2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

Tim Armstrong · January 21st, 2009, 12:58 AM

...and was pleasantly surprised by how effortless it was, even though I've been exclusively playing short-scale basses for the last three years!

I'm not about to ditch my basses and go get a new P-Bass tomorrow, but it's nice to realize I have options!

Tim

Lawn Boy · January 21st, 2009, 01:54 AM

Come back to the dark [long] side,Tim. Glad to hear you had
such a good time in New Orleans. LB

Zmatko · January 21st, 2009, 05:32 AM

That's what happens when you fiddle with dark matter, it bends space and time, even necks.

JimmyZ · January 21st, 2009, 08:39 AM

Tim
I was playing only my short scale SX P and J basses then I ordered a full scale P bass from SX with a maple board. WOW! I can't put it down and I have not played either of my short scale basses since. I even play the SX over my real Fender P bass. I bought a spare maple neck for $39 from them and it came without decals or any identification so it may become another TDPRI special. Thing is, I only paid $109 plus shipping for the SX P bass and it's fab just like all the rest of their stuff.

Tim Armstrong · January 21st, 2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyZ

Tim
I was playing only my short scale SX P and J basses then I ordered a full scale P bass from SX with a maple board. WOW! I can't put it down and I have not played either of my short scale basses since. I even play the SX over my real Fender P bass. I bought a spare maple neck for $39 from them and it came without decals or any identification so it may become another TDPRI special. Thing is, I only paid $109 plus shipping for the SX P bass and it's fab just like all the rest of their stuff.

Aaaaaaaack!!! Away from me, enabler!!!!!

Tim

broadcaster · January 21st, 2009, 11:10 AM

Tim is looking at the Rondo site and pondering right now, lol.

Tim Armstrong · January 21st, 2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadcaster

Tim is looking at the Rondo site and pondering right now, lol.

Man, that's eerie! How did you know???

Tim

phunkybassist · January 21st, 2009, 12:22 PM

Maybe it's just me, but short scale always felt a little weird (in my hands at least). Maybe it's because I started playing a long scale bass before I ever played guitar. Anyway, welcome back to the world of low down length.

Tim Armstrong · January 21st, 2009, 12:28 PM

I switched to short-scale basses when I bought a Rogue violin bass a few years back (which I bought mostly because it was so light, and I was having back and shoulder problems that my then-current P-Bass wasn't helping). I have smallish hands, and the shorter scale really suited me.

I do prefer a solid-body in a more "Fender" flavor, though, so I went over to a couple Musicmaster Basses, and now an SX short-scale P copy that I really am quite happy playing...

Tim

Tim Armstrong · January 21st, 2009, 12:30 PM

I have to say that, while the 34" scale P and J that I played in New Orleans were pretty easy to play, it WAS weird to have to reach that far to play down low!

Tim

Chris S. · January 21st, 2009, 12:40 PM

You know who else makes 34" scale basses? G&L -- imagine that.

CS

Dave W · January 21st, 2009, 01:21 PM

Come back, Tim, come back!

I can play either as long as the string spacing and neck profile are comfortable.

JimmyZ · January 21st, 2009, 03:57 PM

If you like rosewood fingerboards they have the SX PB62 in antique white with rosewood fingerboard for only $99......but wait, there's more. If you act now you can even get the SX PJB62 (P bass with both P and J pickups) with the rosewood board in antique white finish for only $99.

FYI: I bought the P bass with the maple fingerboard and the PJ with the rosewood and the maple board wins by a mile. It's worth the extra ten bucks to get all maple. Mine is a silver metalic finish very similar to the new Fender "Blizzard Pearl" (which I have on my Fender P). You could buy the PJ and then buy an extra maple neck for only $39 and you would be set.

tom grossheider · January 21st, 2009, 08:56 PM

Please come back Tim!! You can do it!

Tim Armstrong · January 21st, 2009, 09:06 PM

Y'all are BAD!!!!

Tim

tom grossheider · January 22nd, 2009, 01:04 AM

Truthfully, I've never even tried a short scale bass. Who knows, maybe I'd like it too! Had a few Lakland 35" scale basses that were quite manageable.

Tim Armstrong · January 22nd, 2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom grossheider

Truthfully, I've never even tried a short scale bass. Who knows, maybe I'd like it too! Had a few Lakland 35" scale basses that were quite manageable.

Heck, Tom Suhar has a couple, you ought to check 'em out!

Tim

marshman · January 22nd, 2009, 01:02 PM

I have an SG-style short scale bass, probably nearly as old as I am, an import (judging by the Far Eastern text on the electronics, that's a guess) that was always a real hoot to play, felt more guitar-like.

Unfortunately, it is attached to 1/2 an SG style guitar and made of 1 & 3/4" thick Birch Ply, and weighs 1.34 metric fuggin' tons, so I don't get it out too much. Looks cool, though, lemme tell ya, all EDS-Jimmy-Page-y.

Every year I learn a little bit more about woodworking and begin to take the notion of routing a couple huge chunks out of the back a little more seriously.

Tim Armstrong · January 22nd, 2009, 01:20 PM

I had a chance to buy a Rickenbacker double-neck with a 12-string guitar neck and a bass neck. It was priced considerably beyond my ability to purchase, though, and I couldn't for the life of me imagine a situation where I'd need both necks at the same gig!

And yeah, it was a heavy mofo!

Tim

Beatbx · January 22nd, 2009, 01:36 PM

I like the playability of short-scale basses, but they never quite have the low-end prescence a longer scale affords.

Tim Armstrong · January 22nd, 2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatbx

I like the playability of short-scale basses, but they never quite have the low-end prescence a longer scale affords.

I haven't found that to be the case...

Tim

4mal · January 22nd, 2009, 05:50 PM

a Mustang through an SWR setup behind the Greyboy Allstar's laid the funk on pretty think for me (while listening) a while back ... I will admit to being suprised. I'd always though of them as 'student' instruments - the 2 guitarists inthat band were sharing bass duties and it sure served them well...

broadcaster · January 22nd, 2009, 08:59 PM

I remember the guitar player who played bass on some tunes, with the original Average White Band lineup. He played a Mustang bass with a pick and it sure sounded good.

evol04gt · January 22nd, 2009, 11:02 PM

Tiiiiiiim........ Is this because of my email about wanting a shortscale bass??????

FirstBassman · January 22nd, 2009, 11:23 PM

Tim,

You know what the perfect answer is ... medium scale bass (32") ... right smack in the middle.
Not so small so it feels weird (like a small instrument for children) and not as long so those four-fret reaches are such a stretch.

Tim Armstrong · January 22nd, 2009, 11:33 PM

I am currently lacking discretionary funds for new purchases, so I reckon I'll be just fine with my very nice current 30" scale bass.

It ain't the size, but rather what you do with it!

Tim

broadcaster · January 23rd, 2009, 01:55 PM

Tim, check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t96syG4-Li8

The bass is way out front in the mix and it is 30" scale, not 34. This should cut your gas for a longie.

FirstBassman · January 23rd, 2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

It ain't the size, but rather what you do with it!

Yeah, that's what she said.

Old Cane · January 23rd, 2009, 03:36 PM

I used to have a short scale steinberger copy. I liked it a lot. It was a little easier to play chords and solo like on Silver Wings or Crazy.

Beatbx · January 26th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I haven't found that to be the case...

Tim

Now, do you mean there is no sonic difference to you between short scale and long scale basses?

January 21st, 2009, 12:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,150	So I did some playing on regular ol' 34" scale basses this weekend... ...and was pleasantly surprised by how effortless it was, even though I've been exclusively playing short-scale basses for the last three years! I'm not about to ditch my basses and go get a new P-Bass tomorrow, but it's nice to realize I have options! Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 21st, 2009, 08:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
JimmyZ Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Anderson, Indiana Age: 59 Posts: 163	You can have both on the cheap with another SX Tim I was playing only my short scale SX P and J basses then I ordered a full scale P bass from SX with a maple board. WOW! I can't put it down and I have not played either of my short scale basses since. I even play the SX over my real Fender P bass. I bought a spare maple neck for $39 from them and it came without decals or any identification so it may become another TDPRI special. Thing is, I only paid $109 plus shipping for the SX P bass and it's fab just like all the rest of their stuff. __________________ If the phone don't ring it's me!

January 21st, 2009, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
broadcaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: westconsin Age: 51 Posts: 738	Tim is looking at the Rondo site and pondering right now, lol. __________________ groovalicious

January 21st, 2009, 12:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,150	I switched to short-scale basses when I bought a Rogue violin bass a few years back (which I bought mostly because it was so light, and I was having back and shoulder problems that my then-current P-Bass wasn't helping). I have smallish hands, and the shorter scale really suited me. I do prefer a solid-body in a more "Fender" flavor, though, so I went over to a couple Musicmaster Basses, and now an SX short-scale P copy that I really am quite happy playing... Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 21st, 2009, 12:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,150	I have to say that, while the 34" scale P and J that I played in New Orleans were pretty easy to play, it WAS weird to have to reach that far to play down low! Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 21st, 2009, 01:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lawn Boy Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gibsons BC Canada Age: 61 Posts: 255	Come back to the dark [long] side,Tim. Glad to hear you had such a good time in New Orleans. LB

January 21st, 2009, 05:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zmatko Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sweden, now where's me rattle-can? Posts: 319	That's what happens when you fiddle with dark matter, it bends space and time, even necks.

January 21st, 2009, 12:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
phunkybassist TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Terre Haute, IN Age: 36 Posts: 83	Maybe it's just me, but short scale always felt a little weird (in my hands at least). Maybe it's because I started playing a long scale bass before I ever played guitar. Anyway, welcome back to the world of low down length.

January 21st, 2009, 12:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chris S. Moderator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 3,589 7 Photos	You know who else makes 34" scale basses? G&L -- imagine that. CS __________________ "I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad. It's depressing." – Tara, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "It was born at the junction of form and function." – Bill Kirchen, from "Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods"

January 21st, 2009, 01:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
Dave W Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Guadalupe County, TX Age: 62 Posts: 2,038	Come back, Tim, come back! I can play either as long as the string spacing and neck profile are comfortable.

January 21st, 2009, 03:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
JimmyZ Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Anderson, Indiana Age: 59 Posts: 163	Good News from Rondo Land! If you like rosewood fingerboards they have the SX PB62 in antique white with rosewood fingerboard for only $99......but wait, there's more. If you act now you can even get the SX PJB62 (P bass with both P and J pickups) with the rosewood board in antique white finish for only $99. FYI: I bought the P bass with the maple fingerboard and the PJ with the rosewood and the maple board wins by a mile. It's worth the extra ten bucks to get all maple. Mine is a silver metalic finish very similar to the new Fender "Blizzard Pearl" (which I have on my Fender P). You could buy the PJ and then buy an extra maple neck for only $39 and you would be set. __________________ If the phone don't ring it's me!

January 21st, 2009, 08:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
tom grossheider Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mokena, IL Posts: 789	Please come back Tim!! You can do it!

January 21st, 2009, 09:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,150	Y'all are BAD!!!! Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 22nd, 2009, 01:04 AM	#16 (permalink)
tom grossheider Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mokena, IL Posts: 789	Truthfully, I've never even tried a short scale bass. Who knows, maybe I'd like it too! Had a few Lakland 35" scale basses that were quite manageable.

January 22nd, 2009, 01:02 PM	#18 (permalink)
marshman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Age: 41 Posts: 2,011	I have an SG-style short scale bass, probably nearly as old as I am, an import (judging by the Far Eastern text on the electronics, that's a guess) that was always a real hoot to play, felt more guitar-like. Unfortunately, it is attached to 1/2 an SG style guitar and made of 1 & 3/4" thick Birch Ply, and weighs 1.34 metric fuggin' tons, so I don't get it out too much. Looks cool, though, lemme tell ya, all EDS-Jimmy-Page-y. Every year I learn a little bit more about woodworking and begin to take the notion of routing a couple huge chunks out of the back a little more seriously. __________________ 42

January 22nd, 2009, 01:20 PM	#19 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,150	I had a chance to buy a Rickenbacker double-neck with a 12-string guitar neck and a bass neck. It was priced considerably beyond my ability to purchase, though, and I couldn't for the life of me imagine a situation where I'd need both necks at the same gig! And yeah, it was a heavy mofo! Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 22nd, 2009, 01:36 PM	#20 (permalink)
Beatbx Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 38 Posts: 324	I like the playability of short-scale basses, but they never quite have the low-end prescence a longer scale affords. __________________ -Joe http://www.myspace.com/celestialsrock http://www.myspace.com/handofthehost

January 22nd, 2009, 05:50 PM	#22 (permalink)
4mal Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Gorge Posts: 2,510	a Mustang through an SWR setup behind the Greyboy Allstar's laid the funk on pretty think for me (while listening) a while back ... I will admit to being suprised. I'd always though of them as 'student' instruments - the 2 guitarists inthat band were sharing bass duties and it sure served them well...

January 22nd, 2009, 08:59 PM	#23 (permalink)
broadcaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: westconsin Age: 51 Posts: 738	I remember the guitar player who played bass on some tunes, with the original Average White Band lineup. He played a Mustang bass with a pick and it sure sounded good. __________________ groovalicious

January 22nd, 2009, 11:02 PM	#24 (permalink)
evol04gt Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2008 Location: NE ohio Age: 28 Posts: 886	Tiiiiiiim........ Is this because of my email about wanting a shortscale bass?????? __________________ www.myspace.com/Emberdown lefty guitar player.

January 22nd, 2009, 11:23 PM	#25 (permalink)
FirstBassman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,511	Tim, You know what the perfect answer is ... medium scale bass (32") ... right smack in the middle. Not so small so it feels weird (like a small instrument for children) and not as long so those four-fret reaches are such a stretch.

January 22nd, 2009, 11:33 PM	#26 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ocean Pines, Maryland, USA Age: 50 Posts: 13,150	I am currently lacking discretionary funds for new purchases, so I reckon I'll be just fine with my very nice current 30" scale bass. It ain't the size, but rather what you do with it! Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

January 23rd, 2009, 01:55 PM	#27 (permalink)
broadcaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: westconsin Age: 51 Posts: 738	Tim, check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t96syG4-Li8 The bass is way out front in the mix and it is 30" scale, not 34. This should cut your gas for a longie. __________________ groovalicious

January 23rd, 2009, 03:36 PM	#29 (permalink)
Old Cane Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 48 Posts: 2,272	I used to have a short scale steinberger copy. I liked it a lot. It was a little easier to play chords and solo like on Silver Wings or Crazy. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/otiskeithwatkins

2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

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