fronobulax
Bassist, GAD and the Hot Mess Mods
- Joined
- May 3, 2007
- Messages
- 24,792
- Reaction score
- 8,923
- Location
- Central Virginia, USA
- Guild Total
- 5
Over here I seem to be the only person who would even consider a short scale bass. :shock:
I know there is a different sound/tone from those extra 4 inches of scale length. I also note that Jack "Mr. Starfire" Casady's signature bass is a long scale so there must be something to it. String tension makes a difference in playability. And, if your vocalist is a wuss and you have to tune down so he can do "Immigrant Song" I can see why long is better.
But for a beginner?
I'm thinking that it has to be easy to play. The beginner will never get better if it hurts to practice so hand size ought to be a factor.
I admit that I have small hands for a six footer and I also suspect my one finger per fret LHS technique borders on unorthodox, but am I really alone in suggesting hand size is a reason to consider the short scale?
(I think I need to get my Starfire I refinished in pink and add a "Hello Kitty" motif...)
I know there is a different sound/tone from those extra 4 inches of scale length. I also note that Jack "Mr. Starfire" Casady's signature bass is a long scale so there must be something to it. String tension makes a difference in playability. And, if your vocalist is a wuss and you have to tune down so he can do "Immigrant Song" I can see why long is better.
But for a beginner?
I'm thinking that it has to be easy to play. The beginner will never get better if it hurts to practice so hand size ought to be a factor.
I admit that I have small hands for a six footer and I also suspect my one finger per fret LHS technique borders on unorthodox, but am I really alone in suggesting hand size is a reason to consider the short scale?
(I think I need to get my Starfire I refinished in pink and add a "Hello Kitty" motif...)