Unboxing the ULTIMATE Short Scale Bass (Wilcock Mullarkey)

If you believe everything you read on the Internet, you might never have thought about playing a short-scale bass before. And after reading a few forum posts claiming that they’re lifeless instruments, you may never even try one! But if you’re a bit of a rebel (like me!) then you can do yourself a massive favor and check out today’s unboxing video with Ian Allison.
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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[@devinebass]

PLEASE READ - It's come to our attention that there are some commenters on our videos who are trying to scam our subscribers. None of these comments are official or from us. We will never reach out to contest winners via the comments of a social media channel. We're doing our best to remove the comments and flag the accounts in question.

[@MrBrandoss]

I got hit up for it too.

[@xavierpenalvergrau6046]

Great, Ian!

[@IanMartinAllison]

Shoutout to my daughter Everly for crushing the vlog camera work!

[@jeffjones1359]

She has a future in the film industry!

[@ruairibyrne8658]

Please post more on this account

[@WCruttenden]

I've been waiting for this video. If I wasn't already sold on getting a Mularkey, I am now.

[@MrBrandoss]

That's honestly the best reminder to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications, I've heard yet.

[@alanwadey2848]

Honestly Ian, I think that they all sound great. There's nothing to choose between them, each has it's own character.

[@jeffthemarshall]

The Mullarkey sounded great in comparison. Lots of clarity in the notes. To my ear(buds) the ‘66 Mustang sounded best. But the new bass held its own.

[@jimmythejock4376]

Agreed, the mustang for me too.

[@kingdeedee]

Those Mustangs got some massive tone for real

[@nzsteve]

The hole in the box is a go faster speedhole, added by the courier company to get you parcel to you quicker at no extra charge!

[@LowEndLobster]

Wilcock Mullarkey!? Watch yer language! Awesome bass.

[@toddjohnson5583]

You make all of those basses sound FANTASTIC!!! We’ll done my friend!!!!

[@istricky]

Hey Ian. Love the Malarkey. But oh the Hofner put the hair on the back of my neck. You rock. Love ya man.

[@metaman1982]

Yeah the Mullarky is cool but I just have to give a nod to the Serek Midwestern I & II. Wish one of those could have been in the lineup. I have a Midwestern II 5 string and it's just my favorite shorty. The Grand is also an interesting little beast. Even so I still kind of want a fender Mustang...I love how they play and sound!

[@IanMartinAllison]

I have a standard scale Serek Lincoln and absolutely love it!

[@och70]

That's a really cool instrument. Short scale basses are a lot of fun. They make you feel like a giant! There was a bit of a missed opportunity from an aesthetic standpoint. If the entire bass matched the roasted maple look of the neck, it would be so gorgeous. The 60s basses with old flatwound strings sounded truer to the recorded version of the comparison song, but this bass mora than held its own.

[@Alexandra-hl8ll]

I love that sound from The Malarkey. I have just bought myself a Mustang Bass in Sienna Sunburst . I'm a newbie to playing bass, I have small hands/short fingers, so I definitely had to go for a short scale bass. I even have a short scale guitar. 😆 I'm loving learning to play my bass.

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

I own a bunch of short scales, the tone on this bass is killer, amazing pickups!

[@markej4801]

I love the Mullarkey, but that Starfire 1 was astounding to me! Both would be a real keeper and well used.

[@DoctorIntrepid]

Cool bass. The pickup configuration is like the Hofner Cavern basses. Reminds me of my Cavern HCT bass, as that one has a sound block in it.

[@trevaudio]

The Gretsch junior jet….wonderful value !

[@MM-km1vl]

the Wilcock definitely sounds the best of all of them!! WOOOW

[@TheBassfresh]

52 years at the bottom on mostly 34" fenders, and now @ 66 yrs I use mostly short scales; the tone, the lower weight, the comfort for arthritic body; mustang JMJ, hofner club, gibson sg., very close to your selections. And next: the favorite for me wilcock!

[@ezbass]

I’ve played one of Viv’s basses in the past and I’d love a Mullarkey go with my JMJ Mustang and ‘Ray SS, just need a lottery win. You are a lucky man, Ian.

[@richardnelson2400]

The Guild Starfire was definitely the star of the show for this song. Top of the list. Great playing!

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I have an Epiphone shortscale semi hollow with flats and it's super fun to play. It doesn't get much gig rotation; my 6 string Kiesel and 5 string Warwick cover that, but it does make some appearances from time to time. That Willcock is pretty sweet!

[@77_Social_Music]

Mullarkey sounded amazing but the Mustang was my favorite sound.

[@charlesbernklau6234]

Great demo Ian, as usual. I am a big fan of the “mudbucker” position pickup and for me personally the new bass sounded better than any of the classic basses. Once the flats break in, it will sound more vintage which will make it sound even better.

[@delepiane]

You won the ultimate scale bass guitar directly from India!

[@lebeucherie]

Reverend makes a killer short scale bass called the Wattplower. It booms 💥

[@davidwinokur2131]

The Mullarkey was brighter, but I kind of preferred the tone on the Mustang for that song. Overall, I think the Mullarkey will be more flexible.

[@artbehrman7712]

Great! Apparently I’m buying another shorty bass. I think the two pickups on the Wilcox put it in a different category almost against those wonderful single pickup basses. This video also makes me want to add a Starfire to the collection.

[@monahantp3767]

REALLY like the neck pickup on the new bass. However, the lick sounds best to me when played on the 1) Mustang, 2) Guild.

[@alanscharrer5255]

Love the house Ian. You need more stairs

[@scottya001]

Lovely. Would have liked to hear it next to your Serek though.

[@IanMartinAllison]

Love my Serek Lincoln - it’s a long scale though

[@scottya001]

@@IanMartinAllison Ooh. OK. Quite unusual for a Serek!

[@jeffjones1359]

@@IanMartinAllison Those are great sounding basses! Jake Serek builds some fine instruments 👍

[@pine3737]

Ian I love your vids, I said that before you jump in with both feet. I feel the Hofner and Guild have that hollow body something I like for short scale with flats. NOW! The Wilcock Mullakey. It seem so flexible that I can see how someone would treat it as a toy, and over play like crazy. I would like to see it played in a working situation. It just might be the bass Bill Wyman dreamed of.

[@thomasloveless7503]

I really like the look and sound of that bass. Better start saving my pennies!

[@bongosock]

Looks very reminiscent of Wal basses - which I love :)

[@SimonBrisbane]

I’d really like to see it in Robin’s hands. One of my fav bassists. People should check out his covers of Jeff Buckley’s “Grace”. Absolutely nails it.

[@MM-km1vl]

C´mon!! I just ordered a Kala U-Bass thinking its the best short scale "bass"

[@Bassgroover]

I loved the sound from the Mullarkey. It’s hard to describe the sound I liked but the higher end had a little more tone to it than the others. Not quite as muddy sounding.

[@JackiesJohn]

The Mullarkey brought the tonal quality of a long-scale with a little more pop and snap. The others I seemed duller by comparison. Good bass, that Mullarkey! Thanks.

[@Snibborwocky]

Kinda has a short scale Wal hybrid look to me. Sounds awesome. Great review!

[@polbecca]

Yes, the body shape is very similar to the mk1 Wal. Maybe too similar!

[@bigkahuna5445]

STANG STANG MUSTANG BRO! THEY ALL SOUNDED GOOD BUT THAT STANG HAD MOTOWN ALL OVER MY EARS GREAT REVIEW BRO!

[@SteveTheBassGuy]

Pedal tones are cool too in the SBL trainer.

[@billyhooks99]

My favorite was the Fender Mustang.Once the strings on the Mullarkey wear in a little more and loose that new string sound I think it will sound better.

[@jasongallman2032]

Lose

[@delepiane]

Everybody winning the ultimate scale, my luck...

[@MikeKiker]

That neck pickup position for bass is super underrated.

[@rolandrichards39]

Wow loving the sound & looks of Mullarky! Short scale basses are fun. I'm looking at the new Fender Meteora bass. From the new parallel series.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I definitely liked the Wilcock!! That would be my choice! Love the mustang but the wilcock for me is where it’s at!!!has that Wal vibe!!

[@BobdeVille]

yes that is what i thought, too. A tiny little Wal Bass. Amazing Bass. All great Basses in their own rights. But the Wilcock. Is the real thing

[@MarvinForte]

Great sounding bass and I really like your description of the frequency output of short scale basses. My first bass was a Fender Mustang and when I switched to a long scale bass for the first time, I had a tough time adjusting because the high notes felt weak to me. Most people just say short scales are more "punchy" but I think your description is more accurate.

[@BassRacerx]

REALLY liked the sound of the guild starfire!

[@ThommesBorg]

The GUILD STARFIRE 1 was it, from the first note on. Amazing tone!

[@musicslick]

I had a couple of short scales (Alembic Stanley Clarke and Mustang) and big fan of them. I think the Malarkey did it for me and think it will be my next one. Great demo Ian.

[@evertthebassist]

The Mustang sounds incredible though

[@interfecirelinquo1360]

the 66 sound was my favo. one for that bass line and song.

[@dougmael]

That “snappiness”is fine and it distinguishes this Wilcock Mullarkey bass from the rest of the short scale basses, but for that “Motown sound”, I prefer the others (particularly the Horner Club Bass, and the Guild Starfire, surprisingly).

[@pmdinaz]

that is beautiful! nice review!

[@bartondrums6606]

What a bunch of Mullarkey! Seriously, that bass is sweet!!!! I love all your basses though. Your playing is great too. Well done. She already has a Hofner Club (and violin), a 2011 Les Paul Jr. and a newer Mustang. I'll buy one of these for my wife.

[@crustyjusty7]

That Mullarkey has a great tone. I would like to have heard it up against the Gretsch junior jet.

[@xxnapalmchildxx]

Yeah I could kinda tell with the brightness that the strings were a little more fresh than the other guys

[@RootsBassCanada]

My favourite is the new bass you have. I like shorties. I Have an Epiphone EBO that's cool. It's just she doesn't stay in tune if I don't play her everyday.

[@huublelieveld8918]

I replaced the tuners with gotohs and the bridge with a babicz. That works. Almost more expensive than the actual bass though 😛

[@ThunnusAlbacares]

Love the Mullarkey bass, Bridge PU has that nice burpy sound and the Neck, that classy/warm sound.

[@yossisaporta4557]

i think i would like to have the Mustang and the Mull. Both with great sound.

[@artbehrman7712]

I’ve got a fever…. AND ITS FOR MORE SHORT SCALE BASSES!

[@JonGreen_UK]

The Mullarkey wins out for me, for its clarity, crispness and evenness. (I know, Christmas is gone!) For overall tone, still the Mullarkey, with the Starfire 1 second.

[@alanscharrer5255]

Like the Mularkey

[@the-selfish-meme7585]

Playing that bass line makes you smile - it's impossible not to...

[@jonathanchevallier7046]

Cool bass ! Lot of clarity and definition. The mustang would be more growly in comparison. But all of these basses are awesome. ;-)

[@mnardo2112]

I just saw EXTC with former XTC drummer Terry Chambers and the bass player had a Wilcock Bass that sounded amazing covering Colin Moulding’s bass lines. Never heard of this bass until last night. They are pricey.

[@livinginoakvilleontario1234]

More snap (treble?) in the Mullarkey, would cut through the mix I would think. So, when are you going to pull a “Scott” and give away some of that “unused” wood and steel in your studio…😉😎😂

[@marunikusbakufu]

Beautiful bass. Sounds a lot like my EB-0. Definitely that mudbucker sound.

[@Radishmantis]

I was thinking the same thing. I am surprised to find a lot of negative feedback about the EB-0 online, when honestly it just needs a delicate touch and some EQ. Pluck up the neck and punch down the mids, it has such a deliciously dark, woody tone. I got an MIA Fender P, and I'm in love with it, but it also helped me appreciate my EB-0 more as well. It's got some limitations, but it does what it does so well.

[@redhotchilipepperslego2529]

Too neck heavy.

[@stevecox4534]

Great video but I was hoping you'd include the Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II. A $300 instrument that I've seen played live, and it sounded great! Maybe next time? Thanks for the great content as always.

[@brianengquist2110]

Yeah, the Fender, Hoffner and Guild all sounded like, well, short scales. Thuddy, dark and slightly dead. Not my cuppa though I must admit they have their niche uses where they should be the instrument of choice. But this sucker rings. More harmonics I would say and definitely more versatile.

[@valentinej2345]

I really like the sound of the Mustang for that particular song...

[@JSA501stNormandy]

that was so hard to choose a favourite. If I had to pick one though I have to go with the hofner club, I love my hofner basses and been looking at getting myself a club bass (this just gives me more want to get one haha)

[@RodrigoMurasawa]

This sounds like new thomastik strings. Maybe with labella’s it will have a darker tone, even if it’s new.

[@Tracer9GTRider8]

3:22 sounds like Geddy Lee!

[@Lance37a]

Except Geddy didn't play with a pick, but it sounds close.

[@Tracer9GTRider8]

@@Lance37a I know. It just sounds very much like Rush & a line Geddy would play.

[@gregcavanaugh6259]

Interesting explination about the short scale bass's even-ness across the neck. I, (like lots of bassits I'm sure) use the positions on the neck with purpose: jumping up when I need to build in the music (think church music) or when I need a rounder roots type vibe for reggae or even bluegrass stuff, there's a difference in sustain, dynamics, and clarity up there. I use the bottom of the neck for foundation and im my opinion balance/groove. Interesting.

[@matb5368]

Body shape is a dead ringer of the 1970s Shergold Marathon bass..

[@mattrb1701]

The Guild did it for me. All the 60s basses fit much better for the line than the Wilcock (if I'm sitting here, imagining listing to a 78 with Marvin & Tammi).

[@arlenvandersmagt5560]

Yeah, I agree , they all sounded better to me as well. The older sound just suits that song better. But I agree ones the strings are worn in the new bass will sound better for sure.

[@d.l.loonabide9981]

Mustang bass was used by both Holger Czukay and Tina Weymouth. Research over.

[@aidantalbot9495]

versa tile one word pronounced as two : ) Wilcock sounds great, the Mustang amazingly bassy

[@mjmorgan-maloosefingers9135]

it reminds me of the multiscale. or fanned bass sounds.

[@teenwizarth9863]

That bass looks banging

[@shipsahoy1793]

😎Very nice SS bass, but not inexpensive either.😉 Still very nice. 👍 And apparently you have a very nice collection. 👏 🥳👨🏻

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Picked up a squier bronco last year and modded it into the perfect bass. Compared to a vintage mustang i prefer the bronco in every way.

[@nadiapaiva8170]

The Mullarkey looks amazing and sounds great. Already inquired to buy one, but they are way out of my price range. One day ❤️

[@meyersguitars2196]

Sounds great but with those new strings and low action on the d and g strings, makes it hard to say which one I liked better. This sounds great regardless and would no doubt be a good choice for a shorty option.

[@xavierpenalvergrau6046]

Hello Ian, The strings that wears the wilcok are new and the others are old? For this song, I prefer first the Wilcock and second the Fender bass

[@aquabot]

Looks like a reverse jazzbass. Pretty interesting.

[@ryangeorge9878]

The Wilcox sounded brightest, but the other three sounded like they were strung with flat wounds, whereas the Wilcox had round wounds, which are brighter. A more apt comparison would be all 4 with the same type strings, I would think.

[@rdp2445]

Personally I prefer the older basses sound for that song. The strings on the Mullarkey were a bit too clanky for my taste. But when you played it with a pick it sounded so sweet. Music to my ears.

[@DV8shredder]

Gotta go with the mustang bass although the hollow body did it's own thing pretty great

[@darrylbiggsuk]

I'm a little late to this party but well done Ian, another superb video. I've been checking out these Wilcock basses, especially the Mullarkey, I think they are really amazing, but hey, I'm biased, they are made a few streets away from where I live. I have a couple of Mustangs, but I think the Mullarkey pickup configuration have something exciting I want to explore.

[@devinebass]

Definitely worth some exploration dude! Thanks for checking the vid!

[@zprince4120]

The wilcock and the Hofner are tied in number 1 imo but for slightly different reasons which might change slightly when your strings brake in a little more. Please do a comparison update in a few months. Thanks Ian 😊

[@brookvillelanguageservices9005]

I liked the thud of the '66 Mustang the best.

[@davidsummers1977]

The Mustang!

[@theaspiephotographer]

That Mullarkey, to me, was the best sounding of the 4, overall.

[@mitchfindergeneral]

The Mullarkey has insane clarity, but I wonder if that's to do with the strings.

[@carlkermode899]

Over two grand sterling! I'll take three please.

[@NikkieRoxxx]

I have a ibanez mikro 5 strings. Im in love!

[@jorgerodriguezsierra7593]

Hi Ian, I’ve considering a short scale my choice until now is the Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BK. Please, please, please, Could you give me your honest opinion of this bass?? Thanks

[@krich4251]

I like the first one.

[@tedtownsend8933]

That Fender Mustang!! 💪💥🔥

[@brettmarlar4154]

For a true, and fair comparison, they should all have fresh strings on them. Honestly, I could only hear the age of the strings. They all sounded good. Sure the Hofner and Guild also had the semi-hollow depth to their tones, but they didn't sound that drastically different against each other. That's another thing that I would attribute to the age of the strings.