The scale length of this iconic bass according to Hofner’s website is 30” putting it well and truly in the “short scale” category.
What scale is Höfner bass?
30 in
The Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass (sometimes nicknamed the “Beatle Bass” or “Cavern Bass”) is a model of electric bass manufactured by Höfner under several varieties.
Höfner 500/1.
| Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass | |
|---|---|
| Body type | Hollow |
| Scale | 30 in (760 mm) |
| Woods | |
| Body | Spruce (Top), Maple (Back/Sides) |
Is the Höfner Beatle bass Short scale?
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney played on a short-scale Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass Guitar during most of his Beatles career.
What scale is the Höfner violin bass?
Today the 500/1 is offered in a number of models from the budget Ignition version through to the handmade German built re-issues and specials. Its short scale (30in) and ultra lightweight has found favour with many professionals over the years.
Did paul McCartney play short scale bass?
Famous Short Scale Bass Players
In fact, arguably the most famous living musician today uses them; Paul McCartney! Relying on a Hofner 500/1 “Violin” bass back in the ’60s when he was a part of The Beatles, McCartney is still often seen playing this distinctive 30” bass in his solo performances; over 50 years later.
Who plays short scaled bass?
Classic short-scale bass players from the 1960s and 1970s include Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane), Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), and Jack Bruce (Cream). Of these players, Jack Bruce was one of the most emphatic short-scale enthusiasts.
What is considered a short scale bass?
A short-scale bass generally has a scale length of 31” or less. Starting as early as the mid-1950s, various companies experimented with shorter scale lengths than the 34” favored by Fender. 34” is an excellent all-around scale, but it can seem a little large for smaller players and guitarists moonlighting on bass.
What is the shortest bass guitar?
As the smallest bass on this list, the Jackson JS1X Concert Minion is the perfect weapon of choice for the budding metalhead. Coming in at only 28.6″, this bass is clearly designed with youngsters in mind.
Can you slap a short scale bass?
I own 2 shortscale (30in scale ) basses and I’ve found that inn both of them they simply aren’t very responsive to a slap play style, especially the e string just sounds like a dull thud and lacks the clear ringing sounds I’m able to achieve while slapping and popping on a 34in or 32in scale bass.
What is the scale length of a Fender Precision Bass?
34”
One of the most important features of the Precision Bass was its scale length, which Leo Fender, after careful consideration and lengthy experimentation, set at 34”.
Did Paul play bass with a pick?
Paul played with a pick from his earliest days on the instrument, and continued this habit all throughout his career. It’s rare to find a Beatles where he plays with his fingers instead. Using a pick has a number of tonal advantages, particularly with the violin-style basses that Paul liked to use.
What strings did Paul McCartney use on his Höfner bass?
Black Nylon Tapewound strings are a popular choice for the Hofner Bass too with Sir Paul McCartney known to have played Rotosound Tru Bass strings during the Abbey Road sessions. He can also be seen playing these strings during their performance on the top of the Apple Building in 1969.
Who made Paul McCartney’s bass?
1964 Rickenbacker 4001S
But before they took the stage, they were met by John Rickenbacker—the son of Adolph, founder of Rickenbacker guitars—who had a special gift for the fabulous four. He gave Paul McCartney a brand-new 1964 Rickenbacker 4001S bass.
Is it OK to play a short scale bass?
Yes, definitely. For one thing, short-scale bass guitars sometimes use a slightly heavier string gauge than their long-scale brothers, which imparts a thicker tone.
What is considered a long scale bass?
On a modern bass guitar, 30″ (76 cm) or less is considered short scale; standard (also called long) scale is 34″ (86 cm) for a 4-string and 35″ (89 cm) for a B-E-A-D-G 5-string, and extra-long scale basses of 36″ (91 cm) also exist.
What scale is a Fender Jazz bass?
34” scale
Most basses such as Fender’s Precision and Jazz Bass have a 34” scale—considered a long scale.
Do you need special strings for short scale bass?
So, short-scale basses need strings that fit and perhaps a heavier gauge, although most short-scale instruments are pretty close to standard. You’d notice the difference between short-scale and something extra-long, like a multiscale Dingwall.
Is a Mustang Bass short scale?
The Mustang Bass has a short 30″ scale and a single split pickup (similar to the Precision Bass), one volume and one tone control, with strings-through-body routing. Like the early Precision and Jazz basses, the Mustang Bass was fitted with string mutes (although most players removed these).
What is a 30 scale bass?
Typically speaking, short scale basses have a string length of 30”, and long scale basses have a string length of 34” inches. To give some perspective, if you are a guitarist interested in playing bass, the scale length of a Fender Start is 25.5”, and the scale length of a Gibson Les Paul is 24.75”.
What is a medium scale bass?
The most common scale for an electric bass is 34”. This is called ‘long scale’. Some basses, especially 5-strings, are 35” scale. Extra long scale is longer than 34”. Other basses are ‘medium scale’ – 30″-33” – and others are ‘short scale’ – 30” or less.
Can I put long scale strings on a short scale bass?
Yes, you can certainly make a set of long scale strings work on a shorter scale length bass but you definitely need to choose your strings wisely.