ok, i'm a 5 foot woman wanting to play bass but i'm finding it rather difficult due to the size and weight of my bass. i'm not sure what my bass is because i got it as a gift but assume that it's just a starter average cheep bass. which i thought was great since i'm just a beginner. Due to my small size i'm already looking for something different and i'm hoping someone out there can suggest a bass that would fit me.
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Need a little help
- Thread starter tld2cool
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aye, thats a tough one. i once saw a girl in a band... about 5 foot as well, really short and timid, and she played the biggest fender jazz bass i have ever seen. it might just be me here, but i think it looks awesomeCoolnessFunkadelic when a small chic wrestles this huge bass.
but for u, i know the Ibanez GSR 200 has a nice small and very comfortable body. not too heavy either, nice small frets with a fast neck. my first bass and it was easy to learn on. im not a big guy either so it fit very nicely
hope that helps
but for u, i know the Ibanez GSR 200 has a nice small and very comfortable body. not too heavy either, nice small frets with a fast neck. my first bass and it was easy to learn on. im not a big guy either so it fit very nicely
hope that helps
yeah chicks with 'full size' basses are cool.... but if it is too much for you look into a hollow body/semi acoustic, so the weight will be cut down since there is less wood and most of them have smaller necks (also added cool factor as semis rock!!).
also mess with different straps as weight distribution can KILL a great bass by making it just seem heavier than it really is. i prefer a wide soft leather strap as it moulds well to my shoulder and spreads the weight out nice, but of course its personal pref.
also mess with different straps as weight distribution can KILL a great bass by making it just seem heavier than it really is. i prefer a wide soft leather strap as it moulds well to my shoulder and spreads the weight out nice, but of course its personal pref.
I always thought Suzi Quattro looked a little silly with that huge bass in front of her...but thats me.
There are "joey packs" you can buy here which are scaled down instruments for kids. Not sure how well built they are but they're designed for smaller people so perhaps that may be an avenue worth exploring?
check out Daisy Rock and Luna Guitars. They both make instruments for women (shorter scale, slimmer neck, lighter...)
Give your self a little time to become aquainted. Size does matter in my opinion. There's a reason why 34" and 35" scale is the norm for EBs. They sound better than the short scale basses.
Get a lesson or two. Proper technique and building of hand strength may start to make things feel OK. Proper body position and posture will also help.
I saw a tiny mexican girl about 5 foot nothing, playing a 3/4 double bass in a mexican restaurant. I was astounded.
You can do this. give it a Chance.
Get a lesson or two. Proper technique and building of hand strength may start to make things feel OK. Proper body position and posture will also help.
I saw a tiny mexican girl about 5 foot nothing, playing a 3/4 double bass in a mexican restaurant. I was astounded.
You can do this. give it a Chance.
Yamaha RBX170's are pretty light (I use one). So are the Samick short scale basses. But as your dexterity improve over time, you will find that the size of the bass will have little to do with how you play.
Suzie Quatro and Tina Yarmouth (Talking Heads - played a 35" bass) come to mind. But don't assume small means "can't handle a big bass" - that's about hand strengthening and good technique, which takes time. On the other hand, I don't agree that short scale basses don't sound as good as long scale. Good ones do, but they sound a bit different. A couple of other good short scales would include Fender Mustangs (sound a bit like a P bass) and Gibson EBOs, EB3's, new SG reissues. Don't get too discouraged - even guys with big hands have to go through a lot of the same hand-strengthening in order to get truly good. They just get to cheat with bad technique if they want to (because they have long enough fingers to get away with it on a long scale). 
Only one choice IMO. Or maybe two:
1. Brand new Fender Mustang bass, MIJ
2. Vintage Fender Mustang bass, 1970s
These are under-rated short scale basses. Designed personally by Leo Fender, they lack any drawback in tone usually noted in short scale basses. In fact they have a similar tone to the Precision.
You can get a professional quality mustang new or used for a lot less than $1000. Which is a good deal.
You WILL fit this easy-to-play bass.
The mustang was my first good bass back in the 60's, so I know from which I speak. I'm not 5ft, but you'll be very happy with this bass.
Certain models of the Fender Musicmaster bass, which comes in lots of fun girly colors, are a good second bet. But the mustangs are pro quality.
Please don't consider any other short scale bass. The Fenders have them all beat in this size.
IMO of course.....
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Seems like chunky/wide/thick necks are more of a problem than longer scale lengths for smaller hands. I myself have stubby fingers and I get on just fine with a 39.5" scale Knuckle Quake, because its neck is slender and only as deep as needs be.
Carvin and Ibanez make basses with pretty sleek necks. Also, the Carvins can be ordered with lighter body and neck woods.
Carvin and Ibanez make basses with pretty sleek necks. Also, the Carvins can be ordered with lighter body and neck woods.
