Best mini bass for kids?

[jmlee]

The Ibanez Mikro has just a 28.5” scale length, is light, balances and plays great, and frankly sounds terrific.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Mikro. Beats the Mini-P hands down, IMO, and I've had both. I would (and have) gigged the Mikro, and it rocked! I wouldn't be comfortable gigging the Mini-P.

BBB

 

[somatose]

Starting cheap might be great for a few years. If they’re still interested in playing after that, an “upgrade” instrument might rekindle enthusiasm to practice

I just did exactly that with my kid’s ukulele and it’s been fun to watch (and better on the ears). Now if I could just convince them that bass is superior…

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

UBass 23” scale thumper.

 

[kojdogg]

Mikros and Mini P’s, in my experience, are both great values and would be good to start learning on. I currently have three Mini P’s (you can get them on GC used for a lil over a hundo if you’re patient) and a Mikro 5 (also had a 4 when they first came out) and all now play almost as well as any of the significantly more expensive basses I have. With a Mini P’s I could see the simplicity and fewer pickups to accidentally hit being benefits. They are also really easy to upgrade and really benefit from upgraded tuners and bridges— I’ve used Guyker tuners and bridges (subsequently upgraded to Hipshot) from Amazon and got really good results.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Bronco bass is the first one that comes to my mind, could also last a lifetime afterwards and will probably keep its value overtime.

One of my guitar players got one when he was a kid and still using it randomly many decades later…………..……maybe it’s a Music Master……………..kind of the same ball park anyway.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Adopt me!

 

[FunkHead]

https://reverb.com/p/mayones-cali-4

 

[jimmydean]

The Fender mini PB is so nice I almost bought one .

 

[Root 5]

I like the Jackson Minion bass guitar. 28.6” scale length, PJ, awesome

 

[kojdogg]

Adopt me!

https://reverb.com/p/mayones-cali-4

Should have held that request until @FunkHead entered the chat haha

 

[TerribleTim68]

I got a Mikro for my grandkids to thump around on. They've been playing with it since they were 5.
I also like the Jackson Minion, which is basically the same size as the Mikro. But I also like the pointy headstock.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Though all proven options for (but not limited to) beginners, even a Squier Mini P, an Ibanez Mikro or a Jackson Minion can be bulky for a 5yo. Ditto for the CMZ Audio/J&D Mini Jazz.

If you feel the child would benefit from having an aptly-proportioned instrument in her hands from the get-go, a guitar-scale bass may be the best move.
I cannot personally vouch for them since I don't own nor have I played them but, alternatively to the above-mentioned Glarry GW101, Kala Solid-Body U·Bass or Tiny (Boy) Bass, you could also consider the
Flight Mini Bass (TBL - transparent blue)

Flight Mini Bass (TBL) Solid Body Transparent Blue
Website info on scale length (claimed 20") is apparently inaccurate: scale is 23", as is the super-juicy

Flight Mini JB Bass

Flight Mini JB Bass

Both, but the former especially, are very competitively priced:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/flight_mini_bass_tbl_solid_body.htm
Flight Mini JB Bass SB


There's also the more affordable, but somewhat less inspiring visually,
Carry-on by Blackstar Mini bass

Carry-on by Blackstar | Travel Mini Bass Guitar | Portable & Lightweight
Carryon by Blackstar Mini-bass
NBD: BlackStar CarryOn Sub-scale


Here is a comparative review (links to single-product video reviews in the description) of a number of these models, by TB member @Bass Lady:

Other videos can be found in the suggested playlist.
_____

SUPERSHORT-SCALE STRING AVAILABILITY CAVEAT AHEAD -
While their size makes this category of instruments a very attractive option for a <10 y.o. beginner, string replacement is a week spot for them:

Kala has one roundwound and one flatwound set available
Solid Body Electric U•BASS® Strings – Kala Brand Music Co.™

and Blackstar also offers a roundwound one for their Carry-On bass
Carry-on Bass Strings - Carry-on Piano
https://www.amazon.com/Carry-strings-Travel-Electric-Guitars/dp/B0CNDBLV2S

There's also a line of strings designed for the Hosco Tiny (Boy) bass by Dogal,
the RW160TB (roundwound)
Link Removed
Carryon by Blackstar Mini-bass
NICKELSTEEL TINY BOY BASS - RW160TB - Set 4 Strings 23" scale 045-065-085-105 - Andbadguitars
and the JC106TB (flatwound)
Link Removed
NBD: BlackStar CarryOn Sub-scale
CARBONSTEEL TINY BOY BASS - JC106TB - Set 4 Strings Flat Wound 23" 045-065-085-105 - Andbadguitars

Finally, there's a roundwound set by Fernandes, the BSZ-2000
Fernandes BSZ-2000 ZO-3 Bass / PIE-ZO Strings Free Shipping for PIE-ZO ZO-3 Bass | eBay

and a nylon-core nickel flatwound set that has enough metal to work through magnetic pickups, the Pyramid 639 100 (aka Pyramid 235)
Invalid Link Removed

 

[burgerdj]

Mini P’s are still too big for my 4 1/2 year old, but he’s starting to literally whack and slap a Glarry GW101 that I got for about $60 and then modded for him to grow into. I have it plugged into a little mini amp that he can use when he so chooses— not trying to teach him anything yet, just want him to get comfortable with the ergonomics of it and have it be something he chooses to do rather than trying to force him to. I also have 25” and 27” scale History Jazz mini basses for down the line.
View attachment 5448243 View attachment 5448244

That “Larry” bass looks really sweet!

 

[kojdogg]

That “Larry” bass looks really sweet!

Haha thanks for noticing. I have another one semi done called “Clay” (which took some creative masking) and I figure I can get away with “Gary” (low hanging fruit) and maybe “Gar” (for any old NBA fans out there) for any Glarry’s to be named glater

 

[BAG]

It's the reason why I haven't sold my Jag Short Scale even though I rarely play it.
It's got a fantastic neck, sounds good, and will be perfect if any grand kids in the future get interested in bass. I can't see me getting a bass as good quality for what I paid for it years back.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I don't have a specific recommendation as I haven't played 90% of the options people have already suggested.
I would think any good short scale would be better than anything.
I'm just blown away that 5 year Olds are starting to play bass!
I thought I started early at 13!
Good on them!.... less violins and clarinets!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I'd go cheap. Kids lose interest in things.

this a hundred percent. If anything just leave it around the house for them to mess with whenever they want. the minute you force them into something, forget it. they're done

 

[LowEndSoul]

This is my first post here:
Kala U-bass. It's small and takes much less finger strength.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

This is my first post here:
Kala U-bass. It's small and takes much less finger strength.

Welcome! Way to dive in with a recommendation!