When we played up at Exotica last year, I saw that the bass player for The Nebulas played a Mustang Bass (not sure if newer RI or vintage model). It sounded great! I've never played or heard one before that, and I guess I always have considered them not a 'serious' instrument. But, after hearing that one used in context with a great sounding band, it changed my mind.

Anyone here use one instead of a Jazz or Precision bass? I'm really curious about them. Even though I've only played 34" scale all my life and play upright, too, I like the short scale concept for both size and weight, as long as it sounds right.

Aloha,
Kanekila

Pam from the Neptunas, and Dan from the Insects both use them.
I've sat in on a few songs with the Insects and used it. It's good, but different. Doesn't resonate quite the same as a long scale bass does.
It's like playing a guitar and bass notes coming out.
I don't know if I'd ever get one, unless it was cheap price.
I believe both of theirs are old.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Jeff(bigtikidude)

So, I confess...I always thought it was kinda lame to use a short-scale bass, until I tried one for the heck of it and was instantly hooked!!!
Of course it doesn't have the same low-end rumble of a P or J, but any of those negatives are easily made up for in positives.
Disclaimer: this is just my own personal $.02. I'm not saying it should take the place of all other models (I purposely didn't say "brand" because that's where we all know there's really only one ), just that I used to be a hater and have personally experienced several reasons to now be a convert.
1. Weight: It's nice and light, especially useful for out of town/flying gigs.
2. Playability: Contrary to what I thought I felt previously, I find the smaller neck to be MUCH easier to play and gentler on the joints. It's much closer to a 6 string guitar neck and makes more complicated passages a breeze.
3. Punch: Particularly for recording, but in live situations as well, the Mustang bass offers a mid-range punch that I've found to really fill in the range pockets that surf bass is traditionally supposed to. It's kind of like those classic recordings where the bass player is playing more in the upper register and it fills everything out in a certain appealing way that you just can't put your finger on. Well, the Mustang seems to do that ALL the time, even when plucking it's lowest E (or even a drop-tuned D!).
I'm not going to run out and sell my P or J, but I'll definitely be using the Mustang for surf instro for awhile.
Anyone else have similar experiences?

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Zombierella from Messer Chups has been playing a Daphne Blue Mustang for at least the last year or so.
If that what she's been recording with, then it sounds pretty damn good.

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I am also a fan of the Squier Vista Musicmasters. I recently filled the bass void in my life with one off the local Craigslist and it's as good as any other shortscale bass I've played (which is admittedly only a few, mostly Mustang reissues), and like those others I find it plenty bassy and ballsy. If I were to really play bass full-time I'd want another Precision bass, but I can honestly say I'd take this bass anywhere to do anything. I became sold on short scales when I played a friend's '70's Fender Musicmaster bass at one of my old band's practices. I had a P-bass that weighed about 80 or 90 pounds, give or take, and I scoffed at the little Musicmaster. I changed my tune immediately. Like all other things I like, I'd have two of them if I could afford it.

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I just want to thank Jonpaul for finding a 5 year old (!!!) thread and bumping it rather than starting another.

Carry on...

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Richard wrote:

I had a P-bass that weighed about 80 or 90 pounds, give or take...

I like your gift of understatement. Sounds like a 70s model??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qal5tUXRUGU

In this vid you can see my mustang. I like it a lot.

Bill, good for her. I enjoy your stuff, and we all know girls on bass rock . . .

Jaque, welcome to the forum. It has been very cool to have Ralf posting here, so I am glad to see another Kilauea! I hope you decide to hang around awhile. Great video.

websurfer wrote:

Bill, good for her. I enjoy your stuff, and we all know
girls on bass rock . . .

Jaque, welcome to the forum. It has been very cool to
have Ralf posting here, so I am glad to see another
Kilauea! I hope you decide to hang around awhile. Great
video.

Thx for the warm welcome. :p Well i think i will get stuck for some time here..