Whats wrong and right about a half size?

DevilDogWWII · #1 01-25-2011, 07:51 PM

Hi i am neebie when it comes to uprights and have been looking lately about getting one... now my question is my friend has a half size bass he wants to sell me but i'm 5 foot 10 inches. and most people would say i would need a 3/4 bu my question is why cant i our why shouldnt i buy this half size whats the pros and cons... thank you!!!

Jsn · #2 01-25-2011, 08:17 PM

You need to buy some punctuation first, my friend.

Seriously: a half-size instrument isn't intended for a full-grown man. Some people experiment with them as solo instruments, but aside from that they rarely find a place on the stage outside of youth recitals.

If you're planning on playing in combos or other grown-up configurations, you'll find your fellow musicians expect you to show up with at least a 3/4.

jedgargroover · #3 01-25-2011, 08:26 PM

While I disagree with the previous poster in that full grown men DO play 1/2 size uprights for bluegrass and some other Americana/roots music and not just as piccolo basses or bass cellos, I'd say that at 5'10" you might as well just go for a 3/4. I'm 5'6" and I've owned a 1/2 size and used it for bluegrass and even klezmer. I live in NYC and it's nice to have an upright that doesn't piss everyone off when I take it on the subway (just half the people...but not everyone.)

For you, unless you get the longest endpin in the universe put on that thing, that bass is going to be too small if you are playing standing up, period. Also, if you have big hands you're going to find the scale a bit awkward, especially in the upper register.

While it would be nice to give your friend money, I'd say you should stick to a 3/4.

I also would like to wish you luck in finding that punctuation.

DevilDogWWII · #4 01-25-2011, 08:35 PM

What if it's just to play rock-a-billy.

Nathan Parker · #5 01-25-2011, 08:47 PM

They seem like a tough crowd. You may be mocked.

Jsn · #6 01-25-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilDogWWII

What if it's just to play rock-a-billy.

Are you suffering from a shortage of question marks up there in Salem, Oregon? Here, this little guy has three of them hanging above his head:

Again, seriously: Rockabilly fans ain't gonna want no tiny bass. You might climb on it and get it stuck on your heel.

jedgargroover · #7 01-25-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsn

Are you suffering from a shortage of question marks up there in Salem, Oregon? Here, this little guy has three of them hanging above his head:

Again, seriously: Rockabilly fans ain't gonna want no tiny bass. You might climb on it and get it stuck on your heel.

Seriously, brother...I'm with you. If you play to a REAL rockabilly crowd with a 1/2 size they are going to kick your ass just on principle.

When all those priests were working as scriveners for the Catholic church back in the high middle ages they invented punctuation for a reason. Why must you dishonor their memory? And I'm not even Catholic.

Jason Sypher · #8 01-25-2011, 09:05 PM

If you're a badass nobody cares what you play...

TroyK · #9 01-25-2011, 09:06 PM

4 out of 5 luthiers say they are only 2/3 as good as a 3/4

jedgargroover · #10 01-25-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

If you're a badass nobody cares what you play...

Really? Really? Really? Not so much but it's a nice myth.

tiny bass + rockabilly = not a badass

Plays_For_Dog · #11 01-25-2011, 09:28 PM

I saw a rockabilly dude (small guy) standing on a foot stool to play his full size bass once. He slapped it like it owed him money and never missed a note. That's when I decided I like that style of music.

Jsn · #12 01-25-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

4 out of 5 luthiers say they are only 2/3 as good as a 3/4

Oh, great. We're gonna get him tangled up in punctuation AND fractions?

Nagrom · #13 01-25-2011, 11:06 PM

They're hard to sell.

Jake deVilliers · #14 01-26-2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsn

Oh, great. We're gonna get him tangled up in punctuation AND fractions?

LOL!!

drurb · #15 01-26-2011, 07:29 AM

There are many good reasons for you not to have a 1/2 size and no good reasons that I see for you to have one, given your intentions. There are many good reasons for you to have a "3/4" and no good reasons not to have one. I won't reiterate all those reasons. My advice: Forget about the 1/2 size.

beobass · #16 01-27-2011, 07:20 AM

With all due respect gents, I play a WWII era 5/8 (1/2) size German bass. I play mostly jazz, theater, and Church music (which includes orchestra). I am 5' 5" and my bass fits and plays perfect for me! Its way easier to transport around and when amplified will keep up with any group at all. SO, I think it is a personal choice and what simply plays and sounds BEST for YOU. That all said, anyone taller than 5' 5", I would not recommend a smaller bass unless you have tiny hands. The scale in thumb gets tight, but man does it sing up there

drurb · #17 01-27-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beobass

That all said, anyone taller than 5' 5", I would not recommend a smaller bass unless you have tiny hands. The scale in thumb gets tight, but man does it sing up there

You reinforced the common wisdom quite well. Note that the OP is 5' 10". Of course, it's a matter of the bass that fits you best. At the outset, however, just as you said, unless there are special circumstances or atypical preferences, it's best not to go the small-bass route.

Jsn · #18 01-27-2011, 07:39 AM

Beobass, I don't think the OP is talking about a 5/8ths, but an actual 1/2 size. I've played 5/8ths myself, and while on the small size they're not as miniaturized as a halfer.

madmatt · #19 01-27-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsn

Again, seriously: Rockabilly fans ain't gonna want no tiny bass. You might climb on it and get it stuck on your heel.

...Ain't gonna want NO...?
That is a double negative.
And you are bustin' on his writing skills?

Now he probably thinks it is a good idea to get the 1/2 size!
LOL!

jedgargroover · #20 01-27-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beobass

With all due respect gents, I play a WWII era 5/8 (1/2) size German bass.

Two totally different sizes. I've owned a large 3/4, a 1/2 and I'm looking at a 5/8 right now. As the size indicates, 5/8 is between a 1/2 (4/8) and a 3/4 (6/8) bass.

At 5'6" with smallish hands I find that a 3/4 is a bit large but a 1/2 size lacks the punch I want out of an upright. I've played some nice 1/2 size basses but the one I had was great on paper but not in real life: a blonde Kay. I never could get it to sound anything other than dead. Pitched back the neck, tried different strings, adjusted the bridge height. Nothing. And I wouldn't mind getting a decent 1/2 size but I feel like the feel of it is so much like a bass guitar (to me) that it's not really like playing upright in terms of physical mechanics. And the mechanics are directly linked to the feel of jazz for me.

A 5/8 is another great option for smaller players...but I'd still advise the OP to stick with a 3/4.

Speaking of the OP...I think he left the building a while ago!