Looking for Recommendations on 5 string bass for small hands

[Kmonk]

I think a G&L 2500 might suit you quite well. Used is likely less than $1,000. If you go the Tribute route, it would be considerably less.

Bones

I disagree. My hands are a little bigger than average for someone my height (5'10") and have long fingers. I have never had a problem playing any bass until I bought a Tribute. I found the neck to be chunky, more so than a Precision. I disliked the neck so much that I returned it one week after I purchased it. The tone was great but I didn't like the neck.

Ibanez makes some nice basses with slim necks that are reasonably priced.

 

[TrustRod]

Small hands doesn't mean you need a small neck. I know a girl under 5 feet tall who plays upright. Rhonda Smith is tiny and plays full size 6 strings etc...

But if you prefer a smaller neck the Ibanez SR that was mentioned many times is a good choice. Small neck 34" 5's I've had are Peavey Foundation, Guild Pilot, Tobias Killer B. The Tobias was too small for me so I sold it.

My Yamaha BB415 has a 1.68" nut, narrower than anything else I've owned but also has a near full size 18mm bridge spacing.

The Ibanez Mikro or ESP B5-JR are 28.6" and still have a useable B if you don't play with a gorilla's touch. The Mikro is not a toy but it is easy to rock out and overplay it and then blame the instrument.

 

[TrustRod]

Current Yamaha BB 5s spect at 43mm or 1.69291 inches for the nut.

 

[selassie1]

Here you go: For Sale - Dean Razor 5 string Gig machine!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Sire V3 . Nice comfortable neck , versatile tones, sounds good passive and active , low cost.

 

[nostatic]

Technique can trump physical specs (as noted above). If you have good left hand technique and physically move around the instrument a small hand can play a wide neck.

Personal preference is a whole 'other thing...

 

[And I]

45mm is 9mm per each of the 5 strings.

You divide by the number of spaces between strings, since that's what we're measuring. A 5 string has 4 spaces between the 5 strings. 45mm distributed between 5 strings gets you 11.25mm spacing.

 

[B-Mac]

Good Day All,

I am looking to get a used 5 string bass which would be a very good instrument for playing live but does not break the bank. I have small hands if that also factors into which basses are best. Also, I would want to know where to buy as there is very limited inventory near me. My other basses are 34" so I am capable of playing that scale. I play rock, blues, and Motown.

I appreciate your responses,
Mike

If you’re looking a thin fast neck on a 5 string check this out if you can find one.

Discontinued so only basically used unless NOS
Comes in quite a few flavors and pup combinations
Dean Hillsboro

 

[B-Mac]

It is the width of the neck.

Narrow?
Wide?

What max min are you looking for?

 

[burgerdj]

I’ve found basses by Warwick, Ibanez, Music Man and G&L to be great for smaller hands. All are 34” with good B strings and range between 16.5 and 17 mm spacing.

 

[BassBrass]

I second the Sterling Ray 5 (34") also Schecter CV-5, ESPs and Lakland 55 whatever. 35" scale can be dealt with with on an easier neck, and the low B is often superior. I'm not a low mass narrow neck Ibanez fan, my 2005 RB400 yes, 4 string BTB (the 5 is too wide)

 

[73jbass]

Stingray 5, Sterling 5.

 

[jamesblue]

Try a 4 string - tuned BEAD. Test it out with DR Drop Tune Heavy string set, has a 115 low string and should fit a regular 4 string nut. If you like it get the nut adjusted for BEAD tuning and use a 125 or so low B.

Ibanez 5 strings have a narrow neck.. too.

 

[Samatza]

Ibanez SR, Tune or Bass Collection 5 string if you can find on the used market. They all have narrow spacing and thin neck. I use my Tune 5 for long sets, it's small, light and easy to play, it's the 5 string version of the Tune bass in my avatar.

 

[groooooove]

used carvin, LB75.

impeccable build quality. I really like the ones from about 10 years ago.

tight string spacing, 34" scale.

 

[bordinco90]

I would say get an Ibanez 5 string. Super thin and comfortable.

 

[JGbassman]

Used Ibanez SR505, best bang/buck out there IMO. Super slim neck and tight string spacing, the only five I’ve picked up that didn’t feel like a 2x4.
Ibanez SR505 Five-String Electric Bass | Reverb

This would be my pick as well. I have one, and they are great basses with smaller but very comfortable necks. They are high quality and sound good. A little electronic tweaking and they can sound great.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I have smallish hand and I much prefer the comfort of thicker necks. In other hand, I feel better with a 34" scale.

I have always believed that short people must have thick and short necks (on their bass).

 

[Maxdusty]

Soundgear but also want to add Schecter as another option - sure their 5 strings are 35" scale but because the body of the Stiletto is small to begin with, you don't notice it and yet the B string isn't floppy like a lot of 34" scale five strings. The neck width (slim C) of their Stiletto models are typically 1.771 at the nut. Not only slim in width but thin neck back to front.

I like both brands Ibanez and Schecter mind you and am primarily a 4 string player, but for five stringers I would go with Schecter with their 35" scale over most Ibanez options, just my preference.

 

[Ric5]

Looking for Recommendations on 5 string bass for small hands

This question is precisely why I started converting 4 string basses into 5 string basses.

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425-Ric.htm