Elecric player playing 1/2 size bass?

[bassman275]

Hello all,I am new to the double bass.I have been playing electric for over 15 years and,have decided to start playing DB.I have my first bass coming in a couple of days it is,a LIDL 1/2 size.My thoughts were I would have an easier time transitioning from 34"-35" scale to a 39" string length.Does this make any sense?

My other concern is,will a teacher take Me serious with this bass?I have decided to approach DB as a totally new instrument.So, I will be seeking a teacher to bring me from the bottom up.The bass cost Me $265 shipped on a greyhound so it's not that big of a deal.BTW I'm 5' 11" so.....

Any input would be great and,thanks in advance.....,Chris.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by bassman275

Hello all,I am new to the double bass.I have been playing electric for over 15 years and,have decided to start playing DB.I have my first bass coming in a couple of days it is,a LIDL 1/2 size.My thoughts were I would have an easier time transitioning from 34"-35" scale to a 39" string length.Does this make any sense?

My other concern is,will a teacher take Me serious with this bass?I have decided to approach DB as a totally new instrument.So, I will be seeking a teacher to bring me from the bottom up.The bass cost Me $265 shipped on a greyhound so it's not that big of a deal.BTW I'm 5' 11" so.....

Any input would be great and,thanks in advance.....,Chris.

Having gotten over being freaked out by your avatar, I can now answer.

You are wise to approach this as a new instrument and to be seeking a teacher. You are 5' 11" and you purchased a 1/2 size bass. That, my friend, was not a wise choice. That bass will most assuredly cost you more than its purchase price to have a luthier set it up properly and it just will not be worth it. The instrument will likely fight you every step of the way.

Here's my advice. Investigate returning what you bought. If that is not possible, consider it a relatively inexpensive lesson learned and use it as a planter or something.

Head over to the newbie links and read all you can about buying a double bass. If you are talking about purchasing a new instrument that is of even decent quality and properly set up by a professional (a must, especially for the new player), then figure on spending at least $1100 or so. There are few exceptions, if any, to that "rule." Keep in mind that if a deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

[bassman275]

Thanks for the advice.Another thing I had in mind is to just give this to My son who's 13.He is starting bass and I have already bought him a p-bass so,not a total loss.

So,I am now really in the market for a decent 3/4 size bass.I think I can raise $1500 or so.Hopefully, this will afford a decent player.BTW 3/4 isn't to small @ 5' 11" is it?Thanks again!

Oh yeah,if anyone can recommend a teacher in the Sacramento, California area, that would be great.My thinking is if I search for the right teacher he/she can prob. help Me find the right bass.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by bassman275

Thanks for the advice.Another thing I had in mind is to just give this to My son who's 13.He is starting bass and I have already bought him a p-bass so,not a total loss.

So,I am now really in the market for a decent 3/4 size bass.I think I can raise $1500 or so.Hopefully, this will afford a decent player.BTW 3/4 isn't to small @ 5' 11" is it?Thanks again!

Oh yeah,if anyone can recommend a teacher in the Sacramento, California area, that would be great.My thinking is if I search for the right teacher he/she can prob. help Me find the right bass.

A "3/4" bass is the "standard" size. If you do some digging in these threads, you will see that what constitutes a 3/4 vs. a 4/4 or "full-size" bass can vary greatly. For the most part, it is a matter of string-length (length from nut to bridge) and what are referred to as 3/4 basses run in the 41.5-42.0" range. The size of the body of a "3/4 bass" is certainly not standard. Suffice it to say that the vast majority of the basses you will find would be called "3/4."

[bassman275]

Originally Posted by drurb

A "3/4" bass is the "standard" size. If you do some digging in these threads, you will see that what constitutes a 3/4 vs. a 4/4 or "full-size" bass can vary greatly. For the most part, it is a matter of string-length (length from nut to bridge) and what are referred to as 3/4 basses run in the 41.5-42.0" range. The size of the body of a "3/4 bass" is certainly not standard. Suffice it to say that the vast majority of the basses you will find would be called "3/4."

Well put,I was just talking to Ken over a Ken's corner and he said pretty much the same thing.

However,he as well as others have said the difference in string length is not that hard to adjust to,He told me he had to adjust for a 44" length in just a few days and did so fairly easy.Then again He is K.S.!!

Another point is this,I will be playing gigs with this but only on a few songs and, it will be amplified(it's Indie,lo-fi stuff so I'll get by for now).So,maybe the smaller size will suit My situation a bit better since,I will have to load in BG and,DB.

So,getting My technique down on this thing will be fine until,I can find a more suitable bass.

The funny thing is,I never understood players playing short scale electric basses but, as we all know some of the greatest players do.Then, You see them playing huge DBs(ala Stanley on return to forever).