# What features should I look for in a short-scale bass guitar? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

What features should I look for in a short-scale bass guitar?

## Products

### Ashdown Roasted Capri-23 (Onyx Green)
```yaml
product: ashdown-roasted-capri-23-onyx-green
brand: Ashdown
price_gbp: 77.38
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 23
body_material: Poplar
neck_material: Roasted Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Roasted Maple
pickup_configuration: 1x PP Alnico
```

- **Price:** £77.38 [^1]
- **Summary:** The Ashdown Roasted Capri-23 is a compact mini bass built around a poplar body and roasted maple neck and fingerboard. It uses a PP Alnico pickup with simple 1 Volume / 1 Tone controls, and comes with a padded gigbag. It's well-suited to players who want a short-scale bass with stable, comfortable playability.
- **Ideal For:** It's a 23 in short-scale (596 mm) 4-string bass with roasted maple neck and fingerboard plus a single PP Alnico pickup, making it a good fit for comfort and easy plug-and-play setup on shorter scales.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3], [^1], [^2], [^3]

### Fender Player II Mustang PJ Short Scale Bass - 3-Color Sunburst (Model #: 0140492500)
```yaml
product: fender-player-ii-mustang-pj-short-scale-bass-3-color-sunburst-model-0140492500
brand: Fender
price_gbp: 643.71
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 30
body_material: Alder
neck_material: Maple
number_of_strings: 4
fingerboard_material: Maple
pickup_configuration: PJ
```

- **Price:** £643.71 [^4]
- **Summary:** The Fender Player II Mustang Bass PJ is a short-scale (30 in) 4-string bass built with an alder body and a maple neck and maple fingerboard. It uses a PJ pickup configuration with a split-coil Precision-style middle pickup and a Jazz-style single-coil bridge pickup, selectable via a 3-way toggle switch. It's designed for fast, comfortable playability with a 9.5-radius fingerboard and medium jumbo frets.
- **Ideal For:** Short-scale players typically want easier reach and a punchy but versatile pickup set; this model's 30 in scale and PJ (Precision split-coil + Jazz single-coil) configuration give you both comfortable handling and multiple tonal voices from one bass.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5], [^6], [^4], [^5], [^6]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Ashdown Engineering, accessed 2026-06-27. https://ashdownmusic.com/products/roasted-capri-23
[^2]: GuitarChordly, accessed 2026-06-27. https://www.guitarchordly.com/product/ashdown-capri-23-onyx-green-short-scale-mini-bass-guitar/
[^3]: Kirstein.de, accessed 2026-06-27. https://www.kirstein.de/en/Basses/Shortscale-Electric-Basses/Ashdown-Roasted-Capri-23-Black.html
[^4]: Liberty Music Shop, accessed 2026-06-27. https://libertymusicshop.com/fender-player-ii-mustang-bass-pj-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst-129/
[^5]: Music Store Live, accessed 2026-06-27. https://www.musicstorelive.com/fender-player-ii-mustang-bass-pj-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst.html
[^6]: Fender, accessed 2026-06-27. https://www.fender.com/products/player-ii-mustang-bass-pj