Jonathan, I just ordered the shell pink color from Reverb as a promotion gift for myself. I got a set of flatwound for it, too! Your presentation by far has been the most honest I've seen. Thank you!
I have to agree that the Fender strings had more punch, a nice deeper bass sound, if that makes sense. The first thing I do with any guitar/bass that I purchase is change out the strings. I put a set of Dunlop flats on mine and the tone is amazing. I enjoyed your video.
Would love to see a comparison of different tapes on a Mustang or other short scale. Tapes seem to have a pretty broad range of tones from one set to the next. Especially curious about how the Labella Whites (eg 760TBB) compare to blacks, rounds, and tapes.
Love the fact you play with one glove. Since I doubt you're imitating Michael Jackson, I imagine it's to keep oils from your hands from getting on the fingerboard. Great videos - thanks!
Definitely, NOT imitating MJ! Actually, I have an autoimmune disease (a form of dermatomyositis) that has done bad things to my skin, muscles and joints. As a result of this, I have lots of vasculitic spots and sores on my fingertips and lots of arthritis in my hands. The glove is really only there as a form of pain control. It cushions the impact and friction from the strings. I don't wear one on my plucking hand because it changes the tone too much for my liking. But these gloves have been a game changer and allows me to still sort-of play music. I've made a video on these gloves, should you be interested! Here's a link: th-cam.com/video/OQcV8KDUqlg/w-d-xo.html
@@jonathanwong458music I was just pulling your leg, Jonathan 😀 I was touched by your story and the autoimmune situation you live with. You are actually one of the very best reviewers on TH-cam. Comprehensive, thorough, with very usable information. I am a guitar player but you've convinced me as to the wonders of short-scale basses. Bravo! (and thanks)
Thanks for the encouragement!! I used to get lots of funny looks and comments at gigs ("hey, did you just come from your garden?!....forget your shovel?"). I actually switched to the beige coloured gloves so it doesn't draw quite as much visual attention. Thank you for watching my videos and for your kind words!
I love these but can't stand slab body basses - lack of arm rest mostly. Great job Jonathan, I've only just discovered your videos - you do a great job!
Thanks so much for the encouragement and for watching! I hear you! All the basses that I regularly record or gig with have forearm contours. Doesn’t push on nerves as much! Can’t play well if it’s not comfortable!
Love the Fender's 58! I never heard them before and now I'm looking to buy a set to put on my Gretsch ss but I can't find a short scale 58 set! Did you use a long scale set on the ss? If so did you had any issues doing so?
Thanks for watching! Yes, the Fender tapes certainly have more tonal character (compared to the D'Addario tapes), but unfortunately, only come in a long scale (to my knowledge). I did not have any issues in the filming of this video, but depending on the diameter of your tuning pegs, you may need to overlap them (and slowly). Due to the more fragile nature of the tape wrap itself and due to having it wrapped around the peg, probably best to install them and leave them on. Repeated re-stringing will likely cause the tapes to unravel when using the long scale length on a short scale bass. I've had the short scale version of the D'Addario tapes on other basses. They look nicer at the headstock, but in terms of tone, they were kinda boring (for me). Good luck!
I've enjoyed this video very much! I'm in the market for a short scale bass. I am torn between a Paul McCartney Hofner and Gretsch short scale. If you could demonstrate with a drum track, I'd appreciate it. ❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! I don't have a Hofner on hand, but I can try to borrow one! The Gretsch is going to be way more durable and versatile than the Hofner, but nothing else gets that McCartney/Beatle sound quite like a Hofner!
Hi again! If you haven’t already seen them, I’ve recently put up videos on the Hofner icon beatle bass and contemporary series club bass. Hope you like them!
Hi Johnathan, I really like short scale Basses. You show real commitment to reviewing. This gives us a true consistent review as you use the same drum kit. Just like using the same studio monitors your reviews exude assurance. The Gretsch G2220 hits me as a great guitar and the most professional instrument in the short scale budget class under £400. I have watched your Bronco, P mini Bass reviews etc. In your opinion, which of the budget Short Scale Basses would you choice as your Gigging Go To Bass? I need a small one to haul around. Thanks Tez
Thanks for watching and for the kind words/encouragement! Reviewing basses and pickups gets pretty expensive, but I enjoy making these (and playing & recording) and hope people in the world get something from it. Good question re: best budget gig worthy short scale. British pound to CDN is ~ 1.7, so under 400 pounds = under ~700 CDN? The upper end of your range is a bit of a hole in the market (under represented) if you ask me! At least in North America/Canada. Let me explain what I mean. For under $400 CDN, I'd say get a Bronco and put a good pickup in it and I'd happily gig it and not have a heart attack when it falls off the stand! It would also make a great back-up bass. For between $700-1000 cdn, I would say the best bang for your buck is the G&L Fallout. It has its limitations, and it's not small (size wise) but it sounds huge. $1000-1500, you're looking at the Fender player mustang. I love my red PJ mustang. But the between $400-700 range is under-represented. There's the Squier CV mustang. But I'd replace the pickup which would add another $120-200 + time. Benefit of the mini P and Ibanez Mikro is that they fit inside an electric guitar gig-bag, making it easier to haul around. I personally find the 28.6" scale cramped for my hands but I hope I have shown that it has the potential to sound pretty decent. Long winded answer to your question. But If I had to choose for me, my body and the gigs I do, I'd choose a Bronco 30" with a good pickup! I found the Gretsch 2220 balanced strangely as it doesn’t have a horn. Hope this answers your question! Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music Great answer and I totally agree about the mid range short scale being under represented. It's a matter of paying 1000+ or going budget and spending on customisation. I have been looking at a few used Fender Mustangs also. Thanks Tez
The Fenders sound the best. I’m thinking about getting a Reverend Dub King Bass for my Christmas present and putting tape wounds on it. Great video! Thanks! 🎻🙂✌️😎
Love that Gretsch . . . on my list. Surprised by the Fender, agree they seemed out of pitch at some points. I wonder how La Bella Low Tension Flats wound sound? My favorite flatwounds are Optima RB, but they don't come in short scale.
Thanks for watching! In the past I have preferred TI flats to the low tension Labella. I don't get the pitchiness with the TIs. Depending on where the silks are and how stiff the strings are, standard scales 'may' work on shorties. You would end up with a lot of bare string around the tuning peg....
@@jonathanwong458music I like TIs as well . . have them on my Ex D'Angelico Semi-Hollow medium scale. Optima RBs are expensive but may be worth a try on one of Short Scales . . .
I like the idea of tapewounds, but I don't have much experience with them, personally. I had Fender tapewounds on a fretless for a while, but I wasn't crazy about them. They felt sort of oily/plasticy, and the tone was a little too clacky/stringy, especially on the higher strings, IMO.
Hi! Yeah, I personally do not like how any of the tapewounds feel. I forgot to mention it in the video, but I experience a lot of heat under my finger tips from the friction. I think the tapes may have a role for a 'studio special bass', a special colour for the right song.....but it's not a daily driver for me.
Really cool, thanks for posting. What do you recommend for good string tension on the low E, which I think can be a bit of a challenge with short scale basses.
Thanks for watching! Interesting question....on my short scales, for flats I use thomastik infeld 100-43 and for rounds, I use Dunlop Super Brights nickel 100-40. Standard, off the rack gauges. If I am interpreting your question correctly, I wish Thomastik made the low E slightly heavier (eg 103ish) as the low E is slightly lower in output. The Dunlops are pretty balanced as is.
You end up with lots of exposed tape windings around the headstock due to the long string wound length. It is not ideal as there is a risk of string breakage, but it works if you are careful when stringing it up. If you really wanted tapes on the G2220, D'Addario makes a short scale version of their tapewounds that will fit much better around the tuner. Thanks for watching!
Jonathan, I just ordered the shell pink color from Reverb as a promotion gift for myself. I got a set of flatwound for it, too! Your presentation by far has been the most honest I've seen. Thank you!
Congrats on the promotion!! Hope you enjoy it (and the bass) and thanks for watching!
I have to agree that the Fender strings had more punch, a nice deeper bass sound, if that makes sense. The first thing I do with any guitar/bass that I purchase is change out the strings. I put a set of Dunlop flats on mine and the tone is amazing. I enjoyed your video.
Thanks for watching!
Would love to see a comparison of different tapes on a Mustang or other short scale.
Tapes seem to have a pretty broad range of tones from one set to the next.
Especially curious about how the Labella Whites (eg 760TBB) compare to blacks, rounds, and tapes.
I’ll see what I can arrange. Not sure when, but that’s a cool idea!
Love the fact you play with one glove. Since I doubt you're imitating Michael Jackson, I imagine it's to keep oils from your hands from getting on the fingerboard. Great videos - thanks!
Definitely, NOT imitating MJ! Actually, I have an autoimmune disease (a form of dermatomyositis) that has done bad things to my skin, muscles and joints. As a result of this, I have lots of vasculitic spots and sores on my fingertips and lots of arthritis in my hands. The glove is really only there as a form of pain control. It cushions the impact and friction from the strings. I don't wear one on my plucking hand because it changes the tone too much for my liking. But these gloves have been a game changer and allows me to still sort-of play music.
I've made a video on these gloves, should you be interested! Here's a link:
th-cam.com/video/OQcV8KDUqlg/w-d-xo.html
@@jonathanwong458music I was just pulling your leg, Jonathan 😀 I was touched by your story and the autoimmune situation you live with. You are actually one of the very best reviewers on TH-cam. Comprehensive, thorough, with very usable information. I am a guitar player but you've convinced me as to the wonders of short-scale basses. Bravo! (and thanks)
Thanks for the encouragement!!
I used to get lots of funny looks and comments at gigs ("hey, did you just come from your garden?!....forget your shovel?"). I actually switched to the beige coloured gloves so it doesn't draw quite as much visual attention.
Thank you for watching my videos and for your kind words!
I love these but can't stand slab body basses - lack of arm rest mostly. Great job Jonathan, I've only just discovered your videos - you do a great job!
Thanks so much for the encouragement and for watching!
I hear you! All the basses that I regularly record or gig with have forearm contours. Doesn’t push on nerves as much! Can’t play well if it’s not comfortable!
Love the Fender's 58! I never heard them before and now I'm looking to buy a set to put on my Gretsch ss but I can't find a short scale 58 set! Did you use a long scale set on the ss? If so did you had any issues doing so?
Thanks for watching! Yes, the Fender tapes certainly have more tonal character (compared to the D'Addario tapes), but unfortunately, only come in a long scale (to my knowledge). I did not have any issues in the filming of this video, but depending on the diameter of your tuning pegs, you may need to overlap them (and slowly). Due to the more fragile nature of the tape wrap itself and due to having it wrapped around the peg, probably best to install them and leave them on. Repeated re-stringing will likely cause the tapes to unravel when using the long scale length on a short scale bass.
I've had the short scale version of the D'Addario tapes on other basses. They look nicer at the headstock, but in terms of tone, they were kinda boring (for me).
Good luck!
I've enjoyed this video very much! I'm in the market for a short scale bass. I am torn between a Paul McCartney Hofner and Gretsch short scale. If you could demonstrate with a drum track, I'd appreciate it. ❤❤❤
Thanks for watching! I don't have a Hofner on hand, but I can try to borrow one! The Gretsch is going to be way more durable and versatile than the Hofner, but nothing else gets that McCartney/Beatle sound quite like a Hofner!
Hi again! If you haven’t already seen them, I’ve recently put up videos on the Hofner icon beatle bass and contemporary series club bass. Hope you like them!
Hi Johnathan,
I really like short scale Basses. You show real commitment to reviewing.
This gives us a true consistent review as you use the same drum kit. Just like using the same studio monitors your reviews exude assurance.
The Gretsch G2220 hits me as a great guitar and the most professional instrument in the short scale budget class under £400. I have watched your Bronco, P mini Bass reviews etc. In your opinion, which of the budget Short Scale Basses would you choice as your Gigging Go To Bass?
I need a small one to haul around.
Thanks
Tez
Thanks for watching and for the kind words/encouragement! Reviewing basses and pickups gets pretty expensive, but I enjoy making these (and playing & recording) and hope people in the world get something from it.
Good question re: best budget gig worthy short scale. British pound to CDN is ~ 1.7, so under 400 pounds = under ~700 CDN? The upper end of your range is a bit of a hole in the market (under represented) if you ask me! At least in North America/Canada. Let me explain what I mean.
For under $400 CDN, I'd say get a Bronco and put a good pickup in it and I'd happily gig it and not have a heart attack when it falls off the stand! It would also make a great back-up bass. For between $700-1000 cdn, I would say the best bang for your buck is the G&L Fallout. It has its limitations, and it's not small (size wise) but it sounds huge. $1000-1500, you're looking at the Fender player mustang. I love my red PJ mustang. But the between $400-700 range is under-represented. There's the Squier CV mustang. But I'd replace the pickup which would add another $120-200 + time.
Benefit of the mini P and Ibanez Mikro is that they fit inside an electric guitar gig-bag, making it easier to haul around. I personally find the 28.6" scale cramped for my hands but I hope I have shown that it has the potential to sound pretty decent.
Long winded answer to your question. But If I had to choose for me, my body and the gigs I do, I'd choose a Bronco 30" with a good pickup! I found the Gretsch 2220 balanced strangely as it doesn’t have a horn.
Hope this answers your question! Thanks for watching!
@@jonathanwong458music Great answer and I totally agree about the mid range short scale being under represented.
It's a matter of paying 1000+ or going budget and spending on customisation.
I have been looking at a few used Fender Mustangs also.
Thanks
Tez
A used Fender PJ player mustang at around 750 CDN would be that sweet spot, I think! They're around 1100 CDN new now...
The Fenders sound the best. I’m thinking about getting a Reverend Dub King Bass for my Christmas present and putting tape wounds on it. Great video! Thanks! 🎻🙂✌️😎
The Fender tapes have the most ‘character’! Hope you like them!
Love that Gretsch . . . on my list. Surprised by the Fender, agree they seemed out of pitch at some points. I wonder how La Bella Low Tension Flats wound sound? My favorite flatwounds are Optima RB, but they don't come in short scale.
Thanks for watching! In the past I have preferred TI flats to the low tension Labella. I don't get the pitchiness with the TIs. Depending on where the silks are and how stiff the strings are, standard scales 'may' work on shorties. You would end up with a lot of bare string around the tuning peg....
@@jonathanwong458music I like TIs as well . . have them on my Ex D'Angelico Semi-Hollow medium scale. Optima RBs are expensive but may be worth a try on one of Short Scales . . .
I'll keep an eye out! Thx!
I like the idea of tapewounds, but I don't have much experience with them, personally. I had Fender tapewounds on a fretless for a while, but I wasn't crazy about them. They felt sort of oily/plasticy, and the tone was a little too clacky/stringy, especially on the higher strings, IMO.
Hi! Yeah, I personally do not like how any of the tapewounds feel. I forgot to mention it in the video, but I experience a lot of heat under my finger tips from the friction. I think the tapes may have a role for a 'studio special bass', a special colour for the right song.....but it's not a daily driver for me.
@@jonathanwong458music Yeah I get what you mean. I've been debating about flats for a while on a shortscale, but haven't quite decided which ones yet.
Thomastik infield flats. For me, hands down, the best flats. Gotta get used to the low tension, but the tone.....!!
Really cool, thanks for posting. What do you recommend for good string tension on the low E, which I think can be a bit of a challenge with short scale basses.
Thanks for watching! Interesting question....on my short scales, for flats I use thomastik infeld 100-43 and for rounds, I use Dunlop Super Brights nickel 100-40. Standard, off the rack gauges.
If I am interpreting your question correctly, I wish Thomastik made the low E slightly heavier (eg 103ish) as the low E is slightly lower in output. The Dunlops are pretty balanced as is.
Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
What kind of accommodation must one make to fit these Fender long scale tape wounds on the Gretsch G2220 short scale bass?
You end up with lots of exposed tape windings around the headstock due to the long string wound length. It is not ideal as there is a risk of string breakage, but it works if you are careful when stringing it up. If you really wanted tapes on the G2220, D'Addario makes a short scale version of their tapewounds that will fit much better around the tuner.
Thanks for watching!