Be cheap and get an Ibanez Mikro. 28.6" scale length, light, fun to play and around $200 new. And amazingly well built for the money.
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Getting old
- Thread starter gary mitchell
- Start date
I would think a short scale would be a fine idea. The reach would be more comfortable to your arm and shoulder. It might weigh a little less, it might not. It isn’t a certainty. But the reach will likely help.
But pay attention to your hand and think about the neck shape that works for you too. You said you have smaller hands. You might want to look for a slim neck too. Good luck.
I can tell you I have long arms and I can palm a basketball but I still very much enjoy a short scaled or comfort. I hope you find the bass that works for you.
But pay attention to your hand and think about the neck shape that works for you too. You said you have smaller hands. You might want to look for a slim neck too. Good luck.
I can tell you I have long arms and I can palm a basketball but I still very much enjoy a short scaled or comfort. I hope you find the bass that works for you.
I was going to suggest a 5 string and play up the neck, but this works too.
I'm turning 62 in 2 weeks, and I'm in the process of restoring an old shortscale.
To augment my Full scale P.
I'm feelin ya on the getting old thing.
But I'm not getting rid of my everyday bass, and neither should you.
Just get you a shortie.....you deserve it!
To augment my Full scale P.
I'm feelin ya on the getting old thing.
But I'm not getting rid of my everyday bass, and neither should you.
Just get you a shortie.....you deserve it!
You could take a shot at this one foot $ 125.00.
It's in the classifieds here on TalkBass.
For Sale - Shredneck 4-String Travel Bass
Not sure if its short enough, but I guarantee it's light enough.
It's in the classifieds here on TalkBass.
For Sale - Shredneck 4-String Travel Bass
Not sure if its short enough, but I guarantee it's light enough.
Any issues with hand position or technique?
- Covering 4 frets, with 4 fingers? Maybe thumb pivots instead?
- Wrist not straight enough?
- Neck held too low (which makes a straight wrist difficult)?
- Grabbing neck hard, rather than pulling from your shoulder?
Dano/Jerry Jones basses are lighter than many 6 string guitars, and sound great. Check them out if you get a chance. My JJ used to sound great in church with the piano, until the church got rid of everything but organ to be more "reverent"....
65 now, long time back issues, now arthritis in hands…that said
I’m playing either a Mustang PJ or Guild Starfire II exclusively live now, Kala on backup. They work great for my 2-7 gigs a week.
I’m playing either a Mustang PJ or Guild Starfire II exclusively live now, Kala on backup. They work great for my 2-7 gigs a week.
I’ll be 63 in a couple of weeks. I love(d) Warwicks, but they cramped up my left shoulder. Their design shifts the neck to the left. I currently have two five strings - one is an ESP LTD RB-1005, and it’s less than 8 lbs. 34” scale, and much more comfortable to play than the Warwicks.
To be fair, I don’t know how I’ll feel about all of this when I’m 70.
To be fair, I don’t know how I’ll feel about all of this when I’m 70.
I'm 71 (!). 5'7'' Small to medium hands. Sorry, I've tried 32" scale, and I only find satisfaction with 34" scale. Better to adapt than to sacrifice performance.
Play what's comfy. Probably half my basses are shorties now. I still play 34" all the time but got the shorts for their tonal differences.
+1 on the other comments singing the praises of short-scales. Yes, they're comfortable and fun.
Lots of options out there these days as short-scales are getting more and more popular... and you can spend as much as you want to on 'em.
I have an all-passive Serek that I really love (30.5" scale length). I also really enjoy my Kala U-Bass (20.375" scale length)... man, with the rubber strings, that thing is a TOTAL BLAST and produces a killer upright tone. They're a bargain, especially on the used market.
Lots of options out there these days as short-scales are getting more and more popular... and you can spend as much as you want to on 'em.
I have an all-passive Serek that I really love (30.5" scale length). I also really enjoy my Kala U-Bass (20.375" scale length)... man, with the rubber strings, that thing is a TOTAL BLAST and produces a killer upright tone. They're a bargain, especially on the used market.
Going short scale is certainly a valid solution, another possibility to consider is changing your strap height/stance. Look at how Hadrien Feraud and Janek Gwizdala play, both have a very classical guitar type approach in that when playing seated the bass rests on their left knee rather than the right, and the neck is more vertical and closer to your body. This should help your shoulder pain from reaching for the F-G stuff you mentioned, because the neck is more vertical and closer to you, your elbow can stay down where it is at rest. The left foot can even be elevated with a little stool. Try it, see how it feels. If you like it, adjust your strap to keep the bass in that position when standing as well. Or just play seated all the time, no shame there. If you like your Mitchell, I feel you should play your Mitchell. There’s a few things you can try before giving up on it, like the change in position I mentioned. Also, a good massage every now and then might do the trick to help your shoulder, yoga or tai chi or any stretching routine may help if you’re in good enough health to do that. Maybe a good physical therapist or yoga instructor could help you with a little stretching routine you can do to relax your shoulders before you play. Also, Dr. Randall Kertz, whom I believe is a member here, and easily findable on social media and the web, is a bass playing doctor, a chiro I believe, but he specializes in posture and ergonomics of playing and all that stuff. He has some free articles out there detailing his ideas you may find
Helpful. Best of Luck, hope you find a way to keep playing what you want.
Helpful. Best of Luck, hope you find a way to keep playing what you want.
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Age wise I’m about 7 months younger that you. I think you need to be comfortable when you play. I’m pretty certain that the pain you are experiencing is not the intended cross for you to bear so to speak. Get something that works for you.
You may consider trying one of Ibanez's SR series basses. They've got a 34" scale but the body is smaller and lighter than most basses, and the necks are very slim and narrow. So much so that I was sure it was a short-scale bass when I first tried it out and made my local dealer get a tape measure and prove it was 34" before I was sold.
