leo fender bass guitar
Why does Paul McCartney play a 30” neck bass guitar instead of a standard 34”? Short fingers?
This is from an article from www.answers.com : “The “long scale” necks used on Leo Fender’s basses, giving a scale length (distance between nut and bridge) of 34″, remain the standard for electric basses. However, 30″ or “short scale” instruments, such as the Höfner Violin Bass, played by Paul McCartney, and the Fender Mustang Bass are popular, especially for players with smaller hands.”
Ah it was an economic decision I think you will find. The Hofner was one of the few basses in his price range when he took on The Beatles’ bass duties after Sucliffe left the band.
Anyways, in 1965(?) Paul got himself a Rickenbacker 4001 bass, which is a 33″ scale, which was his primary bass till The Beatles split.
And I have short fingers, but still use a full-scale bass.
Leo Fender: Actions That Led to a Legacy in Music
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