Short Scale Basses: Overhyped Or The New Age Of Bass?

Short scale bass guitars are not a new invention. The first short scale bass was released by Gibson in 1953, the Gibson EB-1 bass – the very same year as the Gibson Les Paul guitar! This bass was designed mimicking the popular double basses in use at the time, even including an end pin to be played upright if required.

Many other models have come and gone, though Fender probably made the most headway with the iconic Fender Mustang bass released in 1966. Despite several attempts, these interesting and unique instruments have seemingly flown under the radar for the most part. Several key players have emerged over the years and short scale basses are more popular than ever in 2025 – but are they worth trying or just another overhyped gimmick?

What makes short scale basses different?

The scale length debate in bass is far fiercer than over in the guitar world. Nobody bats an eye at a Les Paul with a 24.75” scale length against a 25.5” Fender-shaped object, but start talking about a 30” bass or, god forbid, a 32” scale bass and you’ll certainly get an opinion or two headed your way.

Realistically, a short scale bass is still just a bass guitar. Four strings. Pickups. Frets. Headstock. It’s all the stuff you’ve come to expect. The difference lies in the 4 inches lost from the reduced scale length and how that affects the experience of playing the instrument.

Fundamentally, short scales differ in the feel and playability of the instrument, as well as the typical tonal characteristics you can expect. Every instrument is unique, of course, but we’ve included a small comparison chart below to give you an idea of what to expect picking up a short scale bass for the first time.

Lower tension and easier playability

As the scale length is greatly reduced, the tension being applied to the strings and the bass itself is much lower than long scale counterparts. This results in a slinky feeling when playing – strings have more flex and are easier to manipulate and press down against frets.

It can be particularly beneficial for anyone suffering from hand injuries as the shorter scale reduces the intervals between each fret, reducing the need for long stretches when moving across the fretboard.

Tone differences

Short scale bass guitars have a different tone and sound to a long scale. The change in tension and scale length results in a reduction of overtones and transient notes but an increase in fundamental tones and a darker, more rounded sound.

It is perhaps the most important distinction between basses, and many bassists will actively seek out this unique sound. Throw in a set of flatwound strings and it’s about as close to a traditional double bass sound as you can get.

Keep in mind that long scale basses will have much greater sustain with the added string tension, which is important when playing certain styles of music.

Weight

It’s a straightforward difference but weight is a key factor many players cite when choosing to play a short scale bass. Players who are finding the significant weight of certain basses prohibitive for longer gigs should consider trying a lighter short scale bass for better comfort.

It’s also a huge benefit to anybody dealing with shoulder or back problems, and we always recommend safeguarding yourself from harm when playing.

Who plays a short scale bass?

While short scale basses have never had the reach of the giants like the Precision, Jazz, and Stingray basses, there are a surprising amount of popular short scale players who built a career from the unique sound and capabilities.

The most notable players include Paul McCartney and his Hofner violin bass, Tina Weymouth and her Fender Mustang bass, along with Bill Wyman and Jack Bruce and their Gibson EB-3 basses. There are countless more, of course, and short scale basses are often used in studio environments for their controlled and consistent sound.

Addressing the short scale stigma

As with many things in life, everyone has an opinion. Short scale bass is no different. Some purists say that you aren’t playing a real bass if you’re rocking a short scale. Others say they’re more like toys and aren’t up to the task of being used professionally. It’s not something that holds much water upon deeper inspection, but there are certainly some elements of truth behind the myths.

A lot of criticism of short scale potentially comes from its origin. Many lower quality basses were produced in short scale configurations, designed as guitars for learners, students, and young audiences, which led to poor tone and flimsy construction. Modern short scales are every bit the instrument as a long scale counterpart in our experience, and we’d have no qualms stepping out onto the stage.

The Bottom Line

Short scale basses offer a unique experience for bassists. It isn’t just about being lighter and easier to play, they provide completely individual tonal characteristics that a long scale bass won’t provide.

Short scales have been at the heart of some of the most influential songs in music history and are rapidly rising in popularity. We see quite a few come through the BassBros doors, and they rarely stick around for long. It’s worth giving one a try before making your mind up. You might just fall in love.