Short Scale Basses At Live Gigs

[@mdwayne741]

I loved that performance with Larry Mitchell....that guy's incredible. You did a great job jamming with him. Amazing job!!!

[@-Thunder]

Phil got me looking into the short scale thing. So I went all in - Ibanez Mikro. Swapped strings and sounds great. 28.6" scale. It's like playing a long guitar. Body is bit on the small side, but hey it's so easy to grab compared to my 34" P-Bass.

[@zenmaster6780]

Got the same bass and I put a hipshot bridge on it. It shreds

[@RockerProf]

Got 2 miKros, a 4 string and a 5 string. I put Dunlop short-scale flats on both of them, and they sound awesome.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

I originally started playing a Mustang bass (30") in the '70s because that's what Alan Lancaster played in Status Quo ;) Since then, my reason is that I also play guitar and it's easier to switch between the two. In addition, I really love the looser feel of the shorter scale - I play flats (which are generally tighter) and so the short scale helps loosen things up a tad :)

[@DavyoInVegas]

I’m a lifelong pro working bass player, all my 4 string short scale bass’s are setup as BEAD bass’s. I own 3 Ibanez Mikro 4 string bass’s (BEAD) and 2 Ibanez Mikro 5 string bass’s. I also own 3 Sterling by Music Man short scale 4 string bass’s (BEAD) Running thru my Hartke and Gallien Kruger bass amps my short scale bass’s sound awesome at live gigs !!!! In the last few years I’ve totally switched over to short scale bass’s ONLY. My vast collection of regular scale 34” P Bass’s and other 34” scale bass’s are in my closet collecting dust. Cheers, Davyo

[@MrJommins]

Gotta say Phil, i def enjoy your videos. Im a bassist and i totally understand where you are coming from with the whole short scale thing. However, i personally believe that there is more bottom end on a long scale bass that makes it truly worthwhile playing over the short scale. I played in a rap metal band for a number of years and part of the band’s look was that we played matching guitars. When i joined, i could only find a matching bass in a short scale, so i used that on the first record as well as the first year of gigs. Then by chance one day I was on the road and decided to walk into the local music store and found the same brand bass in long scale but in the wrong color. When i got back home to philly, i had my guitar guy (Bluebond Guitars) match the paint to the short scale. That bass became the one I used on the second and third cd and of course all of the gigs. I think there is a sonic advantage to the long scale. Even when i rolled the tone way back on the short scale, I always felt like I was missing something sonically. Ok ramble over. Great job as always Phil! Signed, Joel Breen aka Mr Jommins

[@Madchris8828]

Rap metal was a cool scene harder to find them now though

[@onlyrick]

My current main bass is a 35-inch scale Yamaha, but one of my favorite basses both for feel and for sound is a Fender Mustang.

[@btecww]

I appreciate your honesty. I am an average guitar player and a competent bass player. I love playing and the chance to play. I enjoy the learning journey. Appreciate to truly gifted

[@The-11]

Great clip Phil ! I had heard the story a couple times but I never had seen the footage of you w/ Phil X . Thanks !

[@arthurfrayn7619]

I own a few basses and I love short scale, about to sell my standards TBH. First position is hard on the fingers if you don't have wide hands, chases away a lot of people. It's so much easier to arpeggio like crazy, and yea not any big sound difference. My viola is my favorite, but for less than $200 the Ibanez Mikro is solid also. Stock PU's are a bit thin, but it uses Fender Jazz/Precision style, so it's easy and cheap to upgrade.

[@sunn_bass]

I've been a bass player for 40 years. I've only played 34 and 35 inch scale until recently. I did have a Kramer Duke short scale aluminum neck years back as a backup for my Steinberger. The Duke totally turned me off of short scales. Then last year during lockdown i got a Ibanez TMB30 short scale and love it. I also have a Fender Player Mustang now. The quality of production short scale basses has really come along. I still like a 34" for some things but really have gravitated to short scale during the last 18 months for all the reasons you mentioned.

[@laketownmusic]

There’s just a unique sound with short scale basses too. Bit more throaty and mid range-ish in my opinion. And the easier to play part is true too; if it’s easier to play then I like it

[@larryjeffryes6168]

Is that because at a shorter length, the strings have to tune looser to get the same pitch? I think greater physical range of motion would give greater "depth" of tone, and greater range of activity levels to select from? That's what I'm thinking. I'm trying short scale bass and six string and see. Thinnest strings possible too. I'll see.

[@laketownmusic]

@@larryjeffryes6168 that’s definitely a thought; I hadn’t really considered that before but I think that potentially could be it

[@DraftZJ]

i started on guitar so a full scale 34” felt really hard to play. ideally i wanted a 32” scale but i got a good deal on a mustang bass so 30” scale for me

[@edgelite]

I'm a guitar player that's played bass in more bands than guitar. Everyone needs a bass player so if you want to play it's the way to go. I play a jazz clone but I get it. Short scale is easy breezy. My amp is also preamp di box thingy.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Hahaha my Uncle used to joke that guitar players may have groupies but bass players have money 😂 I think he was referring to a similar situation

[@philipbeasley72]

Wow. Great answer and insight.

[@chuckthetrucker]

Just bought my first set of 8s thanks for the heads up on Stringjoy.. helps with keeping a light touch on the fretboard

[@johncollins5552]

Great idea to use with a high headroom amp!

[@redhorsereincarnated]

I've got a 70's modified mustang bass I use for recordings. Sounds great and plays so nice and easy.

[@nellayema2455]

I just got an inexpensive short-scale bass today. I'm putting in a set of active pups that I've had for a long time. I hope to have some fun modifying it and playing around on it.

[@glynnsmith4560]

I used a borrowed bass at first, shortly after someone gave me a Hofner Verithin bass with a broken body which I made my first bass with.. it was years before I discovered both of those were short scale .. this explained why my strings always had more tension than on my first basses. I'm now back to short scale.

[@n3zyd]

Phil you rock, learning songs just before going on stage, while a live band plays a different song a few feet away I would've forgotten what end of the bass to hold.

[@kevinking2468]

I really enjoy seeing you play live with your friends.

[@johnwhitmore2531]

Love the stories, laugh out loud material

[@davetang9308]

Great playing! You're versatile on both instruments!

[@svart_kors]

Clips! Excellent. Love your videos!

[@mykneeshurt8393]

I really love these recap videos. More Please..

[@rockdaddy2168]

I fully understand your preference for a short scale bass. In the early 70s my brother played bass for our band and had a full scale fender but replaced it with a new 73 Gibson EB-3. Jack Bruce influenced. We had some songs that required exceptionally fast bass work (Rundgren - The Ikon, Yes - Roundabout, James Gang Live- Lost Woman, some Stanley Clark (he took lessons from Stan), and various other jazz works) short scales were easier for him. Most of our bar gigs back then were 9pm to 2am two to five nights a week short scale was less fatigue for him. When I play bass I have a full scale Precision but opt out to a Custom Shop Fender 6 (Jack Bruce used a Fender VI but changed to EB-3 for Disraily Gears) or one of my 60s EB-3 short scales depending on the type of music we are playing. These are 30" and 30-1/2" respectively. (Wimpy guitar player on bass.) I however never take my 69 EB-3 Slot Head out since it is one of the few that never had a broken headstock. Knock on mahogany. LOL I do really like your red Dan Electro baritone I got from Zimms Guitars. Always watch your vids, Phil. Good stuff.

[@Xubuntu47]

When I was looking for my first bass, I looked for a 32 inch scale, thinking it would be a good compromise between 30" and 34". 32" were rare and expensive; I wasn't sure I would stick with playing bass so I wanted something cheap. I ended up with a 34" scale, then another one. Now I'm reconsidering shorter scales because standard basses are just awkward to carry around, especially on public transit.

[@felekski]

You seemed to imply you prefer 32" scale to 30". What is your reason for that? Is it that the 32" seems more comfortable for you to play, or do you like the tone better? Great video. Thanks for the insight!

[@JoeyColors]

Weight is also an issue. I have a Fender American Jazz Bass, that I use for recording for myself and others. That bass is much heavier than any of my guitars. I did a short stint playing bass for a Rockabilly band, and my shoulder hurt by the end of a one-hour set.

[@RubyDimasStudio]

for me just need 30 minutes for shoulder pain

[@charlygoehring6155]

I play a Squier Jag SS with an SX maple neck and Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounds. My one pedal is the Tonehammer into a Class D and 2x12. It's arthritis that brought me to the SS. I got tone for days!!

[@drothberg3]

I bought a Squire short scale Jaguar bass a few years ago, and since then I have barely touched my high quality, American made full-scale 47th Street Custom Guitars bass. I'm guitarist primarily and play bass a lot less, so it's easier to play and less of an adjustment.

[@stevenjones6780]

Great to hear you talk beyond just gear. That said, I love short scale everything- worn a hole in my Baby Taylor as a finger style player. Correct, no one really cares. THANX for your work...

[@firdeye2681]

dang phil on stag with Phil X! The meeting of the Phils legendary. Haha great video loved that bass tone as well and playing

[@danb4323]

So awesome to see footage of hill jamming live

[@Chemist1076]

On bass, a good cheat is to turn down treble to 0... and just thump with the rhythm. In key ...it will be ok.

[@Zolbat]

Just slap randomly across the fingerboard and say "jazz" every few seconds

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I just purchased a Sterling Stingray SS-4. The fit, finish, sound & playability exceeded my expectations. Where can I purchase those Amp-head & small combo Racks? - they look fantastic.

[@BradColemanisHere]

Awesome! I had wondered and clearly this makes a lot of sense.

[@edwinstovall3334]

I acquired an Ibanez MiKro bass guitar a few weeks ago, and obviously I agree COMPLETELY that it's easier to play than a full scale 34 inch puppy. I HAVE a Glarry GP II, which is a full scale copy of the venerable Fender Precision Bass with upgraded parts, and it's a solid bass ... but it needs a setup REALLY badly, plus my time of actually having ANY bass chops is 3 or 4 DECADES(!) in the past! My MiKro bass has a scale length of 28.6 inches, so it's MUCH more comfortable to play -- although it doesn't sound that much like a full size for some techniques. For instance, popping isn't as good-sounding on that bass as on its full-length counterpart. Even so, the idea is that I can play it now, and it can act as a gateway to playing the 34 inch-er once I get it set up and good to go. I also envision using both basses together on some songs. I haven't got those ideas really fleshed out yet, though, so don't hold me to it!😄

[@ravenbom]

If you're playing through a Fender Rumble, I think a short scale bass will sound the same as a full scale bass. Actually other than an active bass, a Fender Rumble pretty much sounds like a Fender Rumble. There are other bass amps that really make each bass sound different. Though, I think that most bands are so used to a Fender Rumble, they will give you a stink eye until you tweak your Ampeg or Ashdown or TC or whatever to sound like a Fender Rumble/what they think a bass should sound like. And it works in a mix. Fender Rumble tends to not step on the guitar(s) or the drummer. Some other amps will, which is less of a problem if you play originals since you can make rearrangements. But for most people, it is unlikely they can tell one bass note from another much less short and full scale. I watch a band from Oakland last night play a Hofner through a Fender Rumble and it sounded like a Fender Rumble. Didn't sound like a Hofner or a short scale, it sounded like a Fender Rumble.

[@jonlavigne3270]

Long time bass player here. I've played every scale except the big Ibanez 36" ones, including upright 44". Right now I have a 34" SX 6 string , a normal Fender P and a fretless Fender J. My favorite bass to play is my Pignose 30" with the built-in amp. I can move from the lowest notes to the highest easily, I don't have to stretch my hands too much, and I can do really ugly sounding two whole-step bends that seriously sound like ass but make me giggle. Honestly, I want to find a 30" Jazz bass without a built-in amp, and I really want to get one of those little short acoustic basses like the little Taylor or a GoldTone or the cheap little Ibanez. Maybe even a Kala. I turn 48 this month. I've been playing for 34 years givecor take. I'm done hurting myself for negligible tone differences. I use silk & steel low tension strings on my acoustics (seriously thinking of putting ball-end nylons on one to mess around) and I've been using extra light bass strings for over a decade already (.95 low E) and switched to flats to stop getting blisters. There's no reason to hurt yourself to play guitar or bass, that just makes it less fun unless that's your fetish.

[@the72u7h4]

I do not even pay attention to anything anyone says about music. Yesterday, I was playing my spanish (classical) guitar with distortion, and it sounded so interesting. I took my uke and mic'd it up today and added delay and some reverse reverb to it, BECAUSE I CAN. I played some piano too, so I took that and I added some fuzz and some valhalla delay (free plugin btw, at least it was when I got it). I took a bucket, I hit it, and it sounded great, so I sampled it and tuned it down for a tom sound. Short scale bass? WHO CARES? Did it sound good? YA? WHO CARES? We are in the age where you can 'compensate' for alot of stuff. I used to be mad at bass players who used picks vs fingers. Now? WHO CARES, they are different sounds, for different situations, for different feels. Get over it. Music is Art. Art is Music. There are NO RULES. So what? Do what you want, how you want, and tell me about it. I want to hear it. I dare you. Input? Stop listening to anything and everyone and discover yourself. YOU. YOURSELF. Discover YOU. Trust me, if you cut out the 'need gear' can't be good without good gear - trust me - constraints and limitations will push you far. Just trust me on this and try it. As always Phillip, you kick ass. I've been watching you a LONG time but just now subbed, how the hell did I go this long and not do that? I don't know, but I got you.

[@ruffcutmagicreview]

Just started learning bass having fun with it.

[@RetroPlus]

Good

[@brandonanderson2066]

You sound badass on that bass!

[@BigIfTrueBand]

Hey Phil, are you going to check out the Ibanez AZES?

[@jakamkourasanis]

I have a Hofner and a G&L fallout bass. Both short scale. The only basses I own and use.

[@troythompson1621]

32 is my favorite scale. It seems to have better resonance. I don't have any issues playing a 34, I just like 32. I sit in frequently and lean on the fly every time. No complaints yet, so I guess im doing ok.

[@keef71]

One of the virtues of a short-scale bass, esp. a 30" scale, is the different sound you get straight off. You can even hear it playing one unplugged - that is, a nice deep growl or sort of percussive bark on the lower two strings (like Alan Lancaster RIP with mid-70s Status Quo, esp. Live!) Just a bit more character than a typical P or J sound. Going the other way, if you cut the treble, you can get that really thuddy early-'70s hard rock sound like Andy Fraser or Jack Bruce (Use Gibsons for extra mud!). Also easier to play busy, melodically complex lines like those guys or Jim Lea from Slade

[@gmscurto]

Question: So after you went rogue on bass, did "Larry" ever ask you to gig with him again? 🤔

[@Madchris8828]

You've got great groove to your playing imo. Very cool 😎👍 1 4 5 Bass-ics. Sorry I'll seem myself out 🤣

[@monmixer]

People underestimate bass guitar. they think if they can play a guitar they can play a bass.True but likely not real good. I played bass in one band. the leader and songwriter was the lead guitarist and I shared those guitar duties with him. we both played lead, harmonies, slide, etc. He was an excellent bass player and he wrote with the bass most of the time and the bass melody lines were entwined with the lead vocal and it really was a great formula. some f his songs could have been hits but he wouldn't sell them or even shop them out. We ended losing our bassist because he was called back to work after a recession of two years and we played in every damn road house with in 500 miles. There are none anymore. By mid 90 there were only a few left but anyway we switched our format to his songs and the cover songs that he re arranged and made his own he played guitar and on all of the new cover stuff I played guitar and he played bass. So I got a great learning experience on the bass because the parts were pre written and he knew how to play them. some were not easy at all.

[@jimcamp2423]

30-32 inch short scale, I went with a Jackson JS1XM 28.6 inch short scale and it works fine. Optional read: Too funny about the smile & just play thru it. That was Larry Mitchell's learning moment, teach him to smile more when a bandmate plays the song in the neighborhood of close to what it needs to be. As long as the strings are in tune, close to tune and have fallen a few cents off, nobody in the audience is going to be able to detect that. And if they're impaired, even less. Anyone that said another sucked for a bar band play, that was a drunk that was angry with their own miserable life. Not anyone in the band's play. Lead guitar, that has to be dead on, but even Larry Mitchell was able to change that up, and guess what, as long as it worked, nobody was the wiser for the change. If the instrument falls out of tune uniformly, there are 1/2 & full step alternate tunings, why not a 10-25-50 cents alternate tuning for the entire set of strings, as much as a 1/4 step. And then there's also the drop step alternate tunings, that may or may not work. Nobody wasn't going to notice, unless Larry's face telegraphed the dissatisfaction. A bass solo it was not. With bass that's what the audience is going to feel rather than audibly hear for perfect pitch. I could understand ball breaking for recording. Recently just got back from attending a Rockville Day. FCOL, we were standing in the infield of the Daytona International Speedway. It was 90 degrees, feels like humid 100+. The audience was buzzed at least on alcohol, who knows what else. As long as nobody was fighting or an overdose, every band that played did their 45-60 minute set and then it was a cattle drive to the next stage. Some of the bands I had never heard of before, they were the early in the day performances. As it got closer to sundown, there were 3 maybe 4 bands anyone would know from Streaming (Spotify) or back in the day, FM radio. Some of their music wasn't even their hits or good stuff. In the heat, outdoor noises, there were just moments when it was that miserable that anyone hoped sundown would happen or that hour was a crap shoot that the more obscure bands were something you would listen to. Like a side to the main course dinner, nobody ever looked forward to broccoli on the plate. Then there were the daily thunder & rain storms that actually forced bands to stop playing, audience to leave & delay the stage schedules like it would for a MLB game. Getting back in was the worst experience I've endured, 10's of thousands that had trickled in throughout the course of the day, all outside the venue now and going thru the TSA level search to get back in. It took hours, and the bands, they played to a limited audience. But they played regardless of the head counts that were able to get back into the Speedway.

[@wherebandshaman]

Phillip and Phil X playing together, awesome!

[@eastvandamn]

What is the name of the amp you put into the PA?

[@keungy1065]

I'm interested as well !

[@myoriginalname]

Saw a used rumblekat online for cheap a few months back. Really regret not pulling the trigger now.

[@gurgus]

Those Eden preamps are to die for!

[@BizarrePudding]

Is that video of you playing live available somewhere?... You kill!!!

[@dbvetter7485]

I have a 34” scale Rickenbacker 4003 and a 27” squire PB mini (shorter than short scale 😆) The mini is a lot easier and fun to play.

[@myflyisopen.8732]

Ricks are 33 1/4".

[@johncollins5552]

I am a drummer but during 2 covid years had no one to jam with so I bought squier p bass to make loop to play drums along with and I am in love with the mini p bass! Such fun.

[@kushking420]

I'm new to bass (been two days), I've played drums and sill do for 20 plus years. What would be a good bass to start with and buy, cause I'm currently borrowing a squire jazz bass, and the neck it completely bowed. The A string starts buzzing bad from the 7th fret to the bottom of the neck

[@christopherfidler3019]

Phill, you forgot to wear the cool hat on stage 🎩😎

[@michaelmaier7262]

Do you still have the Urge I bass? I love mine. I also have an Ibanez 30" SR Crossover 6 string bass that's awesome.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

I do and I love it.

[@jeffroq]

Smoking bass chops Phil

[@nyambe]

What are some good short scale 5 strings basses? I want to go the high C router

[@TheAlfaproyect]

It's that an Eden preamp?? How is it?? It's the "tube like" model right?

[@jamesdoogan5528]

Phil,what make is your bass preamp/D.I. please?

[@1peanut]

What do you think of Jetcity tube amps ?

[@splover23]

The rhythm room, AZ?

[@balajibala6606]

Hi brother can you able to share any overdrive pedal please help me...

[@ScottMedinaX]

Phil how often do you gig?

[@DoobTube71]

“I’ll take any opportunity to play with anybody.” That’s what she said...!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

02:33 my face melted off. thanks. Now I don't have a face.

[@jameslees9512]

Jack Bruce loved short scale basses...nuff said

[@JaniceLalla]

Good clip!

[@mrmackee123]

Great story 👍

[@onefatstratcat]

I mentioned I played a short scale once to a guy and he shirked and said they sucked because you couldn't play them de-tuned down to C.. at that point I realized I wasn't the idiot in the room :)

[@phreak1118]

I have a 29" bass... no wait... that is my baritone. :)

[@Mattbuchanan71]

What is that mini bass amp you show?

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I'd also like to know?

[@therealone1288]

short scale bass sounds fun but i never tried one

[@barrygoodson4952]

I've never thought short or long scale mattered at all. Macca has made over a billion playing a shorty for 60 plus years and no one ever mentions that. The audience might have two people in it that actually know the difference on a good day . Whatever you have just pay it !

[@jasondorsey7110]

He played a rickenbacker, which is a long scale, quite a bit too, and personally I prefer the sound of the Ric, but I get your point, he put the hofner violin bass on the map

[@Creed_fan_69]

I wish they made a 32” mustang bass

[@Kim-yl7yg]

What bass was Phil playing ?

[@PhillipMcKnight]

It’s a Warwick 32” scale bass

[@Kim-yl7yg]

@@PhillipMcKnight Thank you Phil.What you recommend in the 28"- 30" under $500 ? Will be a bass newbie but , playing 6 strings for 55yrs. Have 16 of them .

[@ralpholiver1519]

man you rock........

[@kijekuyo9494]

I've been a complete short-scale convert for a few years now, and I see no reason to play long again. I think most players think they need a 34" without really asking themselves why. For large people with huge hands, I can see it, but for most people, they should actually try short scales without preconceptions or prejudice.

[@drothberg3]

If you want to go extreme short scale, get a Kala Ubass. Sounds like an upright.

[@Nikosi9]

A more extreme SS is the Ashbory. The scale is 18". It's the precessor to the Kala. And, it's fretless...

[@user-gz5yf1xy3s]

Good stuff good stuff

[@NicholasANappiNick]

32 inch perfect 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤

[@tdh95]

2:09 …barely an inconvenience

[@jonathanhorne6503]

Of my five basses all have 30” scales. Flatwounds too. I’m in my 70s and they’re easier to play.

[@DavidHBurkart]

It's the 'ol, if you can't play it, fake it... with gusto!

[@bobt5778]

I'm big and a short scale makes me look like a guitar player, and who wants to look like one of THEM? 😄

[@rodyoakum1194]

Great Story

[@yomomma9815]

It was BB talking to Billy.

[@michaelbell75]

Cool video but a 32 isn't a "short scale" bass its a medium scale. Big difference 😊

[@ricksigurdson2016]

Bill Wyman Paul McCartney 30" scale bass

[@4stringz.]

awesome

[@edgardoarroyo7418]

What's a good looking base for a 9 year old player? She can play very good for her age!

[@famachris]

I have a 30 inch Prcision MIM - so much easier in a studio situation.

[@onlyrick]

Oh, also on making your life easier, I knew a guy who was so lazy he married a pregnant woman.

[@onlyrick]

@@brushstroke3733 - Good point. I was too lazy to properly research that.

[@rockdaddy2168]

LMAO🤣

[@tom4786]

Ibanez makes a 28" bass don't know the number ( Ibxzy7566chw I think) Ever try that?

[@j-mo2453]

My carpal tunnel acts up playing a 34” scale bass. Lmao Maybe short scale isn’t so dorky after all. Not sure… all you guys that praise short scales are iffy and I am commenting on a Phil McKnight video so the vibes a little geeky. However I am a hobbit so would anyone really even notice? I imagine if angus young played one you’d have a similar visual… lol

[@j-mo2453]

What the hell if I went short scale and six string I might not be that bad at bass lol

[@j-mo2453]

Sorry Phil the pocket bass amp isn’t that impressive to guys that have to pack more gear and house speakers are like a box of chocolates. I think you should at least help carry drums if you refuse to bring big ass speakers. Lol

[@j-mo2453]

In your defense Nita Strauss packs light too so never mind. Lolol

[@WyattLite-n-inn]

Jeez that live video of Phil playing the ‘32.. Amazing

[@tigerscott2966]

Cool....it takes nerve to get up on stage.

[@BurtonBoyz715]

So what is the bass preamp... NAME AND MODEL... not.. "I play thru this"... swinging it around. Like our PRESIDENT would say when he's lost..... 'COME ON MAN'