Basses fitting for players with small hands?

[felis]

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.

Forgot to ask - what are the other two basses you have now - scale and price range.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

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

Fortunately a bass isn't a piano and you can actually get a bass in different sizes, if you dare go against the grain and defy the popular notion that shorter scale basses are handicapped or compromised in some way.

(And good luck becoming a concert pianist if you have short arms and fingers. The odds are not in your favor.)

 

[Avezzano]

Opinions. Btw: make a search for "Petrucciani"!

 

[jd56hawk]

There are quite a number of short-scale basses, not as many out there as full-scale, of course, but I can name at least a dozen without even trying.
Fender/ Squier has already been named, Gretsch, too...and lets not forget Epiphone... EB-O and Rumblekat, Ibanez...Mikro and Artcore, Hofner...the famous one and the Club bass, Danelectro...Longhorn an DC, Hagstrom, and quite a few no name basses.
If you want to go short scale, do it.

 

[BassHappy]

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.

No limiting to it my man, no limit at all - the only limit for me is playing a full scaler - or a short scaler - that is what is limiting. Mediums are perfect. I can fly on those.

 

[west al]

I've changed my playing techniques over 45 years, and never changed out these small hands. I play long, or short with no problems. It takes awhile some times to find a comfortable playing style. When I started playing, so many told me, with small hands, I had to play a short scale. That's not the way it is.

 

[Bent77]

I have small hands and like P basses.

But some days the arthritis and such sets in, makes my SG that much better

 

[Joedog]

I'm shy of 5'8", w/small hands. I play a Precision 5 string w/ no problems whatsoever. Also played a 35" Schecter 5 for years and loved that too. What does that mean? Heck I don't know. Play what feels good, but don't rule out basses due to "conventional wisdom" either.

 

[DrDAV14]

Ask Stanley Clark about his preference in short scale Alembics. If you believe scale size has ANYTHING to do with how professional a instrument is, you don't have a clue and your just purpetuating a false belief. You can buy treasure and junk in all scale sizes.

 

[PCR]

@OP: I used to think the exact same thing. I have small hands, and thought I needed a bass with a small neck.
Then I met this guy and listened to him play: Invalid Link Removed ()

Anthony Wellington is a MONSTER bass player, and an all around great person. His hands are smaller than mine, but his tone and his heart is a thousand times bigger.

I no longer look for guitars to fit my hand. Instead, I work on my left hand technique, and work on moving my left hand up and down the instrument. For me; after I learn a piece of music, I force myself to play the same piece with my eyes closed. This forces my left hand to move around, and not be so dependent on my eyes.

This is probably not the answer you were looking for, but good luck.

PCR

 

[Freddels]

No limiting to it my man, no limit at all - the only limit for me is playing a full scaler - or a short scaler - that is what is limiting. Mediums are perfect. I can fly on those.

If the OP is looking for a short scale bass for small money, then he's limiting himself. If he has money to spend, then he can custom order anything he wants. The limiting part of my post was the selection of basses within that criteria.

 

[Freddels]

Ask Stanley Clark about his preference in short scale Alembics. If you believe scale size has ANYTHING to do with how professional a instrument is, you don't have a clue and your just purpetuating a false belief. You can buy treasure and junk in all scale sizes.

Who said they weren't "professional"? I don't judge an instrument by scale as to whether or not I consider it a pro level instrument.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If it's your style, Epiphone Viola bass ( Hofner copy).

 

[dragonflyrock]

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!

Oh, how true that statement is, Basshappy! I got a G&L LB-100 this past August and used those exact words to describe how it felt playing this amazing instrument. The p bass body and #12 maple neck felt like home. I'm 5'4," so it's true that comfort and fit are unique to every individual.

 

[Thebrownarrow]

I am a short guy with small hands. My current favorite bass is a Jazz body pj bass with a chunky P bass neck. It is super comfy.
The only neck that I have played that felt uncomfortable was an Epiphone Thunderbird that I had for a minute.
I don't think your hand size should make you decide on smaller necks. Try a bunch of basses out.

 

[BassHappy]

Try a bunch of basses out.

+1000

Yup, try everything you can get your hands on until you find what fits you.

 

[west al]

The G&L #12 is a nice neck. I had that on a G&L SB-2 I had.

 

[diamondsplit]

Ibanez SR series Jazz bass MIM

 

[petrus61]

Unless your hands are debilitatingly small, it's an issue that you'll either have to get over if you want to play certain basses (or limit yourself to certain basses) or shell out the cash for one that fits for you. Nobody should be uncomfortable playing a bass, but the hands are going to have to go through an adaption curve, regardless. I could be VERY comfortable playing a Hofner or EB-0 styled bass, but I don't want to be limited to those sounds and pretty much anything realistically outside the realm of those is going to be an "investment" that is outside the scope of what I see as a tool to be utilized furthering my craft.

I just got over it.

 

[twoByFour]

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

+1
I am a normal-sized guy with short stubby fingers (ideally unsuited for any stringed instrument, really). My wife has longer fingers than me. But, I play 34" bass, 25.5" guitar, 24.75" guitar, 17" ukulele, 15" ukulele, and 13" ukulele. Certainly, there are some adjustments to be made. I can tell noticeable differences between every single one of those. However, I have never let that stop me from playing any one of those. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. On the 15" uke, spanning 7 frets in any position is trivial. However, on the 13" uke, trying to fret four strings in the space of two frets can be impossible for some configurations, and extremely trying in even three frets. My opinion is play what you want to play and learn to deal with it. Everybody plays the same size piano.