What are the best active bass guitars with a short scale length?
This page compares 5 active bass guitars with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short Scale ST-RAYSS4-CHG-M2-C Charging Green, Mitchell MB100 Short-Scale Solidbody Electric Bass Guitar Powder Blue, Jackson Concert Bass Minion JS1X Short-Scale Bass Guitar Satin Black. Prices range from £140 to £554. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Number of Strings ⇅ | Scale Length (inches) ⇅ | Nut Width (inches) ⇅ | Active Electronics ⇅ | Pickup Configuration ⇅ | Tuner Type ⇅ |
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Sterling by Music Man StingRay Short Scale ST-RAYSS4-CHG-M2-C Charging Green
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£553.71 ≈ | 4 | 30 in | 1.5 in | ✓ | 1 neodymium humbucker | Open Gear |
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The StingRay Short Scale is a lightweight four-string bass with a comfortable 30 in scale, roasted maple neck, and powerful neodymium humbucker. Its passive electronics, three-way rotary selector, and push-push volume boost suit beginners, players with smaller hands, and experienced bassists wanting a compact instrument. ★ Ideal forThis bass is a strong choice among active bass guitars with a short scale length because its 30 in scale and push-push volume boost provide compact playability with extra output flexibility, although its main signal path is passive.
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Mitchell MB100 Short-Scale Solidbody Electric Bass Guitar Powder Blue
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£140.27 ≈ | 4 | 30 in | 1.652 in | ✓ | Dual split-coil and single-coil | Die-cast |
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The Mitchell MB100 is a comfortable short-scale bass with a compact basswood body, forearm bevel, and 30 in scale length. Its passive dual split-coil and single-coil pickups provide versatile tones, making it suitable for beginners, players with smaller hands, and experienced bassists seeking an easy-playing instrument. ★ Ideal forIt suits players seeking an active bass with a short scale length because its 30 in scale is comfortable and its dual split-coil and single-coil pickup configuration provides versatile tones, although its electronics are passive rather than active.
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Jackson Concert Bass Minion JS1X Short-Scale Bass Guitar Satin Black
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£157.26 ≈ | 4 | 28.6 in | 1.5 in | ✗ | P/J | Die-cast |
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The Jackson Concert Bass Minion JS1X is a compact four-string bass with a 28.6 in short scale, poplar body, maple neck, and passive P/J pickups. Its shorter neck and smaller body suit beginners, younger players, and adults who prefer comfortable reach and portability. ★ Ideal forIt suits players seeking an active bass with a short scale because its 28.6 in scale is highly comfortable, although its P/J electronics are passive rather than active.
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Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Short Scale Black Electric Bass Guitar
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£162.42 ≈ | 4 | 28.6 in | 38 mm | ✗ | Dynamix P neck pickup and Dynamix J bridge pickup | — |
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The Ibanez GSRM20 miKro is a compact four-string bass with a 28.6 in scale, poplar body, maple neck, and passive Dynamix P and J pickups. Its lightweight short-scale design suits beginners, younger players, musicians with smaller hands, and bassists needing a portable instrument. ★ Ideal forThis bass suits players seeking an active bass guitar with a short scale length because its 28.6 in scale is highly playable, although its Dynamix P and J electronics are passive rather than active.
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Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro Short Scale Natural Electric Bass Guitar
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£162.42 ≈ | 4 | 28.6 in | 38 mm | ✗ | Dynamix P neck pickup and Dynamix J bridge pickup | Die-cast tuners |
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The Ibanez GSRM20 Mikro is a compact four-string bass with a 28.6 in scale, poplar body, maple neck, and passive Dynamix P/J pickups. Its smaller size and comfortable neck make it well suited to beginners, younger players, bassists with smaller hands, and musicians who want a portable instrument. ★ Ideal forThis bass suits players seeking an active bass guitar with a short scale length because its 28.6 in scale is highly comfortable, although its electronics are passive rather than active.
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