There is a difference in size of the instruments. 1/2 size basses are usually made for young people to play before they grow into a larger instrument. Some people play small basses as a solo instrument called a "piccolo bass". Check out Ron Carter and Hill Green for some examples. A 5/8 is used by people with smaller hands that fit it better than the standard 3/4 most people play. A full size bass is usually played by people with large hands. David Gage's Czech-Ease bass is a small bodied travel bass that can be set up at various string lengths to accomodate different size hands. If people listen with their ears and not their eyes to our instruments they should accept any good sounding instrument no matter what it's size or shape.
