Double Bass Double Bass Size For 5'0 Guy?

[TonyPlaysBass]

Hey folks,

I'm looking to venture into the world of double bass, but I'm a short guy. I've seen a few posts about not getting a 1/2 size bass, but am unsure if that still applies due to my height. Should I opt for a 3/4 or a 1/2? Would a 5/8 be a good compromise?

 

[LouisF]

Another thing to consider is "wing span" - how long are your arms? Don't get something with a 20" upper bout (shoulders). A small 3/4 or 5/8 should be fine. What city are you in? The best thing (no matter what one's hight is) is to play as many basses as possible before deciding

 

[jj.833]

I think that if you are to have problems related to bass size, you will have them at the beginning. When you know how to play it, you will likely be able to play 3/4 without problems. Check some youtube double bass lessons, there are many bass women, some of them way smaller than their bass, and they can rock.

I think that in your situation, I would look for a teacher or experienced player in your area, and ask them for advice. If possible, ask more than one guy. They can show you how to stand by the bass, how to hold it, and all things important size-wise.

 

[nick4bass]

All great advice here, I'll just offer up some support. I'm about 1 inch taller than you and I play a 3/4 bass. I'm only okay, not really good or anything. But that's a direct result of my lack of practice, not my lack of height! The scale never was much of an issue for me.

 

[BobDeRosa]

Two of the nicest-sounding basses I've ever heard were 5/8. I think that size would fit you nicely.

 

[turf3]

Well, there are three factors:

1) Body size of the bass (we already know about your body size) - probably the least important
2) Body shape (smaller bass with high square shoulders will be a lot harder to play in high positions than a larger bass with very sloping shoulders)
3) Scale length - this is the biggie - it depends a lot on your hand size and shape whether the ordinary 3/4 bass 40-41" scale will be OK or not.

Thing is, the body size of the bass and the scale length kind of track, except when they don't - I have a bass called "large 3/4" and its body is quite large; but scale is just 40". There were a lot of old plywood basses made in the 30s with medium to smallish 3/4 bodies and 42-43" scales.

Once again, nothing in double bass is totally standard.

If you are just beginning, the standard advice would be to rent a bass first anyway - I'd go for a 3/4 with a shortish scale (40" or thereabouts) and see how it goes. I sure wouldn't drop the cash for a 5/8 bass before I even knew how to play or evaluate a bass.

DB is very different than many other instruments in that just buying one and then figuring out how to play it is not a recommended sequence - especially since it's so darn expensive.

 

[damonsmith]

People were smaller when the instrument was invented - think of the suits of armor you see in museums. As mentioned above wingspan is more important. I would look for a bass with thinner ribs, the body is just a speaker. A flatback might feel better.
Double bass sizing is all over the place, but a smaller 3/4 is easy enough to come by.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Just because you are not tall does not mean you have to search out a small bass imho.

George Martin's awesome video here talks of the difference in size and playability. Not mentioned but worth noting, a Laborie style angled endpin adds to a basses playability in thumb position. It also enables arm weight with the bow due to a slightly more horizontal position of the bass.

You will have more success getting a great sounding bass if you look for a small 3/4 carved bass than a 5/8ths or smaller instrument.

 

[Ludwig]

With your size, I would go for a 1/2 or 5/8 bass. Reason: else you will have problems with fingering the lower positions and at the same time being able to have the bow between fingerboard and bridge.

 

[groooooove]

canted backs, sloped shoulders, string length, rib depth, upper bout size, it all adds up.

there really is no other answer than to play a few. a normal 3/4 would likely be fine, but nothing wrong with a good 5/8, or a 3/4 with sloped shoulders.

good luck!!

 

[bassmanbrent]

There are plenty of examples of amazing bass players that aren't tall and play 3/4 basses. For this reason, I think a good sounding 3/4 bass with a modern setup will work just fine for you. That said, if you happen to find a 5/8's bass that totally kills, why not go for it?

 

[TonyPlaysBass]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback! With help from my sister, it turns out I have a 145cm wingspan, so I'll try to look for a smaller 3/4 if a 5/8 isn't available. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[TonyPlaysBass]

With your size, I would go for a 1/2 or 5/8 bass. Reason: else you will have problems with fingering the lower positions and at the same time being able to have the bow between fingerboard and bridge.

That's also a fair point, having access to the lower part of the fingerboard is pretty important. Would there be major differences in tone and volume?

 

[bassmanbrent]

That's also a fair point, having access to the lower part of the fingerboard is pretty important. Would there be major differences in tone and volume?

I think you'll have trouble finding a good sounding 1/2 size bass and even more trouble trying to re-sell it, should you need to. There are probably good sounding 5/8's basses to be had, but again, I think re-sale will be harder than a 3/4 bass unless it is really remarkable sounding. Just my 2 cents, as always...

 

[LouisF]

Just as an example:

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[Ludwig]

Many good bass solo players like Marcos Marchado or Lauren Pierce have smaller basses, that fit into the 1/2 or 5/8 size range. And if you are mostly playing in an environment where you need amplification, a small size bass body, that is less prone to feedback, is preferreable. Every time a smaller bass size gets mentioned, seems the brains are switched off. If a bigger bass was always better, 4/4 basses or bigger would be the norm, not the 3/4 basses. The bass has to fit the body of the player.A tall player can easily play a smaller bass, but a small player not a bigger bass. Main points to decide,if a bass is too big, are: In playing position with pin completly inside the bass, the nut should not be too far over the head of the player. Fingering the lower positions above head high for a long time does not work. And at the same time as fingering the lower positions, you must be able to get a good sound with your right hand, and that would e at end of fingerboard or below. With a size of 5.0 ft, you will have problems playing with a mensur of about 104 cm (3/4 bass), does not matter the shape of the bass. Usually it is easier to play a bass that is too big sitting down and having the bass leaning to you more (thats avoids having to finger the lower positions with hand above head level), but the pin then has to be fixed to keep the bass from sliding.

 

[ee-san]

There are plenty of examples of amazing bass players that aren't tall and play 3/4 basses. For this reason, I think a good sounding 3/4 bass with a modern setup will work just fine for you. That said, if you happen to find a 5/8's bass that totally kills, why not go for it?

Remember Jane Little (RIP) of the Atlanta Symphony at 1.5m (4'11"):

Jane Little (musician) - Wikipedia

 

[Ryan in PDX]

Just because you are not tall does not mean you have to search out a small bass imho.

George Martin's awesome video here talks of the difference in size and playability. Not mentioned but worth noting, a Laborie style angled endpin adds to a basses playability in thumb position. It also enables arm weight with the bow due to a slightly more horizontal position of the bass.

You will have more success getting a great sounding bass if you look for a small 3/4 carved bass than a 5/8ths or smaller instrument.

@TonyPlaysBass For what it's worth, I'm 5'4" and have never felt hindered by the physical dimensions on my Eastman 3/4. Working with an instructor, even through zoom lessons, has been valuable in catching bad habits, correcting posture issues, and making adjustments to prevent injuries. A good luthier can also make (and teach you how to make) setup adjustments that will change the playing feel a great deal.

+1 on the angled endpin suggestion. I am a fan.

Don't forget we also have the option of playing seated to change the angles, and different string constructions to change the feel on the hand(s).

Welcome to the world of DB. Now, go call your nearest bass shop and try out some basses!

 

[bassmanbrent]

Many good bass solo players like Marcos Marchado or Lauren Pierce have smaller basses, that fit into the 1/2 or 5/8 size range.

So does Edgar Meyer. I think the point here is that all the people mentioned above are highly specialized virtuosi that have access to, and can afford, very expensive instruments that are well suited to their musical endeavours, while the OP is just starting and may not live in a region with a lot of instruments available. Better to get a good sounding, well set up 3/4 bass to start than a mediocre sounding 1/2 or 5/8 bass as a starter in my opinion.

Every time a smaller bass size gets mentioned, seems the brains are switched off. If a bigger bass was always better, 4/4 basses or bigger would be the norm, not the 3/4 basses.

I haven't really seen this mindset in this post. I think everyone here knows bigger is not necessarily better or louder.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I went to college with a girl who was probably about 5' - and she did fine with a pretty standard 3/4. She played seated on a stool (but so did the guy who was 6'7"), and I did notice that she kept her bow in a fairly narrow vertical range, where other players might choose to dig in near the bridge for certain passage - i assume that is an arm length thing. Like I said, she made it work, earned a performance degree.

On the other hand, I'm not that short (5'7"), and if I was going to get another DB I'd be trying to get a REALLY SMALL bass. Like, I want to play sitting in a chair. A chair.