Bases for small hands

A neck can be shaved down, but a thick neck is actually much better for you physically.

 

This is your first bass? Buy a 3/4 and play it for a while before you decide you need a smaller neck. This topic has been discussed ad nauseum on Talkbass. The overwhelming opinion is small adult hands are best off avoiding instruments designed for children.

 

Size wise see if you can find a 5/8ths bass. It could be a good fit for your size and will help out with learning good technique. A 1/4 size bass probably isn’t the best bet for you. If you want some inspiration check out Gary Karr! I think he stands around 5’4”.

 

Also, IME, string length is as important as the thickness of the neck. If you have small hands don't go over a 40" string length (IMO, as they say!)

 

When the neck is thicker, the fingers are naturally spread wider. When the neck is slimmer, the fingers are closer together and you need to use muscles to spread them wider. Of course, the neck shouldn't be too thick, but slimmer isn't automatically better for small hands.

 

Bigger hands are not always a plus for this instrument - which is so old that people were smaller when it was invented. So, I would start with renting a straight forward 3/4 and see how you get on with it and some lessons. So far, the people who made these assumptions from the outset here at TB have, in fact ,proven them false (even if they do not know it).
Some great players have moved to smaller instrument from an informed position, however. So, starting with a normal bass will give you the perspective needed. Adults actually needing a smaller instrument is an extremely rare situation.

 

What's false about what I said?

 

Nothing.

 

I would add that it is an advanced decision to made from an informed position, however.

 

Worth noting also that Chi-chi's bass is pretty big. Being small doesn't seem to stand in the way of her playing amazingly on it!

 

Looks like Steve Bailey doesn't always play a 3/4 sized bass - AFAIK.
See below at 1:14.

 

Since 3/4 basses are found with anywhere from 40-43" string lengths these days, all other things being equal, I think the decision for a small handed player would ideally be to go with the shorter. I'll guess that the majority are 41.5-42" and those will be more available, and shouldn't stop a smaller person from getting into the instrument.

 

And I think going with whatever rental presents itself, and then worrying about specifics IF hand size in fact presents an issue. It very likely that it won't.

 

Agreed.

 

Has it been clearly established whether OP is talking about neck length (mensure) or neck girth (thickness)? In this instance we all need to be on the same page.

At 5' 6" (and diminishing as I age -- Hobbiton here I come!) through shivoting I have made my peace with the forty-two inch mensure. But some necks are just *too* deep and thick for me to get my fingers around comfortably.