Mini (small) Bass guitar for kids? 1/2 size basses out there?

Rob L · #1 12-02-2011, 09:04 PM

Hi Guys,

My son who is 8 is very interested in trying to play along with his pop and learn how to play bass. All the basses I have are just to big for him. Is there any out there in half size available? I've googled and only found one that might be of interest. I am really interested in getting him one as he seems pretty excited about it.

There are lots of other options in a small guitar but I'd rather find him a bass, you know what I mean.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!

dragonbass · #2 12-02-2011, 09:17 PM

Hi Rob,

Jay Turser makes a 3/4 size P bass.

Jay Turser JTB-40 Bass Guitar

Picked one up for a friends son a few years back. I'm sure there might be a few companies but I've only had experience with the Turser.

Robert

Stick_Player · #3 12-02-2011, 09:18 PM

When my son was about 7 1/2, I got him a Greg Bennett Mini Corsair. I think it was about $150. Although he's moved on to a 3/4 scale, he has kept this bass (I'll never get rid of it).

This bass is 25" bridge-to-nut.

Here he is (just before his 8th birthday) playing "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" - he's also steppin' on a wah-wah pedal.

**Ric5** · #4 12-02-2011, 09:20 PM

Ibanez Mikro.

28.6" scale

Rob L · #5 12-02-2011, 09:40 PM

Thank you guys! I will check them all out. His sister is 11 and learning on her guitar so he is really wanting to be a little different from her and play bass like his dad (very nice).

Thanks again for the leads!!

Rob L · #6 12-02-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

When my son was about 7 1/2, I got him a Greg Bennett Mini Corsair. I think it was about $150. Although he's moved on to a 3/4 scale, he has kept this bass (I'll never get rid of it).

This bass is 25" bridge-to-nut.

Here he is (just before his 8th birthday) playing "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" - he's also steppin' on a wah-wah pedal.

What a great picture, Nice!!

afzoomie67 · #7 12-02-2011, 09:44 PM

What about this?
DeArmond Ashbory Bass: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

David1234 · #8 12-02-2011, 09:47 PM

OzBassForum • View topic - 2 string short scale for a little guy - Build thread.

slapmachine · #9 12-02-2011, 09:48 PM

Hey, I would also recommend the Squier by Fender bronco bass, which is pretty tiny, I'm not sure on the scale (probably 3/4). Fender Mustang & Musicmaster also fall into that category. These were just some additions to the ones mention previously.

Good luck on your purchase and fostering the budding bass player!

Best regards,

Brooks

pflash4001 · #10 12-02-2011, 10:45 PM

Try a Fender P-Bass Jr. They were only made for a couple of years a few years ago and are out of production, but they pop up on ebay now and then. I bought one for my daughter before she was even born. It is a scaled down Precision Bass, about the size of a Fender Strat...maybe about 2-3 inches longer...I actually gigged it a few months ago. Some of the guys were teasing me about it...they asked if I was playing a ukelele...I told them to wait until I plugged it in...it about blew them out of the back of the room! great tone, easy to handle. It's a good instrument...

Causticbob · #11 12-03-2011, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

Ibanez Mikro.

28.6" scale

+1

Great for kids. Also see Squier Bronco. Not bad either.

Causticbob · #12 12-03-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

When my son was about 7 1/2, I got him a Greg Bennett Mini Corsair. I think it was about $150. Although he's moved on to a 3/4 scale, he has kept this bass (I'll never get rid of it).

This bass is 25" bridge-to-nut.

Here he is (just before his 8th birthday) playing "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" - he's also steppin' on a wah-wah pedal.

This picture may have just changed my mind though. Pretty cool.

Avalon · #13 12-03-2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

When my son was about 7 1/2, I got him a Greg Bennett Mini Corsair. I think it was about $150. Although he's moved on to a 3/4 scale, he has kept this bass (I'll never get rid of it).

This bass is 25" bridge-to-nut.

Here he is (just before his 8th birthday) playing "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" - he's also steppin' on a wah-wah pedal.

+1 !! That MCR-1 is the real deal and looks the part.

addylewis · #14 12-03-2011, 10:20 AM

I'm personally interested in this one at the moment...

Fender® Products

SBassman · #15 12-03-2011, 10:28 AM

Another vote for the Corsair MCR1.

I have one - for sale. It's a very good bass, and the smallest
real-stringed bass out there.

SBassman · #16 12-03-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pflash4001

I bought one for my daughter before she was even born.

Now that is awesome.

Musicphan · #17 12-03-2011, 11:15 AM

Rhondo makes the 3/4 size Ursa Jr... $120 w/ cheapo amp. Not the best guitars in the world but for the money they are hard to beat.

SX Ursa 1 JR Sunburst 3/4 Bass Guitar Package at RondoMusic.com

Duuuuuuuuuude · #18 12-03-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Another vote for the Corsair MCR1.

I have one - for sale. It's a very good bass, and the smallest
real-stringed bass out there.

How much are you asking for it?

Landsharks · #19 12-03-2011, 11:59 AM

We got the Rhondo pack that is posted above and I was very pleased with what you got for $120. Bass is well built and plays well, just wish my son would pick it up and start playing more.

fretlessguy · #20 12-03-2011, 12:41 PM

A little expensive, but I'd bet you will play it more:

Kala S-U-B U-Bass Solid Body Ukulele Bass Guitar: Shop Folk & Traditional Instruments & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Same tuning as regular 4 string bass.