Short-scale Archives - Page 5

Short-scale basses have recently enjoyed a bit of a resurgence – be it as an alternate tool in a pro’s kit or as a main axe chosen for its sound, lightweight, easy playability and hip factor. In this episode, we’ll explore some right-hand, left-hand, and coordination drills that will help you wrap your mind around the shorter scale. I’m using...

Höfner has reissued another part of their history with the H500/5 “Reeperbahn” bass. Based on the 500/5 that was produced between the ’50s and ’70s, the instrument features a large hollow body and short scale neck. It was famously used by a Beatle, though not the one you’re thinking of. “Although used by many players none is quite so famous...

Back in 2015, Ibanez introduced a five-string bass to their Bass Workshop Series they called the Volo. The bass featured a shorter 33-inch scale and was tuned E to C for a higher range. Now Ibanez has brought the model back as the BTB845V. The spirit of Volo lives on through the new bass has a few differences in materials....

I’m always floored by Tuli Basses, and builder Aron Bach made my day by sending me the details of his latest HIILYX bass. The six-string bass is the new single cut model that he revealed at the 2018 London Bass Guitar Show. Even with six strings and a single cut body, the HIILYX comes in lighter than many four-strings. “I...

Spector was showing off several new models at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show including the new Bantam 4, a short-scale bass with a chambered alder body. The combo of features helps to keep the bass’s weight down to just seven pounds. The basses are built with a carved NS-style body topped with quilted maple in black cherry or black stain...

Thin The Herd Guitars recently collaborated with Scott Beckwith of Birdsong Guitars to create the CBG 30.5 T-Bass. The bass takes elements from each of the companies’ instruments. “Scott started with our familiar Model T body, then applied his signature ‘recipe’ for quality tone and ease-of-playability into the design. Loaded with EMG-sized, custom-wound PUNCHBUCKER Pickups – specified by Scott Beckwith....

This week we’re checking out a hip Gretsch bass that had its start as a blues guitar. The Gretsch G6199 Billy-Bo Bass is a four-string version of the company’s recreation of Bo Diddley’s classic Jupiter Thunderbird guitar he designed in 1959. When he gifted it to Billy Gibbons, the ZZ Top frontman didn’t dare to take such a rare instrument...

Eastwood introduced ten new instruments to their Custom Shop this week including two basses and a double neck guitar/bass. As part of their custom shop, each model is released under a crowd-funding/pre-order campaign. The first new bass is the Eastwood EB-1, which of course pays tribute to the Gibson EB-1 released in 1953. “We’ve made a few subtle changes but...

Eastwood Custom Shop is reintroducing another vintage bass with a remake of the Airline Pocket Bass. The short-scale bass, which GE Smith described as one of the best recording basses around, was a widely requested reissue for the company. “This time around we will fix a few of the originals short-comings,” they explained. “We’ll give it a slightly longer scale...

Höfner has introduced the Club Bass 500/2 Double Cut, a model inspired by the original 1965 model. The short-scale, hollow body bass dishes out old school tone with a double cutaway design for easy access to the upper register. It’s built with a select spruce top and flame maple for its back and sides, which are bound in black and...

Chowny Bass has expanded their lineup with the SWB Pro, an upgraded version of the bass designed with bassist Scott Whitley. While the short-scale model retains many features, there are a handful of updates. The SWB Pro comes in two finishes – Matt Ash/Walnut or Gloss Ash with Quilt Maple – with other new features including a satin five-piece maple...

Supro has announced the Huntington Bass, a retro model that comes in single, double, or triple pickup configurations. The short-scale bass takes the body shape of an early ’60s Ozark model with the passive electronics and sound design of the equally vintage Supro Pocket Bass. It is built with a choice of mahogany, swamp ash, or alder for the body....