I have what I consider smallish hands as well and I always found that in the "Fender" style the Jazz Bass neck is the easiest compared to the P bass. If you can find a used Geddy Lee it has a very thin neck and plays great!
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Basses fitting for players with small hands?
- Thread starter Bassgrowl95
- Start date
well... as it seems, a lot of these guys forgot one of the issues here is not having a guitar store nearby to just go and try everything... ANYWAY...
in my experience, some of the best necks on basses for people wanting something maybe a bit smaller/thinner or some might say more comfortable (although that totally depends on the bassist's opinion) are THE SQUIERS. I HAVE THE AFFINITY PJ, AND I LOVE IT. ALSO, THE ibanez sr series and short scales. also, the newer yamaha trbx series basses are pretty similar on neck comfort to the ibz sr. going from this, you may look up some videos on short scale basses (jaguar by squier, ibanez, esp, fenders, achecters, etc. ... all of these gius and others make them.)
in my experience, some of the best necks on basses for people wanting something maybe a bit smaller/thinner or some might say more comfortable (although that totally depends on the bassist's opinion) are THE SQUIERS. I HAVE THE AFFINITY PJ, AND I LOVE IT. ALSO, THE ibanez sr series and short scales. also, the newer yamaha trbx series basses are pretty similar on neck comfort to the ibz sr. going from this, you may look up some videos on short scale basses (jaguar by squier, ibanez, esp, fenders, achecters, etc. ... all of these gius and others make them.)
time for the op to check in again. what basses do you already have and what do you like/hate about them??
I had a hofner hollowbody (in my avatar pic) and I would mention that they're really different. Don't order one of these without trying them. I tried the hofner and an epi viola bass at GC and the hofner felt much better to me than the epiphone.
(It was perfect for one group I was in but we hardly get together, and perform maybe only twice a year. that's why I traded it)
I had a hofner hollowbody (in my avatar pic) and I would mention that they're really different. Don't order one of these without trying them. I tried the hofner and an epi viola bass at GC and the hofner felt much better to me than the epiphone.
(It was perfect for one group I was in but we hardly get together, and perform maybe only twice a year. that's why I traded it)
Opinions. Btw: make a search for "Petrucciani"!
You hear him start to struggle at about 3:30, obviously he needs Hugh Laurie's "pianissimo".
Or ask Bill Clements how he copes...
Just get on with making bass notes...
... from a Ubass, from a National pocket bass, from a bass harmonica, from a Taurus synth, from an upright, from a cello tuned EADG, a guitarron, 30" 32", 34 3/8", 42", Rhodes Piano Bass, key bass, keyboard computer software bass...
Find what works for you, get on with the making of the BoOm-bOoM.
Actually, bass clarinet has always been one of my favorites. I played it in high school concert band. One day, when I have the money to spare, I'll get one.
Fender/Squier '60s Precision CV has a neck similar to a jazz bass with a narrow nut and a slender profile (jazz basses, in general, can be quite comfortable). Ibanez SR series have very slender necks. Also Danelectro Longhorn short-scale basses are great for small hands as is the Fender/Squier Affinity.
Ibanez SR basses are probably great options for the OP. Super slim necks. So I don't think it's whether the op can play a bass with a wider neck (he has a P-Bass ) but he's looking for one that might be more comfortable for his hands.
I'm a fairly big guy and I only own 34" and 35" so I can't say much about which short-mid scale basses are good options, though a lot of people have told me they like Ibanez. I do know that for a full scale bass, my ESP LTD B-204SM has a very slim, comfortable neck that might make life easier for someone with smaller hands.
On a related note, it's interesting how many people seem to be opposed to the very notion of anyone buying a smaller instrument that fits them better. It's not like anything below a 34" scale stops being a real bass, so why should so many people care if somebody wants something smaller that they feel more comfortable playing?
On a related note, it's interesting how many people seem to be opposed to the very notion of anyone buying a smaller instrument that fits them better. It's not like anything below a 34" scale stops being a real bass, so why should so many people care if somebody wants something smaller that they feel more comfortable playing?
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Rather than scale, the thing I'd be most concerned about in a bass is how thick or thin the neck is. Contrary to the belief that thin necks are comfortable, I find that my hands tend to cramp up on really thin necks. I prefer something with a deep U, as opposed to a shallow U.
My advice OP? Go out and try basses of different types to find out if the neck suits you. Don't be worried about how long the neck is, of course some may be unwieldy, but the answer is not to go out and get a super short scale bass. Also, since you're starting out, I'd advise you to get an instrument that is "standard" and comfortable for you to play.
My advice OP? Go out and try basses of different types to find out if the neck suits you. Don't be worried about how long the neck is, of course some may be unwieldy, but the answer is not to go out and get a super short scale bass. Also, since you're starting out, I'd advise you to get an instrument that is "standard" and comfortable for you to play.
I have a Fender P-bass and an Epi T-bird. The T-bird is fine, but the p-bass is on the edge of being uncomfy further down the neck where it thickens, especially when playing standing up. I can play on it, but it's not very comfy. Both are 34" scales ofcourse. Might be my technique that is the problem too.
But i really want a bass with a thinner neck, been thinking about trying a medium scale. And thanks for all replies, have a lot of basses to look up now. Maybe a Jazz bass sized neck would fit me better? heard they are a lot thinner then a p-bass one.
But i really want a bass with a thinner neck, been thinking about trying a medium scale. And thanks for all replies, have a lot of basses to look up now. Maybe a Jazz bass sized neck would fit me better? heard they are a lot thinner then a p-bass one.
Go see Beethoven's 9th Symphony, watch the principle bass player and you will realize that scale is irrelevant. Learning good technique has everything to do with it. Shift, don't stretch uncomfortably. I also had a teacher who advocated pivoting with your thumb anchored in certain situations. Stretch, Shift, Pivot and you won't need to worry about scale.
+1 on the Ibanez SR series. I have small hands, and the thin neck makes them much easier to play. This is not a "false problem", I find a wide P bass or 5 string pretty uncomfortable to play.
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I'd spend the cash on lessons and get your left hand technique upgraded.
You don't need to stretch. Just move your hand to where you need your fingers to be.
You don't need to stretch. Just move your hand to where you need your fingers to be.
Play the bass that allows you to be the best player you can be.
It's that simple.
It's that simple.
Setting aside all the "you can play any scale with any sized hands" comments, I'm gonna reiterate my Fender Mustang recommendation. It's short scale with a skinny neck and a low radius. It's a pain in the butt for me to play with my slightly large hands. I'd imagine for someone with small hands, it would be perfect.
I think with practice, you can play pretty much any bass. But you will find some you are more comfortable with. I too have fairly small hands, I have 2 short scales and a "regulation" P. Love them all, and have got to the point where switching to and from short scale is no longer an issue (started with the short scales). But, for me, the most comfortable is the Gretsch Junior Jet. Like Fuzz said, some have an issue with the slab body, but I don't. It fits your price range, sounds truly amazing, looks awesome, is terrific value for the money, and I find it the most fun to play. You really do have to try a bass to see how it feels to you, but at least most places now have a decent return policy, so you won't be out too much if it doesn't work for you. I just keep reaching for my Gretsch, it just "fits" me best, and one day....a Thunderjet! Keep looking, you will find what's right for you.
I have pretty small hands but I don't want to sacrifice playing all these wonderful basses and get a short scale bass... so now I play an SX Jazz bass and a SUB Stingray, wonderful thin necks, my small fingers can easily reach any note I would like to play... but the P bass neck is just too much for me.
A truly drool-worthy-looking bass that sadly gets absolutely no discussion time on this forum.
It's on my someday wish list as well, slab body or not!
And once again we have a thread where somebody is asking about short scales and more than half the posts are of the
"I've never played a short scale bass, but here are the reasons you shouldn't either!"
Why not just tell the OP to try as many basses as he can get his hands on. Bring it down to the best 3 to 5. Pare that down to the best 2, then choose the one that you think you will use and be comfortable with considering tone, playability, looks.
Why not just give the OP some useful help instead of the usual sausage fest of the longer scale you play the more manly you are.
Why keep perpetuating simple minded "facts" about basses that are short scale.
1: You can't intonate short scale basses properly, patently false. I have about 20 SS,s and every one one of them is set up properly.
2: Short scale basses are just cheap copies of "real basses". I'd put most of mine up against any standard scales from the same company or comparable company.
3: Real Men don't play short scales as they are for kids or beginners. Well, I'm pretty sure that most of us are aware that some pretty good bassists have and do play short scales.
But really, why not just give the OP some real ideas on how to go about looking for a bass that fits him, plays easily, is the proper size for his body including hands, fingers, arms, is aesthetically pleasing, gives him the tone he wants, etc? It shouldn't be too much to ask from a newcomer to a lot of very experienced bassists.
"I've never played a short scale bass, but here are the reasons you shouldn't either!"
Why not just tell the OP to try as many basses as he can get his hands on. Bring it down to the best 3 to 5. Pare that down to the best 2, then choose the one that you think you will use and be comfortable with considering tone, playability, looks.
Why not just give the OP some useful help instead of the usual sausage fest of the longer scale you play the more manly you are.
Why keep perpetuating simple minded "facts" about basses that are short scale.
1: You can't intonate short scale basses properly, patently false. I have about 20 SS,s and every one one of them is set up properly.
2: Short scale basses are just cheap copies of "real basses". I'd put most of mine up against any standard scales from the same company or comparable company.
3: Real Men don't play short scales as they are for kids or beginners. Well, I'm pretty sure that most of us are aware that some pretty good bassists have and do play short scales.
But really, why not just give the OP some real ideas on how to go about looking for a bass that fits him, plays easily, is the proper size for his body including hands, fingers, arms, is aesthetically pleasing, gives him the tone he wants, etc? It shouldn't be too much to ask from a newcomer to a lot of very experienced bassists.
