• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Small Hands and 5 String bass- Help!

vcs700s

vcs700s

Nov 17, 2006
594
69
Stephenson, VA
#1
I love playing a five string bass but have small hands, especially short fingers.

For those of you in the same situation, what would you recommend for a thin neck that would allow me to reach the low B string comfortably, especially from the 5th to 12th fret?

I had a MM SUB 5 but it was a little too wide.
 
#4
Well, where at the back of the neck? the center? or do you hook over the top? If you're hooking your thumb over the top like a acoustic guitarist, then you'll never reach the B string unless you're a huge guy. Move it over the the centerline of the neck (the skunk stripe). I play a 6 string fine in this manner, so you should have no problems.

If you already have your thumb on the skunk stripe and can't reach the B, i think you may need to switch over to thumb position - aka floating the thumb in front of the fretboard. I can't imagine you have hands THAT small though, since i'm asian and probably have the smallest hands of the lot.

Of course a nice narrow neck-ed bass will help. I know the Ibanez's have narrow 5s, especially the SR series. I don't know enough about Musicman basses so i can't recommend something from them or something like them. Look for 17mm spacing.
 
#6
I think there's some kind of myth that people buy into with small hands. Nobody ever said anything to me when I started playing bass about hand size, and it's never ever hindered my playing in any way. My hands are small. I believe some people put it into other people's heads that small hands will make this stuff more of a challenge, the people believe it, and it therefore becomes more of a challenge.

I say forget about your hands, find a 5 string bass that feels comfortable, and just play it. Your hand size makes no difference.
 
#7
With the thumb in the middle of the neck you should have no problem reaching the B. the base of the neck - that is, the side with the G-string - should sit snugly in the curve made by your thumb and forefinger, with no space, if you are reaching for the B. Try this, and see if you can get there.

If you can't reach it that way, lowering the thumb won't do you any good, there's no way to wrap around that extra length over to the front of the neck. Thumb position is then my recommendation, which is to have your thumb IN FRONT of the neck, next to your index. (like you would if you were cupping... something. like rain falling from the sky)

AND - by definition, its not that comfortable, at least not as comfortable as playing a 4-string. This is the yoke all non-4-string bassists-who-are-not-yetis must carry.
 
#8
I have relatively small hands because I am relatively short. I have no problem with my Carvin bolt 5 string. I tried a G&L Tribute 2500 and the neck on this was quite narrow for a 5'er- very comfortable and quick. My biggest challenge is my Fender Deluxe 5- it has a rather large neck compared to the Carvin or Tribute. I can still play it but initially it felt large and slow- I got used to it, however and now there is no problem using it.
 
#9
vcs700s said:
Back of the neck, in the middle usually.

Even though I play guitar I have really tried to work on my technique with the bass.

With short fingers, would I move the thumb on the neck toward the G string?
Click to expand...


Yes. And you'd do that regardless of finger size IME when going for the lower strings. The farther you move your hand that way, the shorter the reach to the B string. In the middle may work fine for the middle and upper strings. Also, if you raise the angle of the neck it can make things easier. Wearing the bass higher vs. lower also helps.
 
#11
Brad Johnson said:
Yes. And you'd do that regardless of finger size IME when going for the lower strings. The farther you move your hand that way, the shorter the reach to the B string. In the middle may work fine for the middle and upper strings. Also, if you raise the angle of the neck it can make things easier. Wearing the bass higher vs. lower also helps.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the most reasonable idea so far. I'd suggest talking to some sort of teacher to assess your form. I see no reason why a bass would be problematic as described, other than hanging the bass too low.
 
#12
If you have the money, Smith and Zon have the most easy-to-play necks I've experienced. Although Ibanez are narrow, the 16.5 string spacing proved uncomfortable to me. I prefer 17 or 18 mm.

Also, as an alternative, if you play mostly a supporting role in your band, try tuning a 4-string to low B-E-A-D. In most band situations (pop, rock, metal) you won't need the those high notes anyway.

Try it with your Bongo - I bet it'll sound nice.

You would need to adjust your bass truess rod and saddles, if using the same strings, or get a B-string set.
 
#13
vcs700s,

I've got small hands as well, and I've tried out a *lot* of different basses. Physics come into play here -- as in, a finger that's a certain length will only go so far, though some people will tell you that it's not true. In my experience, is *is* true, and that is not to mask a case of second-rate musicianship or any of the other things that some folks tend to say.

But one thing I *did* notice was that the width of the neck isn't quite as important as the thickness, front to back. I've come to really like a flatter-profiled neck, like on my Lakland 55-02. I'm a little faster on my Godin because the neck is flat, narrower and 34" scale instead of the longer scale of the Lakky 5ver, but I can handle the extra length by moving my fretting hand up and down the frets a little faster, and if the neck's flat enough, I can get across the strings just fine.

IME and YMMV and all the rest of that crap...
 
#14
spade2you said:
Sounds like the most reasonable idea so far. I'd suggest talking to some sort of teacher to assess your form. I see no reason why a bass would be problematic as described, other than hanging the bass too low.
Click to expand...

As long as the teacher doesn't have the very common "no more than X-number of strings" bias, that could be very helpful.

I know several players with small hands who play more than five strings comfortably without resorting to narrow necks. A thinner neck can sometimes help but IME the most important aspect is how you try to accomplish playing the particular bass. People think a wider neck requires larger hands and I guess if they "think" that, it's true... for them;). If it actually were true overall, how could anyone but a giant play an 11 string?:hmm:

Try this simple experiment... instead of placing your thumb in the middle of the neck, place it behind the G string. I've yet to see any adult who's hands are so small they can't reach the low B at say the 7th fret when they hold the neck at a comfortable angle and have the body at a comfortable height. If you're wearing the bass low, that's not an issue with the bass:)
 
#15
vcs700s said:
I love playing a five string bass but have small hands, especially short fingers.

For those of you in the same situation, what would you recommend for a thin neck that would allow me to reach the low B string comfortably, especially from the 5th to 12th fret?

I had a MM SUB 5 but it was a little too wide.
Click to expand...

Try the Peavey Grind Bass V, the strings are really close to each other, and the neck is very thin (still solid though).

Good luck!

D.Don
 
#17
i'm going to have to agree that it really shouldnt be a problem for you. maybe try different thumb possition, or trying playing without your thumb on the neck at all. straight up finger pressure. i know the SRs have pretty thin necks. the Ibanez Ergodyne 5s have pretty small necks too. i could be wrong but i thought i read that the sterling 5s had really tight string spacing also.
 
#18
Brad Johnson said:
Yes. And you'd do that regardless of finger size IME when going for the lower strings. The farther you move your hand that way, the shorter the reach to the B string. In the middle may work fine for the middle and upper strings. Also, if you raise the angle of the neck it can make things easier. Wearing the bass higher vs. lower also helps.
Click to expand...


I have tiny hands. Men's XS motorcycle gloves are usually too long in fingers.

I play a Peavey Millenium 5. When practicing my scales on the b string, specifically frets 8-12, angle the neck up high like Brad says. I almost have it intersecting my shoulder with the bottom of the bass at my hip. This gives you an angle close to that of an upright bass. Also around the 12-15th fret ( instead of keeping my thumb in the center of the back) I lay it along side the neck. Then the area of your palm from the top knuckle to the beginning of your actual fingers will mute the G (and sometimes the D string) leaving you enough reach to arch the fingers and get good downward pressure on the E and B strings.

HTH
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back