Help, my tiny wife needs a bass

[Cut the middle]

Here ya go.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

G&L Fallout!

It's essentially a miniature L2000, which is one of their signature basses. It even has the switch for single, parallel, and series modes! Cool colors too.

 

[BBassBassington]

Does she like humbuckers/the Stingray sound? If yes, StingRay or G&L Fallout.

Does she like the P bass sound? Then that's a Mustang, Bronco if she wants a more punk rock sort of sound.

Is she looking for a Jazz/PJ tone? The Ibanez' mentioned are good choices here, and so is the PJ Mustang.

Something more unique? I'd go for the Specter, Hoffner, or Gretsch.

Personally I'd go for the StingRay, followed by the Mustang, followed by the Bronco. I've only had one SS bass and that was a Squier PJ Jaguar, which was really neck divey and sounded way too rubbery for my liking. That bass was one of the least comfortable I've ever owned, and it felt like a toy.

 

[Ric5]

Hey guys,

I have been reading on TB for about 5 years now, and just now decided to join (sorry). I am in the early process of teaching my wife to play bass, and I've noticed a little problem. My 2nd Gen Sire V3 5 string is just too big for her. The body takes up her whole torso, and she has to lean and stretch to play the 1st fret. So I'm hunting a good quality 4 string short scale, preferably with a smaller scaled body as-well. The options I've considered are below, all are at or under $550. (btw, she is 5' 0" with a 5' 2" wingspan)

Sterling Ray Short Scale
Fender Player Mustang Bass
Ibanez Talman TMB30
Sire U5 - preorder
SX Short Scale P Bass

Any other recommendations or things to consider?

Ibanez Mikro

 

[MCF]

Mustang! Either in the Fender Offset Series / Player series or new Squier Classic Vibe one.

And if you want to go cheaper: Gretsch G2220. Totally different sound though.

Have her try the Gretsch. They’re very nice basses.

 

[MMiller28]

Because of this thread, I just ordered my 21-month-old daughter a purple Ibanez Mikro out of fear that they may be discontinued by the time she's ready to start playing in a couple years. We spent some time today watching videos of Tal Wilkenfeld and some other "girl bass".

Enablers! Every one'a'ya!

 

[ComeHomeShane]

Because of this thread, I just ordered my 21-month-old daughter a purple Ibanez Mikro out of fear that they may be discontinued by the time she's ready to start playing in a couple years. We spent some time today watching videos of Tal Wilkenfeld and some other "girl bass".

Enablers! Every one'a'ya!

now that's an investment!

 

[MMiller28]

now that's an investment!

That's one of the words I'll use when my wife finds out

 

[MakoMan]

I have both a Mikro and a Talman 30" scale. They are both excellent short scales but for me the Talman is a better fit due to the chunkier and wider neck. The Mikro neck is just a little too thin for my preferences. However the Mikro weighs under 6 lbs while the Talman is pushing 8. I think if I were 5' tall the Mikro would be the perfect bass for me.
I also had a Fender MIM P/J Mustang which a lot of people love and have recommended here. I really wanted to love it myself, but it was truly second most disappointing short scale bass I have ever owned. I'd take a Mikro, Talman, SSJag, Gretsch or Bronco over it any day of the week.

 

[HardNHeavy]

KAM Mini ukulele Bass

Dont know how small she is, but i couldn't resist.

 

[Audiomicrowave]

I'd recommend an early 90's Fender Urge Standard - the 2 pickup version. They have a very small body, medium scale (32"), balance very well, and can be found in the $500-600 range. The small body makes it feel like a shorter scale. I have one of the American versions and absolutely love it.

 

[Greenstreet]

I had my largest model (52” tall, 55#) do a quick photo shoot to illustrate standing reach with a shorty SX P, Ibanez Mikro, and my Les Paul JR.

The Mikro bass has the best standing reach for my boy. The Stingray isn’t much longer, but the body is bigger. The Mikro isn’t a bad bass but can feel a bit like a toy.

But the MiKro got the biggest smile...

 

[2F/2F]

Hmm. My ex was 4'10" (and a half, she would furiously argue), and she played a T-Bird...while nine months pregnant. Go figure.

Jazz Basses do tend to sit more left on your body, thus pushing the neck more left, IME.

I'd go with the Mustang. Plentiful used, decently made, decent tonal palette, and easily the best looking of the bunch.

P.S. Found a pic.

 

[juancaminos]

While not the greatest of all time...she did do solos.

While not highly technical I like it.

 

[juancaminos]

I'd look into the Mustang or short scale Jaguar. Take her out for a bass shopping spree, let her decide.

 

[Hawaii Islander]

This almost made me pull the trigger on the Sterling Ray short scale

 

[A9X]

My late wife was 5' tall and played my XL2 with no issues, so a SS might not be needed. Just take her shopping, try a few and see which has ergonomics that suit.
However, a suggestion would be the Link Removed. 30"scale, PJ pickups that are quite decent as is the hardware, excellent balance and ergonomics and really nice fit and finish. No 4IL flipper headstock like fenders. I bought one of these on whim when my Fender Jaguar was on order for ~$US80 S/H and when the Jag came in, within a few minutes I knew which was better and promptly sold the Jag at a loss.

 

[fretlessman71]

Has an Ibanez Parlor Bass been mentioned? 25" scale acoustic, and it's VERY cool. About two and a half bills.

 

[crankypants]

Player or Squier Mustang. Easy peasy.

 

[Voyevoda]

I own both a SS Stingray and a short scale vintage modified jaguar. The stingray is much higher quality and a smaller reach due to the bridge being further down the body. It is heavier, still less than 8 lbs, and has a slightly chunkier neck which I like. I actually like the stingray so much that I have been trying to sell the Jaguar