Double Bass Bass too small?

[anotherbassist]

Hi,
I've recently been in the market for a double bass to learn on and have come across one that fits my budget but it is only a 1/4 size. I am almost 6' 5", do you think that a 1/4 size bass would be too small for me?
Thanks,
Jason V

 

[LeslieD]

Yes, it's too small. I wouldn't start with anything less than a 3/4s size for your height (and for the size of your hands), and even then make sure it has a nice long endpin! The 1/2 and 1/4 basses are starter basses for children, and maybe for very tiny people I guess.

 

[kmanley_29649]

I would imagine that would be rather awkward.

 

[Andrew Grandahl]

Oh my God yes. You need a 3/4.

 

[Ed Goode]

Even with a 3/4 you might need to extend the endpin .... voice of experience from another 6'5" guy ....

 

[Jay Corwin]

I'm 6'5" - 6'6ish". I play a 3/4, and I have plenty of end pin. The bass will take out anything hanging from the ceiling, and is not recommended for use in basements at that point!

 

[Bijoux]

I am 6'2" and I played a small 3/4 size for years. It was very easy to play I thought, then finally I got a 7/8's and although the bass felt much bigger and the string length was two inches longer, everything just sort of fell into place and it was actually also very easy to play and almost instant fun! I have one of those Romanian basses, it's a "Panormo" model, with broad shoulders, 42" string length, some people sell it as a large 3/4, others as a 7/8 , anyway, I can't stop playing it.

 

[Mark_T]

Whenever I carry my bass down the street, people always ask if my cello is big enough for me.

 

[lunarpollen]

Hi,
I've recently been in the market for a double bass to learn on and have come across one that fits my budget but it is only a 1/4 size. I am almost 6' 5", do you think that a 1/4 size bass would be too small for me?
Thanks,
Jason V

I'm 6'3" and I've messed around on a couple of basses that size (one was just about bass guitar scale length) and I thought they were fun and not awkward to play. But then again, I hadn't become used to 3/4 scale. If money was no object, I'd probably get one in 1/4 or 1/8 scale just for the fun of it.

I'd say that if you were planning on becoming eventually accustomed to 3/4 scale and sticking with it, then the 1/4 would not be such a good idea.

 

[Martin Sheridan]

At 6'5" you can play the biggest bass around e.g. assuming that your arms are also long.
Also, you're just not going to get good sound from a small bass. You want at least a 3/4, but you could play a 7/8 (most professionals do) and even a 4/4 or 5/4.

 

[Bijoux]

but you could play a 7/8 (most professionals do) and even a 4/4 or 5/4.

wow! I have not seen a 4/4 since the early 90's!!!
anyone around playing a 4/4?

 

[Carl Johnson]

There are no small basses; only small bass players

 

[carl h.]

Take the end pin off and put on strap locks and a pickup.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

There are no small basses; only small bass players

Wrong on both counts ....

So they do make small basses for children to learn on and I have met many bass players who could in no possible way, be described as "small"!!

 

[Deleted member 5551]

I'm 5 inches shorter than you and play a large 3/4 size bass.

You'll be fine on right about anything like Martin said.

It'll be worth it to save the money and get something that you won't want to replace within a year.

 

[Montsegour]

Well you would most certanly stick out.

 

[MIKMAN]

The majority of the bass players use 3/4 basses. I have seen some 4/4 with a string length of 108 cm and some (Central European school) with a string length of 110 cm. My modest skills manage to play a 108 cm bass but last week i tried a fully carved Hungarian 4/4 with 110 cm and it was rather cumbersome for me. I am 1.76 m tall with long fingers and i believe that i can do it after everyday practicing, but a 4/4 bass IMHO it would be useful only in some unamplified gigs. Buy a 3/4, practice a lot and everything will fit in place.