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In my case, it's small, tight, worn out (at 60) wrists and hands along with a bulging C6 disc right under my left shoulder. I'm a pretty casual player and have the Jag SS PJ. I think I'd be happiest on a 32 but not so much that I'm going to run out and buy one. If I did, it would almost certainly be a MIJ Aerodyne.
mugre
mugre
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
If you like lighter basses or if you have small hands or you are still a kid or maybe a guitar player who want to play a bass more like a guitar ... Also they have a different tone and some people prefer them.
My first 3 basses were 32" scale then my 4th bass was a 33" scale ... it wasn't until 2001 I started owning 34" scale basses. I also owned 1 35" scale. and sold it.
most people use regular short scale strings on their mikros - come to think of it, so do i. as long as the strings aren't too stiff, it shouldn't be a problem. btw, fodera made a set for the mikro 5 specifically, but looks like they were discontinued.
It's my new favorite bass, awesome. Oh and you can get strings for it directly from the Ibanez website.
Does she play one finger per fret on the first four frets? Can she comfortably run the chromatic scale across the strings on the first four frets?
I don't say these things to disparage the woman or her technique or style. I'm sure she's doing exactly what she wants, it just so happens it isn't what I want from my bass.
Does this make more sense to you now?
With her tiny hands, she needs her 32" scale bass unless she wants to move her hand constantly. So, on the lowest pitched 4 frets, to comfortably keep one finger per fret, yes, she needs a smaller bass.
So, that's an answer to the question of
"why use micro and short scale basses?"
I apologize, it sounded as if you were suggesting that she played a full scale bass despite having small hands. There are a lot of people on the forum who feel the size if one's hand is not an issue.
A lot more goes into it then hand size.
I agree its all about personal preference on what feels right for an individual. Some famous bass players (you know their names) used short scale bass for studio album recording, and concerts. Also, some bass virtuosos with incredible technique like the speed they can get out of a short scale. Also there are small handed women who are amazing bass players and they play the long scale 5 string (yea, you've seen them on the YouTube).
I've got small hands.
I have 2 34" 4bangers and a 35" 5er.
Adam Nitti has smaller hands than I do. He plays a 34" 6er.
My friend Josh is about the same size as Adam Nitti, he plays an assortment of Gibson EB-0's & EB-3's that are 30.5"
We're all working stiffs, and we all like what we do.
Josh has a standard Pbass around for when he needs it, and if a gig required me to play a short scale, i would.
Different tools for different jobs.
Alternately, every carpenter has a favourite hammer, but no two are alike.
I have 2 34" 4bangers and a 35" 5er.
Adam Nitti has smaller hands than I do. He plays a 34" 6er.
My friend Josh is about the same size as Adam Nitti, he plays an assortment of Gibson EB-0's & EB-3's that are 30.5"
We're all working stiffs, and we all like what we do.
Josh has a standard Pbass around for when he needs it, and if a gig required me to play a short scale, i would.
Different tools for different jobs.
Alternately, every carpenter has a favourite hammer, but no two are alike.
That's why I keep my
Seriously though, for years I've been trying to make the same point as many of this thread's posters…personal ergonomics are crucial in finding what works best in one's own hands.
I only play 21-25" scale basses, as you see in my signature. For the almost 50 years I played guitar, I was often told I should play bass because I had good rhythm and feel, but I never wanted to be encumbered by a big bass guitar, forget a stand up. Then I started playing ukulele with a senior group and the leader asked if anyone would take up the bass to fill in our sound. When I saw all the sub-short scale choices, I went for it. I don't understand how anyone can play those long neck awkward basses.
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hmmmmm, the " help me understand" post. Badly disguised as a query but actually just a way to have a go at others.
I play my headless Mikro in my girlfriends singlewide trailer. That way I don't put anyones eye out.
Idk, I love that cold hard metallic sound and deep resonance that I get from a longer neck and bigger bass. Usually the heavier the bass the more comfortable I am too. I have pretty big hands, Im a carpenter and have been for 30 years, My hands are calloused beyond comprehension, I cant imagine playing a little miniature neck. My fender zone is almost too light for me. I do however like thin necks without much D shape at all, Like if you combine a spector with a jazz and then stretch it. I pick up a guitar and I feel like an ape on a grinding wheel with it. I hop on a 35 incher and I feel like Robert Duval in Apocalypse Now.
