Beatles Fan here. Since Ellen asked about the Paul Mccartney's bass. The violin bass was bought in Hamburg Germany in 1961, because their original bassist quit the band and Paul was somewhat forced by the others to play the bass. First he was using 4 piano strings that he cut off from a piano and was using them on his Rosetti 6 string guitar, but this was not long-term solution. He then went to a music shop and bought the hoffner for 2 reasons. First - it was the cheapest bass available. They were not wealthy at the time and could not afford much. Second - it was symmetrical and looked good for him, because he is left handed and the guitar was actually for a left handed player. In those days there were almost none left hand guitars, let alone basses. So upside down right handed bass would look kind of weird then. He bought second one in 63 which he uses till this day. The original one was stolen in 1969. It can be last seen in the "Get Back" documentary from last year and you can recognize it by the fact that both pickups are on the neck position. Some thief has a fortune under his bed somewhere. He stopped using the hoffner from 1966 onwards, because in his words it has great sound, but does not stay in tune. From 66 to 1970 he uses RIckenbacker on almost every song. Paul resurrected his hoffner in 1989 for a project with Elvis Costello and fell in love with it again and is using the bass till this day.
When I'm in a bad mood l watch Ellen play and she always gets me in a better mood. Love her artwork. Her wonderful smile and laugh is very contagious. Thank you Ellen. Happy new year.
She's just SO fun to watch, because even when she's WORKING on learning something new and starting it over and over at times, you can STILL tell that she's just having a barrel of fun!
I had different plans for this afternoon but as soon as I saw that Ellen and Hovac had a new video about to start my plans changed. No one else could have affected me that much. I'm 75 years old and Ellen's amazing personality makes me feel young again. You are living proof that she is mostly simply a frame of mind. Ellen, you make me have great memories of my dad and was also a musician. If he were still here he would be 106 years young. Thank you both so very much. ❤ Happy New Year.
This is my all-time favorite Ellen video! I'm only 5'6" and at 69 years old I don't think I'll be getting any bigger. I've played guitar all my life and got into bass last year by accident when I purchased a MINT 2011 Gibson Les Paul bass that I invested in more as a collectable bass than a playing bass. I then purchased a new Fender P bass as my everyday bass but quickly realized I couldn't play it because my arms and fingers were way too short. It was really disappointing but I struggled with it because I didn't know about short-scale basses being a thing. It's about that time that I found Ellens channel and realized Ellen was not a giant nor did Ellen have custom made tiny basses and is a great bass player. So I asked around and found out about "Short-Scaled" basses and purchased a Fender Player Mustang PJ Bass with a 30" scale, (vs. my Fender P Bass with a 34" scale). I fell in love with the Mustang and play it every day. I'm definitely in the market for another short scale bass and will choose one from the list Ellen has provided in this video. Thanks for making these videos and they have really affected my life in a positive way.
Hi Ellen, cool look at short scale basses. I was wondering ìf you ever used them. Also was it hard for you getting your hands to handle the work? I know some bass players who cry about sore hands. You are a delight and a big thank you to your dad who is there for you
The irony of short scale bass guitars being recommended by a short scale lady hasn't been lost on me. She's adorable - my daughter would love to hang out with yours 😊
After almost 45 years as a bassist and playing standard size fenders I enjoy playing my Mikro. Over the years old arthritis has checked in of that isn’t bad enough I’ve got small hands so I can’t make the stretches I used to. I know the Mikro is said to be a starter bass. But it’s become my favorite bass and I still play a lot of gigs using it. I’ve gotten a lot of great comments from many bass players that have played it. They love it and it’s a great bass for us older Ellen sized dudes. Love the channel!!!
Thank you Hovak for introducing each bass, and thank you Ellen for playing each. I've only been tuned in for a year, but your skill on the bass is nothing short of awesome!
I found you today Ellen and I want to say after watching your top 10 favorite bass lines, that you have captured my heart with your old, magical soul that you have been blessed with. I am fan until the day I die.
I realized about a week ago, that this video is where I got the inspiration to learn how to play bass. It was new years eve 2023/2024 when I watched this video. I just happened to see this video, and I said, I'm gonna watch that! So now I am trying to learn to play bass! I did purchase the Ibanez, because it was the BEST sounding one too me! So thank you Ellen and Hovak, my new years eve inspiration is coming true! I love you guys ❤
My son plays the Ibanez Mikro bass and really loves it. We picked it up as a scratch and dent from MF for $115. A great bass for that price! Love your videos! Thanks!
I bought the Mikro for kid too. I like to play it as well. I put flatwounds on it so it would be easier on the fingers. Sound and playability is awesome.
The hofner, is definitely referred to as the "Paul McCartney Bass" because he made it iconic. It did however exist before he played it. In later years, they made special "paul signature" but that was more like a personalized reproduction.
Jatobá -> Hymenaea courbaril, the courbaril or West Indian locust, is a tree common in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It is a hardwood that is used for furniture, flooring, and decoration.
It's great to see you still rocking some Kansas, they're my favorite band of all time. David Charles Hope and (now) Billy Greer would be proud! As a manager of a small-town music shop, those Ibanez MiKro basses and guitars are some of the nicest short scale instruments made for beginners, we even sell them to adults who just want something smaller to tote around with them, too! They're awfully hard to top for the number of dollars spent.
Ellen, we all love you and the way you play bass(es)! But your sense of humor is over the top! I still have a stitch in my side from LAUGHING: when you were playing the Danelectric and a break came up, OMG - you checked your WATCH! You, my dear, are HILARIOUS!
SIr, I am assuming you are this girls dad. When I see something like this I have to say something. And I pray you read and your daughter and the whole wide world actually. What a wonderful thing to see a man loving, supporting and encouraging his daughter in her endeavors, creativity and skill. I am 55 and I picked up a bass guitar when I was 13. I did so because I heard Steve Harris- Iron Maiden- Piece of Mind album and I was blown away. I have been playing ever since. But my father, who died last year btw, never gave a *Beeeeeep****about me except when he saw me doing something I loved. Then he would take it away. But I started working at 15 and bought my own equipment. I bought a Fender Squire bass and then upgraded it. New Warmoth neck, then new EMG Pickups , a Kahler Tremolo bridge and brass Kahler tuning pegs. I decked that bass out with all the best you could get. Then, and btw the way I was sleeping in a hot nasty room with the same crappy, creepy wallpaper i had when i was born, a tiny mattress over 20 years old and my dad never bought me jack really. So since I left my wet towel after showering on the bed, he put my wet towel on my completely dear to me expensive bass and it warped the neck!! Its a good thing God planned on making me one of His own, cause I would have been one of those crazy axe murdering freaks....sorry.... Its just a hurtful thing(insert angry emoji here) However, I am NOT a murderous shool shooter . I DID NOT let my enemies define me in such negative ways, I at 18 was born again and love Jesus Christ and He loves me and Ive been walking with Christ for nearly 40 years now. I love my children and I think its awesome that this 9 year old has such a great father supporting her. Young lady...be thankful to God for what you have. Let the bad stuff roll off like water off a ducks back. NEVER let it define you. Always be forgiving and give your dad a kiss on the cheek, and say, "love ya pops, Cuz this crazy wack job on youtube had a terrible go of it and I am sooo thankful for you dad!"
I teach music to kids with disabilities, and I used your top 10 bass lines in a class on tone color last year. Married a bassist, our son is a bassist, love the channel.
I used to say that every bass player should own a short-scale bass. I was wrong. You should have at least 3! Really nice selection! I got into the short-scale game a couple of months ago with an Epiphone Rumblekat - really awesome bass, somewhere between a Höfner and the Gibson Les Paul. Out of the demoed basses, it's really hard for to pick a favourite. Almost every bass has something unique and special about it. The Harley Benton sounds just like a full-size P-bass - awesome value! The Ibanez sounds really nice as well - perfect starter bass. That Bite bass should be much more expensive but it's still great value for a custom bass of this quality, just looks a little odd with the full-size body. Höfner, Danelectro and especially the Acinonyx (which I really love) have that amazing vintage vibe and tone. Mayones (and also Maruszczyk, from Poland as well) deliver incredible quality for a good price and show how modern a shorty can be. And the StingRay has such a unique sound, and in your case, look as well. Lots of Joe Dart vibes! But I guess my dream short-scale would be the Guild M-85 II with Bi-Sonic pickups.
Iam a guitarist that wants to buy a Bass this year , a Short scale bass this video came up randomly and was very helpful ! Ellen is a awesome player with a great sense of humour you Hovak are a great father 🙏
Nice idea to give this info for beginners. Funny story: The way Ellen is sitting there next to you reminds me of when I got my first guitar. It was Independence day. I was sitting just like Ellen next to my neighbor whose son gave me the guitar that day. Another son was out in the yard setting off fireworks. He suddenly set off an M-80. It startled me, I jumped and the headstock of the guitar hit the pipe my neighbor was smoking which chipped his tooth!! So, be careful!!! Thanks for sharing your daughter's bass journey and her wonderful smile with us. Happy New Year to all!!
Как получается, что игра на музыкальных инструментах - абсолютно не мое, а видео Эллен смотрю не отрываясь? Эллен безусловно ожидает великолепное музыкальное будущее!
So enjoyed the video and Ellens bass joy. Thankee. I really liked the sounds of the Stirling Stingray and the Acinonyx. Also surprised me that the Glarry sounded pretty phat. Keep on grooving ya'll.
I can attest to the Gibson Dc Lp bass . I retired my Fender Jazz basses for this. It has amazing sound, light weight, great neck. It’s fun to use performing out. I switch to the Gretsch G2220 bass. ( non mini buckers ) has a great neck. It is light weight, sounds amazing ( we do a lot of Southern Rock ) The tuners aren’t great but it does stay in tune. I recommend both. The Gibson was $900.00 and the Gretsch was $299.00. My “ LAST “ bass will be a Ric 4003 if they ever make it to the showrooms.
Yes the Gretsch has neck dive. Went from a levy’s 4” wide strap to a Lekato poly strap. It does help, not fix. The Gibson no dive. The push-pull knob does work well for a lot of spunk on my Fender v-3 500 watt combo with Fender 15” bottom. I use the overdrive with the foot switch for xtra snap. Yes, you have to buy the foot switch. I think there’s 3 models to choose from. You only need the cheapest fender one. I use it all the time, works fine as it’s nice and sturdy
This video was a tremendous help to me. I was seriously struggling what to find my 10 year old daughter who wants to follow in Daddy's Spector 5 string footsteps! Thank you both! Very talented young lady!
I am going to say this as we enter 2024 tonight. The world needs more Ellens. I have watched hundreds of you tube guitar and bass videos and not one of them has the energy and SMILE that Ellen has. She is actually enjoying what she is doing. She is god's gift to this world. Now, because of her, I am $700 poorer as I picked up a Fender Jazz Base the other day. Keep on rocking kid. And never let the world get you down. You're one of a kind. Keep smiling.
The most amazing thing is the Harley Benton bass it up there at the top for tonal quality; that's nuts for that kind of price. I think the Gibson bass has an incredible tonal quality also. Ellen I think you made them all sound good.
Im a guitarist/drummer and found myself in a project that required me to play some bass. I remember Joey Spampinato from NRBQ always having a great, almost stand up sound, when playing an old Danelectro bass. I bought one, put some GHS flatwounds on it... And it sounds pretty cool. Love your videos. Thank you Ellen and poppa Hovak. Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉
I’ve heard there’s a Jackson short scale bass for around $150-$200 that is incredible. Some have said it’s better than the Ibanez. If you do another video with more short scale basses, I’d love to hear your impression of that one! This is very helpful. Thanks so much!
Thank you for such a good video. I love hearing you play. Your energy, smile, and laughter always put a smile on my face too. I look forward you hearing you in your own band. Keep playing and smiling.
Thanks you 2. I was going to ask where have you been but see I missed some recent uploads, I have to catch up :) Ellen you sound great. And awesome sticker peeling…
Nice! Yes 25" is a fairly common electric guitar scale. Usually electric guitars are 24.75 to 25.5. Tip for parents who want to get their kid an inexpensive guitar or bass: You actually can go as low as around $100 or $150 with those Harley Benton and Glarry models no problem. However, do budget an extra $100 to have a shop tech file down the fret ends as they're almost guaranteed to be sharp, file the nut slots to correct depth, and set up the bass/guitar. You can also do this yourself but the tools for it will amount to that same 100 so it's up to you whether you want to do a one time thing or have the tools to do setups forever. You can take a very cheap instrument from bad playing to half decent just from this.
Ellen has inspired me to pick up bass again. 😁 I am an old man now, 35 years old, and it is many, many years since I played bass. I started out playing bass over 20 years ago when I was not much older than Ellen is now because I idolised great players like John Entwistle of The Who and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin.. also Gerry McAvoy from Rory Gallagher band.. also Jaco Pastorius.. now I am inspired by another great bass player.. Ellen Alaverdyan! 😊My very first bass was a used Thunderbird but it had some issues so I sold it and just bought a little Ibanez.. I think the model was GSR200. I since had other basses like the Precision and the Jazz bass. I ended up moving to guitar and left bass behind. I have a house full of guitars Gibson and Gretsch and so on but not one single bass. If only Ellen played guitar too I would send her some guitars. I think I will get a Hofner Viola bass. I probably just get the little Ignition one. It would be fine for me because I'm not very talented. If it is good enough for Ellen it definitely is good for someone like me. I looked online and there is a beautiful one I think they call it the 1962 Paul McCartney version, Made in Germany. It costs a lot more and is very beautiful but I think it's way too good for me. Thank you very much for making the videos. They always brighten my day and bring a smile to my face. Ellen is wonderful. I love to hear her play bass and I also love to hear her giggle. 😁 Best wishes and belated Happy New Year to Ellen and family.
I am primarily a guitarist, but like Sir Paul, I became a bassist when I joined my friends wedding band. While I eventually became some what accomplished, Ellen's got me beat. What a talent!
This was very interesting as always. Thanks to Ellen and Hovak. Also, special thanks for all of your efforts in the professional productions that you have posted this year, for all of us to enjoy! Happy New Year! 😎
This was amazing Ellen and very informative it’s surprising how you made the most inexpensive bass sound great and I love the Hofner bass and am a lifelong Beatles fan. Happy New year Ellen to you and your family.
Thanks for the commentary and demos. Love the wholesome and fun dynamics on these videos. They're informative, fun and your positivity brightens my day. All the best.
I’m not sure if you read & reply to comments, but if not maybe one of your lovely viewers can advise me. A few years ago I had to have my left wrist fully fused. This means there is no movement at all between my hand and forearm. All I can move are my fingers & I can rotate my forearm, which will in turn rotate my hand. It makes playing a normal length bass really hard unless I’m closer to the body. Do you think a short scale bass would be easier to play? I was even considering a U-Bass. What’s your thoughts? Many thanks and happy new year! (Btw I’m an average sized 56 year old man)
10:17 so here's a short story about Paul McCartney Base. More than half a century ago, during a tour in Germany, McCartney stumbled upon a remarkable discovery - a Hofner electric bass guitar, identical to his favorite, priced at an astonishing 30 euros. This gem was found at the esteemed "Steinway Musikhaus," a renowned music store in Hamburg.
Love it…. For me, Ibanez was always my go to and that Ibanez you have, I love the color scheme. Great video…. Happy New Year to y’all’s looking forward to what you have coming in 2024!
thank you both for all the information and the fun very enjoyable videos and for all the happy smiles and laughter (Ellen). have a rocking new year god bless
I have the ibanez mikro, the okoumé body edition - apparently, a variety of mahogany. i use .100 to .045 strings - so slightly thinner going down, note wise - and even with the thinner strings it has a ton of output, and a ton of low end. easy to play, stays in tune for literally months, great sustain, even though it's a very light guitar, and, with the j+p pickup combination, blendable by volume, it has a very versatile sound. highly recommend.
Loved seeing short-scale coverage. They're so much fun--and more comfortable to play than 34"s. I say that as a tall adult. And the tone tends to be bigger and fatter on the low end. Definitely not just for kids or beginners. Two of my faves are the Gretsch G2220 (wickedly good for the price) and the Guild Starfire, a semi-hollowbody.
I have a bite bass short scale although I got their jazz configuration. The cost you mentioned is only what they charge for the short scale add on cost. My bass was around $1500 shipped and since then, they've increased in price. significantly
Oh wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the update. They sent this bass a year or so ago and I tried to find more pricing information on their website, but I only found the $329 price tag in the short scale section.
I've been on this planet for a long time now and I can say that I've never seen a girl as happy as your daughter, Mr. Alaverdyan. Well, and Jatoba is a good and strong wood that we have here in Brazil (possibly also in other countries in the region). Pronounced Jatobah. Good luck to this talented family!
Great video, and Hovak adds a really cool complimentary dimension. One other thing to consider with short scale basses is that they emphasize higher harmonics less than a long scale instrument. I sometimes use them when I want a strong fundamental that is not "tubby". They sit in the mix differently and definitely have their place. Beyond classic rock, look to Stanley Clarke, Stuart Hamm, and Victor for some great examples of short scale players...oh, and Ellen, of course! Cheers!
I'm an aging bass player in a cover band (4-5 hour gigs) finding relief with compression gloves & short scale basses as I approach age 60. Kala solid body u-bass is the shortest & a game changer
Happy New Years Ellen and Victor. Good to see you guys again. Go to know your still active. You take a big bite out of music Ellen.Dave beat me to the punch about where Paul got his bass.i like the way you didn't edited out the bloopers because it makes it more personal and naturalflat wond stringsv, love it.
Such a fascinating video, Ellen and Hovak. Thank you both so much. I love watching you play bass Ellen, your head movements emphasize that you're feeling every note that you play. You really are an incredible bass guitar player! Frankly, all the bass guitars sounded good in your skilled hands. Something I would like to know though, is how many musical instruments you can play Hovak? I think you are a very modest man, but extremely talented. So you give Ellen all the limelight. However, she does richly deserve it, no question.
Thanks, love your channel, guys!! On the scale of the Ibanez Mikro, Jatobá is a very special brazilian tree/wood, that grows very old and tall, and is loved for musical instruments, as some other woods from this part of our continent too. Cheers, from Bahia!
I don’t even care about this subject since I don’t play, but Ellen is always a pleasure to hear. Hope you had a very merry Christmas and hoping your new year is filled with health, love and prosperity…and lots of great jams! 🎶
I own an Ibanez Mikro bass and I absolutely love it. I didn't expect the pickups to sound so good for such a cheap instrument, and the controls cover a wide range of tones. I'm also really impressed with it's balance, I'm really tempted to get a wireless transmitter for it so I can jump around with it while playing.
I have a Kiesel Vader 30" 4 string. with a MM like humbucker. Very light and compact. I figure that with all the amazing tones y'all get with those, short scale is fine for 4 string basses.
I am no musician but the Gibson got the right vibes. All others had a dry sound... I only trust in my speakers and my feeling. All the best, and may our planet be blessed with music. Peace.
If you like the Hofner Ignition bass, you should check out the Ignition Club bass - same electronics, hollow body, tubby old school sound, but a more ergonomic design, that doesn't neck dive as does the viola shape. It's light as a feather, so great for not-yet-big people.
Love watching a father and daughter doing music together. She is wickedly talented and I look forward to see wha the ensuing years and decades have instore for her. I how the parents allow her to still be a child and have fun outside of the music…
Got my acyninox a few months ago just days after my left arm got paralyzed from sleeping on it wrong, finally able to put on a thumb pick & play, noise!
I just saw another one of her videos,l..she's clearly a child prodigy with an exceptional ability. I doubt that I'll progress to her level in the same time frame that she did. She's a unique individual musically.👏🏿👏🏿I'm very inspired to practice.Thank you for sharing your daughters musical gifts with the world. I'm gonna show her videos to my 5yr old grandson. He wants to play guitar.
Paul bought his original Höfner 1961 from a music shop in Hamburg. Apparently he first thought that he would just buy the one in the shop, since it's symmetrical and he could have altered it to be left-handed, but they ordered him a left-handed one specially made instead. He got a second one in -63 and I think that was also a standard Höfner, except left-handed. Those where the ones he had in Beatles era.
I'm not in the market for a new bass, but I always enjoy hearing and watching Ellen play. Happy New Year Hovak, Mom and Ellen. May the world be good to you in the coming year 💕
Very cool makes an old dog want to learn a new trick. Ellen you are an inspiration I am sure you will have an amazing future. With Dads help of course.
Ellen, You're the bassist every one who plays should be like. I play bass but haven't picked one up in years "hint I'm 71". Watching you play got me back into playing and I even got your Yousician playing app. I don't need a lot of it but at my age its going to take a while to get my fingers working again. Something else, you are so relaxed and cool on camera. I always look forward to seeing what new licks you have learned. I'll leave you with something another bass player told me when I was in my first band in high school, The world can never have enough bass players. Stay Cool!
She's such a good player omg, her timing is spot on. For me all of the basses sounded good, so I don't know if they are really good bass or just Ellen is that type of musician that can make anything sound good.
I love this channel! It is inspiring me to pick up the bass again, after having put it down many years ago. I love how Hovak is generally serious and Ellen is always cracking jokes. Is that intentional, or just your natural way of doing things together? Either way, it is an endearing and entertaining dynamic between the two of you! Ellen, your smile, drive, determination, and ability to have so much fun are really inspiring!
From Ellen's first purple Ibanez bass. Frettboard material: JATOBA is a very high quality (hard) wood type from South America. (also used for wood- floors)
Short scale basses its not only for beginners or people with small hands! It's for everyone who love basses, if you want it get it! Its a real bass, its fun and really good to have! Great video! I would love to have the violin bass
I'm utterly astonished how one so young as Ellen has been gifted with such natural ability. I'm sure she practiced long and hard too of course, but at 63 I've been trying for over 40 years and I simply cannot get it. Not at all..!! She's an inspiration even to someone as old as me. Thanks also to dad for his support and encouragement.
Beatles Fan here. Since Ellen asked about the Paul Mccartney's bass. The violin bass was bought in Hamburg Germany in 1961, because their original bassist quit the band and Paul was somewhat forced by the others to play the bass. First he was using 4 piano strings that he cut off from a piano and was using them on his Rosetti 6 string guitar, but this was not long-term solution. He then went to a music shop and bought the hoffner for 2 reasons. First - it was the cheapest bass available. They were not wealthy at the time and could not afford much. Second - it was symmetrical and looked good for him, because he is left handed and the guitar was actually for a left handed player. In those days there were almost none left hand guitars, let alone basses. So upside down right handed bass would look kind of weird then. He bought second one in 63 which he uses till this day. The original one was stolen in 1969. It can be last seen in the "Get Back" documentary from last year and you can recognize it by the fact that both pickups are on the neck position. Some thief has a fortune under his bed somewhere. He stopped using the hoffner from 1966 onwards, because in his words it has great sound, but does not stay in tune. From 66 to 1970 he uses RIckenbacker on almost every song. Paul resurrected his hoffner in 1989 for a project with Elvis Costello and fell in love with it again and is using the bass till this day.
This was an awesome history lesson! Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
Very interesting to read this. Thank you for the info.
Whomever it was who stole his bass should send it back. What a shame.
This is the most comprehensive reply that Ellen could have hoped for!
Exactly!
the chemistry between you and your dad is adorable. the bass content is great, but i really like how you and your dad are together.
When I'm in a bad mood l watch Ellen play and she always gets me in a better mood. Love her artwork. Her wonderful smile and laugh is very contagious. Thank you Ellen. Happy new year.
She's just SO fun to watch, because even when she's WORKING on learning something new and starting it over and over at times, you can STILL tell that she's just having a barrel of fun!
cool😃
Yes it does cheers me up motivates me to play then I can relax
Playing "Money" on the $89 bass was priceless 😉
Funnily enough, that was my favorite one.
Money is written in 7/8 time. At her age I was still struggling with 4/4.
I had different plans for this afternoon but as soon as I saw that Ellen and Hovac had a new video about to start my plans changed. No one else could have affected me that much. I'm 75 years old and Ellen's amazing personality makes me feel young again. You are living proof that she is mostly simply a frame of mind. Ellen, you make me have great memories of my dad and was also a musician. If he were still here he would be 106 years young. Thank you both so very much. ❤ Happy New Year.
This is my all-time favorite Ellen video! I'm only 5'6" and at 69 years old I don't think I'll be getting any bigger. I've played guitar all my life and got into bass last year by accident when I purchased a MINT 2011 Gibson Les Paul bass that I invested in more as a collectable bass than a playing bass. I then purchased a new Fender P bass as my everyday bass but quickly realized I couldn't play it because my arms and fingers were way too short. It was really disappointing but I struggled with it because I didn't know about short-scale basses being a thing. It's about that time that I found Ellens channel and realized Ellen was not a giant nor did Ellen have custom made tiny basses and is a great bass player. So I asked around and found out about "Short-Scaled" basses and purchased a Fender Player Mustang PJ Bass with a 30" scale, (vs. my Fender P Bass with a 34" scale). I fell in love with the Mustang and play it every day. I'm definitely in the market for another short scale bass and will choose one from the list Ellen has provided in this video. Thanks for making these videos and they have really affected my life in a positive way.
You are very welcome 🎉
Late reply here, but try a Sire Marcus Miller U5.
At Ellen's age I was just beginning to understand rock-n-roll, never mind being an accomplished bassist. Superb!!
Hi Ellen, cool look at short scale basses. I was wondering ìf you ever used them. Also was it hard for you getting your hands to handle the work? I know some bass players who cry about sore hands. You are a delight and a big thank you to your dad who is there for you
The irony of short scale bass guitars being recommended by a short scale lady hasn't been lost on me. She's adorable - my daughter would love to hang out with yours 😊
After almost 45 years as a bassist and playing standard size fenders I enjoy playing my Mikro. Over the years old arthritis has checked in of that isn’t bad enough I’ve got small hands so I can’t make the stretches I used to. I know the Mikro is said to be a starter bass. But it’s become my favorite bass and I still play a lot of gigs using it. I’ve gotten a lot of great comments from many bass players that have played it. They love it and it’s a great bass for us older Ellen sized dudes. Love the channel!!!
That teensy Glarry bass is da bomb, but the Mikro is the full winner. That smile while Ellen jammed Cosmic Girl - priceless!
Thank you Hovak for introducing each bass, and thank you Ellen for playing each. I've only been tuned in for a year, but your skill on the bass is nothing short of awesome!
Always a pleasure to watch your channel. The father/daughter interaction is priceless. 🎸🎶🎶🎶
I found you today Ellen and I want to say after watching your top 10 favorite bass lines, that you have captured my heart with your old, magical soul that you have been blessed with. I am fan until the day I die.
I realized about a week ago, that this video is where I got the inspiration to learn how to play bass. It was new years eve 2023/2024 when I watched this video. I just happened to see this video, and I said, I'm gonna watch that! So now I am trying to learn to play bass! I did purchase the Ibanez, because it was the BEST sounding one too me! So thank you Ellen and Hovak, my new years eve inspiration is coming true! I love you guys ❤
I love this little gal , and her father's love 😊 thank you
My son plays the Ibanez Mikro bass and really loves it. We picked it up as a scratch and dent from MF for $115. A great bass for that price!
Love your videos! Thanks!
I bought the Mikro for kid too. I like to play it as well. I put flatwounds on it so it would be easier on the fingers. Sound and playability is awesome.
The hofner, is definitely referred to as the "Paul McCartney Bass" because he made it iconic. It did however exist before he played it. In later years, they made special "paul signature" but that was more like a personalized reproduction.
My favorite all-time Daddy-Daughter duo. You guys all always so much funky fun :))
Jatobá -> Hymenaea courbaril, the courbaril or West Indian locust, is a tree common in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It is a hardwood that is used for furniture, flooring, and decoration.
It's great to see you still rocking some Kansas, they're my favorite band of all time. David Charles Hope and (now) Billy Greer would be proud! As a manager of a small-town music shop, those Ibanez MiKro basses and guitars are some of the nicest short scale instruments made for beginners, we even sell them to adults who just want something smaller to tote around with them, too! They're awfully hard to top for the number of dollars spent.
Ellen, we all love you and the way you play bass(es)! But your sense of humor is over the top! I still have a stitch in my side from LAUGHING: when you were playing the Danelectric and a break came up, OMG - you checked your WATCH! You, my dear, are HILARIOUS!
SIr, I am assuming you are this girls dad. When I see something like this I have to say something. And I pray you read and your daughter and the whole wide world actually. What a wonderful thing to see a man loving, supporting and encouraging his daughter in her endeavors, creativity and skill. I am 55 and I picked up a bass guitar when I was 13. I did so because I heard Steve Harris- Iron Maiden- Piece of Mind album and I was blown away. I have been playing ever since. But my father, who died last year btw, never gave a *Beeeeeep****about me except when he saw me doing something I loved. Then he would take it away. But I started working at 15 and bought my own equipment. I bought a Fender Squire bass and then upgraded it. New Warmoth neck, then new EMG Pickups , a Kahler Tremolo bridge and brass Kahler tuning pegs. I decked that bass out with all the best you could get. Then, and btw the way I was sleeping in a hot nasty room with the same crappy, creepy wallpaper i had when i was born, a tiny mattress over 20 years old and my dad never bought me jack really. So since I left my wet towel after showering on the bed, he put my wet towel on my completely dear to me expensive bass and it warped the neck!! Its a good thing God planned on making me one of His own, cause I would have been one of those crazy axe murdering freaks....sorry.... Its just a hurtful thing(insert angry emoji here) However, I am NOT a murderous shool shooter . I DID NOT let my enemies define me in such negative ways, I at 18 was born again and love Jesus Christ and He loves me and Ive been walking with Christ for nearly 40 years now. I love my children and I think its awesome that this 9 year old has such a great father supporting her. Young lady...be thankful to God for what you have. Let the bad stuff roll off like water off a ducks back. NEVER let it define you. Always be forgiving and give your dad a kiss on the cheek, and say, "love ya pops, Cuz this crazy wack job on youtube had a terrible go of it and I am sooo thankful for you dad!"
I teach music to kids with disabilities, and I used your top 10 bass lines in a class on tone color last year. Married a bassist, our son is a bassist, love the channel.
Nice comparison and Ellen has turned into quite a seasoned pro (with the great support from Hovak!). Nice work guys!!
I used to say that every bass player should own a short-scale bass. I was wrong. You should have at least 3!
Really nice selection! I got into the short-scale game a couple of months ago with an Epiphone Rumblekat - really awesome bass, somewhere between a Höfner and the Gibson Les Paul.
Out of the demoed basses, it's really hard for to pick a favourite. Almost every bass has something unique and special about it. The Harley Benton sounds just like a full-size P-bass - awesome value! The Ibanez sounds really nice as well - perfect starter bass. That Bite bass should be much more expensive but it's still great value for a custom bass of this quality, just looks a little odd with the full-size body. Höfner, Danelectro and especially the Acinonyx (which I really love) have that amazing vintage vibe and tone. Mayones (and also Maruszczyk, from Poland as well) deliver incredible quality for a good price and show how modern a shorty can be. And the StingRay has such a unique sound, and in your case, look as well. Lots of Joe Dart vibes! But I guess my dream short-scale would be the Guild M-85 II with Bi-Sonic pickups.
Iam a guitarist that wants to buy a Bass this year , a Short scale bass this video came up randomly and was very helpful ! Ellen is a awesome player with a great sense of humour you Hovak are a great father 🙏
Ellen's talent and skill are showing in each demonstration. An Ellen-sized monster, scary!
Nice idea to give this info for beginners. Funny story: The way Ellen is sitting there next to you reminds me of when I got my first guitar. It was Independence day. I was sitting just like Ellen next to my neighbor whose son gave me the guitar that day. Another son was out in the yard setting off fireworks. He suddenly set off an M-80. It startled me, I jumped and the headstock of the guitar hit the pipe my neighbor was smoking which chipped his tooth!! So, be careful!!! Thanks for sharing your daughter's bass journey and her wonderful smile with us. Happy New Year to all!!
Как получается, что игра на музыкальных инструментах - абсолютно не мое, а видео Эллен смотрю не отрываясь? Эллен безусловно ожидает великолепное музыкальное будущее!
2024🌲☃️🌲☃️🌲☃️
Isn’t it amazing? You don’t have to be a musician to love music, and Ellen is so talented!
Ellen your energy is so uplifting. You can really turn a crummy day into a happy one. It's fun watching you learn to play too.
Não aprender se aprimorar ela toca muito o pai dela ensinando só blz então
So enjoyed the video and Ellens bass joy. Thankee. I really liked the sounds of the Stirling Stingray and the Acinonyx. Also surprised me that the Glarry sounded pretty phat. Keep on grooving ya'll.
I can attest to the Gibson Dc Lp bass . I retired my Fender Jazz basses for this. It has amazing sound, light weight, great neck. It’s fun to use performing out. I switch to the Gretsch G2220 bass. ( non mini buckers ) has a great neck. It is light weight, sounds amazing ( we do a lot of Southern Rock ) The tuners aren’t great but it does stay in tune. I recommend both. The Gibson was $900.00 and the Gretsch was $299.00. My “ LAST “ bass will be a Ric 4003 if they ever make it to the showrooms.
Yes the Gretsch has neck dive. Went from a levy’s 4” wide strap to a Lekato poly strap. It does help, not fix. The Gibson no dive. The push-pull knob does work well for a lot of spunk on my Fender v-3 500 watt combo with Fender 15” bottom. I use the overdrive with the foot switch for xtra snap. Yes, you have to buy the foot switch. I think there’s 3 models to choose from. You only need the cheapest fender one. I use it all the time, works fine as it’s nice and sturdy
This video was a tremendous help to me. I was seriously struggling what to find my 10 year old daughter who wants to follow in Daddy's Spector 5 string footsteps! Thank you both! Very talented young lady!
I am going to say this as we enter 2024 tonight. The world needs more Ellens. I have watched hundreds of you tube guitar and bass videos and not one of them has the energy and SMILE that Ellen has. She is actually enjoying what she is doing. She is god's gift to this world. Now, because of her, I am $700 poorer as I picked up a Fender Jazz Base the other day. Keep on rocking kid. And never let the world get you down. You're one of a kind. Keep smiling.
Nice video my daughter started using a mikro bass too, but now she uses mine. We both love Ellen's videos keep it up!!
The most amazing thing is the Harley Benton bass it up there at the top for tonal quality; that's nuts for that kind of price. I think the Gibson bass has an incredible tonal quality also. Ellen I think you made them all sound good.
Im a guitarist/drummer and found myself in a project that required me to play some bass. I remember Joey Spampinato from NRBQ always having a great, almost stand up sound, when playing an old Danelectro bass. I bought one, put some GHS flatwounds on it... And it sounds pretty cool. Love your videos. Thank you Ellen and poppa Hovak. Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉
Yay for Joey, will always associate Danelectros with him!
These videos are very entertaining and bring joy and good mood. Thank you Ellen. You are a great bassist!
Awesome New Year to You, Ellen and Hovak! Watching Ellen "lean into her axe" has been a great joy. Many Happy Days to both of you!
I’ve heard there’s a Jackson short scale bass for around $150-$200 that is incredible. Some have said it’s better than the Ibanez. If you do another video with more short scale basses, I’d love to hear your impression of that one!
This is very helpful. Thanks so much!
Great bass guitar review!! You are a fine bass player, Ellen.
Thank you for such a good video. I love hearing you play. Your energy, smile, and laughter always put a smile on my face too. I look forward you hearing you in your own band. Keep playing and smiling.
Thank you Ellen and Dad.
I smiled all the way through that.
The power of youth and music make a dark world light.
God bless you.
I love the sound of the Ibanez Mikro especially when slapping it sounds amazing 👍
Thanks you 2. I was going to ask where have you been but see I missed some recent uploads, I have to catch up :) Ellen you sound great. And awesome sticker peeling…
Out here in TH-cam land, that Longhorn sounded really great. I also liked the unique sound of that Nordstrand with the flat wounds.
What song she is playing on de longhorn ??
Thank you - I have always been looking for short scale basses for my students
Great playing, solid pocket! Love the Gibson and danelectro longhorn.
Nice! Yes 25" is a fairly common electric guitar scale. Usually electric guitars are 24.75 to 25.5. Tip for parents who want to get their kid an inexpensive guitar or bass: You actually can go as low as around $100 or $150 with those Harley Benton and Glarry models no problem. However, do budget an extra $100 to have a shop tech file down the fret ends as they're almost guaranteed to be sharp, file the nut slots to correct depth, and set up the bass/guitar. You can also do this yourself but the tools for it will amount to that same 100 so it's up to you whether you want to do a one time thing or have the tools to do setups forever. You can take a very cheap instrument from bad playing to half decent just from this.
Incredible performance and editing. You make great videos!
Ellen has inspired me to pick up bass again. 😁 I am an old man now, 35 years old, and it is many, many years since I played bass. I started out playing bass over 20 years ago when I was not much older than Ellen is now because I idolised great players like John Entwistle of The Who and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin.. also Gerry McAvoy from Rory Gallagher band.. also Jaco Pastorius.. now I am inspired by another great bass player.. Ellen Alaverdyan! 😊My very first bass was a used Thunderbird but it had some issues so I sold it and just bought a little Ibanez.. I think the model was GSR200. I since had other basses like the Precision and the Jazz bass. I ended up moving to guitar and left bass behind. I have a house full of guitars Gibson and Gretsch and so on but not one single bass. If only Ellen played guitar too I would send her some guitars. I think I will get a Hofner Viola bass. I probably just get the little Ignition one. It would be fine for me because I'm not very talented. If it is good enough for Ellen it definitely is good for someone like me. I looked online and there is a beautiful one I think they call it the 1962 Paul McCartney version, Made in Germany. It costs a lot more and is very beautiful but I think it's way too good for me. Thank you very much for making the videos. They always brighten my day and bring a smile to my face. Ellen is wonderful. I love to hear her play bass and I also love to hear her giggle. 😁 Best wishes and belated Happy New Year to Ellen and family.
I am primarily a guitarist, but like Sir Paul, I became a bassist when I joined my friends wedding band. While I eventually became some what accomplished, Ellen's got me beat. What a talent!
I love when she says it's Ellen size. She's so right because they fit her perfect. Can't help but love this sweet little thing. She's awesome!
This was very interesting as always. Thanks to Ellen and Hovak. Also, special thanks for all of your efforts in the professional productions that you have posted this year, for all of us to enjoy! Happy New Year! 😎
If you do another one of these videos you could try the Sire U5, I have just bought one and am impressed by the sound and build quality for the money.
Of course ask away
But I wanted to ask her something
This was amazing Ellen and very informative it’s surprising how you made the most inexpensive bass sound great and I love the Hofner bass and am a lifelong Beatles fan. Happy New year Ellen to you and your family.
I tried out some short scale basses at a music store Gretchen G 2220 which was not on the list. It was about $ 300. Great bass.
Thanks for the commentary and demos. Love the wholesome and fun dynamics on these videos. They're informative, fun and your positivity brightens my day. All the best.
I’m not sure if you read & reply to comments, but if not maybe one of your lovely viewers can advise me.
A few years ago I had to have my left wrist fully fused. This means there is no movement at all between my hand and forearm. All I can move are my fingers & I can rotate my forearm, which will in turn rotate my hand. It makes playing a normal length bass really hard unless I’m closer to the body.
Do you think a short scale bass would be easier to play? I was even considering a U-Bass.
What’s your thoughts?
Many thanks and happy new year!
(Btw I’m an average sized 56 year old man)
Excellent review. I always wanted a short scale bass.
Nice to see the demos of the basses and the variety of prices. Well done. Dad, Ellen has talent. Glad to see the support.
10:17 so here's a short story about Paul McCartney Base.
More than half a century ago, during a tour in Germany, McCartney stumbled upon a remarkable discovery - a Hofner electric bass guitar, identical to his favorite, priced at an astonishing 30 euros. This gem was found at the esteemed "Steinway Musikhaus," a renowned music store in Hamburg.
Thank you!
@@EllenPlaysBass your welcome
Love it…. For me, Ibanez was always my go to and that Ibanez you have, I love the color scheme. Great video…. Happy New Year to y’all’s looking forward to what you have coming in 2024!
The Cali4 is around $2000. The other Mayones bass is around $3500. My favorite short scale is my Ernie Ball BFR Music Man Stingray. Fantastic bass.
thank you both for all the information and the fun very enjoyable videos and for all the happy smiles and laughter (Ellen). have a rocking new year god bless
I have the ibanez mikro, the okoumé body edition - apparently, a variety of mahogany. i use .100 to .045 strings - so slightly thinner going down, note wise - and even with the thinner strings it has a ton of output, and a ton of low end. easy to play, stays in tune for literally months, great sustain, even though it's a very light guitar, and, with the j+p pickup combination, blendable by volume, it has a very versatile sound. highly recommend.
I’m not a music person at all, I drive to work only listening to wind and tire noise. Ellen, you inspire me to learn the bass!!
Loved seeing short-scale coverage. They're so much fun--and more comfortable to play than 34"s. I say that as a tall adult. And the tone tends to be bigger and fatter on the low end. Definitely not just for kids or beginners. Two of my faves are the Gretsch G2220 (wickedly good for the price) and the Guild Starfire, a semi-hollowbody.
I have a bite bass short scale although I got their jazz configuration. The cost you mentioned is only what they charge for the short scale add on cost. My bass was around $1500 shipped and since then, they've increased in price. significantly
Oh wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the update. They sent this bass a year or so ago and I tried to find more pricing information on their website, but I only found the $329 price tag in the short scale section.
I've been on this planet for a long time now and I can say that I've never seen a girl as happy as your daughter, Mr. Alaverdyan. Well, and Jatoba is a good and strong wood that we have here in Brazil (possibly also in other countries in the region). Pronounced Jatobah. Good luck to this talented family!
Great video, and Hovak adds a really cool complimentary dimension.
One other thing to consider with short scale basses is that they emphasize higher harmonics less than a long scale instrument.
I sometimes use them when I want a strong fundamental that is not "tubby".
They sit in the mix differently and definitely have their place.
Beyond classic rock, look to Stanley Clarke, Stuart Hamm, and Victor for some great examples of short scale players...oh, and Ellen, of course!
Cheers!
I'm an aging bass player in a cover band (4-5 hour gigs) finding relief with compression gloves & short scale basses as I approach age 60. Kala solid body u-bass is the shortest & a game changer
Happy New Years Ellen and Victor. Good to see you guys again. Go to know your still active. You take a big bite out of music Ellen.Dave beat me to the punch about where Paul got his bass.i like the way you didn't edited out the bloopers because it makes it more personal and naturalflat wond stringsv, love it.
Such a fascinating video, Ellen and Hovak. Thank you both so much. I love watching you play bass Ellen, your head movements emphasize that you're feeling every note that you play. You really are an incredible bass guitar player! Frankly, all the bass guitars sounded good in your skilled hands. Something I would like to know though, is how many musical instruments you can play Hovak? I think you are a very modest man, but extremely talented. So you give Ellen all the limelight. However, she does richly deserve it, no question.
Thanks, love your channel, guys!! On the scale of the Ibanez Mikro, Jatobá is a very special brazilian tree/wood, that grows very old and tall, and is loved for musical instruments, as some other woods from this part of our continent too. Cheers, from Bahia!
I don’t even care about this subject since I don’t play, but Ellen is always a pleasure to hear. Hope you had a very merry Christmas and hoping your new year is filled with health, love and prosperity…and lots of great jams! 🎶
I own an Ibanez Mikro bass and I absolutely love it. I didn't expect the pickups to sound so good for such a cheap instrument, and the controls cover a wide range of tones. I'm also really impressed with it's balance, I'm really tempted to get a wireless transmitter for it so I can jump around with it while playing.
Hello and a happy new year. Pleace don`t lose the fun of playing music. it`always nice to watch and listen you.
I have a Kiesel Vader 30" 4 string. with a MM like humbucker. Very light and compact. I figure that with all the amazing tones y'all get with those, short scale is fine for 4 string basses.
I am no musician but the Gibson got the right vibes. All others had a dry sound... I only trust in my speakers and my feeling. All the best, and may our planet be blessed with music. Peace.
If you like the Hofner Ignition bass, you should check out the Ignition Club bass - same electronics, hollow body, tubby old school sound, but a more ergonomic design, that doesn't neck dive as does the viola shape. It's light as a feather, so great for not-yet-big people.
Great video, Thanks for sharing. My favorite is Ellens' Purple Ibanez.
It's amazing to watch that sweet little thing play those bass guitars like a pro already at only 12 yrs old.
Love watching a father and daughter doing music together. She is wickedly talented and I look forward to see wha the ensuing years and decades have instore for her. I how the parents allow her to still be a child and have fun outside of the music…
Got my acyninox a few months ago just days after my left arm got paralyzed from sleeping on it wrong, finally able to put on a thumb pick & play, noise!
I have that same paul mccartney bass and its beyond amazing!!! My cats and kids and that bass are my favorite things i have.
I just saw another one of her videos,l..she's clearly a child prodigy with an exceptional ability. I doubt that I'll progress to her level in the same time frame that she did. She's a unique individual musically.👏🏿👏🏿I'm very inspired to practice.Thank you for sharing your daughters musical gifts with the world. I'm gonna show her videos to my 5yr old grandson. He wants to play guitar.
Paul bought his original Höfner 1961 from a music shop in Hamburg. Apparently he first thought that he would just buy the one in the shop, since it's symmetrical and he could have altered it to be left-handed, but they ordered him a left-handed one specially made instead. He got a second one in -63 and I think that was also a standard Höfner, except left-handed. Those where the ones he had in Beatles era.
I'm not in the market for a new bass, but I always enjoy hearing and watching Ellen play.
Happy New Year Hovak, Mom and Ellen. May the world be good to you in the coming year 💕
Happy new year! 🎉
Very cool makes an old dog want to learn a new trick. Ellen you are an inspiration I am sure you will have an amazing future. With Dads help of course.
Ellen, You're the bassist every one who plays should be like. I play bass but haven't picked one up in years "hint I'm 71". Watching you play got me back into playing and I even got your Yousician playing app. I don't need a lot of it but at my age its going to take a while to get my fingers working again. Something else, you are so relaxed and cool on camera. I always look forward to seeing what new licks you have learned. I'll leave you with something another bass player told me when I was in my first band in high school, The world can never have enough bass players. Stay Cool!
The Harley Benton, Ellen's main bass with the upgraded pickup, and the Danelectro in that order sounded the best to my ear. Great video
Father and daughter it's wonderful to watch you two !!😊❤
She's such a good player omg, her timing is spot on. For me all of the basses sounded good, so I don't know if they are really good bass or just Ellen is that type of musician that can make anything sound good.
I love this channel! It is inspiring me to pick up the bass again, after having put it down many years ago.
I love how Hovak is generally serious and Ellen is always cracking jokes. Is that intentional, or just your natural way of doing things together? Either way, it is an endearing and entertaining dynamic between the two of you! Ellen, your smile, drive, determination, and ability to have so much fun are really inspiring!
From Ellen's first purple Ibanez bass. Frettboard material: JATOBA is a very high quality (hard) wood type from South America.
(also used for wood- floors)
Incredible video HOVAK AND ELLEN. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year. Keep the content coming. Hope you have an incredible day. Much love
Short scale basses its not only for beginners or people with small hands! It's for everyone who love basses, if you want it get it! Its a real bass, its fun and really good to have! Great video! I would love to have the violin bass
Another good one to check out is the Gretsch G2220.
I'm utterly astonished how one so young as Ellen has been gifted with such natural ability. I'm sure she practiced long and hard too of course, but at 63 I've been trying for over 40 years and I simply cannot get it. Not at all..!! She's an inspiration even to someone as old as me. Thanks also to dad for his support and encouragement.
Incluso los bajos más económicos suenan de lujo en las manos de Ellen. Muchos bolos en directo para el 2024 y un feliz año para toda la familia!