# What are the best short-scale bass guitars for professional use? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What are the best short-scale bass guitars for professional use?

## Products

### Ibanez GSRM20 miKro Short-Scale Bass Guitar - Metallic Purple
```yaml
product: ibanez-gsrm20-mikro-short-scale-bass-guitar-metallic-purple
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 162.33
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 28.6
body_material: Poplar
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Purpleheart
pickup_configuration: Dynamix P neck pickup and Dynamix J bridge pickup
```

- **Price:** £162.33 [^1]
- **Summary:** The Ibanez miKro GSRM20 is a compact 4-string short-scale bass built for easy playability, featuring a poplar body with a maple neck and a purpleheart fingerboard. It uses passive Dynamix P (neck) and Dynamix J (bridge) pickups for versatile tone in a small, comfortable package. It's aimed at players needing a shorter scale and lighter feel, such as younger players or anyone working in tight spaces.
- **Ideal For:** For professional short-scale use, the GSRM20 offers a real 28.6 in short scale with a stable bolt-on maple neck plus passive Dynamix P/J pickups, giving classic split-coil P warmth and J bite without needing a preamp.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3]

### Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short-Scale Bass Guitar
```yaml
product: sterling-by-music-man-stingray-short-scale-bass-guitar
brand: Sterling by Music Man
price_gbp: 506.2
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30 in
body_material: Nyatoh
neck_material: Roasted Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Rosewood
pickup_configuration: Single neodymium humbucker
```

- **Price:** £506.2 [^4]
- **Summary:** The StingRay Short-Scale is a lightweight 4-string bass with a comfortable 30 in scale, nyatoh body, roasted maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. Its passive neodymium humbucker offers parallel, single-coil, and series modes, making it suitable for players who want classic StingRay punch with easier short-scale playability.
- **Ideal For:** It suits professional use through its 30 in short scale, lightweight nyatoh body, roasted maple neck, passive neodymium humbucker, three pickup modes, and push-push volume boost for comfortable and adaptable gig or studio performance.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5]

### Guild Starfire I Bass Short Scale Semi-Hollow Electric Bass Guitar
```yaml
product: guild-starfire-i-bass-short-scale-semi-hollow-electric-bass-guitar
brand: Guild
price_gbp: 553.42
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30.75 in
body_material: Maple
neck_material: Mahogany
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Rosewood
pickup_configuration: H
```

- **Price:** £553.42 [^6]
- **Summary:** This four-string semi-hollow bass has a short 30.75 in scale, set-in mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a Guild BC-1 BiCoil humbucking pickup. Its compact feel, vintage styling, push-pull vintage switch, and versatile semi-hollow tones suit players who want comfortable stage performance and classic rock or pop character.
- **Ideal For:** It suits professional use for bassists who need a comfortable 30.75 in short scale, stable Tune-O-Matic bridge, balanced semi-hollow body, and flexible BC-1 BiCoil pickup with vintage switching for rock, pop, and vintage-oriented performances.
- **Additional Sources:** [^7]

### Danelectro 59 Short-Scale Bass Guitar
```yaml
product: danelectro-59-short-scale-bass-guitar
brand: Danelectro
price_gbp: 464.14
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 29.75 in
body_material: Poplar and Masonite
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Pau Ferro
pickup_configuration: 2 high-output Lipstick single-coil pickups
```

- **Price:** £464.14 [^8]
- **Summary:** The Danelectro 59 Short-Scale Bass Guitar is a semi-hollow, double-cutaway bass with a compact 29.75 in scale length, high-output Lipstick pickups, and a distinctive vintage-inspired design. It suits bassists who want comfortable short-scale playability and a focused, punchy tone for recording, live performance, rock, and retro-styled music.
- **Ideal For:** It suits professional use through its comfortable 29.75 in scale, 4-string layout, adjustable bridge, 24-fret Pau Ferro fingerboard, and two high-output Lipstick pickups that provide a distinctive studio- and stage-ready tone.
- **Additional Sources:** [^9]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1388371-REG/ibanez_gsrm20mpl_gio_gsrm20_mikro_4_string.html
[^2]: Music & Arts, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicarts.com/ibanez-gsrm20-mikro-short-scale-bass-guitar-main0042901
[^3]: zZounds (via Reverb listing), accessed 2026-09-13. https://reverb.com/item/10601115-ibanez-gsrm20-mikro-electric-bass-metallic-purple?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiI3NWQ5YzZkZi1mZjc5LTQ2MjctOThjMC0wMGFhYTQxODNjMjAiLCJpYXQiOjE3NzcwMzgyMjMsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIiLCJzZXNzaW9uX2lkIjoiIiwiY29va2llX2lkIjoiZjM4OWZmZjAtNmFmNC00OWQzLThhNTMtMThmODk0Nzc0MGExIiwicHJvZHVjdF9pZCI6IjEwNjAxMTE1Iiwic291cmNlIjoiTk9ORSJ9.N5fbdVTwtOf9QinVDF0IatC8JXlaZvb1900YwLNs0e0
[^4]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by-Music-Man/StingRay-Short-Scale-Bass-Toluca-Lake-Blue-1500000419108.gc
[^5]: Bax Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/right-handed-bass-guitar/sterling-by-music-man
[^6]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Guild/Starfire-I-Bass-Semi-Hollow-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Vintage-Walnut-1500000346176.gc
[^7]: Musician's Friend, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/guild-starfire-i-bass-semi-hollow-electric-bass-guitar/l83527000002000
[^8]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Danelectro/Bass.gc
[^9]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/danelectro_59dc_short_scale_bass_bkmf.htm