Crazy idea - need a quality short scale guitar. Thoughts?

[BadgerDave]

I'm experimenting with a 5 string bass and a baritone guitar, both tuned with a low B. I'm using these to play songs using standard chord forms and fingerings resulting in everything sounding a fifth (or is it a fourth?) lower. I like the combination but playing leads on the baritone is awkward. I'm thinking of adding a guitar tuned an octave above the baritone (B to B ). Any thoughts on how best to do this? Anyone kow of a reasonably priced 3/4 scale guitar that has parts approaching pro quality? A Rickenbacker 325 was my first thought, but I'm not looking to spend $3K.

[Turdus]

Isn't the Fender Mustang 3/4 scale? I owned one in the 70's, and it seemed small.

[JohnnyB]

It's not a crazy idea. Tacoma Guitars came out with their Papoose several years ago. I think they made a solid body electric version for awhile too. Ricky Skaggs was an endorser.

[crunchee]

Hope this helps!

http://www.shortscale.org/forum/

[geoff_hartwell]

It's not a crazy idea. Tacoma Guitars came out with their Papoose several years ago. I think they made a solid body electric version for awhile too. Ricky Skaggs was an endorser.

Woah - they made a solidbody? Do tell!

Geoff

[tomteriffic]

With light enough strings, something from the Ibanez Mikro series might work as a starting platform.

[JohnnyB]

It's not a crazy idea. Tacoma Guitars came out with their Papoose several years ago. I think they made a solid body electric version for awhile too. Ricky Skaggs was an endorser.

Woah - they made a solidbody? Do tell!

Yep.

They didn't make many. There's one for sale (maybe) here. To get more info, Google for Tacoma Papoose SP-1.

According to this, the Papoose has a 19.1" scale and is available with a Fishman pickup. And it's still in production. But not the electric; those are pretty rare, though I saw a few at my local dealer back when they came out.

[BadgerDave]

Thanks for all the ideas. The Papoose is interesting, but seems to be unobtainable. Old Mustangs are EXPENSIVE! and 90% seem to be 24" scale. I'm seriously considering a Daisy Rock. Anyone have any experiences with these? Are they "improvable" with some fret work and electronics upgrades?

[hrtatak]

I was in a local shop today and they had 2 different sizes of a mini Strat shaped electric made by AXL Guitars.

[JohnnyB]

Thanks for all the ideas. The Papoose is interesting, but seems to be unobtainable. Old Mustangs are EXPENSIVE! and 90% seem to be 24" scale. I'm seriously considering a Daisy Rock. Anyone have any experiences with these? Are they "improvable" with some fret work and electronics upgrades?

I don't know about their cheap acoustic guitars or flower- and star-shaped short scalers, but the full-sized solid body electric Daisy Rocks are pretty well made for their price point. Word on the street is that they're sourced from Schecter and have the equivalent level of wood selection and fretwork quality. I can't count the times I've read of some dad checking one out for his daughter and being stunned by the fundamental quality. I've messed around with a few, didn't plug 'em in, but fit, finish, and playability were very good.

Looking over their product line, the short scale Daisies are 22-3/4". Ideally I think you'd want something at 20" or less. The Tacoma Papoose was 19.1" scale (didn't know they'd be so hard to find) and intended to be tuned A to A. If you're stuck with a 22+" scale guitar, the Ibanez Mikro might be the better choice because you should pretty much know what you're getting. I guess you'd have to string up with 8-38's and hope for the best.

Or you could just get a capo.