Looking for New Bass. Need Help!

[bassmasta94]

Hey guys, I have been playing bass for about a year now. I would call myself an intermediate player. I have really gotten into jazz style playing. What type of basses would you recommend to get? I currently have a rental bass made by Strobel. I am looking for something a little bit more high end. Also i was wondering what type of strings you would recommend for jazz playing.

[forester]

if it is a 3/4 strobel and in one piece* it can be set up to suit your needs for longer period...whereas,you savest your money and $pend it on a higher end domestic instrument
.02

[bassmasta94]

it is a 1/2 strobel,( im kinda a small guy) and im not sure if its a one piece.

[bassmasta94]

o yea and what types of strings would you recommend for jazz playing?

[fdeck]

I think "one piece" in this context simply means if the bass is intact.

The most common jazz string is probably Thomastik Spirocores, sometimes abbreviated Spiro's to confuse the search engine.

The other typical response to any mention of smaller basses is to suggest some research on the topic of whether a smaller guy really needs a 1/2 size.

Mods: Suggest moving to "Basses."

[bassmasta94]

well i put the endpin up about 2 notchs ( about 3-6 inches or so)so that the nut meets me right at eye level.

[Eric Hochberg]

You need to go play some 3/4 size basses and find out for yourself if they work for you. Unless you are under 5' tall, I imagine they will be fine. You'll find sloping shoulders and a string length <42" easier to get around on.

[bassmasta94]

yea im 5'3" ( i know im small for my age). You think that a 3/4 size would be comfortable for me to have the nut right at eye level?

[shadygrove]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

You need to go play some 3/4 size basses and find out for yourself if they work for you. Unless you are under 5' tall, I imagine they will be fine. You'll find sloping shoulders and a string length <42" easier to get around on.

+1 ...this isn't something you can figure out over the internet as there's no standard measurements for a "3/4 bass". Unless you play plugged in all the time you will be giving up a lot of volume with most 1/2 size basses. Go to Youtube and pull up some Missy Raines videos if you would like to see a person that's not very tall really get around on a 3/4 Kay.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by bassmasta94

yea im 5'3" ( i know im small for my age). You think that a 3/4 size would be comfortable for me to have the nut right at eye level?

The nut doesn't have to be right at eye level. Think between eyebrow and hairline.