Fender P-Bass Junior

[mudbean]

A short scale P-Bass??? Ever played one? Any idea what kind of $$$ it'd be worth?

mud

[JohnS]

I don't know if it exits or how much it would be worth, but I have a little something called a 1978 Musicmaster Bass that comes close. A Mustang Bass (split pup) would be even closer.

[Tim Armstrong]

They only made those for a short time, MIJ as I recall. Still, I don't believe there's any kind of collectors market for them.

I have a short-scale P-Bass copy from SX/Rondo that's a pretty sweet instrument...

Tim

[Old Cane]

I think now they are MIM. Not sure if they still make them. Not sure when they did even.

[Telesavalis]

Originally Posted by JohnS

I don't know if it exits or how much it would be worth, but I have a little something called a 1978 Musicmaster Bass that comes close.

+1 on the Musicmaster bass....it's like a short scale P bass. Our bass player bought one at a guitar show a while back for $175. It was on it's 2nd finish but some of the original red was still in under the pickguard so he had it refinished to it's original color. That little bass is easy to play and is lite weight.

[Tim Armstrong]

The Mustang and Musicmaster Basses were Fender's 30" scale basses for years (and still are, actually). What mudbean's referring to (I think!) is an actual P-Bass that Fender Japan made in the 80s that was similarly short-scale.

Being a short-scale aficionado, I've kept an eye out for one, but they didn't make a whole lot of them and I've never come across one at the same time as I've had any gear money.

Like I said, cool idea and probably nice instruments, but no serious collector value, at least not yet!

Tim

[Tim Armstrong]

Hey mud, if you're looking at the one on Craigslist in Tustin, snap it up!

Tim

[Frankjohnson]

I have one.......pretty much a fun bass to play!

Single Volume, through body or top load, nice P bass sound. I hate the strings on it, but never got around to changing them.

I actually got it for my grandson to learn on, but no interest.....so I use it from time to time.

Nicely finished - and great neck.

I would say shorter than standard short scale? Not sure though.....

[Tele295]

Are you talking about the MIJ Mini P-Bass that came out in the mid 90s?

[djdeacon]

I have a 32" scale Squier Precision that's been my main gigging instrument since about 1990. You can see it here

[psychetelec]

I always wanted a lefty Mustang Bass but they're hard to find and $$$, so I got a short-scale SX and am diggin' it.

[Telesavalis]

I was jamming with a guy a couple of years ago who had a short scale P bass. That's the only one I've ever seen. It was a cream color. I recall asking him about it and he said something about it being a short scale P. He had owned it for some time I think.

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Hey mud, if you're looking at the one on Craigslist in Tustin, snap it up!

Tim

That would be the one, Mr. Columbo. I have an inquiry in, awaiting reply. (I hate it when people don't post their phone # in CL ads! )

mud

[Frankjohnson]

This isn't exactly a short scale bass - as in almost normal sized bass with shorter scale, typical neck/fret width and thickness......

More like a strat sized body, thinner, more narrow guitar like neck. Very cool if you like that. I do, but not all the time. I will say though.....this thing sounds like a "big-boy" bass.....absolutely all the meat and potatoes stacked on a smaller lighter plate if you will!

It fits in a strat gigbag, and side by side is about the same size.

Figured you guys knew that.....thought I would share it anyway.

[Hiker]

Similar size to the Squier Bronco?

[Frankjohnson]

I don't know.......never tried a Bronco.

More guitar like than *any* bass i ever played.......

[Tim Armstrong]

Kenny, we need photos!

Tim

[Frankjohnson]

I can do that later this week......gigging tonight - actually leaving work in 10 mins, get stuff - drive - set up etc....

I can do that.....let me know what you want particular pics of -

[Frankjohnson]

Ok - Here we go - not great pics, but I'm tired......


And I dug this out for you guys......

And ....so there! And Stuff!









And I didn't have a strat to compare size, but am working on this old Lotus (Pretty much the same for size comparrison I believe)


I will post 2 more in the next post - this would only allow me to put in 4.

Did this help?

[Frankjohnson]

And.....................


The other 2





Keep in mind - I have a Jazz next to it, not a P Bass, for width comparrison.

Bad pics, flash washes some out, but you get the idea.

I still stand by my more like a strat neck than actual "short scale standard bass" comments.

[psychetelec]

Looking at those pics I'm even more confused by the statement "This isn't exactly a short scale bass...".

[Frankjohnson]

Originally Posted by psychetelec

Looking at those pics I'm even more confused by the statement "This isn't exactly a short scale bass...".

Ok....not sure how to take that.

It isn't *just* shorter......
Its thinner, more narrow and in my opinion - just plain ol' smaller.

Not sure how that is confusing.

Not going to argue it with anyone. theres your pics - hope it helps.

[Frankjohnson]

BTW -
MIM
not
MIJ

[JohnS]

That is so darn CUTE! How's it play?

[mudbean]

My gosh, that thing is ADORABLE ...

The freakin CL seller hasn't replied to my emails ... AARRGGHH! I even posted an ad in reply, no luck.

DANG.

mud

[Frankjohnson]

I like it. It plays nice - I keep the action a little high to dig in, but its still good. The strings aren't great - I never got around to changing them.

I traded a solidstate Laney for it. I had gotten a good deal on the amp and he needed one - and didn't want the bass. Everyone waas happy!

I have a friend that is about 6'4" and about 400 +/-.........I have a pic somewhere with him playing this bass standing next to a DW mini drum set that makes him look Frikkin Huge! I wish I could find it - its actually pretty damned funny.

anyway - the bass sounds like a big boy p bass........It plays really nice, and is about Guitars sized. The body is smaller than a strat, but overall its about the same size.

[cj409]

So does anybody know anybody who is selling a P bass jr? I'm a gal bassists with tiny hands (I can barely span 3 frets with the 3 finger method on a standard bass). I like the mustang too, but it's still a bit hefty for me. Any leads would be much appreciated!

[Soapbarstrat]

Originally Posted by djdeacon

I have a 32" scale Squier Precision that's been my main gigging instrument since about 1990. You can see it here

I wonder what kind of wood the body is on those 32" scale Squires ?

[JohnS]

Here's a 32" scale Aria Pro II CSB-380 in ash. If you find one grab it!

[Alec Fitzroy]

... How many frets does it have?

[giginthesky]

as per frontline 1995, they were the jr. series. (MIM)
p bass jr:
20 frets
28.59" scale
modern c shape neck
standard p bass pup and string through body.

stratocaster jr:
21 frets
22.72" scale
modern c neck

both were rosewood boards only and available in torino red or black.

fender japan did in fact make smaller sized versions of our favorites. they were called medium scale and i think produced for the japan market only. i don't know the stats to those models though, sorry.

[mudbean]

That guy finally got back to me ... he sold it.

mud

[Frankjohnson]

Mud - there will be others. They pop up......

He never got back to me either....I checked for you - right after you posted this.....

they came in torino red and black.

if you were closer - I would say come on by and play it some - see if you like it - before going further.......

Keep an eye out - one will surface!

>:^{I)>

[gpmedium]

Originally Posted by Hiker

Similar size to the Squier Bronco?

My son has a Bronco.

It's actually bigger than the Jr, going by the pics and the fact that it's too long to fit in a regular guitar gig bag.

[sean79]

Originally Posted by cj409

So does anybody know anybody who is selling a P bass jr? I'm a gal bassists with tiny hands (I can barely span 3 frets with the 3 finger method on a standard bass). I like the mustang too, but it's still a bit hefty for me. Any leads would be much appreciated!

Maybe check out the SX mini-P bass. Not a lot of money - and not a bad little bass.

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by cj409

So does anybody know anybody who is selling a P bass jr? I'm a gal bassists with tiny hands (I can barely span 3 frets with the 3 finger method on a standard bass). I like the mustang too, but it's still a bit hefty for me. Any leads would be much appreciated!

I had a Rogue Beatle Bass Hofner copy that had a nice narrow fingerboard, considerably narrower than any of my Fenders. 31" scale, too, so the frets aren't quite so far apart. Might be just what you need!

Tim

[cj409]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I had a Rogue Beatle Bass Hofner copy that had a nice narrow fingerboard, considerably narrower than any of my Fenders. 31" scale, too, so the frets aren't quite so far apart. Might be just what you need!

Tim

Hmmm, I'll watch out for one of those. So far I've tried a Corsair Mini (MCR1) and that was a great little bass - but it was seriously tiny. Much smaller than my husband's Charvette guitar and had what I guess I'll call a "plinky" sound. I did play a flea bass jr. at NW Bass recently and that thing surprised me - felt good and sounded really good. But IMO they are ugly and a bit expensive for a beginner - $400. If I don't find a p-bass jr in a month or so I may break down and drop the cash. 34' scale looks sooo funny on little ole me - and is hard to play. It's a little defeating.

[sean79]

The mini-SX is $109. I bought this one for my kid. They also have them in black, and they also have mini-Jazz style basses. [LINK]

[cj409]

I got my hands on a red P-bass jr last week - and love it. Great tonal quality, and once I swapped the strings out (I think the strings that it came with were the original strings) it feels great to play. Great little bass.

[Shoved BassVIII]

Pics!!!


Oh and BTW...