What's the deal with short scale basses? 

They are fun to play but it makes me look like I've got a guitar strapped on, and who wants to look like...them?

You forgot the most important selling point: it looks absolutely ridiculous if you’re a tall person. I’m 6’1”, and it looks like an absolute toy on stage and I love it

Your drug of choice is cereal, mine is Kit Kat chocolates. You have to make this life livable.

Love how this video is edited! Your cutting in and out between tone samples and informative descriptions really helped me understand what the deal is with short scale basses 👌🏼

Dude from Royal Blood does awesome things with his shortys. Keep up the good work.

The issue for me with a normal 34 Inch scale is when I play standing up my short arms and hands struggle reaching notes and stretching my finger along the top of the fretboard. I can raise my strap way higher to reach but that don’t look too cool😂

"...floating in a cloud of hipster smugness." Heh!

2:10 it's like the iPhone of basses. Next they'll take out the output jack thing and make you connect to an amp with Bluetooth

I love my Sunburst PJ Mustang. I was recording a song with a friend and he got blown away by the tone I could get out of that thing. Got my hands on a 1978 Mustang with all original pieces, it sounds OLD SCHOOL

A bass player for a little British outfit called the Rolling Stones - Bill Wyman - played short-scales on most of their early recordings. I believe they had some success...

That's the comparison I was looking for. Thanks!

I have a Gretsch junior jet...very pleased with it and probably short scale for life now

Great video. Got more curious about short-scales. Maybe nice for travel as well... or a headless paddle bass...

This was exactly the information I was looking for thank you

I own a 1977 Fender Musicmaster short scale bass, picked it up over 30 years ago for £75 and it's still rockin'.

I had a 1983 P-Bass but sold it (for a $500 profit) to get a 2018 Squier J-Bass. I used to think Squier was junk, but not anymore! With the leftover cash, I bought a Squier Jaguar SS 30" short scale, and it quickly became my main bass. I had no idea what to do with the J-Bass until I decided to restring for BEAD tuning. I see no reason to go back to long scale basses. The biggest disadvantage so far is a smaller selection of flatwound strings, but they exist. I think if I lost the discontinued Jag SS, I'd get the Squier replacement: the new Jaguar with a 32" scale.

Got a PJ Mustang in Torino Red, and I love playing me some Vulfpeck as well! And Fine China sounds amazing with the right amount of fuzz.

I am a bass player. I was always against a short scale bass, for reasons you talked about with quality and I really like the long scale. But as I get older, I tried and bought a Sire U5, its really great.

I have played bass from the age of 12 to current date and im now 59 years old, i have had many and i mean many different bass guitars, i recently moved to short scale bass and i won't go back, i love it, i have two, one i left all stock and the other i set up for piccolo strings for something different, great video, thanks 👍. (edited because of typo).

Short scales are definitely having a moment. Love those Fender PJ Mustang basses, wish I purchased it from CME when it was on sale for $450. Crazy they go for $700 now haha

Cool video here. I recently purchased a short scale acoustic bass, mainly for practice and for the simplicity of just picking it up and being able to play whenever I want without having to plug in and turn things on (though, if I wanted to play through an amp, I would have to plug in but, I digress). Having played around with it for the past couple months or so, I have really begun to like it more and more. The light weight and nice sound are really growing on me. There were only a few details that I had to address like the fret ends being a little sharp (nothing a little filing for a few minutes couldn't fix), The action needed to be lowered (as expected what with the change in temps during shipping). Still, the biggest issue for me (and one that I didn't even notice/consider when I ordered it) was the fact that I totally overlooked that it was a short scale bass and as a result, finding short scale acoustic bass strings has been a real chore. The strings it came with were/are fairly generic and I wanted to upgrade to a better set of strings. Now that I have looked for them, it appears that many manufacturers discontinued making them and I could only find mostly electric short scalse bass strings but, not really any acoustic bass strings. I mean, yes, you can technically use electric bass strings on an acousitc bass but, they will alter the tone of your bass and I was really hoping for a deep yet rich, claar tone that acoustic bass strings bring. I found a lot of acoustic bass strings sets still being offered on many websites... only to se the words, "Sold Out", "Unavailable" or "Discontinued" next to the item. That or the sets being offered were either medium or long scale, mostly. I guess I'm gonna have to get electric short scale strings for it but, I was REALLY dead set on acoustic strings. Lesson learned. Still not sorry I bought my acoustic bass though. I am loving it and I'm thinking of getting a ZOOM A1XFour pedal for it. I love ZOOM as well, especially their newer products. ZOOM really has come a LONG, positive way since i got my first ZOOM bass pedals (ZOOM 506 & 506 II) around 25 yrs. ago. Along with my 506's (which are still in great condition after 25 yrs.), I now have the ZOOM B1Four, B1XFour, as well as the G1Four and G1XFour along with a BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppresor and a Trace Elliot Transit B bass preamp pedal. It may not be the latest, most expensive "flavor-of-ANY-month" gear but, I really do love ALL my gear. They're like my kids (if I had kids, haha). Again, cool channel and videos.

They are wonderfull. I have an intermediate 32 inch scale, and two 34 inch. Love’em all. Thinking of getting a Gretsch Junior Jet…

As a guitarist who also bought a full scale bass a decade ago, followed by unknowingly buying a short scale acoustic bass a few weeks ago - I love the short scale. It's more natural for me to transition from one instrument to the next, and lots of fundamental skills are simplified, particularly string muting. It built my confidence on bass, but also reinforced things I've learnt on guitar as well.

I do like the look of the short scale but wow the sound difference is huge I much prefer the clarity and high end of the full length

Short scales are stupid easy to shred on lol, i have 2 shortscale basses, ones a fretless, both guilds.

I remember how good was the epiphone rumblecat in my hands... one of the best basses I ever played. Shorties are better than their fame. And today's tech can give em the punch they didn't reach in the sixties

I think it’s definitely a preference thing. I had a beautiful diamond series p bass full scale and ruined myself by picking up a short scale stingray at long and mcquade. I’m short as heck and used to be a guitar player so any way you slice it the short scale is just more comfortable for somebody like me. That Ernie ball I tried in the store got sold within a week. So I ordered on a Sterling and put it up against my p bass and there was no comparison to which was easier/ more fun to play and the Sterling cut through a mix way better. I have three Sterling short scales now lol

Bought my first base 4 months ago. Gretsch short scale. I absolutely love it. After playing guitar for 40 years short scale was recommended. I doubt I’ll ever play anything else. Next one in the cross hairs is a mustang.

Explaining the difference in upper harmonics would be a main point in having a video like this.

I’ve been looking at testing an maybe buying a Fender mustang for it’s sound and short scale. Did some experimenting on my long scale bass, tuned it down from E->D and put a capo on the second fret, that way I “faked” almost a short scale. Wow so easy it was to move around the fretboard. Now I want to come out Ymir quarantine and try a short scale for real.

Squier Modified Jaguar SS is my go-to bass... great sound, super playability 😎

I loooooooooove my Sterling by MusicMan SS Bass in Olympic White. Sounds amazing! So easy to play since guitar is my primary instrument. Even my OOO Martin is short scale.

I bought a squire mini precision, put in a fender pure vintage pickup, swapped the bridge to a fender himass, then the tuners and nut. Plays and sounds killer, and ended up costing me just 250$.

My uncle has an Alembic from the 70's that I think is a 28" scale, it's very short scale. Build quality on it is excellent, and it's made out of top notch woods.

I’ve become a little obsessed with short scales. I have a jazz bass ultra and actually thinking of selling it for a short scale Sandberg. Short scale just fits with my style and is way more comfortable for getting all of the neck. But options are limited. Play a Gretch Jet II now. It’s sweet, but a little cheap feeling.

I have the same one, in shell pink

Paul McCartney still uses his Hofner short-scale bass... The CIJ Mustang basses are superb, especially when strung with flatwounds.

I went to short scale because of a bad shoulder. I love my Sire U5. Definitely worth it if you can find one.

berry colossal crunch with marshmallows... the ultimate sensory overload

Thanks for the vid, I never realised the big tone difference between short and long scales! I'm a guitar player mostly, I picked up a cool early 70's Les Paul shape Coronet short-scale bass, it's easier for me to play as I am used to that size neck, I'm wondering what gauge strings to put on it? I'm thinking lighter cos it's smaller but we all know logic and guitars doesn't always go right - like the first string being the lowest one (!). What guage do you put on you shorties? Cheers

I really dig the tone of short scale basses, but they're difficult for me to play. I don't know why. I guess I'm just use to long scale.

As an older person (64YO) I find the reduced suppleness in my left wrist is rendered pain-free when I play a short-scale bass. I can still play a regular guitar, but a long-scale bass is painful.

Mault o meal is the best cereal. Most value and tastes the same as its branded counter part. Love it! Im right there with u. I buy one of those bags and its gone in like 4 bowls (my siZe bowls lol)

Short scales are an awesome addition to anyone's collection. Definitely jonesing for a JMJ Mustang. The only thing to bear in mind is that if you are looking for a cheat code because you have poor left hand technique then you will just carry that to short scale. When you hear players talking about long stretches then the first thing is to learn you shouldn't be stretching, you should be using micro shifts etc.

thank you for the comparison with a P bass, i was hesitant between the two and they sound very different, P bass it is then.

I don't know who joe dart is. I love my 1968 and 1973 Fender telecaster basses, but I just bought an SD Curlee bass in bits. Looks like 32.5 scale will rear its shorter scale head around here soon.

I love that squire mini bass. I’m not sure but I think it’s shorter than short scale.

My son has the Ibanez Mikro bass and it's a sweet little bass... I'm thinking about putting some Quarter Pounders in it

The new stingray short scales are amazing

I wanna try one with Flatwounds on it, just to see if I need one.

The Ibanez GSRMs are really good. :)

berry colossal crunch is and should be considered an addictive substance

I happen to own the very Fender you have in this video, just not flippin pink and I love this bass, tone and all 👶 boy. I recommend this instrument to anyone who wants to play and loves the bass guitar. Keep it Funky everywhere you go 😎...

I have a pink gretsch electromatic. I love it 🙂

The music man my shot scale sounds Just like my long scale

The difference in sound is quite audible. But anything such can be handled by different amps and eq:s and stuff right?

I really like playing short scale basses. My go to practice bass is a SX P-Bass copy from 12 years ago. I would like to get a 5 string short scale like the mikro or mezzo (from Ibanez) but I have to find them in stock to try them out and that is proving to be more difficult than it should...

Hey men thankxx .. Learn something today ...about shot scale and standard ..scale bases...

I have a Glarry copycat bronco style bass. Gave 67 for it new, put in a 20 dollar "50s tele" pickup and changed the capacitor from 0.047 to 0.1. For what I paid, I was expecting an absolute turd, but overall, it's acceptable.

It's a good idea to mention a couple notable short scale players: Paul McCartney. Les Claypool.

Shorter scale to cereals. Got it. 😊

I wanna downtune to drop A to Drop c# someone help me out, there’s nothing on yt about it

I got a short scale bass for only 200 dollars and it comes with all accessories that you need for a bass except an amp and it's also on a trusted website

I'm 6'2" with large hands. I've put my beloved P bass away. The short scale basses are the most comfortable to play.

What song does he play at 2:40? It sounds like vulfpeck, but I cannot find any of their songs that has this riff

Jazz Bass Legend Stanley Clarke has played an Alembic Short-Scale for almost his entire multi-grammy-winning career; so there is a legit place for them outside of students and smaller folks as Stanley himself is a tall guy with big hands. The only downside I see to them is if you try to play drop D and that low string will get a bit sloppy compared to a 34" bass; otherwise the darker tone of a short-scale (especially with some flat wounds) is great.

im looking into getting into bass i found the actual bass and amp im considering but how would you start learning? id like to find a free way to i know one of my favorite bassists are self tought so how would you do that?

I thought you were gonna break out into Charlotte the Harlot by IM. for a second.

I first thought your bag of cereals was a bag of dog food ;-)

Deep and dark-sounding; isn't that what bass should be? For those concerned about the looks of a shorty on stage: buy a Squier Paranormal Rascal, which is longer than many long scale basses.

I've got tiny hands...what's the deal with that!

Sometimes the sound and quality sacrifice of a short-scale bass is worth it when you can actually do the things you need to do that couldn’t do on a standard scale. If learning on a regular scale bass has never been a problem for you, then you really can’t fully understand.

I didn’t want to get a short scale but I eventually caved because all the cool basses are short scale

What is your bass??

Small hands and old here *cough*. Short scale works for me. I have a 2004 Squire Mustang bass ($240.00 delivered). Squire really upped their game in the early 2000s,to be sure. The build quality,fit and finish,and overall look/feel of this "bargain" bass is wonderful. Down the road I may upgrade to the Chris Novak "FAT" pups.

Sir Paul McCartney played a short scale bass so............

eating cereal is a one-way cancer ticket

3" goes a long way

I'm a lazy f*** and I need a shortscale to minimize practice time :D

I'm conflicted. I like the sound of my höfner but the fell of my jazz. Damn. Good I have both, haha

Worth noting that some vintage Fender Mustangs are well made, quality instruments...

Bass so kawaii

Hofner style short scales are fun to play

I think I'm buying one today. Max budget of $300, $400 if I'm just dazzled.

Here are some good reasons to buy a shorty: Flatwound strings require greater tension for standard tuning. On a 34" bass this increased tension is very noticeable. The strings will become much stiffer. At first, it will feel like you're pressing down on rods rather than pliable strings. It is much harder to bend flatwounds strings on a 34" bass. A beginner probably won't even try. If your action is somewhat high, flats can be quite a workout for your hands on a 34" bass. One last downside is this: If you check your setup after installing flats on a 34" bass, you will most like find that you have to relieve the truss rod, because the neck will almost certainly bow under the tension of the flatwounds. You need to be careful when installing flats for the first time on a 34" bass, because if your truss rod is already tight, you could crack your neck. Not likely, but it's possible. Shortscale basses have the opposite problem. A shorty strung with roundwounds can feel a bit too loose and floppy for some people. However, if easy bends are really your thing, then a shorty with rounds is very easy to bend on, like almost too easy. This brings us to the real sweet spot for short scale basses. Flatwound strings on a shortscale bass are a match made in heaven. Since flatwounds require more tension and shorties with rounds are a bit loose and floppy, your problems are solved. Flats on a shorty will be tighter than rounds, but the strings will probably still be more bendable than a 34" bass, even with roundwounds. So, now you end up with bass that has easy to bend flats. The other plus of flats on a shorty is that they increase that dull, low end thump that you heard in this video. If you like that sound and you don't mind the loss of brightness, then this is the perfect combo. If you're into 50s, 60s and 70s Rock and Soul music, then get a shorty with flats as as your main bass or as a backup bass for older styles.

Is a short scale base the same thing as a 3/4 size base. I really need to know this is my question. Okay I am told that they are not the same.. I welcome answers and comments about this

you can swing that bass without hurting someone

Thing is the whole 34" as standard is arbitrary anyways. There's no real reason to it other than "it's always been this way"

i would love to see a left handed one 🙄

Huzzah

It's not the point of the video so the history part was understandably simplified. Up until the affirmation of Fender in the middle 60s, the early electric bass guitars were often "short scale" (Gibson, Höfner, Burns, ...). There were no standard measures for a newborn instrument held like a guitar and substituting the acoustic double bass. Fender imposed itself because of good designs applied to simple production (also ergonomics, sound and maintenance). When the big Fender basses became the reference, the short scales looked like toys because of the size and the quality differing from those. Longer scale means more overtones and clarity, the limit being the playability for a guitarist. For reference, a spanish guitar scale length is 65cm, a double bass ~105cm. Today a short bass is considered being around 76cm, a medium 81cm, Leo Fender chose 86. But remember, this was for an instrument meant to sound like a double bass, rubbery and with little sustain, using flatwound strings and amp/cabinet technology in its infancy. In the 70s bass amps started getting better and roundwound strings were becoming popular, giving new sounds to the instrument (slap technique, metal, Pastorius, ...). Fender basses had set the standard and were/are partially copied by most guitar brands (with its scale length too). Later, underground, a few players and makers were trying new designs: after all, virtually, brighter/better sounding amps and strings don't need that huge scale anymore. But the "shorty stigma" and the electronic synthesizers probably diverged the attention, as well as instruments effectively targeted at children size. Now the macho-bass mentality of big, heavy, hard instruments is finally waning, though in the market there are not many short and medium scale basses. And many of them are not well thought instruments, being often 60s bass replicas or combining with other features that do not make justice to the potential playability. Interestingly, in the 80s Fender/Squier in Japan made literally scaled down versions of Precision and jazz bass (the whole intrument with the right proportions), offering short and medium scale. It was a great success, to the confusion of the american division. They were discontinued and recently only the Jazz bass re-got this treatment for the Japanese market. Those 80s intruments are very prized today (lucky the owners!). In conlusion, scale length matters only relatively and what should matter is having fun playing an ergonomic instrument. (And anyway Fenders' designs are good but not perfect). Let's hope that new serious short and medium scale basses will be conceived soon. And that Fender remakes those wonderful small Precisions!

BARNEY MILLER

Dude I think this is the first time I've actually seen the bottom half of your face

I am not man enough to play a pink bass, and that's is a sad realization that makes everything worse.

I am thinking of tuning my short scale bass to B-E-A-D tuning... Is this bad idea?

just like fiiiiine china

no mention of frets or notes whatever

#shortscalelife

I'd take the P bass 100% over the mustang

"hipster smugness" THANK YOU. Thank you for finally saying this. It has to be said. Dart is good no doubt but I absolutely hate that hipster bullshit.