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https://i.imgur.com/Kt6omgm.jpg
I was tempted by a couple of Ibanez - but they're 28.5" - so "wondering" how much that impacts it, considering the "lack of things" I need it for
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
"Her daughter goes to, or I think possibly runs a jam night in Essex. Mate of mine and the bass player from his band were there, with his favoured short scale bass. Suzi (Quatro) turned up and was encouraged to sit in, picked up the bass and said "what pussy plays this"! "
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
30" is for when you want a thumpy shortscale sound.
32" is for when you want a "normal" sound but have stubby fingers.
28" is for when you should just buy a guitar.
Personally I like 32" the most, but there are bugger all 32" options out there. There's the Ibanez Mezzo and thats about it.
If I was spending £200, and 34" basses were out, then I'd buy a Mezzo. Much more versatile than a 30".
For example, a Fender/Squier Mustang Bass sounds completely different from a Gibson/Epiphone EB-0, and they also feel quite different too - despite both being 30" scale. The Mustang feels and sounds much more like a slightly smaller Precision than it does like the EB.
Choose based on the type of sound you prefer - if you want to sound like Jack Bruce or Andy Fraser then an Epiphone EB is going to be the most suitable regardless of scale length. If you want to sound like Flea there's a short-scale OLP version of the Stingray available... and so on.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
The old 30=thuddy just isn’t true anymore.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
What I meant was that a scale length by itself doesn't have a sound, really - it's the other aspects of the design and construction of the bass which do. The scale length is only a small factor.
I'm still surprised you 'can't physically manage' a 34" - I'm 5'6" with small hands and I can. I find neck size a much more important factor in whether I can get on with a bass or not, and the geometry - for example, I find my Aria SB 34"-scale fretless effortless to play, but I struggle with a Gibson EB even with a fairly thin neck, because the whole thing is too far to the left.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
When I broke my left elbow badly a few years ago I couldn't play my Rickenbacker (33.25" scale - yes, they just have to be different...!) properly for a while, so I used a Fender Mustang Bass for gigs.
Which is also how I know that short scale doesn't really mean a different sound. It did sound slightly different.... and I mean slightly. I can guarantee that no-one who wasn't on the stage noticed.
The Mustang is also very good for the left-arm-challenged as it's not only short scale, the neck is set very deeply into the body so it feels much shorter than even most other short-scales.
The Squier Bronco is also worth considering, it's the same body shape and although it's very cheaply-built in some ways, they usually sound pretty decent. A friend has one which is genuinely great, although they're not all quite that good...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/224845/for-sale-ibanez-mezzo-srmd200-medium-scale-32-inch-bass-with-massive-upgrades?new=1
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
so its the "mechanical playability" that is the #1 criteria, sound "not so" important - but obviously dont want something that sounds just like a down tuned "bottom E"
cosmetically, Id prefer something with a r/wood board............not more "not maple"
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
I'd just get one and some rosewood stain, to be honest... once they're darkened a bit there's really not much difference compared to some of the nasty rosewood that's often used now.
If so then the Squier Classic Vibe Mustang should be within budget second hand.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.