Help narrow down my short scale bass search

I have a Squire short scale Jaguar bass I am very happy with. It has retired my full scale P/J bass.

 

Just bought this for$100. An Epiphone EB-0
My first bsss was an Elger EB-0 I got in 1976
I paid $75 for it.

 

I used to have one of these Gretsch Junior Jet Basses. For home use, it worked pretty good.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gretsc...omatic-Junior-Jet-Bass-II-Short-Scale-Bass.gc

 

I have a Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar SS Bass and that's what I would suggest if they were still being sold.

If you're looking for a new SS bass for under $400 Canadian, then your best bet would probably be an Epiphone EB-0. There's at least one of your local L&M stores that has it in stock.

 

Under $400, the best you’ll do in terms of build quality is a used Mustang PJ.

 

EB-0 is classic. I had a Squier Bronco Bass for a minute that I really liked.

 

Ibanez TMB30

 

Ibanez Mikro pj and some flats or tape wounds.

 

These sound good at a jam.

 

I'm very happy with my Hofner ignition violin bass. It came with round wound strings, which I changed to flat wounds. It's really light, has a deep sound because it's a true hollow body, (no center block), it's easy to play with a narrow neck, and 30" scale. It's fairly versatile, but not really a good fit for slap style playing. To me, it sounds great either plucked, or played with a plectrum. Also reasonably priced at $349.

This pic is before I changed the strings and set it up, hence the foam strip underneath the rosewood bridge.

 

My wife is the queen of short scale basses. She has gone through them all. Her favorite and long term keeper is the Fender Mustang PJ bass. I know, a tad over your budget, but worth every penny over the less expensive ones. I like the Gretsch Junior Jet and she still likes it too, but just not as versatile as the Mustang. The Ibanez Mikro is a very, very short bass and she had to try a bunch before she found one with reasonable quality, but the pickups are impressive. The Bronco is a waste IMO, unless you want to do a bunch of modding. I like the EB-0, but she didn't like it enough to buy one. The Hofner (and the copy) is a PITA to play, but puts out that retro 60s sound. Anyway, I traded a guitar amp for her Epi Allen Woody Rumblekat that I love, but she did not like the weight and old school sound. Plus it is not very versatile.

I hope that helps.

 

Epiphone Allen Woody rumble kat.

30" scale, semi hollow single cutaway without f holes, 2 mini humbuckers, gold hardware.



Only problem is they aren't super easy to find used. When they pop up, it's like $300-$380. New they're like $500.

 

I second the Jag and the EB-0, I've had a Jag and have the EB-0 now, i put Alnico mags and a 1 meg tone pot (bout 20 bux worth) and its killer.

 

I have the Rumblekat and I like playing it but it sounds a little nasally without major amp tweakage.

I also have a late 80s-early 90s Ibanez Roadster (note:NOT roadstAr) with a 32” scale that is a joy to play. 7-ish pounds, 2x2 headstock, single Pbass p’up with lots of variety of tone available from the simple set of controls. If I can find a pic tomorrow I’ll post it.

 

I bought a 3/4 scale bass for my school band to use off a local online seller for a bit over 100 bucks delivered... and it thumps... I bought a second one off them cheaper with a crack near the V pot which I repaired and used that in a local trio for a few years until I started making some T basses to play..

anything with a P bass pickup in it will sound OK...

 

^^ these!!

An EBO Epi is soo great for a shortcale, and the “Mudbucker” can do anything you need!!
Also, any shortscale with a “P” pickup can’t be beat-

If you can find used, or lay out MORE $$$, then look for Mustang.

 

I bought one of these from Thomann, and I am quite happy with it. I was playing bass with a classic-rock bar band, using my 1970 Fender Precision. I wanted to try something smaller and lighter, and this is what I got - I love it.

I trimmed the headstock and painted it; also cut a new pickguard - just cosmetic stuff to make it look a little cooler.

I have never recorded with it, so I can't say about that. But it works great for live rock-club stuff.

https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_hbp90bk_shortscale_ebass.htm

 

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The Mikro is a fantastic bass. It looks good, it plays well and it sounds superb.

I have an Epiphone EB0 and a P bass with a J at the bridge. The Epiphone gets a lot more play time as my arthritic sausages find the scale easier. I don't need, nor do I particularly want, another bass. Were I to buy a new one, it'd be the Ibanez Micro PJ.

 

Here's a pic of my Mikro



My current collection replaces the kala for an ibanez srf705 (my favorite).