Double Bass Engelhardt m3 1/4 or 1/2?

[eldoctorbass]

Hi - new here to this side of the bass world. Bear with me, as I did some searching but didn't find the answer I was looking for.

I've never owned an upright but found one that I can afford ($450). It's from '85 and is supposedly an M3 1/2 size. The only M3s I found online were 1/4, so I'm wondering if that's correct. Any help or advice on buying this would be appreciated (I know I need to get it set up correctly).

 

[Bob Gollihur]

Scale length is 1/4 bass size, body is larger than most 1/4 size basses.

 

[eldoctorbass]

Thanks, that might explain why the seller thought it was 1/2.

Anyone want to weigh in on the price? ($450).

 

[Ed Fuqua]

well, not really on price, but on size. Are you sure you want a half size bass?

 

[eldoctorbass]

No, not really. I'd like something to begin learning on at home. I've been playing electric for 20 years and would like to expand my vocabulary. Should I hold out for 3/4?

 

[Tejano Bass]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

MAESTRO JUNIOR BASS
The perfect bass for the intermediate student. It has a close grained spruce top and maple back. Violin shaped, with a brown finish. Hard maple fingerboard.

EM3 • Junior 1/4 size

 

[Ed Fuqua]

If you want to paint the barn RED, then go ahead and paint it red. It doesn't make much sense to paint it blue as an "intermediate" step.

A "full size" ( 5/8,3/4, 7/8 or 4/4) is what guys who are doing this for a living or just for fun use, it's the industry standard if you will. The "sizes" are approximations at best; you can find basses described as "a big 3/4 or small 7/8".
1/2 and1/4 size basses are hard to resell; nobody generally uses them on gigs, they don't have the projection of a larger bass (generally), the sustain (because of the shorter string length) etc. etc.

The best thing you can do is stop typing and go play as many different basses as you can.

 

[eldoctorbass]

Thanks all, this is very informative.

 

[TheSuzie]

As owner of both 1/4 1nd 3/4 DBs, I will say that the 1/4 is a good instrument in it's own right for certain things but it is no substitute for a larger DB. Unless you are rather short of stature, you will look a bit odd playing a 1/4 standing up. I played mine (currently for sale) sitting on a low stool.

Peace,
S