Does size of the fretboard really matter, even with small hands?

[Goofball Jones]

Another small hands post. I have average to smallish hands/fingers, yet I have no problems with playing a 4 string. But this shouldn't stop me from playing a 5 string right? I mean, people play a 6 string....you know, the ones with aircraft carrier sized fret-boards. No matter how big your hands are, you can't wrap them around one of those.

With proper left-hand placement, should it really matter how wide the fret-board is? If so, then why do people fret over the size of a P-bass neck compared to a J-bass neck? Can't people with smallish hands play a 5 or 6 stringer?

I'm all confused.

[meev991]

I guess the old maxi, "Size doesn't matter, it's technique" would apply hear

Like Billy Sheehan says, the size of the bass has nothing to do with technique. When it all comes down to it, it's up to the player to really overcome any limitations to play

besides, anorexic basses look funny to me

[Infernal Affair]

Originally Posted by Goofball Jones

If so, then why do people fret over the size of a P-bass neck compared to a J-bass neck?

This is more a comfortability issue. While most people certainly can play with both size necks, they prefer to use a certain size neck. It's just more comfortable for them.

[Petary791]

I really don't find sizes to be that big of a deal. I'm 5'7" on an good day and I can jump from a J-bass to my Chapman Stick to my 6 string.

[meev991]

Originally Posted by Petary791

Chapman Stick

those instruments are still trippy to me

[WJGreer]

My hands are of average size (draw your own conclusions), and I agree with your contention - it's less a matter of what is appropriate for you and more a case of what you are used to. I played bass 20 years before I started prowling TalkBass, and for that whole time I was never aware of, nor cared about, fretboard size differences on basses with an equal number of strings.

Yes, the six-string feels intimidating at first when you have only played a four string. Then again, a JetSki is a really weird beast at first, and it takes some practice to even stay up on it.

Here's my personal secret sauce, that I have used when transitioning to a new instrument - I learn a bunch of stuff I never knew how to play on the old ones. New standards, new scale patterns, whatever - that way I am not having to get past old synapses and muscle memory about where my fingers "should be" on a song and can concentrate on learning the new axe with no baggage.

[TyronPotamkin]

I usually dont have a problem with how wide a neck is, it's more in how thick the neck is and what radius it uses. A 14" radius neck will be drastically thinner than a 10" radius neck. My Carvin LB70 has their standard 12" radius neck and I love it, it's thick enough so you can actually get a hold of the neck for bends, small slides, H/P's, and single position walks, but it's also thin enough that reaching around the neck to the lower strings isnt very difficult. I've played a few 10" and 14" radius necks and the 10" was really fat and meaty and my hand bottomed out quicker which meant I had to roll my wrist under sooner. The 14" neck was super slim and fast but it felt like it had nothing to grab onto when a solid anchor was needed.

[Pilgrim]

I personally don't think it really makes a difference. I have a J, a P, a Univox hollowbody, a fretless, a Rogue violin-bass and a Turser '53 P clone. I don't feel much difference between any of the necks except on the fretless. I think much of it is just getting used to one neck.

[ALiP BoB]

Originally Posted by meev991

I guess the old maxi, "Size doesn't matter, it's technique" would apply hear

Like Billy Sheehan says, the size of the bass has nothing to do with technique. When it all comes down to it, it's up to the player to really overcome any limitations to play

Easy for him to say, you ever saw the size of his hands?

[Spikyone]

What stuffs me is , headless basses. Somehow I can't quite get over the first fret being where it is. it's a shame , because, apart from this, I love Steinbergers.

[fullrangebass]

Originally Posted by meev991

I guess the old maxi, "Size doesn't matter, it's technique" would apply hear

Unfortunately, I disagree. The width (and thickness) of the neck has a lot to do with hand fatigue IMHO. Limitations regarding technique can be overcome over time. Limitations related to physical abilities cannot be overcome; technique needs to be adjusted in order to tackle the problem. My 35" Foderas have wide necks and they tire me much more than my 37"-34" Dingwalls. The extra throw to reach the B string on the Fodera is used to reach the lowest of notes on the B string of the Dingwall, on a much comfortable arc of movement (and reach)

[meev991]

Originally Posted by ALiP BoB

Easy for him to say, you ever saw the size of his hands?

come to think of it, he has huge hands

Geez that man just feels like saying whatever he wants to, doesn't he?

[Charling]

I have tiny hands, a variety of bases and i can play pretty much anything I want, it shouldnt make much of a difference. I think that if a particular bass is tiring you out you need to look at how you approach that particular instrument again, and if a particular bass is tiring you out, just play on it as exclusively as you can for a few months and you'll build the stamina you need. (ensuring you are not using incorrect technique which potentially causes long term damage!)