Ping Uwe! 2011 Flying V bass

[Pilgrim]

- if there has ever been an ultimate insult to shortscale players this must be it. : - )

Perhaps more evidence that Gibson doesn't understand how to market to bass players.  It's definitely a guitar-centric company.

[Dave W]

Perhaps more evidence that Gibson doesn't understand how to market to bass players.  It's definitely a guitar-centric company.

Yep. Utterly clueless.

[ilan]

perfect for players with shorter arms and smaller hands, beginners and students

I shook hands with Stanley Clarke, another longtime short scale player, and I can tell you his hand is huge... He plays the upright like a mandolin. I'm 6'1" (long hair, between Marcus and Victor) and you can see Stanley is maybe 5" taller than me. When will people stop with that nonsense about "short scale is for smaller hands"?

[Highlander]

What's the story behind that pic, Ilan...

[nofi]

gibson has been 'insulting' shortscale players for years with that bit of copy. it sounds idiotic.

[Barklessdog]

The bass looks great on the Gibson site.

[ilan]

What's the story behind that pic, Ilan...

I work for Channel 2 News in Israel as an entertainment correspondent, so I get to meet lots of interesting people.

[Highlander]

Here, we might discuss it somewhat like busses... you wait all day and then three come along at once...

[uwe]

Ilan, the ole celebrity-hound!!!  I actually liked the CD from these three guys and I don't even slap.


There is nothing wrong in stating that a short scale is easier to play for someone coming from guitar etc. But the way Gibson words it, it sound like they are excusing themselves for producing one rather than saying things like that a short scale has less string tension and allows therefore more expressive, bend-prone playing or actiually more busy playing per se.

[nofi]

how would they market a 35 inch scale if they made one...

[Basvarken]

Simple.
A beginners bass with extra large fretboard for players who have trouble placing their fingers in those small spaces between the frets. Once you've got that down you can slowly upgrade to a 34 inch scale.
Once you really have your fine motorics under control you can try a 30 inch scale.

Professionals become a guitar player.
 

[Dave W]

Simple.
A beginners bass with extra large fretboard for players who have trouble placing their fingers in those small spaces between the frets. Once you've got that down you can slowly upgrade to a 34 inch scale.
Once you really have your fine motorics under control you can try a 30 inch scale.

Professionals become a guitar player.
 

And when they get really good at guitar, they can aspire to be great mandolin players.

[uwe]

The crown of creation is of course the lovingly inbred banjo player, accept no DNA substitute or outside intrusion:

 

[Dave W]

The crown of creation is of course the lovingly inbred banjo player, accept no DNA substitute or outside intrusion:
...

You're missing Rob's point, which was that shorter scale lengths require more skill fitting our big clumsy bassist fingers between the frets.   A mandolin has a much shorter scale length than a guitar -- Gibsons are 13 7/8". A 5-string banjo is as long as a guitar.

[godofthunder]

 Family portrait My bird is on the left. Uwe your basses will ship this week.