# Even yet another bass question: short scale vs. long
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-yet-another-bass-question-short-scale-vs-long/135834
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 8, 2002, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-yet-another-bass-question-short-scale-vs-long/135834 "2002-11-08T03:57:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2002, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-yet-another-bass-question-short-scale-vs-long/135834/1 "2002-11-08T03:57:56Z")
I have finally made the decision to buy a bass. I am looking at getting a Jetglow [Rickenbacker 3000](http://www.rickbeat.com/modelslibrary/3000/3000.htm). It’s a short scale bass.
Am I, uh, short-changing myself by not getting a long scale bass?
---
### Author:  [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2002, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-yet-another-bass-question-short-scale-vs-long/135834/2 "2002-11-08T07:01:00Z")
If you seriously can’t handle a long scale because of your hand size, then that’s what the short scales are for. Sure, there’s a slight difference in timbre between a, say, 34" (standard long-scale) and a 32" (perhaps medium scale) and a 30" (which is the smallest a bass should be), but, unless you’re playing some hard-core sessions where the ultimate in top-notch perfection must be observed, it shouldn’t matter that much. I believe Carol Kaye played (and plays) a short scale, and, look at her; she’s the most recorded bassist in history. A good amp helps as well with a bass’s sound. But, if I were given the choice and ability to play either a short or a long, I _would_ go for a long…
Carol has a great site at [www.carolkaye.com](http://www.carolkaye.com) as well.
---
### Author:  [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2002, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-yet-another-bass-question-short-scale-vs-long/135834/3 "2002-11-08T07:05:46Z")
Another thing: Long scale basses have the advantage of being able to handle larger diameter strings, which WOULD result in a better sound in terms of bass. Of course, this is a matter of taste as well…
---
### Author:  [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)
#### Post date: [November 11, 2002, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-yet-another-bass-question-short-scale-vs-long/135834/4 "2002-11-11T02:47:12Z")
Of course the best you could aspire to with a short scale is to sound like [Jack Bruce](http://www.jackbruce.com/) who did all the Cream albums with a Fender Bass VI and a Gibson EB-3.