Around 5'8" person playing 7/8 or the full size?

[jude4312]

Hi people
I'm trying to get my first contrabass and I want it to be big enough so that I can hug the instrument but not too big that it's impossible to play.
Anyone around height 5'8" plays 7/8 or the full size, even 3/4, would you post a picture of you holding/playing the bass? I wish to get a sense of the panorama. I'm going to the local luthier on monday to try for myself but it's a different feel to look at it on third person's view.
Thanks and happy weekends~

[mjt0229]

Sizing for basses isn't consistent. I'm 5'5" and my bass is a 7/8 size, but its shoulders give pretty good access to the upper register. My previous bass had similar dimensions, but I think the maker called it a 3/4. However, it's broader shoulders made playing the upper positions relatively trickier.

Here's a picture of me with bass.

I think you shouldn't be put off too much by the size if it feels comfortable to play. On the other hand, I've debated whether I should check out a 5/8 bass.

[Mike D.]

I agree, size doesn't matter. If it feels comfortable to play, than play it.
Also sound is a factor. I've heard some pretty impressive 'small' 3/4 or 5/8 sized basses. On the other hand, I've heard some 7/8 sized basses that didn't sound as good as some smaller basses.
As for playability: 42 inch string length is pretty common for both 3/4 sized basses and 7/8 sized basses. This means bigger body for bigger sound, but playable string-length which is important too.
hope this helps.
Mike

[Don Carrigan]

Originally Posted by jude4312

Hi people
I'm trying to get my first contrabass and I want it to be big enough so that I can hug the instrument but not too big that it's impossible to play.
Anyone around height 5'8" plays 7/8 or the full size, even 3/4, would you post a picture of you holding/playing the bass? I wish to get a sense of the panorama. I'm going to the local luthier on monday to try for myself but it's a different feel to look at it on third person's view.
Thanks and happy weekends~

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Size not as important as shoulder width

When Abraham Prescott proudly displayed his new double bass at the 1822 Mechanics Exhibits in New York City, he was ridiculed by newspapers saying his double basses were "unplayable" because the shoulders were simply too wide. The New York newspapers said the width of the shoulders made the bass "unplayable", even by a tall person. Prescott wasn't familiar with bass measurements, so he blundered and "projected" the measurements of a 'cello up to the bigger dimensions of a double bass, somewhat in the shape of a German Klotz Busetto. He was so embarrassed by his "cello shoulders" he fled back to New Hampshire to "cut down" (reduce) the widths of his first five double basses. My 1820 Prescott Busetto pictured below (ATTACHMENT) was one of those first five basses whose shoulders he had to reduce.

So, you might select any bass that doesn't have objectionably wide shoulders, even though "slopped" shoulders is often indicative of a "solo" bass rather than an orchestra bass. My Prescott has been fully restored and converted to five strings requiring a great deal of strengthening the belly, originally built for three strings. By the way, you may see my bass on PBS Antiques Roadshow, to be taped on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 in Hartford, CT. I don't know when it will be aired.

Click below for pictures of 1820 Prescott, 'cello shoulder width reduced in 1822
2004: Fully restored and converted to 5 strings
http://home.earthlink.net/~prescottv...TTdonSMALL.jpg
2002: When it was a 4 string on 3 string neck: http://home.earthlink.net/~prescottv...arborBEACH.jpg