{"pageUrl":"https://www.comparethespecs.com/music-audio-production/bass-guitars/what-features-should-i-look-for-in-a-short-scale-bass-guitar","lastUpdated":"2026-09-13","totalProducts":11,"niche":"What features should I look for in a short-scale bass guitar?","description":"What features should I look for in a short-scale bass guitar?","products":[{"brand":"Gear4music","model":"Chicago Short Scale Bass Guitar","price_gbp":73.82,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30 in","body_material":"Paulownia","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Poplar","pickup_configuration":"J-P"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Gear4music","url":"https://www.gear4music.com/Gear4music/Chicago-Bass","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":99.99,"price_gbp":73.82,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"}],"summary":"The Chicago Short Scale Bass Guitar is a compact 4-string bass with a 30 in scale, lightweight paulownia body, maple neck, poplar fingerboard, and passive J-P pickup configuration. Its shorter scale and accessible price make it suitable for beginners, smaller players, and bassists seeking an easy-to-play instrument.","ideal_for":"It suits players looking for a short-scale bass with a manageable 30 in scale, 4-string layout, lightweight paulownia body, and versatile passive J-P pickup configuration."},{"brand":"Sterling by Music Man","model":"Short Scale StingRay Bass","price_gbp":479.12,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30 in","body_material":"Nyatoh","neck_material":"Roasted Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Rosewood","pickup_configuration":"Single neodymium humbucker"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Sterling by Music Man","url":"https://intl.sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-short-scale-charging-green","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":749.99,"price_gbp":553.68,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"Andertons","url":"https://www.andertons.co.uk/sterling-by-music-man-stingray-short-scale-bass-guitar-charging-green/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":649.0,"price_gbp":479.12,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"Bax Music","url":"https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/electric-bass-guitars/sterling-by-music-man-stingray-short-scale-rayss4-charging-green","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":649.0,"price_gbp":479.12,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"}],"summary":"The Short Scale StingRay is a compact four-string bass with a 30 in scale, lightweight Nyatoh body, roasted maple neck, and passive electronics. Its neodymium humbucker offers parallel, true single-coil, and series tones, making it suitable for beginners, smaller players, and bassists who prefer easier fretting and a versatile StingRay sound.","ideal_for":"It suits players looking for a short-scale bass with comfortable lower string tension, a 30 in scale, roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a versatile neodymium humbucker with three selectable modes."},{"brand":"Fender","model":"Vintera 60s Mustang Bass - Seafoam Green with Pau Ferro Fingerboard","price_gbp":24391702.39,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30 in","body_material":"Alder","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Pau Ferro","pickup_configuration":"Split Single-Coil"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Viet Music","url":"https://vietmusic.vn/en/products/dan-guitar-bass-fender-vintera-60s-mustang-bass","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":33040000.0,"price_gbp":24391702.39,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:11:58.335558"}],"summary":"This short-scale Mustang Bass has an alder body, maple neck, Pau Ferro fingerboard, and a vintage-style 60s split single-coil pickup. Its compact 30 in scale and classic Fender styling suit players who want comfortable handling and punchy vintage bass tones.","ideal_for":"It suits players seeking a short-scale bass because its 30 in scale, 4-string layout, lightweight alder body, and vintage-style split single-coil pickup provide comfortable playability with focused classic bass tone."},{"brand":"Squier by Fender","model":"Sonic Bronco Bass LRL WPG DB","price_gbp":146.91,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30.75 in","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Indian Laurel","pickup_configuration":"S (1x Single Coil)"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Musik Produktiv","url":"https://www.musik-produktiv.com/products/squier-by-fender-sonic-bronco-bass-lrl-wpg-db/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":199.0,"price_gbp":146.91,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"session","url":"https://www.session.de/en/products/squier-by-fender-sonic-bronco-bass-lrl-wpg-db/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":199.0,"price_gbp":146.91,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"}],"summary":"The Squier Sonic Bronco Bass has a lightweight poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, short scale, and a single-coil pickup for punchy bass tone. Its compact design and comfortable playability make it well suited to beginners, smaller players, and bassists seeking an affordable short-scale instrument.","ideal_for":"It suits players asking what to look for in a short-scale bass because it has a 30.75 in scale length, four strings, a lightweight poplar body, and a single-coil pickup that keeps the instrument compact and easy to play."},{"brand":"Ashdown","model":"Roasted Capri-23 (Onyx Green)","price_gbp":75.43,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"23","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Roasted Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Roasted Maple","pickup_configuration":"1x PP Alnico"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Ashdown Engineering","url":"https://ashdownmusic.com/products/roasted-capri-23","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":200.0,"price_gbp":147.65,"scraped_at":"2026-06-27T19:11:30.929049"},{"label":"GuitarChordly","url":"https://www.guitarchordly.com/product/ashdown-capri-23-onyx-green-short-scale-mini-bass-guitar/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":102.18,"price_gbp":75.43,"scraped_at":"2026-06-27T19:11:30.929049"},{"label":"Kirstein.de","url":"https://www.kirstein.de/en/Basses/Shortscale-Electric-Basses/Ashdown-Roasted-Capri-23-Black.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":239.0,"price_gbp":176.44,"scraped_at":"2026-06-27T19:11:30.929049"}],"summary":"The Ashdown Roasted Capri-23 is a compact mini bass built around a poplar body and roasted maple neck and fingerboard. It uses a PP Alnico pickup with simple 1 Volume / 1 Tone controls, and comes with a padded gigbag. It's well-suited to players who want a short-scale bass with stable, comfortable playability.","ideal_for":"It's a 23 in short-scale (596 mm) 4-string bass with roasted maple neck and fingerboard plus a single PP Alnico pickup, making it a good fit for comfort and easy plug-and-play setup on shorter scales."},{"brand":"Höfner","model":"Ignition SE 500/1 Violin Bass","price_gbp":287.18,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30 in","body_material":"Maple","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Jatoba","pickup_configuration":"HH"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/hoefner_ignition_se.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":389.0,"price_gbp":287.18,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"Guitar Center","url":"https://www.guitarcenter.com/Hofner/Ignition-Series-Short-Scale-Violin-Bass-Guitar-Sunburst-1500000449363.gc","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":499.99,"price_gbp":369.12,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"Island Music Co.","url":"https://islandmusicco.com/hofner-hi-500-1-ignition-violin-bass-sunburst-a6iz/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":499.99,"price_gbp":369.12,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"}],"summary":"The Höfner Ignition SE 500/1 is a lightweight, semi-hollow violin bass with a spruce top, maple body, short 30 in scale, and two Ignition Staple humbuckers. Its compact design and warm, vintage-style tone suit beginners, guitarists moving to bass, and players seeking a comfortable short-scale instrument.","ideal_for":"It suits players asking what to look for in a short-scale bass because its 30 in scale, lightweight semi-hollow maple body, four-string layout, and two humbuckers provide comfortable playability with a distinctive bass tone."},{"brand":"Jackson","model":"JS1X Concert Minion","price_gbp":157.25,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"28.6 in","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Amaranth","pickup_configuration":"PJ"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/jackson_js1x_concert_minion_satin_blk.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":213.0,"price_gbp":157.25,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"MSP Musique","url":"https://mspmusique.com/en/product/jackson-js-concert-bass-minion-js1x-satin-black","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":339.99,"price_gbp":251.0,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"},{"label":"The Arts Music Store","url":"https://shop.theartsmusicstore.com/collections/300-500/products/jackson-2915556568-js1x-concert-minion-bass-guitar-in-satin-black-1","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":339.99,"price_gbp":251.0,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:15:18.603402"}],"summary":"The Jackson JS1X Concert Minion is a compact short-scale bass with a poplar body, maple neck, amaranth fingerboard, and PJ pickup configuration. Its 28.6 in scale length and 22 jumbo frets make it well suited to beginners, younger players, and adults who prefer a smaller instrument.","ideal_for":"For a short-scale bass, look for the JS1X's 28.6 in scale length, 4-string layout, compact Concert Bass body, and PJ pickups for comfortable playability with versatile bass tones."},{"brand":"Fender","model":"Player II Mustang PJ Short Scale Bass - 3-Color Sunburst (Model #: 0140492500)","price_gbp":627.5,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30","body_material":"Alder","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Maple","pickup_configuration":"PJ"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Fender","url":"https://www.fender.com/products/player-ii-mustang-bass-pj","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":849.99,"price_gbp":627.5,"scraped_at":"2026-06-27T19:11:30.929049"},{"label":"Liberty Music Shop","url":"https://libertymusicshop.com/fender-player-ii-mustang-bass-pj-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst-129/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":849.99,"price_gbp":627.5,"scraped_at":"2026-06-27T19:11:30.929049"},{"label":"Music Store Live","url":"https://www.musicstorelive.com/fender-player-ii-mustang-bass-pj-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":849.99,"price_gbp":627.5,"scraped_at":"2026-06-27T19:11:30.929049"}],"summary":"The Fender Player II Mustang Bass PJ is a short-scale (30 in) 4-string bass built with an alder body and a maple neck and maple fingerboard. It uses a PJ pickup configuration with a split-coil Precision-style middle pickup and a Jazz-style single-coil bridge pickup, selectable via a 3-way toggle switch. It's designed for fast, comfortable playability with a 9.5-radius fingerboard and medium jumbo frets.","ideal_for":"Short-scale players typically want easier reach and a punchy but versatile pickup set; this model's 30 in scale and PJ (Precision split-coil + Jazz single-coil) configuration give you both comfortable handling and multiple tonal voices from one bass."},{"brand":"Ibanez","model":"GSR20M miKro Bass - Black with Jatoba Fingerboard","price_gbp":162.41,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"28.6 in","body_material":"Poplar","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Jatoba","pickup_configuration":"PJ"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Strait Music","url":"https://www.straitmusic.com/collections/short-scale-bass-guitars","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":219.99,"price_gbp":162.41,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:11:58.335558"}],"summary":"This compact short-scale bass has a 28.6 in scale, four strings, a poplar body, Jatoba fingerboard, and PJ pickup configuration. Its smaller dimensions make it well suited to beginners, younger players, and bassists who prefer easier reach between frets.","ideal_for":"It suits players looking for a short-scale bass because its 28.6 in scale reduces fret spacing, while the four-string layout, compact body, Jatoba fingerboard, and PJ pickups provide a manageable and versatile setup."},{"brand":"Ibanez","model":"GSRM20 Mikro Lefty Bass - Black with Jatoba Fingerboard","price_gbp":206.7,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"28.6 in","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Jatoba","pickup_configuration":"Dynamix P neck pickup and Dynamix J bridge pickup"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Strait Music","url":"https://www.straitmusic.com/collections/short-scale-bass-guitars","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":279.99,"price_gbp":206.7,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:11:58.335558"}],"summary":"This left-handed Mikro bass has a compact 28.6 in scale, poplar body, maple neck, Jatoba fingerboard, and dual P/J-style pickups. Its short scale and lightweight design suit beginners, smaller players, and bassists seeking a portable instrument.","ideal_for":"It suits players comparing short-scale basses because its 28.6 in scale, four-string layout, compact poplar body, and dual P/J pickup configuration provide easier reach while retaining versatile bass tones."},{"brand":"Gretsch","model":"G2220 Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II Short Scale - Walnut Stain with Laurel Fingerboard","price_gbp":221.47,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"scale_length":"30.3 in","body_material":"Basswood","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_strings":"4","fingerboard_material":"Walnut","pickup_configuration":"SS"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Reverb","url":"https://reverb.com/item/49931243-gretsch-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-imperial-stain","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":299.99,"price_gbp":221.47,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:11:58.335558"},{"label":"ProSoundGear","url":"https://www.prosoundgear.com/shop/guitars/electric-guitars/gretsch-g2220-junior-jet-bass-ii-short-scale-walnut-stain/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":299.99,"price_gbp":221.47,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:11:58.335558"},{"label":"Swee Lee","url":"https://www.sweelee.ph/products/gretsch-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-guitar-walnut-satin","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":24000.0,"price_gbp":17717.94,"scraped_at":"2026-08-31T22:11:58.335558"}],"summary":"The Gretsch G2220 is a compact short-scale bass with a lightweight basswood body, maple neck, walnut fingerboard, and two single-coil bass pickups. Its 30.3 in scale length and 20 medium-jumbo frets make it comfortable for beginners, smaller-handed players, and bassists wanting an easy-to-play instrument with punchy, versatile tones.","ideal_for":"It suits players looking for a short-scale bass with a comfortable 30.3 in scale, four strings, lightweight basswood body, maple neck, walnut fingerboard, and versatile SS pickup configuration."}]}