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Best bass for small hands ?

G

Gröt

May 1, 2008
42
0
#1
Hi !

Well...i have always played on my Fender P and still do, but i got quite small hands
and i wonder if you have any ideas about another way to go.

There are some 32" basses i think and there are the mighty Geddy with it´s thin neck.


What do you suggest ?

Cheers,

/Gröt
 
#8
Don't know your budget, but my son plays a Gretsch Electromatic short scale bass. It is fairly inexpensive, has a nice tone, and is a great fit for him. He is about 5'1" and has hands about the size you would expect for an 11-year old that height. Not quite comfortable yet with a full scale bass, but getting there.

And I have to admit, I enjoy playing the Gretsch as well, as a break from my Jazz.
 
#9
#16
You may want to check out Luna Basses.

The Andromeda got me through several gigs before having carpal tunnel surgery and they do have a Paz Lenchantin (sp?) Sig model, P-Bass style, that they just released.

Just a thought that you may want to consider as an option to the other fine suggestions already posted.

Cheers,

Mr. BEAR
 
#19
This may be a somewhat controversial position on the matter but here goes..

I too have very small hands but I have found that a P-bass or my NYC Empire, which have fairly meaty necks are very playable and comfortable if one has good technique. With your thumb in the middle of the neck and fingers arched to form a C shape, even small hands can easily play a Louisville Slugger of a P-Bass neck. The bass must be worn fairly high to maintain good hand posture.

It's when players have their thumb hanging over the finger board and they wear the bass by their knees that one can get into real trouble with small hands.

Try and play a double bass with bad hand posture and technique...ouch, that hurts. With correct technique, I can play a fat neck.

If you prefer the feel of thin neck, well that is a different matter. Lots of suggestions of sleek necks in this thread.
 
#20
Dbassmon said:
I too have very small hands but I have found that a P-bass or my NYC Empire, which have fairly meaty necks are very playable and comfortable if one has good technique. With your thumb in the middle of the neck and fingers arched to form a C shape, even small hands can easily play a Louisville Slugger of a P-Bass neck. The bass must be worn fairly high to maintain good hand posture.
Click to expand...

High posture is decent to a certain extent, but high positioning of the bass isn't easy on the plucking hand and can force one to work their shoulder muscles a bit. I always advocate mid gut playing with about a 45 degree angle on the bass to capture the best of both worlds.
 

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