# What features should I look for in a short-scale bass guitar? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What features should I look for in a short-scale bass guitar?

## Products

### Gear4music Chicago Short Scale Bass Guitar
```yaml
product: gear4music-chicago-short-scale-bass-guitar
brand: Gear4music
price_gbp: 73.82
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30 in
body_material: Paulownia
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Poplar
pickup_configuration: J-P
```

- **Price:** £73.82 [^1]
- **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.

### Sterling by Music Man Short Scale StingRay Bass
```yaml
product: sterling-by-music-man-short-scale-stingray-bass
brand: Sterling by Music Man
price_gbp: 479.12
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:** £479.12 [^2]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^3], [^4]

### Fender Vintera 60s Mustang Bass - Seafoam Green with Pau Ferro Fingerboard
```yaml
product: fender-vintera-60s-mustang-bass-seafoam-green-with-pau-ferro-fingerboard
brand: Fender
price_gbp: 24391702.39
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30 in
body_material: Alder
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Pau Ferro
pickup_configuration: Split Single-Coil
```

- **Price:** £24391702.39 [^5]
- **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.

### Squier by Fender Sonic Bronco Bass LRL WPG DB
```yaml
product: squier-by-fender-sonic-bronco-bass-lrl-wpg-db
brand: Squier by Fender
price_gbp: 146.91
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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)
```

- **Price:** £146.91 [^6]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^7]

### Ashdown Roasted Capri-23 (Onyx Green)
```yaml
product: ashdown-roasted-capri-23-onyx-green
brand: Ashdown
price_gbp: 75.43
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 23
body_material: Poplar
neck_material: Roasted Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Roasted Maple
pickup_configuration: 1x PP Alnico
```

- **Price:** £75.43 [^8]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^9], [^10]

### Höfner Ignition SE 500/1 Violin Bass
```yaml
product: h-fner-ignition-se-500-1-violin-bass
brand: Höfner
price_gbp: 287.18
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30 in
body_material: Maple
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Jatoba
pickup_configuration: HH
```

- **Price:** £287.18 [^11]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^12], [^13]

### Jackson JS1X Concert Minion
```yaml
product: jackson-js1x-concert-minion
brand: Jackson
price_gbp: 157.25
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 28.6 in
body_material: Poplar
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Amaranth
pickup_configuration: PJ
```

- **Price:** £157.25 [^14]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^15], [^16]

### Fender Player II Mustang PJ Short Scale Bass - 3-Color Sunburst (Model #: 0140492500)
```yaml
product: fender-player-ii-mustang-pj-short-scale-bass-3-color-sunburst-model-0140492500
brand: Fender
price_gbp: 627.5
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30
body_material: Alder
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Maple
pickup_configuration: PJ
```

- **Price:** £627.5 [^17]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^18], [^19]

### Ibanez GSR20M miKro Bass - Black with Jatoba Fingerboard
```yaml
product: ibanez-gsr20m-mikro-bass-black-with-jatoba-fingerboard
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 162.41
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 28.6 in
body_material: Poplar
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Jatoba
pickup_configuration: PJ
```

- **Price:** £162.41 [^20]
- **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.

### Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Lefty Bass - Black with Jatoba Fingerboard
```yaml
product: ibanez-gsrm20-mikro-lefty-bass-black-with-jatoba-fingerboard
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 206.7
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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
```

- **Price:** £206.7 [^20]
- **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.

### Gretsch G2220 Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II Short Scale - Walnut Stain with Laurel Fingerboard
```yaml
product: gretsch-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-short-scale-walnut-stain-with-laurel-fingerboard
brand: Gretsch
price_gbp: 221.47
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30.3 in
body_material: Basswood
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Walnut
pickup_configuration: SS
```

- **Price:** £221.47 [^21]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^22], [^23]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Gear4music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.gear4music.com/Gear4music/Chicago-Bass
[^2]: Sterling by Music Man, accessed 2026-09-13. https://intl.sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-short-scale-charging-green
[^3]: Andertons, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.andertons.co.uk/sterling-by-music-man-stingray-short-scale-bass-guitar-charging-green/
[^4]: Bax Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/electric-bass-guitars/sterling-by-music-man-stingray-short-scale-rayss4-charging-green
[^5]: Viet Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://vietmusic.vn/en/products/dan-guitar-bass-fender-vintera-60s-mustang-bass
[^6]: Musik Produktiv, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musik-produktiv.com/products/squier-by-fender-sonic-bronco-bass-lrl-wpg-db/
[^7]: session, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.session.de/en/products/squier-by-fender-sonic-bronco-bass-lrl-wpg-db/
[^8]: Ashdown Engineering, accessed 2026-09-13. https://ashdownmusic.com/products/roasted-capri-23
[^9]: GuitarChordly, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarchordly.com/product/ashdown-capri-23-onyx-green-short-scale-mini-bass-guitar/
[^10]: Kirstein.de, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.kirstein.de/en/Basses/Shortscale-Electric-Basses/Ashdown-Roasted-Capri-23-Black.html
[^11]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/hoefner_ignition_se.htm
[^12]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Hofner/Ignition-Series-Short-Scale-Violin-Bass-Guitar-Sunburst-1500000449363.gc
[^13]: Island Music Co., accessed 2026-09-13. https://islandmusicco.com/hofner-hi-500-1-ignition-violin-bass-sunburst-a6iz/
[^14]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/jackson_js1x_concert_minion_satin_blk.htm
[^15]: MSP Musique, accessed 2026-09-13. https://mspmusique.com/en/product/jackson-js-concert-bass-minion-js1x-satin-black
[^16]: The Arts Music Store, accessed 2026-09-13. https://shop.theartsmusicstore.com/collections/300-500/products/jackson-2915556568-js1x-concert-minion-bass-guitar-in-satin-black-1
[^17]: Fender, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.fender.com/products/player-ii-mustang-bass-pj
[^18]: Liberty Music Shop, accessed 2026-09-13. https://libertymusicshop.com/fender-player-ii-mustang-bass-pj-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst-129/
[^19]: Music Store Live, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicstorelive.com/fender-player-ii-mustang-bass-pj-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst.html
[^20]: Strait Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.straitmusic.com/collections/short-scale-bass-guitars
[^21]: Reverb, accessed 2026-09-13. https://reverb.com/item/49931243-gretsch-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-imperial-stain
[^22]: ProSoundGear, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.prosoundgear.com/shop/guitars/electric-guitars/gretsch-g2220-junior-jet-bass-ii-short-scale-walnut-stain/
[^23]: Swee Lee, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.sweelee.ph/products/gretsch-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-guitar-walnut-satin