers everything. Does it not hurt your right hand to be bent to 90 degrees? That used to kill mine. I had to force myself to change it.
Its cool Di, but its time to get a 5 string! : ) So many more options. Our bands previous bass player used a 4 string, and they were happy with it, but since ive started playing for them they're in love with what the low B can do. In fact, if i ever had to leave they'd probably insist the new bass player has to use a 5! But then, ea to their own i guess : )
such a sweet bass, I'm hoping to get the very same one soon as my first bass in red(because Norah Jones's mustang guitar is red haha). And that's so true about glossy finishes, satin is a lot nicer(I play guitar but would love to learn bass as well and I'm a huge fan of Fender Mustang guitars so of course I'd want a Mustang bass haha, and it's a lot easier to play for someone who's used to guitar because of the shorter scale). Awesome video! Love the sonic blue color!
Sure thing! I could do some short video showing what it looks like. But I'm not really a bassist so me doing a demo of it would be a bad idea haha. But I can certainly show it once I get it. At the end of next month hopefully! And I'm gonna also hopefully get the p90 Mustang Fender guitar as well in red! Both so affordable and both so well made! I feel like the Mexican models are made even better in recent years than they used to be! I've been sort of blown away recently!
What gauge strings do you like on a short scale? I've heard some say go heavier because of the low tension and some say go lighter because it sounds muddy with heavier strings.
I play with lighter strings on the same bass no problem. It is a little bit easier to bend the strings but that seems to only be a problem when I'm playing certain bass lines, I just need to practice :-)
@realbeal check out the switchlock. i just remember the problem you have with the pickup selector. check it out it might help. your videos are awesome keep it up!!!!
Have you any demo or opinion of the Gretsch short scale? I just bought this Mustang and the Gretsch and would be very interested in hearing other observations about how they compare. Thank you.
Hey I’m a working bass player in Ft Worth Texas. Clubs ,restaurants, I also play a worship service every Sunday. I enjoy your videos , very cool. I want to ask you if you would play along with some songs, maybe Birdland by Weather Report, ( I heard you say you used to play it). Anything your choice. I know you play well and would love to see it. Thanks
Just got this exact bass, and it’s my first short scale. I love it!!! But, one thing I’m noticing is fret buzz on the E string. It requires more effort to play than playing the other strings. Do you have this problem? anyone have any tips?
Great review and playing, thank you for making this! One main question I have about this bass is, is there neck dive when standing and playing? I've heard that happens with some mustangs. Thanks again!
The "Title Music" is really great !! It's a really fun, groovin', reggae sounding jam. Loved it the first time I heard it. Can you post a video with the whole track? Great recording and mix. Somebody knows what they're doing !!
Is it bad to play bass with a pick? I have been playing six string electric guitar for decades but at Guitar Center I tried a Mustang bass and I couldn't get used to playing with fingers so I started using the pick.
Hi Bass Playing Mom! Any idea how this Fender Mustang ($549ish) compares with the Fender Squier Mustang ($300ish) with just one set of pickups? I'm curious about the sound difference but have never been able to do a side by side comparison.
I played both and personally liked the squier more only because it was more original spec with the mustang bridge and single coil. The fender is cool if you want a short scale p bass. I thought the fender had more versatility but the squier had that real punchy 60s mustang sound.
sorry you may not recognise this account name. (too many hobbies!) Hello my dear. Apologies for being months behind but ill health at 73 takes time to fight. I have a misty memory of you asking for photos of my original 1990 Fender PJ90 bass made in USA. If so I have no idea how to post photos to you. If you recall I am a bass fool since 1958. Im easily found via Google or faceBook. Hope you and the family are doing well there in America. We are in the Latin heart of Spain. Malaga, Andalucia. ziggybass
My strap is vinyl on the back. I make sure it is resting on mu back/neck skin so it is stuck there. I hear there are straps that help. Also, some people weight the cavity fo the bass.
Hey thanks for the suggestion about switching up the strap. I got a wider padded one which kinda lessens it but not totally. I’m actually about to return it and get a the vintera possibly. Bc it has a 7.25” (versus 9~”) neck and other features that I m feeling a bit more.
Hi, I picked up the bass about a year ago and bought a really cheap budget bass to get started (long scale), now I'm looking to upgrade to a more serious bass, and I'm in doubt about whether I should buy a short scale, as I'm quite tiny with small hands, which sometimes limits me a bit on a long scale. Yet I'm worried I will be losing some 'body'/deep bass soundwise... What is your opinion on the Mustang compared to long scale bases you have played? what are some pros and cons soundwise? Love to hear it! Thanks :)
Cool bass DI !! I once had a strap that use to slide all over as well, it lasted about 2 jams and into the trash. I now have a wide leather padded one, it was from Scottsbasslessons.com. It is the most comfortable strap I have ever used. Way better support on my neck and shoulders. The only catch is that it wasn't cheap. It was about $130 canadian, $100 US give or take. Well worth it.
