Small Hands

Soonerbldr · #1 03-01-2013, 10:50 PM

So I've been working on learning bass with a borrowed P Bass. But I have the hands of a small child. The stretches are too big for my hands. If I slide I can hit most notes but it hard to play some songs that way. Is there a good starter bass that has a smaller scale that I could try and that is reccomended???

Alexlotl · #2 03-01-2013, 10:55 PM

As a fellow beginner with T-Rex dimensions, I can heartily recommend the Squier Jaguar VM SS. It's cheap as, has a 30" scale (4" shorter than a P), and sounds far better than it has any right to, particularly when restrung with flatwounds.

Big thread on them here: Squier Jaguar Short Scale Club Part 2

Herbie Chesnutt · #3 03-01-2013, 10:59 PM

My son uses a Gretsch g2202 jr jet. It is short scale. Nice looking lp style bass and sounds far too good for the $100 I paid for it. I'm just waiting for when he goes through his BC Rich phase so I can gut the pup and put it into a p body for myself.

There are a tonna short scale basses available these days. The new squiers look phenomenal and I'm sure they sound great.

Malak the Mad · #4 03-01-2013, 11:05 PM

Squier's Mustang basses and Vintage Modified Jaguar Special SS are both short-scale instruments. Their total scale length is 30", as opposed to the standard 34" length. Also, they have the nut width of a Jazz bass (1.5" vs. 1.625").

http://www.fender.com/basses/mustang/
http://www.fender.com/basses/jaguar/...ss-short-scale

Ignore the MSRP. Check the big retailers to get an idea of what the "street prices" are. I believe they range from $180 to $280, depending on the model. There are several threads on each of these models, as well as short scale basses in general.

If you want the longer 34" scale length, you may have to find something with a narrower jazz neck or a tighter fretboard radius. Most seem to be around 9.5" or wider. My Aerodyne has a 7.25" radius so my hand can curl around it a bit better, but that might not help you when moving from fret-to-fret. Just throwing that out as another possible solution.

SBassman · #5 03-01-2013, 11:36 PM

Consider an Ibanez Mikro. They are well made, and they are shorter than the other short scales being cited. 28.6 inch scale.

Soonerbldr · #6 03-03-2013, 08:07 AM

Cool thanks for the input. I will definitely head to the store and see if I can find one of these that fit!

spade2you · #7 03-03-2013, 08:13 AM

Small hands aren't a disadvantage if you have good technique. I have small hands and am at home on a 35" scale 6 string.

AltGrendel · #8 03-03-2013, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexlotl

As a fellow beginner with T-Rex dimensions, I can heartily recommend the Squier Jaguar VM SS. It's cheap as, has a 30" scale (4" shorter than a P), and sounds far better than it has any right to, particularly when restrung with flatwounds.

Big thread on them here: Squier Jaguar Short Scale Club Part 2

This with a big +1.

Stop by and set a spell. We're friendly folk.

M.R. Ogle · #9 03-03-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexlotl

As a fellow beginner with T-Rex dimensions, I can heartily recommend the Squier Jaguar VM SS. It's cheap as, has a 30" scale (4" shorter than a P), and sounds far better than it has any right to, particularly when restrung with flatwounds.

Big thread on them here: Squier Jaguar Short Scale Club Part 2

Yep. This.

Mushroo · #10 03-03-2013, 08:29 AM

Buying a smaller bass is a band-aid solution; the sustainable long-term solution is to work with a teacher who can teach you to play pain-free. Electric bass is one of the physically easiest instruments to play, even if you have small hands. Get your bass professionally set up so you have low action with low-tension strings; turn the amp up and play with a light, relaxed touch. Make sure you are using 1-2-4 left hand fingering (even if you have tiny hands I bet you can stretch 2 frets, for example 1st finger on G and 4th finger on A) and properly positioning your hand/wrist/arm/shoulder. If your teacher is forcing you to do 1-2-3-4 fingering, or "spider" type stretching exercises that are causing you pain, get a new teacher!

Here's a video demonstrating the safe & comfortable left-hand technique that I personally use:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA

A short-scale bass may be an excellent choice for you, but don't use it as an excuse to neglect your technique. Shifting positions will become easier with practice. Touch your ear. Now touch your nose. Did you miss? No? Good. This means you can also move your hand from, say, the 1st fret to the 6th fret. My hand size is in the bottom 15% for bass players according to this thread, but I've been playing 25 years with no pain (and I also play 42" scale upright bass). You must develop good technique whether you are playing 36", 34", 30", or ukulele.

Good luck from a fellow small-handed player!

AMJBASS · #11 03-03-2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade2you

Small hands aren't a disadvantage if you have good technique. I have small hands and am at home on a 35" scale 6 string.

Totally agreed. I have small hands as well and with good technique there is no disadvantage(and I play mostly upright with a 42 1/2" scale). I recommend taking a few lessons if you haven't already. It will make a BIG difference down the road.

Din Of Win · #12 03-03-2013, 08:47 AM

It's more about personal comfort than actual hand size.

I know some small hand people that sound incredible on a full scale Double Bass... and some ginormous people that sound wonderful on a 30" Fender Mustang.

I'd suggest going to a music store and play around on a few different types of basses. In general, check out some Jazz basses, or Ibanez basses. Even though they are full (34") scale, they have thin necks that allow easier fretting for smaller hands.

I love my short scales, but i'm still happier that i learned on a 34" scale...

agent77 · #13 03-03-2013, 11:45 AM

+1 to all basses listed above

I have a soft spot for Fender MusicMasters too

Davo-London · #14 03-03-2013, 12:21 PM

Short scales are very cool.

However, if you want to stay with standard 34" scale then get a Jazz not a Precision. The Precision neck is thick and wide. Both dimensions are working against small hands.

You'll find the Jazz much easier.

Davo

Laurie Bass · #15 03-03-2013, 12:40 PM

I have smallish hands too. I got my 1st bass when I was 18 and it was a EL Degas Precision copy with a neck like a baseball bat,thick and chunky. I found the first 5 frets quite a stretch while trying scales but over time my left had did get so that I could stretch. My left hand little finger will stretch about an inch further than my little finger on my right hand. Just keep at it,over time you will compensate. Start on a short scale,,then move up to a regular scale (34 inch)

Bluessinger1966 · #16 03-03-2013, 12:43 PM

Love my Hofner!!
Light and short scaled!

Mushroo · #17 03-03-2013, 12:56 PM

Shift; don't stretch! For example if you need to play F (1st fret E string) followed by Ab (4th fret E string), don't leave your 1st finger glued to 1st fret and stretch your 4th finger to reach the Ab; but rather shift your entire hand/wrist/arm up 1 fret so now your 1st finger is at the 2nd fret and the Ab is comfortably under your 4th finger.

Just my recommendation, of course---practice in front of a mirror, looking out for any bends/twist/cramps/tension in your fingers/hand/wrist/arm/elbow/shoulder (both left and right hands) and you will find the best technique for you!

FrednBass · #18 03-03-2013, 12:57 PM

The Fender Musicmaster Bass is a great short scale bass.

I have a friend that has small hands (like, 13-years-old-girl small hands), but he plays a full scale Precision since ever, and he never had a problem.

Dbassmon · #19 03-03-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade2you

Small hands aren't a disadvantage if you have good technique. I have small hands and am at home on a 35" scale 6 string.

This is an answer that everyone just glosses over as if it is unimportant or not correct. The fact is that with proper technique, small hands can play most any neck. Further more, a meatier neck puts you hand in better posture to avoid tendon and and joint injury.

If you get some instruction on proper technique and practice with the same bass, you will get used to a meaty neck and it will become comfortable. If you think a P bass neck is meaty, try playing double bass. People do and people with small hands do. I know, I am one.

Mushroo · #20 03-03-2013, 01:11 PM

Jerry Garcia had a chopped-off middle finger... Tony Iommi has no fingertips... Django Reinhardt only had the use of two fingers... Rick Allen only has one arm! Music comes from inside, and the goal of technique is to remove obstacles, allowing the music to flow from our bodies through the instrument to the listener's ears.

I am passionate about this topic because I wrote an instructional book years ago advocating techniques that I now believe to be harmful. And so I want to spread the word about safe, relaxed hand techniques! If you have small hands (like I do) then this is especially important; people with big hands can sometimes get away with mistakes that we can't.