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I don't know what I want :(

Evil Undead

Evil Undead

Oct 31, 2009
3,844
587
#1
I'm so confused. I love playing bass, but find it so uncomfortable, sometimes even painful.

I'm a very large (read: morbidly obese) person with small hands, totally knackered wrists and serious back trouble. Due to my physical limitations, I'm getting frustrated, but don't want to give up my passion.

I've tried a ton of basses, some have some really desirable physical qualities as well as tonal.

My perfect bass would be (taken from the best bits of all the basses I've owned):

Spector NS curved body with thru neck
Passive P/J
Short 31" scale
No neck dive at all
Plek'd and set up for crazy low action
Maple board

Even if the lovely people at Spector would make this, it would be way over my price bracket anyway.

Has anyone else ever felt this way?
 
#2
I have a very nice Spector Euro, neck through, and it is an awesome bass. I also have a Spector Legend (bolt on) that cost a third as much new. The Legend is a great guitar. I gigged regularly with it for about five years, it's a great working bass. Keep your eyes open, I bought it new on eBay for about $250, a music store was going out of business. Even at $500, they're a good deal.
 
#3
You actually need a Music Man Sterling HH or HS (not a "Sterling by Music Man"). It will solve all of your issues.

If you're set on a Spector, you need the Doug Wimbish model for the comfort you're looking for.

Can't help you with the cash thing. When you have limitations and/or pain, sometimes you have to spend money to get the right thing so you enjoy playing again. I think these two models will fit the bill.
 
#5
Look for a n/t ibanez sdgr. They have a few NT models, srx? Maybe? Their very reasonable used and are modeled a bit like a Spector. Actually if you can find a Doug wimbish sdgr, that's basically a Spector made for him by ibanez. Sick bass. They aren't short scale but address most of what you want. Light, well balanced, thin easy to play necks for small hands, built well and sound great with the stock electronics. If you can find an older sr800. Those were all Japanese and better than the new ones IMO. The SR bolt ons are great as well if you cant find a n/t. Just my .02.
 
#6
I'll also recommend the Ibanez basses. Great tone, light, easy necks and they done aggravate the nerve damage I have in my neck. This is coming from someone who very much loves Fender and also won't stop playing bass. I have also found the G&L Tribute JB2 and SB2 basses are more easily managed than many other basses. Though they are not neck through they are good sounding alternatives that have worked for me.

Just keep looking. Have you thought of semi hollow or chambered set neck basses? That could also be an option for you.

Around here good short scales are hard to find so I went with the more practical Ibanez regular scale basses.
 
#8
willbassyeah said:
How about 30 inch mustang fender? You can add a j pickup at the bridge when you have more money?
Click to expand...

+1 on the Mustang suggestion. I know it doesn't have all the features you desire but:

- short scale, 30"
- very comfy body in my opinion (not to mention I think it might be the coolest looking fender body shape)
- cops a very nice tone in the P-bass "family"

ffaaedb5440c82321514517cff90b9eb.png


You could score one of ^ these ^ brand new for <$300, then spend a bit more to add a J-pickup at the bridge and some lightweight tuners to avoid any neck dive.

So for what, $500ish?, you would have a badass short scale, passive, neck-dive-free, p/j with maple board! And best of all, it would be pretty unique! Can't say I recall ever seeing a P/J Mustang.
 
#9
The fender mustang 30 inch scale is closest to what OP wants so far. And closest thing I can think of. There are older Ibanez soundgears with PJ pups, but their PJ pups P pups where very poor sound to me. The J pups sounded ok, but nothing special. Replaced the pups in one I had with Dimarzio PJ set.
 
#10
EU, long time no talk!

Sounds like you might be interested in a Squier Jaguar SS.
Short scale (30" I believe), passive PJ, great balance on the strap, SUPER lightweight. Cheap to upgrade electronically if you'd like but the stock pickups sound good as is. Skinny neck, almost guitar skinny and super easy to the wrists. I use mine for noodling around now a days but it used to be my main gigger. Best part: its only $200 brand new and can be found used for 100 or under if you dig.
 
#14
autodidact said:
Hard to "lifestyle change" your way out of beat up wrists and back problems init?
Click to expand...


There are various wrist excersises that can help limberness, strength, and range of motion. There are also some back excercises that can help some types of back problems. I reccomend all bass, guitar, and keyboard players do hand and wrist excersizes regularly. I worked with a guy whod had his hands crushed. In combination with the stuff docs had him doing, I gave him some other excersises. he regained about 90% normal hand use.


Might also concider warmouth. For parts bass made more to specs desired.
 
#15
You might contact Birdsong. Their embrace bass is a short scale (31" or 32", their website is inconsistent) neckthru fretless for around $1000. Even having them add frets and P/J pickups, you could probably get a bass to your specs (minus that carved body) for ~$1500.

Rob Allen also has his Mouse series basses, and those have short scales. I'm not familiar with his pricing, but it sounds like it might be reasonable. He's also got short-scale experience, so he would be a very good source of knowledge in making a supremely playable bass.
 
#17
+1 on an Ibanez, particularly because I own one and I know it is very lightweight and well balanced (no neck dive). Good tonal range too (I got an entry-level bass, so the quality is not the best, but it's pretty good IMO for the price).

In fact you can look at this one: Ibanez Mikro GSRM20. It is a short scale Ibanez. It has P/ J pickup config, and can be set for very low action (mine is). I saw one at a music store once, and I think they're affordable. No maple fretboard though, but I think this one covers most of your needs.

I hope this helps.
 
#19
Is there a budget? What about a custom instrument? If I remember right you're in the UK, but you might get in touch with John Toon in Kansas City. He got hurt in a car accident a while back and started making 32" scale basses with very slim necks and quite lightweight. They resemble Carl Thompsons, but I think he generally charges around $1500 depending on features.

Link Removed and he's also around TB sometimes.
 

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