how do you choose which 5/8 size bass to buy

[mdcbass]

Originally Posted by flutebass

my other problem, I tried a shorter 3/4 size bass, I couldn't get it off the ground very far to carry it. I'm only 5'2"

Keep looking and listening and if you can't find a 5/8th or small 3/4 you can manage to move about, maybe you can impose on your bandmates to schlep the bass to and from your car.

[flutebass]

i'm in boston

[mdcbass]

Does anyone nearby have one of these smaller basses you could try so you don't hurt yourself? If one of these will fill the bill, you could play bass until you get old and decrepit.

[flutebass]

i'm in boston

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Have a look at this:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/msg/3617261383.html

It's no more from the 19th Century than it is French, but it appears to be a carved bass and I assume the seller's description of it as a "ladies' size" bass means it is smaller than 3/4.

I emailed the seller, telling them that the label is a fake and urging them to bring it in to the Kolstein shop for an inspection.

Unless their asking price is out of line -- and if they believe it to be a French bass, it may well be -- it could be worth a ferry ride to check out.

[bass81800]

I have an Eastman Rudolph Doetsche 3/4 bass and a Chinese 5/8 (Sunrise Venice from Lemur) bass. Both, are equally playable and are carved basses. Interestingly, the 5/8 bass has a 41" fingerboard.

As a smaller person, the thing I look for most in a new bass is a smaller upper bout and a bass that has sloped shoulders. The Sunrise Venice 5/8 has an upper bout in the 18" range. That is about the most important thing to me, and makes is so much easier to get around the basses, play in thumb position, etc. So, you might also look for sloped shoulders and be mindful of that and consider that in your search for a bass.

As far as weight of the basses, the Eastman is much lighter. Not sure why. Different woods, I guess.

[raebasso]

I just upgraded to an early 1800s Tyrolean 5/8 bass after playing a small Wilfer 3/4 bass for almost 16 years. I'm 5'6" but have very small hands, and as long as you stay under 41" string length you should be happy. My 5/8 is 2" shorter than the 3/4, but is as wide as my friend's 7/8. With all that the 5/8 is only a 1/4" shorter string length. In other words, try many different instruments, and see what fits you. Getting the right case/wheel setup will make almost anything easier to carry as well.