Scale for a 12-year old girl

[DavePlaysBass]

My 12-year old daughter wants me to teach her bass. She has been listening to me play for years and has a good ear for the bass along with some good piana and choir training up to this point.

She stands about 5' 4" but her hands are a bit smaller than my average size hands. I am looking at the Rondo short scales (30") with a 1.5" nut or possibly a noraml 34" scale with a 1 9/16" nut.

I am thinking the short scale may be easier for her to pick up. But in the long run it may be a dis service.

I am hestitant to teach her on my P width G&L L-2000. And the 61 Jazz is off limits. I also have a G&L Climax with a narrow 1.5" nut, but the sweet spot pickup makes the string tension high for the right hand.

Any recommendations appreciated.

Dave

[Silver Hammer]

This may be of no help at all but I'm a beginner bassist (a 15 year old boy though) and I have a Ibanez GSR200. I got it used for $100. Anyways I have big hands and the neck feels cramped to me so it should be good size for someone with small hands? Iunno just though I'd try and help thought you might send me the 61 Jazz for my efforts

[lowphatbass]

I suggest letting her use one of your basses for a trial period. If she sticks with it and shows a genuine interest and passion for the instrument then reward her with a trip to the music store. Now I'm sure you're not looking for advise on parenting from someone with no children but I see so many basses migrate to the closet and garage after the initial fever wears off, plus hard work deserves reward. IMO, there's no reason she couldn't develop on a standard 34" scale bass.

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by DavePlaysBass

I also have a G&L Climax with a narrow 1.5" nut, but the sweet spot pickup makes the string tension high for the right hand.

Why would the tension be different on this bass than any other 34" scale?

Returning to your real question, have you ever handed her one of your 34s to see how it felt? I'd say if she can handle it, go for that.

[DocBop]

I've taught kids and parents got them full size bass because they got a deal on it. Trouble is the kid had so much trouble getting around on it they lose interest after a couple months. I wouldn't call a short scale bass a dis-service for small hands or even regular use. They have a big round sound and show up on Pop tunes for that sound.

[santucci218]

you guys also need to think that maybe she will become frusterated with her hands not being able to reach as far and give up more easily. if i were you man ide get her a shorty scale bass and some nice extra light strings.

[Bass for Beef]

Both my sister and I have small hands and we both play bass, she said her first bass was an Ibanez SDGR and it was because A. the price and B. the neck was small enough for her to play extremely comfortably. One of my basses I own an Ibanez SR506 (6string)and my sister said that she was surprised she could handle it well...both of us ware kids gloves...so check out an Ibanez...some bang for the buck

[Basshole]

Growly, nice. Got one for my daughter. Liked it so much, it inspired me to buy 4 Fender basses in the span of the following 3 weeks

http://www.squierguitars.com/product...tno=0335106506

http://www.fenderhellokitty.com/gear.html

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=512074

[spideyjg]

Wanda is all of 5' 1" and principal bassist in a symphony on 3/4 bass...



She has tiny hands but can play circles around me with that big mitt on the left.


Throws down those Steve Harris lines with no problem...


Bassgirls profile..... She started upright at 9 and electric at 12.

Let your daughter try your Climax and see how she handles the spacing.

Jim

[morf]

If the spacing is too much, try a Peavey Millenium.

[Vandelay]

If you want to start her on a shorter scale, that's fine too. Changing scales later isn't that big a deal. My first bass was 32" scale, and I later switched to 34" without any major problems.

Worth a look -- Daisy Rock makes guitars and basses for girls in scales from 30" to 34".
http://www.daisyrock.com/products/basses/rc_bass.htm

[David J.]

I also have a 12 year old daughter that has taken an interest in bass. She had been playing an old washburn I gave her but was having trouble with the neck. So we went and bought her very first new bass a gsr200. Very inexpensive and her small hands were fine with the thin neck. She has now been taking lessons and doing very well. She feels very comfortable with this bass. It's pretty light and the neck really does help with her small hands. And for the price I feel we made a very good choice to begin her journey of learning this great instrument.

[morf]

I also remember Cherie telling us that Luna basses are a very nice fit for girls with small hands, might want to look into that

[RiddimKing]

I'd say if she shows genuine interest, and you can afford the extra money, go to your local dealer and have her try out one of the CIJ Fender Mustangs. They're light, well made and the sound is big. A bass she could play for life.

But then again, I like buying cool gear, and I like buying cool gear for my (guitarist) twelve year old son even more than for myself. One of life's pleasures, and one I've never regretted.

[RiddimKing]

Spidey,
Your daughter rocks! It's amazing how much poise they can have at that age when they're on stage. Gotta hate 'em for it...

[Indiana Mike]

Originally Posted by RiddimKing

I'd say if she shows genuine interest, and you can afford the extra money, go to your local dealer and have her try out one of the CIJ Fender Mustangs. They're light, well made and the sound is big. A bass she could play for life.

But then again, I like buying cool gear, and I like buying cool gear for my (guitarist) twelve year old son even more than for myself. One of life's pleasures, and one I've never regretted.

Nice bass! A little pricey for a starter but would hold up and should retain good resale. IMO

Played one, liked it but the scale is / was to small for me , felt like stringing up a geetar w/ bass strings.

Small or kids hands , ???? That was my thought as my son has interest (7 years old).

[SBassman]

Definitely no disservice in starting on a short scale.
And even Finishing on a short scale.
Stanley Clark agrees.

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by RiddimKing

Spidey,
Your daughter rocks! It's amazing how much poise they can have at that age when they're on stage. Gotta hate 'em for it...

Wanda is just a good friend of mine, no relation.

I love watching her play the bejesus out of the bass though.
I'll ask her on Thursday if she has any advice for your daughter Dave.

Jim

[bassdblr]

Why not just take her to Guitar Center or another store and let her try out some of these basses? She could get a feel for how heavy they are for her and how they feel in her hands and if she likjes the way it looks. You could make some judgments about how the neck and size works for her. I realize she does not have any experience, but she has probably tried to play bass with one of your basses so would have something to compare it with.

If I remember correctly, even when I started bass, I had ideas about what I wanted for a bass even though I did not play at all. Also, I don't think lighter strings are necessarily going to be easier to play. The TI flats have always been my first choice. Maybe a lower action too for starts, at least not real high tension strings.

My first choice would be one of the Ibanez' though. They are relatively lightweight, fast necks. I had an SR400 for awhile, very light and nimble neck, and strings were very close together, though that might be too pricey.

[DavePlaysBass]

Thanks for the responses. I was quite surprised to see 18 responses in less than a day. This is my first post in the insturction area. I am used to getting one or two responses a day when posting other places.

I am leaning towards the getting her a short scale with light gauge strings advice. However, today she tells me maybe she wants to start with guitar.

Dave