It stands to reason then, if you were to shorten that scale length – even by only 4 inches – you'll drastically affect how the bass feels to play. The reason basses need a longer scale when compared to, say, an acoustic guitar, is that they need to compensate for the loss in tension when tuning an entire octave lower. There's a direct correlation between the scale length of a bass and the tension of the bass strings. As the neck is physically smaller, the frets are closer together, making chords, long stretches, and other taxing techniques easier to pull off, thanks to the tighter confines. This small change drastically affects how the instrument feels to play. The short-scale bass would go on to gain the reputation as a niche instrument for beginners and retro geeks – but as you can see with the entries on this list, that really isn't the case!Īs the name suggests, short-scale basses reduce the distance between the bridge and nut and typically opt for a scale length around 30″. Now, other basses of the time, such as the Gibson EB-1 and the Höfner 500/1, would try and break the established scale-length mold – by sporting finger-friendly sub-31″ scales – but unfortunately, this shrunken bass style wouldn't become the norm. Most commonly, basses are 34″, and as we said before, this is a direct result of the popularity of Fender's Precision Bass. If you were to measure the distance between the bridge and the nut of a bass guitar, you'd get its scale length. (Image credit: Future) What is a short-scale bass? This configuration leads to an elegant control layout, adding to the aesthetic of the bass as well as being functional. We have to mention the dual concentric pots, which, as you'd expect, offers control over the volume and tone for both pickups. Luckily the Classic Vibe has a tone to match its handsome good looks, as the Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups pack plenty of punch. This Squier variant offers players a look at what a Jaguar bass released in the '70s would look like, with its 3-Color Sunburst finish, era-inspired decals and block inlays. Nevertheless, the asymmetrical design lends itself so well to the larger size of the bass guitar, and the timeless styling means it looks like it has always been a part of the Californian guitar maker's impressive catalog. Yes, we are fully aware that the Jaguar comes in a little longer than the rest of the basses on this list, but at 32″, it's still shorter than most standard basses, so we'll give it a pass.įor as enduring as the Jaguar shape is in the world of electric guitar, it may surprise some to learn that Fender didn't officially release a Jaguar bass until 2006 – we have no idea what took them so long. Combining the thunderous low end of the P-Bass pickup and the articulation of the rear Jazz Bass pickup, there isn't any sound this plucky little bass can't do.
Cort bass guitar kit series#
For us, the Mustang is the reigning king of short-scale, and the new Player Series take on the late '60s classic, is one of the most versatile you can get. If you are only going to have one short-scale bass guitar, you'd want it to be the Fender Player Mustang. So without further ado, let's dive into our choices of the greatest short-scale basses on the market that are sure to help you bring the thunder. We've also included handy buying advice at the end of this piece to help you better understand the world of short-scale instruments. To keep this guide diverse, we've chosen basses from a wide range of brands from Fender to Gibson, Jackson to Spector, covering a myriad of genres.
From a tonal point of view, the bass can actually sound fuller and fatter. The bass becomes easier to navigate due to the frets being closer together, and the tension on the strings is reduced, resulting in a slinkier feel. While it may seem insignificant, subtracting four inches from a bass string's vibrating length (standard scale length is 34") profoundly impacts timbre and feel. Over the years, 'short-scale' has come to mean any bass with a scale length 31″ and under, with the average being 30″ or thereabouts. Before getting into our top picks for the best short-scale bass guitars on the market, it's essential to understand what makes the short-scale bass such a different animal.
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