AudioFu

Best Short Scale Basses 2026

Top-rated short scale basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Pop For Indie For Alternative For Studio Work For Comfortable Playing For Vintage Tones
BRANDS: Squier Ibanez Sandberg Fender Gretsch Höfner
Sandberg Florence 4 RW RR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sandberg Florence 4 RW RR

by Sandberg
Studio Work Vintage Tones Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Less low-end extension

Sandberg Florence 4 RW RRElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dots fingerboard inlaysScale:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 563049
$1,891
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California VS Lionel RW BKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sandberg California VS Lionel RW BKB

by Sandberg
Vintage Tones Comfortable Playing Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • Limited string gauge options
  • • Less low-end extension

Sandberg California VS Lionel RW BKBElectric BassP-StyleBody: AshNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 501084
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass Copper - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass Copper

by Danelectro
Comfortable Playing Studio Work Alternative
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Great for extended playing
✗ CONS
  • • Limited string gauge options
  • • Not traditional bass sound

Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass CopperElectric BassPoplar body frame and middle blockMasonite top and backBolt-on...

⭐ 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 513756
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch Strml Jet Clb Bass VWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb Bass VWT

by Gretsch
Alternative Studio Work Comfortable Playing
Key Feature:
• Easier playing for smaller hands
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable neck reach
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Less low-end extension
  • • Limited string gauge options

Gretsch Strml Jet Clb Bass VWTElectric BassStreamliner SeriesBody: NatoNeck: Bolt-on natoFingerboard: LaurelFingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 594366
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BK

by Sandberg
Vintage Tones Studio Work Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Less low-end extension

Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BKElectric BassP-StyleBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 500513
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short RAYSS4 TLBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short RAYSS4 TLBL

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Pop Comfortable Playing
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass sound
  • • Less low-end extension

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short RAYSS4 TLBLElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585165
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass BKMF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass BKMF

by Danelectro
Pop Studio Work Alternative
Key Feature:
• Easier playing for smaller hands
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal character
  • • Lower string tension
✗ CONS
  • • Limited string gauge options
  • • Different string spacing

Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass BKMFElectric BassPoplar body frame and middle blockMasonite top and backBolt-on maple...

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 513768
$747
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch EMTC CVT Bass BRSTL FOG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gretsch EMTC CVT Bass BRSTL FOG

by Gretsch
Studio Work Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Lower string tension
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable neck reach
  • • Great for extended playing
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass sound
  • • May lack power for some styles

Gretsch EMTC CVT Bass BRSTL FOGElectric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MahoganyFingerboard: LaurelFingerboard inlays:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619954
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California VS Lionel HCA GB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sandberg California VS Lionel HCA GB

by Sandberg
Pop Vintage Tones Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Lower string tension
✗ CONS
  • • Different string spacing
  • • May lack power for some styles

Sandberg California VS Lionel HCA GBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 523386
$2,529
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW BK

by Fender
Studio Work Comfortable Playing Alternative
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • Different string spacing
  • • Not traditional bass sound

Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW BKElectric BassArtist series - Justin Meldal Johnsen modelBody: AlderNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 482678
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Lil LinhBacker Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Reverend Lil LinhBacker Bass

by Reverend
Indie Comfortable Playing Pop
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass sound
  • • Different string spacing

Reverend Lil LinhBacker BassElectric BassThis semi-hollow bass with a short scale produces a fatdeep sound with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605622
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mustang Bass RW CRR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Fender Player II Mustang Bass RW CRR

by Fender
Alternative Comfortable Playing Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Different string spacing
  • • May lack power for some styles

Fender Player II Mustang Bass RW CRRElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 4.9/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 595200
$820
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short RAYSS4 FRD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short RAYSS4 FRD

by Sterling by Music Man
Indie Vintage Tones Comfortable Playing
Key Feature:
• Easier playing for smaller hands
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Great for extended playing
✗ CONS
  • • Limited string gauge options
  • • Not traditional bass sound

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short RAYSS4 FRDElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585168
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mustang Bass RW AQB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fender Player II Mustang Bass RW AQB

by Fender
Indie Studio Work Comfortable Playing
Key Feature:
• Lower string tension
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Limited string gauge options

Fender Player II Mustang Bass RW AQBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595193
$790
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass Cream

by Danelectro
Comfortable Playing Pop Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Lower string tension
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
✗ CONS
  • • Different string spacing
  • • Less low-end extension

Danelectro 59DC Short Scale Bass CreamElectric BassPoplar body frame and middle blockMasonite top and backBolt-on maple...

⭐ 4.4/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 513764
$703
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Short Scale Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced short scale basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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