I'm a double bass player, and have always played a 3/4. I'm looking to upgrade to a new bass, and was wondering if a 5/8 might be suitable... I'm a small guy, only about 5'7. Would a 5/8 be a suitable transition, or would it setback my playing and not be worth the change? Discuss.
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Double Bass 5/8 vs. 3/4
- Thread starter GreenEggsnHam
- Start date
Around and around we go! 
Okay, start right here in the Wiki posted in this forum.
Bass sizes are not standardized. What's really important is the vibrating string length. Typically, it's around 42". Larger-bodied basses sometimes have longer string lengths. One maker's 5/8 may actually have a larger body than another maker's 3/4. Play a bunch of basses and buy the one that suits you ergonomically and sonically. Don't get hung up on whether it's called a 5/8 or 3/4. If, for some reason, you're looking for a smaller bass, then what one maker calls a small-bodied 3/4 might suit you just as well as what another calls a 5/8.
Okay, start right here in the Wiki posted in this forum.
Bass sizes are not standardized. What's really important is the vibrating string length. Typically, it's around 42". Larger-bodied basses sometimes have longer string lengths. One maker's 5/8 may actually have a larger body than another maker's 3/4. Play a bunch of basses and buy the one that suits you ergonomically and sonically. Don't get hung up on whether it's called a 5/8 or 3/4. If, for some reason, you're looking for a smaller bass, then what one maker calls a small-bodied 3/4 might suit you just as well as what another calls a 5/8.
Where are you located, GreenEggs? I know where you can get ahold of a new Shen hybrid with a 5/8 body and 3/4 mensure for an impressive price.
There's a great sounding 5/8 size Juzek in the classified section here. I've played it briefly and was very impressed with it. The seller is a great guy too.
My personal feeling from seeing lots of basses/players, is that orchestral players go for the bigger ones - while Jazz players are happy to stick with a good one regardless of size - Dave Holland was playing the smallest bass I had seen, for many years with no apparent thought of an "upgrade" ! 
- Dec 13, 1999
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Don't use your height, use those things on the side of your head.
i go by the tone and the string length. anything longer thatn 42" is a bit too long for me, and i actually have one that's 40.5" . anything shorter than that i would think is too short. i also have one that's 41.5. they are all considered 3/4. ive seen some 5/8 basses that are 39", and although ive never played one, i would think that's too short for me based on my experience with the 40.5.
Let's not forget that Tom Martin, who stands at 5'5", played a 4/4's Panormo in the London Symphony!
But I'll echo what some of the others have said here-- string length is more important, and the body size TENDS to (this is not absolute, by any means) follow suit.
I recently tried a 7/8's Juzek with a 43.25" string length and found it quite comfortable-- but I'm 6'2", with the shoulders and build of an NFL defensive end!
But I'll echo what some of the others have said here-- string length is more important, and the body size TENDS to (this is not absolute, by any means) follow suit.
I recently tried a 7/8's Juzek with a 43.25" string length and found it quite comfortable-- but I'm 6'2", with the shoulders and build of an NFL defensive end!
John Sprague
Sam Shen's US Distributor
- Mar 10, 2003
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A 5/8 can sound as good as a 3/4, but it has to be excellent. Another thought to ponder: 3/4 basses with smaller upper bouts are coming back into fashion, just about everyone is making one now.
I'll jump into this thread because I'm a guitarist with 38 years playing and I picked up e-bass a year and a half ago and have gotten pretty serious and as I progress, I'm contempating an upright, but I'm also 5'5" and I've played friends' 3/4s and they are WAY too big for me to handle. I'm thinking of getting a half if the tax refund man is kind to me next year. Any suggestions of where/what to look for? I'm going to be using it for jazz...
i guess the point of this whole thread is not all 3/4's are the same. some can be quite small. you need to give more details about the bass you tried. what brand is it? what are the measurements. im pretty sure you will not like a half size bass. i dont think ive ever seen one that is not a student model piece of junk. im sure they exist, but not common. there are very manageable 3/4 basses all over the place however.
Is this close enough in price and geography?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f144/1-2-size-fully-carved-bass-sale-so-cal-1000594/
I'm in Sacramento, which is a 6+ hour drive, and its a little out of my price range, but thanks for posting. Also thanks for the suggestion on Upton.
Fusionhead,
There are many good double bass players (male and female) who are as short as yourself (some perhaps even shorter) who play 3/4 sized basses.
I suggest that the problem may be with your approach to the instrument. Double bass is not a large electric bass guitar.
A half size instrument may seem easier to play, perhaps because it may allow you to use your guitar technique - but the trade off is usually a lack of volume and poorer tone quality.
Getting some orientation lessons from an experianced double bass teacher, will get you started with proper double bass technique, and will also help you avoid potentially serious injury.
There are many good double bass players (male and female) who are as short as yourself (some perhaps even shorter) who play 3/4 sized basses.
I suggest that the problem may be with your approach to the instrument. Double bass is not a large electric bass guitar.
A half size instrument may seem easier to play, perhaps because it may allow you to use your guitar technique - but the trade off is usually a lack of volume and poorer tone quality.
Getting some orientation lessons from an experianced double bass teacher, will get you started with proper double bass technique, and will also help you avoid potentially serious injury.
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
I'm 5'5", and I play a Shen SB80 3/4. It fits me just fine, but it took a month or so to get used to the size. Lucia Turino from The Devil Makes Three is about 5'4" or 5'5" and she plays the hell out of a 3/4. It may be a little tougher in the beginning, but it's definitely doable.
- Mar 9, 2001
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I purchased a 1/2 size carved German bass earlier this year and have been quite happy with it. It has a great sound especially with using the Turner UB-1 pickup. I got mine from Matt Bohn, the Bass Doctor and he is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains: [email protected] He knew I was looking for a smaller carved bass and the timing was perfect since I had just sold my F Bass BN5.
Wally
Wally
I had a 5 string 5/8ths built by Seth Kimmel and it is absolutely the best choice in basses I have ever made. My playing and confidence have improved dramatically and the things I can acomplish on it changed my playing. Go for it!
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