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View Full Version : Sold my Squier PBass. Need Recs for short-scale bass



jusca
03-25-2015, 11:19 PM
Well, I finally did it. I sold my Squier P Bass. I wasn't using it. My bass set in the corner like an ugly stepchild while my guitar and drums got all my attention day and night. I realize some things about the bass though...the neck was just way too wide for my baby hands down on the upper frets.

In the future, I'll be looking to start on the bass again. However for now, I just want to look around at different basses that may suit my physical requirements. Does anyone have any recommendations for short-scale bass or long-scale basses with a slim neck (I'm not sure if that exists)?

I tried out both the Fender Mustang and Jazz Bass. I didn't like the pickup position as it was too far back. I loved the pickup position of the PBass.

Elmeaux
03-26-2015, 01:36 AM
I think Ibanez has the thinnest necks of all the mainstream manufacturers. In terms of short scale, they really only offer the Mikro. It's an entry level training bass, usually under $200.

I'm sure there are other basses with thin necks, though. Anybody else?

PaulUK
03-26-2015, 07:22 AM
Short scale: Gretsch 5123B hollow body - Wonderful tones, lightweight and beautiful just to look at....

Slim Neck: Ibanez all the way - mine is a four string SR900, no longer made and still remarkable....

kimgee
03-26-2015, 10:53 AM
Here are a few to consider:

http://gretschguitars.com/products/index.php?partno=2518002515

http://gretschguitars.com/products/index.php?partno=2514620552

http://www.fender.com/basses/other/classic-player-rascal-bass/0140110308.html

These are just a few of many available. There are a lot of vintage short scale basses out there as well that can be had for a reasonable amount of cash. You might also consider one of the short scale 6 string basses, that are actually baritone guitars. Might fit with your treble guitar skills nicely. For example:

http://www.fender.com/basses/other/pawn-shop-bass-vi/product-0143700.html

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eb_page15.php?year=2015&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=49&color=CL01

Good luck with your hunt.

jusca
03-26-2015, 06:55 PM
Thanks Elmeaux, PaulUK, and KimGee. That's quite a selection to look at. :) I didn't even know about any of those!! Thanks a bunch. Now I gotta find a local shop that carries them to try each one of them out. This should be fun :)

brian_primrose
03-27-2015, 06:56 AM
Good afternoon, Jessica
I understand about the P bass. I had wanted one for a while, saved and went to try. I totally left it in the shop because, with my smallish hands, I could not handle the neck. Especially above the 12th fret. The fact that that particular bass had a dead spot from the 5th to the 8th fret did not help either.
So, I gather, you have an instrument/player mismatch which you want to correct, and you are looking at short scale and or slim neck basses. Before I go on, there are a few relevant questions:
1) What about the P made you uncomfortable? Was is the moving across the strings in the higher positions, which is a neck shape/volume issue, or was it the ability, or lack thereof to play with a relaxed hand in the lower positions, especially below the 6th position. This may be a technique, not a neck problem.
2) Regarding the pup placement on the Jazz; why did you feel they were too far back? Was it to do with the tone or the position re resting the thumb?
3) What music do you want to play? Several of the short scale basses are semi hollow or hollow, and have quite a different tonal ranges.
4) What is your price range and are you willing to go used?
So without the answers, permit me to go ahead anyway. If you feel it is a neck volume issue, and you found the Jazz neck comfortable, be aware that a short scale bass may have a chunkier neck than the Jazz or any of the Ibanez SR series basses. A lot depends on the overall shape. The Ibanez SR series of basses have a fairly flat D shape. The Jazz is a “modern” C shape-somewhat rounder, but it flattens closer to the body. Others like the ABG Ibanez have a C profile where the profile stays about the same all the way up the neck. The changes in the measurements are small, but make a large difference to the way it feels under ones hands. The following table gives the measurements in inches.
Nut Width Thickness1st Width 12th Thickness 12th Bass
1.72 0.80 2.35 0.95 Ibanez 1005 5 string
1.51 0.83 2.23 0.94 Fender Jazz
1.67 0.82 2.21 0.99 Ibanez AGB 200 short scale
1.50 0.77 0.85 Ibanez SR 4 string
1.60 .77 .87 Skyline 44-04

The other thing to watch is the neck radius. The Ibanez SRs have a flatter neck with a 12” radius on the 4 and a 14” on the 5. The Jazz necks are 9.5” now. The change in feel is considerable as you move across the strings.
If part of the issue is the ability to keep your fretting hand relaxed in the lower positions, you may find happiness in using the ring/middle/pinky technique. I am indebted to Trayster2 for pointing me to Ed Freidland’s series of books for help with this, and the first volume contains a progressive set of exercises to help. If you prefer the 1 finger per fret, I have also found working diligently on the small pivot shift going from the mid to the ring and back really helped. A by-product of keeping my hand relaxed more (a work in progress) is that I am getting less noise on fretting and lift off than before.
Regarding the pup placement on the Jazz, if it was a thumb rest issue, floating the thumb will solve that, as will some aftermarket rests available on the web. If it was a sound issue and you want to be the next Ed Freidland, then Dan Lakin will sell you a P bass with a Jazz dimensioned neck.
For the music you want to play you need flexibility, one of the SR Ibanez, as Paul suggested, is possibly the way to go. They have the thinnest necks I have come across. If you can find a premium SR series (here I would be shopping used Vis a Vis price) you get the benefit of an upgrade from the standard Bartollini Mk1 pups and pre amp to a Nordstrand set.

If you want a great bass that has a fast neck and, to my ear, a fantastic range of tones see if you can find a used Lakland Skyline 44-02. I tried a new one (out of my price range) and loved it.
Regarding the short scales, I don’t have much experience. I have an AGB 200 and like it but others have had build quality issues. Paul and Kimgee have given really good suggestions. Appended below are some links with other suggestions. If any model is unaffordable, there may be a very similar one in a less expensive version.
As always, it will come down to trying as many basses as you can, and I suggest keeping a log of the neck dimensions of each bass, so that you can narrow your search. With so many choices out there it is nice to know your size before you go shopping.
Lastly, be sure that the setup is good and the string gauge works for you as well.

Hope this helps a bit.
Brian

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/best-bass-to-buy-in-the-600-1000-dollar-range.180151/
http://www.guitarchalk.com/2014/07/the-ultimate-bass-guitar-roundup-2014-edition-under-1000-dollars.html
http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/5_Basses_Under_a_Grand_Fender_G_L_Ibanez_Schecter_ Sterling_by_Music_Man?page=1

brian_primrose
03-27-2015, 07:09 AM
Jessica, if you check out the new video of Roy on the Carvin Vanqiish, at 2:04 he shows exactly what I meant about a flat neck profile, or shallow D
Brian

jusca
03-28-2015, 07:06 PM
Brian, I appreciate all the info and advice you put into your reply. I've got a lot to think over about my future bass and quite a few months before I even consider purchasing anything new. I do know from my early guitar days, my first instrument was usually my learning experience to know what to look for in the future. By my 3rd guitar, I learned to hear the differences between guitars & their tonewoods and such. I knew the exact specifications for the body style I needed and everything else. Anyways, I haven't decided a budget for the bass. My best guess is spending $500 max at this moment. The budget will probably elevate up to $1k if I find I want to get more serious about bass. I styles I'd play are alternative/rock, soul, r&b, and funk.

My issue with the PBass was the neck width from 5th fret and above. My pinky finger barely could reach the 3rd string without a major pivot. 4th string was basically fretted with the tip of a nail, lol. Regarding 1 finger per fret, that span never bothered me. My hand always felt relaxed anywhere on the fretboard, even frets 1-4. So, 34" scale is fine. And now that you've asked those questions, I've got an idea that maybe scale length has no role in the issue and finding a slimmer neck is the key.

I use a floating thumb style. I just didn't like the small, rounded pickup on the Jazz/Mustang (I can't remember which one had it) as I felt the anchor was narrow. And I suppose it felt positioned so far back after playing the PBass for the last year. It's now good to know that I can add aftermarket thumb rests!

Thanks again!! I'm going poke around the internet looking at all the bass goodies you've linked in your post.

brian_primrose
03-29-2015, 07:26 AM
Happy shopping
Brian

brian_primrose
06-17-2015, 07:04 AM
Hi Jessica.

I have recently watched an interview with Ed Friedland. His responce eto the question " If you had to have just one bass, what would it be?" was a G&L L2500. He evidently finds that it will give him whatever tone the situation requires. The neck profile of the 5 is just a bit bigger than the SR Ibanez, and the 4 string L200 comes with a neck very close to the Fender Jazz, with options available.

Currently they are offered on EBay for about $900 for a U.S. made 4 to $1300 for a U.S. made 5.

If you get a chance to try one out in advance, they may suiit your needs.

During the interview Ed stated that he preferred the feel of the American made ones over that of teh Tribute series whice are made overseas.

Brian

jusca
06-17-2015, 11:38 PM
Brian,

You must have been reading my mind or I might be sending out strong bass windowshopping vibes because I've been looking at basses again. LOL :) Thanks a lot. I will check out the G&L series. My area's bass selection is so limited so I'll have to cross my fingers to find one in person. But that never stopped me from buying online. ;)

brian_primrose
06-18-2015, 06:54 AM
My area's bass selection is so limited so I'll have to cross my fingers to find one in person.

I know that situation well, living just outside of a town of 5000, 100 miles from a place of any size-50,000. Pretty sure I had a better bank balance before the Net:D

Brian

Trayster2
06-27-2015, 08:59 AM
Well, I finally did it. I sold my Squier P Bass. I wasn't using it. My bass set in the corner like an ugly stepchild while my guitar and drums got all my attention day and night. I realize some things about the bass though...the neck was just way too wide for my baby hands down on the upper frets.

In the future, I'll be looking to start on the bass again. However for now, I just want to look around at different basses that may suit my physical requirements. Does anyone have any recommendations for short-scale bass or long-scale basses with a slim neck (I'm not sure if that exists)?

I tried out both the Fender Mustang and Jazz Bass. I didn't like the pickup position as it was too far back. I loved the pickup position of the PBass.


One thing I've learned having baby hands myself is that short scales are not the end-all solution. I have owned the Ibanez Mikro bass, and still found a full-scale Ibanez sr700 much easier to play. The length of the neck won't matter if the circumference is still the same size as the basses giving you trouble. I would do some research, and go to a music store and try before you buy.

jusca
06-27-2015, 07:09 PM
One thing I've learned having baby hands myself is that short scales are not the end-all solution. I have owned the Ibanez Mikro bass, and still found a full-scale Ibanez sr700 much easier to play. The length of the neck won't matter if the circumference is still the same size as the basses giving you trouble. I would do some research, and go to a music store and try before you buy.

You're absolutely correct. I went to Guitar Center & another local music store today. I tried out the Ibanez mikro bass and the neck profile felt horrible to me--too rounded. All the basses I felt comfortable playing were 34" bass 4 & 5 stringers with a more flat-like neck shape.

I came away loving these:
Godin Shifter 5
Godin Freeway
Fender J Bass
Yamaha RBX765a

I'm just so excited to finally try out some basses that felt comfortable. I'm so glad I didn't buy any of the more popular short scales (Bronco, miKro, etc) before driving around to try them.

jusca
07-23-2015, 05:47 PM
I'm back on the bass side of things! :)

I purchased an ESP LTD B4 Jr. It's a 28.6" short scale, 15in fingerboard radius w/ a thin U shape neck (I love the flatter neck profile) and a super tiny body. It's really mini. Today was the first time I ever played it. I played a similar LTD B10 34" scale which shares the same neck as the B4 JR in a longer version so I pretty much had a hunch that I'd like the short scale as well. And I do. Nice price for a knockaround bass.

http://www.espguitars.com/products/12590-b-4-jr-kit-blk

Thanks again everyone who contributed to this post earlier. It really helped me narrow down what I was looking for in a bass.

kimgee
07-24-2015, 07:22 AM
Congrats on your new instrument! ESP makes fine guitars. Their lower priced units are often better than guitars that cost much more.

brian_primrose
07-25-2015, 06:33 AM
Nice looking bass, Jessica.
Enjoy!
Brian

Elmeaux
07-25-2015, 02:23 PM
I love he bodies on the ESP basses. You've made a good choice.



This one's mine. My first foray into the five-string world.

www.espguitars.com/products/9904-j-205-3tb?category_id=1963324-j-series

brian_primrose
07-26-2015, 06:59 AM
Nice, Elmeaux
I have tried a couple in the past I liked them, but they wern't different enough from what I had to justify the puchace.
Brian