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The Bass Nobody Talks About, But Should.

Travis Dykes

24,693 views

There's one type of bass that almost every bass player either loves or hates, so today we're talking about it.

Check out the Cortt retro 304 HERE | https://www.cortguitars.com/dp/retro-...

Video Chapters
00:00 | Intro
00:42 | What Is A Short Scale Bass
02:26 | Is The Playability Good?
05:53 | Who Is This Bass For?
06:42 | Sound Test
09:27 | Outro

Thanks for watching!

Check out my website | https://travisdykesmusic.com/

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20 Comments

@samlelowitch 10 days ago (edited)

I love shorties. I bought a Nordstrand Acinonyx and although I own lots of other basses that one has become my #1, running LaBella flats.

@manuelmendoza6096 9 days ago

Scale length is determined by the distance between the bridge and the nut, not the length of the neck.

@name1453 10 days ago

I have one at 35 inches and one 30. Honestly, I personally dont notice a difference in audio, but I have noticed that i cant down tune my bass as far. Not that I do that often, its usually only for some specific songs that i play for fun.

when i travel or want to fiddle, i get the short scale, when i perform i go for the long one. Anyone hating on a instrument because its different is dumb.

@xmac6519 9 days ago

32 inch scale would be ideal. The old SD Curlee basses had that scale. So easy to play.

@magnusskallagrimsson6707 8 days ago

My earliest two basses were not actually mine - I borrowed them. One was a cheap, nameless P Bass knock off with tapewound strings, the next was a Squier P Bass shorty. Initially, I wasn't that excited to play a short scale bass, but it won me over.

@Stands-In-The-Fire 10 days ago

I know that for a long time, I was very much anti short scale. But that really came from starting playing in the late 80s/early 90s. At the time, short scales that were around and in stores were import "student" basses, ultra-budget learner models that were also usually scaled down bodies etc. And this was well before inexpensive imports were actually typically good, like they tend to be today. These were usually firewood with the worst-imaginable cheap strings and barely-functional pickups. So that was just the association I had with short scales for decades.

@darrylovia 9 days ago

Nice bass! My main bass for worship praise brand is the Fender Player II Mustang short scale and I love the versatility with it and everyone loves the sound I get out of it. My other bass that gets much use is the Ibanez EUB804 fretless upright 34 inch scale and that is awesome but works well in a praise band setting for certain songs only.

@umarae27 10 days ago

I love SS basses. It sucks though, that they're now more expensive than the avg 34's. Come on, companies, lower those prices!

@steveskipwith 4 days ago

I love 'em! I'm 6'0", 200 lbs and play them exclusively. I own seven professional grade short scales and don't understand why they aren't more popular. They are not "trainer" guitars, though they do benefit those of smaller stature. But walk into any guitar store and they MIGHT have two or three short scale models. I hope to see more shelf space, but I almost always shop for the shorties online because of broader inventory.

@TheBassfresh 10 days ago

ss is a great option for older players like myself w/ medical/physical challenges on a typical fender style long scale, shorter fretting hand reach, tighter spacing , lighter overall, and they're are some very pro level makes/models now that sound great.

@Yorkshireexile 9 days ago

I started out on full scale basses, but being short and having sausage fingers as well as rheumatoid disease, they were just too much of a struggle. Cue the short scale bass, the answer to all my problems.

There are plenty of short scale options out there for everyone, from off the shelf to full custom. I can’t personally say I notice the difference in tone in a negative way. I actually think SS basses sound fatter.

Currently own a CIJ Mustang, Stingray SS, Sire U5, and saving for a Maruzsczyk Jake SS. The good think is there are more options now than ever before.

Long live the short scale.

@Fuser2711 6 days ago

Short scale basses are great for a killer 70's salsa tone. Throw in flats and you're all set. If you wanna go the extra step, get a sponge under the string by the bridge just like James Jamerson

@IANSAMUJANGO 10 days ago

My favourite basses

@BlakeBetz-p3y3w 10 days ago

Hey Travis been a fan of the channel for years now. I was wondering if you have have upgraded your Harley Benton 5j -MN I have the same bass and absolutely love it with my fender rumble 500 great vids btw keep up the good work and your just one of my favorite Christian bass players. I grew up playing drums in church and then I wanted play bass been playing for about 4 years now. Also can u do a in depth video on ur Marcus Miller5 string

@MSStateBulldawg83 10 days ago

I'm consider a SS bass for the same reason; pick up and go. Looking forward to the NOLA concert...

@GospelMusic4Life 7 days ago

I have been a wannabe bass player for years now. Pick it up put it down a month every few years so I’m still a beginner. 😀 I’ve bought a few basses over the years and sold a few. I realized I love Ibanez basses. I have a 5 string Ibanez mikro bass. I plan to keep it and my other Ibanez 300m. The mikro bass was supposed to be for me to take around to practice so I didn’t have to carry around my 300 in the car. I got a 5 string because at least I would have that extra string for a last minute gig. 😀 Unfortunately I’ve never gigged with bass because of my practice regiment. lol

@jugglerj0e 10 days ago

A big Hit with short scale basses has been the Sting Ray SS. I want one. Who doesn't want to try a pocket Sting Ray??

@fumetteria.welcomics 10 days ago

what do you think about the sterling stingray Short scale?

@drgruber57 8 days ago

Bro: In your finger style playing, I was hearing strains of Abe Laboriel. Don’t tell me you haven’t studied his playing. Blessings!

@luckybag6814 6 days ago

This may be slightly controversial; Short scale gives more of a thump and less of a twang.
Sounds more like a bass and less like a guitar.
Paul McCartney and Bill Wyman, in fact most of the “British invasion” bassists played European made short-scale instruments.
It worked for them.