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Basses for shorties

leehutch

leehutch

Inactive
Jun 20, 2009
112
53
#1
Just wondering what people would recommend bass wise for someone who isn't the tallest?

Got a jazz bass at the moment but feel like it's just drowning me.

I am only 5ft 8 so not massively short but just want a bass with a smaller body.
 
#3
I'm 5'7" and I play a Jazz and a Ray 5. You're not gonna find much more comfortable to play in a 34" scale than the standard Fender-sized offerings. If those are still bigger than a you'd like, you might want to consider something in 30" or 32" scale length.
 
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#4
The reach of your arms is more important than your height. If your arms are shorter than average, you might consider a medium or short scale. FWIW, I'm also 5'8", and I own both long and short scale basses, I don't feel that the body size is an issue for any of them.
 
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#6
I'm 5'9" and for me the solution with the J-style was to go with Sadowsky. Slightly down sized and perfect for my body IMO. :)
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#13
Yeah, I'm around 5'7" (5'8" first thing in the morning…) and play both 34" and 30" scale basses, but not because the 34" feel too big. I use them for different sonic purposes. Experiment with your strap height and angle of the bass a bit maybe. Different basses feel better to me at different heights interestingly--some feel better/more natural lower than higher or vice-versa...
 
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#14
Oh man... I bet if we did a shortest guy on TB, I would be in the top three. I am 5'5" in boots! My first bass was huge. The RD in my avatar. I played Ibbys and P's all full scale. Man, unless you got particularly short arms or something, you play what feels right.
 
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#16
leehutch said:
Just wondering what people would recommend bass wise for someone who isn't the tallest?

Got a jazz bass at the moment but feel like it's just drowning me.

I am only 5ft 8 so not massively short but just want a bass with a smaller body.
Click to expand...

Fender is soon releasing some mustang basses that will have a smaller form factor and scale length.

New PJ Mustang at Summer NAMM

I think you'd be looking for a short scale bass if you find Jazz basses uncomfortable. Mustang basses are short scale. They're also smaller form factor in the body.
 
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#18
agree about the ibanez SR basses - some tall guys feel they're too small, yet they have a full scale.

that being said, i'm 5' 3'. my first bass was huge - an extra long scale 5 string, and the rest of my basses till i injured both shoulders were all long scale basses. i never had any sort of trouble playing my 34" scale basses, but i never owned a jazz.

since you don't mention a budget, i'm just going to through a few lower priced smaller basses out there -

the previously mentioned squier jaguar ss is nice. i enjoy mine, and it's actually got a longer scale at 30" than my herd of mikros.

the ibanez mikro bass - 28.6" scale, very small body. i have the 5 string and two 4 strings (i got one to mod). i like 'em a lot - obviously since i own 3 three them. that being said, one has a mid-rangier tone than the other two.

the hofner shorty has a 30" scale and a thick but tiny body. i have one of those, as well, and it's very playable, a little fatter neck than the mikros. it sounds decent but not great - i'm looking into swapping out the pickup.

the fender pawn shop reverse jaguar is a nice bass wth a 32" scale. the catch for some is that playing the higher frets on the high string is NOT easy.

epiphone and gibson have some nice short scale basses. i actually really like the EB-0 with its 30.5" scale, but found the body just a little too wide for my shoulder. i might still get one, though. they're really fun.

rondomusic has some short scale basses at very low prices.
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and some medium scales, as well
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as well as a violin bass
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btw, i quite like the hofner violin bass - even the ignition version - as well as their club bass. both are light as air with a 30" scale. they're not for everyone, but i enjoy them.
 
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#19
leehutch said:
Just wondering what people would recommend bass wise for someone who isn't the tallest?

Got a jazz bass at the moment but feel like it's just drowning me.

I am only 5ft 8 so not massively short but just want a bass with a smaller body.
Click to expand...

5" 8 is considered average size to many, so an average size bass should do just fine !
It works for the rest of us "5 8" shorties just fine why not for you? maybe just maybe ,
the bass is not the problem.
 
#20
The best bass player I know is a female around 5'3" tall and she has the shortest stumpy little fingers I've ever seen on a muso. She only plays 34" scale basses and is just a brilliant player who gets around the fretboard so well. Sure, play short scale if you prefer it for weight and reach. There's some great ones out there. I'm 6'3" and started on the Jag short scale.
 
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