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Basses appropriate for a SMALL student

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d_alexthegreat

May 21, 2013
34
0
Atlanta, Georgia
#1
Hello TB,
I am currently teaching a new bass student that is using my acoustic bass that is way too big for her. She is going to get a new bass, but I was wondering if the awesome people here could help me suggest some good basses that would be great in sound, yet comfortable in size.
She would mainly be playing praise and worship music, and her budget is around $200 or so.
If possible, please refrain from generic terms and relate to specific lines or models of basses.
Thanks for your response!:D
 
#8
There's also the Squier VM Jaguar Short Scale - really good option. Brand new $179
Very versatile and highly regarded as excellent value/quality for the money. 30" scale. Has both a p-bass and a jazz bass pickup.

http://www.amazon.com/Squier-Modifi...396233646&sr=1-16&keywords=squier+jaguar+bass


also: Squier Mustang bass $285
http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Vintag..._sbs_MI_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=18J0DFXG76N62Q0X478J

Epiphone Les Paul bass - you can buy a used one for less than $200.
http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Les-Paul-Special-Bass.aspx

Gretsch Junior Jet bass $245
http://www.amazon.com/Gretsch-Junio...8&qid=1396233227&sr=1-9&keywords=gretsch+bass
 
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#10
All I own are short scales.

I'd recommend any of these:

1: Squier Jaguar SS. A bass she could play for a long time. Good neck, good balance, good P pickup, mediocre J pickup. But since most people use the P as the main and blend in the J it works well.
2: Ibanez Mikro. 28 1/2 scale. Easy to play, small thin neck. Sound good. A friend of mine who is very small uses one in her band.
3: SX. They make a P and a J in short scale. Many people on here like them.
4: Epiphone EB-0. Single pickup, not as many tonal variations as some other basses.
5: Squier Mustang. I prefer the Mikey Way. Like the maple/maple neck and the humbucker gives it a different tone than other Squiers. Some prefer the Vintage Modified Mustang. Both are good buys.
6: Squier Bronco. Good cheap learner bass. Before I bought one I'd check the neck. Mine is almost unplayable from the bad fretwork. Some of the frets hang over the edge 1/32 to 1/16. Definite finger cutters. But, once the frets are filed it is a very good beginner bass.
7: Gretsch Junior Jet. Good bass. Ready to play right out of the box. Good neck, pickup.
8: Hofner Icon/Ignition. You can find these used in the $200 range. Good, light, thin neck. Plus they have a cool factor that some others don't.
9: Danelectro. You can find used models of these used for about the price.

Hope this helps. I have others that I like, but they are outside of your price range.
 
#11
@ fjadams- Wow! That was almost exactly what I was looking for.
And thanks for the response, everyone else! Just about any of these models could do. This significantly opened up her options for blazing into the amazing world of the bass. I might point her towards the SS Jaguar and Mikro, but whatever she likes is what she will get :bassist:
 
#12
You're welcome.

I love SS basses, they're all I own.

You really can't go wrong with either of those two. The Jag SS is a good buy. Easily upgraded to improve it when and if needed. I've found the red ones have the best paint jobs followed by the black with the silver being last.

You can also get the Mikro with a rosewood or maple neck. I like the looks of a white one with maple neck best of all of them. Has a classic look.
 
#13
I'd recommend this specific one. With shipping, it'll end up costing her (her parents) just over 100 bucks. Great bass too.
3234718 said:
These are great little basses, especially for 80 bucks.
USED GRETSCH ELECTROMATIC BASS

Guitar Center Brownsville
Brownsville, Texas 78521
956-542-0526
$79.99

110032554_lg.jpg
Click to expand...
 
#14
I'd recommend that you tell us the age and approximate height of your student.

My 5th graders love playing my CS Jazz—because they are learning upright, and the Jazz is a short-scale to them compared to their 37" scale uprights.

In a pinch, I'd go for a used Mustang. Great tone and feel, small, light, short scale, and it will last them into young adulthood.
 
#16
Find out if she's serious about the bass. If its just a hobby to see if she likes it, any of the above will be fine. If she seems like she really loves it, she should save some more money and get a MIJ Mustang re-issue. They have been going for around 400$ and they are absolutely top notch. Something she can play for the rest of her life and never need an upgrade. Good enough for the Rolling Stones......
 
#19
d_alexthegreat said:
Any short scalers out there that have suggestions?
Click to expand...

I bought my son and daughter each a SX Ursa 1 short scale-- their version of a p bass. Both stay in tune well, have a nice tone, are comfortable to play, and came setup fairly well. My daughter actually started playing hers at church already. And she loves the purple color.
Hard to beat for about 120 dollars shipped. I highly recommend them.

And for comparison, I have a couple of basses that I use for teaching purposes. One is an Ibanez Mikro. It's not bad, but in my opinion, the SX's have a much nicer tone. But that is a personal preference.
 

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