Basses fitting for players with small hands?

[Bassgrowl95]

Hello everyone. I have some spare money and is thinking about buying a 3rd bass in the 250-500 usd range. Problem is that i got rather small hands and i don't really got any music store close to me, so i could use some tips on what basses to look at.

 

[felis]

These go for $179 new in the USA. If you can get them where you're at, they're a good deal. A nice bass for the money:

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Also, do a search for 'short scale bass' here. There's plenty more to pick from.

 

[Freddels]

What do you have now? The size of the hands really shouldn't matter. I've seen little kids playing a wide neck 6 string bass. Women play all different basses too and they tend to have smaller hands.

 

[High ISO]

Look at the Ibanez SR series. They are known for fast, thin necks. I just picked up a SR 300 for this very reason and I like it a
a lot. The street price is right in your range too ($349).

 

[Avezzano]

It is a false problem: any standard bass will fit. Hands will stretch enough to fit the duty! Imagine if you had to play the upright!!!

Personally my bass array goes from the 30" Coronado and Eastwood Classic 4 up to the two Skylines 35". I am 5,5 with small hands but having no issues at all.

Go check any standard 34" you can find in your area

 

[Bassmuzicar]

I consider my hands small aswell. But I've managed to play and become comfortable with 34" basses. I have never tried a shortscale bass though.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

The size of the hands really shouldn't matter.

It is a false problem: any standard bass will fit. Hands will stretch enough to fit the duty!

I don't understand this philosophy. Of course the size of your hands vs the scale of your bass matters! Can a small-handed person learn to deal with a 34" scale bass? Sure, just like a short person could learn to deal with skis that are too long. But why not use something that fits if it's available?

Long scale for me is ungainly and uncomfortable. Short scale is great but a tad small for me. Medium scale is perfect for me. So that's what I play.

OP, buy what fits, ignore the one-size-fits-all mentality!

(BTW, I have what I would consider average-size hands and 34" bass is still cumbersome for me.)

 

[Freddels]

Well, if you're going to go with the 35" scale for your argument, then let's go to 41.5" or 42" and add in George Mraz and Eddie Gomez. Both are small men with small hands.

 

[Gorn]

Fender Mustang.

 

[old spice]

Guild Starfire bass, 30 inch scale, narrow neck, great sound with the bisonic pickups. Kinda costly.

 

[spade2you]

What do you have now? The size of the hands really shouldn't matter. I've seen little kids playing a wide neck 6 string bass. Women play all different basses too and they tend to have smaller hands.

The difference is that people with small hands are obligated to use good ergonomic technique or else. The problem is that the idea of "proper technique" is very offensive and I have to put it in quotes or someone will get angry. It's even more entertaining that most people haven't invested any time in their technique, yet will debate about it until they are blue in the face. If you play music for a while, you'll find people whose poor technique caused a lot of pain and even resulted in surgery.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Sadly the choices for short/medium scale basses in that price range are extremely limited (been there, done that). I tried a Gretsch Junior Jet but didn't like the slab (non-contoured) body. So I didn't try the Mustang for this reason. The short scale Jaguar mentioned by felis gets nothing but praise around here but I never tried one. Probably worth a good look. I ended up building my own Warmoth for lack of high-quality contoured-body options in the non-boutique price range (and I plan to build a second in the coming months). I started with a short scale neck but later switched it for a medium scale neck for my perfect fit. But a Warmoth build is definitely beyond what you want to spend.

The Gretsch is a great little bass at the right price if you can tolerate the slab body. The front man for a hot new British duo (bass + drums) called Royal Blood uses a Gretsch Junior Jet for both bass and lead guitar parts using a bunch of pedal effects and a bi-amp setup. He really makes that thing wail. Great stuff.

 

[Joe Nerve]

People who believe that small hands will affect their playing will have problems playing certain basses. People who know that hand size has nothing to do with it won't . I have small hands. I never considered it any kind of handicap, nor thought about it when buying a bass. If you really feel it's going to be a problem, check out some Ibanez basses, a lot of them have pencil thin necks - thinnest I've ever played, for sure.

 

[BassHappy]

I don't understand this philosophy. Of course the size of your hands vs the scale of your bass matters! Can a small-handed person learn to deal with a 34" scale bass? Sure, just like a short person could learn to deal with skis that are too long. But why not use something that fits if it's available?

Long scale for me is ungainly and uncomfortable. Short scale is great but a tad small for me. Medium scale is perfect for me. So that's what I play.

OP, buy what fits, ignore the one-size-fits-all mentality!

(BTW, I have what I would consider average-size hands and 34" bass is still cumbersome for me.)

I really have to go with Fuzz on this one. You should play the bass that fits you. It's not just about hand size, it is about overall ergonomics. Weight, comfort, balance, body size, scale size all contribute as factors.

Sure, having 25 records in the marketplace, including "live" bootlegs - I can attest that I can play a short scale or a long scale just fine, thank you - but guess what? Medium scales fit me perfectly. I can absolutely fly around and maximize my full potential as a player on a medium scale bass. It is that simple.

I don't think it is a good idea to limit or discourage anyone from seeking out all kinds of different instruments - all shapes, sizes, weights and scales, 4-5-6 strings, fretted and fretless - one and all included - especially in their formative years - and especially with respect to "fit". Everyone is different and when you find it - it's like coming home!

 

[Freddels]

Yes, but you shouldn't have to limit yourself b/c of small hands. I prefer 34" scale b/c that's what I have played for most of my life and muscle memory just works with that scale.

 

[spade2you]

Sadly the choices for short/medium scale basses in that price range are extremely limited (been there, done that).

Gotta stop wishing and put the $ where their mouth is. Inexpensive instruments aren't going to offer flexibility or changing of options.

32" scale fretless Cliff Bordwell 7 string (tuned BEADGBE, 7 string guitar intervals).

33" scale Stambaugh. It could have just as easily been ordered 30" or 32" scale.

Ya just can't go wrong with a Rob Allen Mouse 30.

 

[AMJBASS]

It is a false problem: any standard bass will fit. Hands will stretch enough to fit the duty! Imagine if you had to play the upright!!!

Personally my bass array goes from the 30" Coronado and Eastwood Classic 4 up to the two Skylines 35". I am 5,5 with small hands but having no issues at all.

Go check any standard 34" you can find in your area

Agreed. I'm not a big guy either and I have no issues playing my 35" scale Lakland, or my upright for that matter. Technique is more important. There are of course neck shapes that feel better etc, but its all personal preference.

 

[Feral Feline]

Ubass solidbody

 

[RedHotFuzz]

I have small hands. I never considered it any kind of handicap, nor thought about it when buying a bass.

And I wouldn't consider playing a short or medium scale bass a handicap either.

Had I known such a thing existed, I probably would have learned to play 20 years ago. Instead back then I picked up a standard scale bass, gave it a go, and thought "Ugh, not for me."

 

[Avezzano]

Do they build pianos with smaller scale for people with small hands?

It's stating the obvious that each one must seek the most comfortable bass for himself; yet the scale should not be a "real" issue.

If you find it as an issue, well... It will be an issue! Obviously I can only report my own experience.

P.s.: I would not limit or discourage anybody! Just suggest not being victim of prejudices or similar; try a 34" enough then decide!