New bass help short arms

[jrick7]

In


Hi thanks for such a detailed response this is helpful, I do feel the scale might be easier for me to switch from guitar into it. fender jazz type basses have this narrower string spacing right? And this isnt too much of a problem with slapping either? Cheers again for the help

Yes jazz basses will generally have a narrower spacing than most P Basses, and that's mainly due to the nut width but I'm not sure they're actually diffferent at the bridge.

There's no reason not to get a short scale if that's what you want. I think the new Fender Mustang bass seems pretty cool. I will say this though, at the end of the day imo 98% of people could play a full size bass or whatever instrument, and could do so very well.

It really comes down to practice...we get used to whatever we're playing (feel-wise, and sound-wise). I play bass, guitar, and mandolin and don't have a problem switching between them, and have a 5 string bass that I play often. I also frequently use drop D on my 4, I recently had it strung BEAD, and frequently use alternate tunings on my Tele.

I will say that I'm by no means nearly as proficient at any of them as I want to be, but I'm telling you all this to say that I wouldn't limit my search to any specific criteria for a first bass other than price. You may find 34" P-bass gets you the sound you're trying to find at price you like. In that case, it may be a bit awkward at first but you'll get used to it. 30" scale basses feel weird to me because I don't have an instrument that size.

I'm by no means tall or have long arms, but I know guys that are smaller than me that play full size electric basses with no problems. I'd only say that full scale would be an issue if you're having to lock your elbow to reach the first fret. That's a problem, but other than that you can make it work if you want.

At the same time you might find that 30" bass is just way more comfortable and can still get you the sound you want, and in that case I say go for it.

However, my initial thought since you played metal on bass in a previous band is that you may have had it a little too low. I have my bass sitting higher than I like it for my right hand (and for the aesthetic), but where it's comfortable enough for both my hands.

My hand's are literally as large as my 5'0" wife's hands, and 5 string 34" scale bass isn't giving me any problems. The benefit of 5 if you're having wrist cramping problems is that you can move your hand further up the neck to reduce wrist issues and play a string down to get the same notes (low E would be fret 5 on B string).

Your question regarding if you'd be missing anything with a short scale, my answer is kinda. The strings aren't going to be as tight on the shorter scale. I don't think that actually translates to a less tight sound, BUT from the ones I've played it obviously feels less tight to your fingers and that at least makes me feel like the sound is less tight.

The other possible downside is that since the strings aren't as tight you'll typically end up pulling it further when plucking than a longer scale. That goes back to my previous point, it doesn't feel as tight (because the string physically isn't) which I don't like, but some people do like the more slinky feel. That also makes bending/vibrato easier if you incorporate those techniques in your playing.

So I think there's no reason to be afraid of a 5 string if you think you might like one, but going with a short scale is going to definitely require some trial to see if it works for you. Even if you feel like have short arms/small hands a short scale may not necessarily work for what you want, and a full length might be great.

 

[gmarcus]

If you don't mind making a new hole in your bass, try putting a strap button on the back about 4 inches in from the existing bottom strap button and a about 4 inches above the center line. This will shift the whole base to the right when it is on the strap, which reduces your reach. I do this with flush mount strap locks. you can see the position of the strap lock in these pictures. Don't worry about the strap lock in the lower horn, that is for a slinger strap (which I highly recommend too)

SOLD - G&L Kiloton 5 Empress 7.8lbs

 

[Lava]

There are some really good rock and jazz people playing short scale basses. Check out Evan Marien (sp?) sometime, he almost always plays short scale.

 

[bearfoot]

I didn't read every response but have to mention that scale length issues are moot if you are wearing the bass too low. Wearing it low looks cool and is totally rock and roll/metal. But it is idiotic for being able to play. If that is you, then you have to make the choice between wearing the bass low, or injuring yourself and not playing as well.

So,you should really not consider short scale until after you have made sure you're wearing the bass in a good playing position. Just to rule that out. There is nothing wrong with short scale, and I have one myself, but you want to make sure you are identifying the problem right.

If after, the bass is in good position, it's still too long a neck, then look at short scale.

One other thing to note though, on the other end of the fretboard, and as a beginner bassist - when you are playing UP the neck, in the high registers - turn the bass forward - like if you are right handed, you rotate the bass to your right, enabling your left hand to fret properly into the highest range. I saw "Scott's Bass Lessons" explain this on youtube. It's something people naturally tend to do, but not always. I highly recommend Scott's Bass Lessons.

Short scale bass in metal may exacerbate the situation of tons of low end in the guitars muddying the mix. It's unfortunately IMO common for bass tracks to be very indistinct in metal. Short scale emphasizes more low end. Longer scale string lengths are richer in higher harmonics, ironically making low notes sound clearer.

Bass on!

 

[N4860]

Do you have the issue when you play sitting down, or is it only when you are standing? If it is only an issue when you are standing, it would seem to be an issue with how low you are wearing the bass. The position of the bass should be nearly identical when standing as it is when sitting down.

 

[Salmankushdi]

I didn't read every response but have to mention that scale length issues are moot if you are wearing the bass too low. Wearing it low looks cool and is totally rock and roll/metal. But it is idiotic for being able to play. If that is you, then you have to make the choice between wearing the bass low, or injuring yourself and not playing as well.

So,you should really not consider short scale until after you have made sure you're wearing the bass in a good playing position. Just to rule that out. There is nothing wrong with short scale, and I have one myself, but you want to make sure you are identifying the problem right.

If after, the bass is in good position, it's still too long a neck, then look at short scale.

One other thing to note though, on the other end of the fretboard, and as a beginner bassist - when you are playing UP the neck, in the high registers - turn the bass forward - like if you are right handed, you rotate the bass to your right, enabling your left hand to fret properly into the highest range. I saw "Scott's Bass Lessons" explain this on youtube. It's something people naturally tend to do, but not always. I highly recommend Scott's Bass Lessons.

Short scale bass in metal may exacerbate the situation of tons of low end in the guitars muddying the mix. It's unfortunately IMO common for bass tracks to be very indistinct in metal. Short scale emphasizes more low end. Longer scale string lengths are richer in higher harmonics, ironically making low notes sound clearer.

Bass on!

Hi cheers for the detailed response haha no i assure you I can't stand having either bass or guitar too low on the strap so I really don't think this is the issue maybe more of my wrist technique or weak wrists (had some wrist issues when boxing) when I reach to the headstock end of the neck.

I try any instrument I buy first anyway but will definitely have to compare the feel of a short scale. I won't be playing metal on this anymore more progressive rock with one guitarist and a drummer so hopefully won't have too much issues with muddy Ness in the mix but I would like to try it against a full size bass to see if I am losing brightness.
And cheers for the tip i do love Scott'sbasslessons but hadn't heard that tip.
Thanks again for the detailed response

 

[kmon]

I'll echo the comments on strap height and bass position generally. This is an excellent thing to revisit if you haven't in a while, especially if you're having pain or the bass just doesn't feel quite right. There's gonna be a height and an angle of the bass that works for you, and it very well may not be the one that you see in the first few youtube videos on the subject.

Take a few hours in front of a mirror and tweak strap height and bass angle mercilessly. Look at your wrist angle, how does it feel and look? Is it natural or forced? Are you able to play in a completely relaxed way without becoming tired or cramping up? Does the bass feel sort of locked on and under your control or is it swinging around? If not tweak some more, adjust the strap up or down an inch, scoot the bass a bit left or right, angle the headstock a bit differently. You'll get it dialed in eventually.

This isn't nearly as fun as shopping for a new bass lol but I'm wondering whether a short scale is really gonna solve this for you.

 

[tpaul]

Before buying a new bass, try holding it more upright, like Bill:

 

[Bassamatic]

Yes - bass height. Look at the young girl playing - the bass is fairly high up on her body. That is how she is able to reach everything.

 

[Salmankushdi]

Before buying a new bass, try holding it more upright, like Bill:

View attachment 3369627

Thanks guys I am looking to buy a new bass anyway, I got this one free and it has been well battered and is a really cheap p bass copy. As I mentioned I don't like it too low because of my wrist but perhaps positioning could help me with whatever bass I get, i can see holding it upright being beneficial although the headstock weight of this p copy is a bit or a burden. Thanks again for the detailed advice

 

[kmon]

Thanks guys I am looking to buy a new bass anyway, I got this one free and it has been well battered and is a really cheap p bass copy. As I mentioned I don't like it too low because of my wrist but perhaps positioning could help me with whatever bass I get, i can see holding it upright being beneficial although the headstock weight of this p copy is a bit or a burden. Thanks again for the detailed advice

cool, good luck on your search. Lots of good advice here I think. Consider getting a good wide strap if you don't have one, that'll help stabilize the bass, and moving to a higher quality bass should help eliminate the neck dive you have with the P.

 

[el murdoque]

Cheers for the replies, Ahh right wow I defo don't mean that short I'm about 5'8 n only slightly shorter arms than average for my height probably, I guess just playing stuff around first frett position going from first too fourth frett feels a bit uncomfortable. I haven't played tonnes of bass until recently since I played in the band for a couple years but perhaps it is a technique thing. I haven't had too many issues with it lately and I was new to bass back then I just remember live playing being a bit of a pain. It is still a bit weird on my wrist in that first frett position tho.

There is an important difference between the good pain and the bad pain.
The good pain derives from muscles being used more than they are used to.
The bad one comes from joints being bent in unnatural angles or other things that go against the mechanical limits of your body. The former is just weakness leaving the body and will lead to more strength and stamina while the latter hurts you.
Needless to say that you should avoid one of those two ...

 

[Koshchei]

The ergonomics of a fanned-fret bass might help, too.

Gotta watch where the neutral fret is, or it could be worse for your hand than a simple scale. In my experience, no higher than the 9th fret, and no lower than the 7th.

 

[mobeme23]

Check out Serek Basses
Jake makes 30", 32" ad 34" necks in a variety of different styles.
he also makes a 5er short scale that looks pretty awesome!

 

[bearfoot]

I try any instrument I buy first anyway but will definitely have to compare the feel of a short scale.

I keep hearing positive reviews of the Ibanez Micro bass also, which is more of a baritone guitar scale length, but does hold its own tuned down to standard bass range.

I keep having GAS for the red/maple short scale P/J bass they have on Rondo, SX brand. Unfortunately those can't be tried first, but the brand is very well reviewed here and elsewhere.

 

[keto]

If you look at Geddy play, he actually shoves the body of the bass to his right, making the reach to the end of the neck shorter. I do this most of the time, though trying to get away from it somewhat. I pick, as Geddy seems to pick and pluck, mostly very close to the end of the neck - it suits me fine but it's not for everyone. It does give a FATTER tone than picking closer to the bridge, but the strings flap more when you dig in. But, I came from guitar...picking down by the bridge is just uncomfortable as heck for me with the big arm spread to the end of the neck.

 

[Nebula24]

Hit up all local stores and try everything in price range. Best to have a bass you want to play whatever the scale.

Played a bit in high school but never got comfy on a bass even after trading a few. So old bass sat mostly in closet.

Decade or two later tried and shorty and i cant put them down. While i know they were around not sure if local stores really had them back then. Just seemed same 3 orb4 basses. Still not a whole lot of shorty options locally for me. Not one to buy online and have to send back 5 minutes later because i know i dont like its feel.

Do like sub4 full scale but not as much as shorties. Love my epi eb0 (warts and all..neck dive, single neck pickup) and probably would have gone with gretsch 2220 jr jet if were in stock at time. Want to like the mustang but neck too chunky for me. Never seen a short scake jaguar. Didnt like bronco but know many people like to mod em (understand as i mod my eb0). Ibanez mikro looks metal and comes in 4 or 5 strings.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

Wow never actually seen this, very cool would love to try one. I have seen some great short scale basses online and have been tempted to take the plunge but the five string thing does stay in the back of my mind i will have to try a five string out though i feel like I'd have to get used to the muting the b string for a while to really decide if I liked it. The few guitar shops around here don't have any short scale basses but I imagine as a guitarist I would like the feel, cheers for the reply

I've tried an Ibanez fanned fretted bass a couple days ago, in a music store. It was well set up. As strange as they look they are easy to get used to.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Hi guys new to this forum,
I've played six string guitar since I was about 13 and played bass for a couple of years in a band maybe four years ago, I've always played bass a bit to overdub onto my own stuff etc but looking like I might be starting a second band where I play bass and I wanna advance my skills and upgrade from the bass I got free that ive been playing for years.

I have a couple of questions, when I played live bass in a metal band I always found the angle of my wrist could sometimes hurt and some hand cramping issues. I have kinda short arms and was wondering if a short scale bass might be a better fit for me? is this right or am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Originally I was looking at five string varients as I'm into jazz and the next band I want to start would be a fusion/ prog band. Now I'm jus worried that bigger neck would worsen my original problem or is this a technique issue coming from playing lead guitar? My hands aren't massive and I have short ish arms but I'm not sure.

Can someone guide me here, I know pastorious n even claypool now uses four string so I know it can be a crazy technical instrument either way but do you think I'll miss out without that low b of a five string? And am I losing anything sound or fret count wise by buying a short scale bass?

Thanks in advance for your help, Josh

I’ve played a wide range of scale lengths ranging from 30” to 37”. How the bass hangs is actually just as important as scale length. So I recommend going to a store and with a strap and trying on as many basses as you can. To give an example of what I mean... different basses hang more to the center or off to the side of your body, also strap length/how low you wear the bass matters.

I’ve owned three Warwick thumb basses. They hang in the center of my body making the necks feel longer than normal even though they are 34” scale.

My Dingwall which has a 37” low b is surprisingly comfortable. The rear strap button is in a different location and the neck is lighter so the bass hangs more to the right side of my body and more vertical. I’ve seen some people say they couldn’t play a dingwall because of the scale but it’s actually very comfortable to me. I wonder if some of those people have actually tried a dingwall because people make them out to be these crazy long monster basses but I carry mine around in a fender bass case. And as you can see it’s silhouette is almost identical to my fender jazz

As for 4 string vs 5 string. One benefit of 5 string for people who have issues with the size of basses that might get overlooked is if you’re having issues reaching on a 5 string you can play the same notes higher up the neck. For example if you’re playing a song that uses a low F a LOT. Instead of playing the first fret so much you can play the f on the 6th fret of the B string. This is something I do a lot for tonal reasons as well because playing higher up the neck on a fatter string has a warmer/fatter sound than playing the first few frets on the d and g strings for example.

 

[Tommy V]

just from past experience, everything is harder to find when you play a short scale bass.. not every store carries strings for them, and those that do only carry 1 or 2 variations.. properly fitting cases can be a pain to find.. intonation problems with the e string are common.. down-tuning needs to be thought out before you buy strings.. bass selection is better than a few years ago, but still limited.... all that, and my current #1 is a short scale Jaguar that i dearly love.

but in all seriousness, life really is a lot easier with a 34" scale instrument.