Hello all
I currently own a short scale (30") Squier Jaguar. I find the lower frets a bit hard because of small hands. Even though it's a short scale, and because it only has 20 frets. My last bass which regretably I sold was a Dean EVO XM. To sum up, 30" neck but with 24 frets made things proportionately somewhat easier. However, like other reports I've read, they're not exactly "set up" and ready to go. My local guitar shop couldn't fix the loose jack socket that others have also mentioned. Then the other day I spotted the Ibanez Mikro bass with the even shorter neck. But the one thing swaying me towards another Dean is the curved cornered humbucker to rest my thumb on. Please don't tell me I'm doing it all wrong - each player is different! On the Ibanez, however, there is only one pickup to be rested on and it has "sharp" edges, and would be even worse than the Jag. So before you start to wonder if I'm just answering my own questions, I do have some specific questions for anyone who might be able to advise:
1. Am I better off with 24 frets on 30" (Dean EVO bass), or am I better off with 22 frets (on the Ibanez) 28.6"? This might sound obvious but is the difference measured by the smallest fret, or the "average" size fret on the bass? The two highest frets are only a little different in width, to the difference of having two more frets on the Dean (four more than my jag) so the difference of 1.4 inches could just be the two topmost frets added on and that I would be better off with the smaller neck of the Ibanez, OR is the sizing difference proportionate overall, that is to say, the Ibanez lower frets will ALSO be somewhat smaller as well as the higher frets? I'm just confused because I do not have any way to try before I buy but I think I could throw away the comfort of the Dean's pickup if the Ibanez neck length means it would be even smaller on the lowest frets too. I also notice that the Ibanez string spacing is less than the Dean AND the width at nut on the Deanis a good 3mm even more than my Jaguar.
2. So assuming the Ibanez's size is the dictating factor could I easily fit a thumb rest? I would be exceedingly worried about doing that to a new guitar. Also I've seen a few people rest their thumb on the top Ibanez pup but I still think the Humbuckers of the Dean are shaped more kindly... Although the sound is debatable and the Ibanez Mikro has a more similar pup array to my Jaguar which beats the Dean hands down, although at the time I had no proper amp and was just using computer EQ etc. Does anyone on here play the Ibanez and rest their thumb on the pup with no discomfort? Am I worrying about nothing? Does anyone favour the Dean instead and why?
3. Does anyone have first hand experience of either of these basses (Or both) and can help me decide which one to go for?
Many thanks for any opinions you can offer.
I currently own a short scale (30") Squier Jaguar. I find the lower frets a bit hard because of small hands. Even though it's a short scale, and because it only has 20 frets. My last bass which regretably I sold was a Dean EVO XM. To sum up, 30" neck but with 24 frets made things proportionately somewhat easier. However, like other reports I've read, they're not exactly "set up" and ready to go. My local guitar shop couldn't fix the loose jack socket that others have also mentioned. Then the other day I spotted the Ibanez Mikro bass with the even shorter neck. But the one thing swaying me towards another Dean is the curved cornered humbucker to rest my thumb on. Please don't tell me I'm doing it all wrong - each player is different! On the Ibanez, however, there is only one pickup to be rested on and it has "sharp" edges, and would be even worse than the Jag. So before you start to wonder if I'm just answering my own questions, I do have some specific questions for anyone who might be able to advise:
1. Am I better off with 24 frets on 30" (Dean EVO bass), or am I better off with 22 frets (on the Ibanez) 28.6"? This might sound obvious but is the difference measured by the smallest fret, or the "average" size fret on the bass? The two highest frets are only a little different in width, to the difference of having two more frets on the Dean (four more than my jag) so the difference of 1.4 inches could just be the two topmost frets added on and that I would be better off with the smaller neck of the Ibanez, OR is the sizing difference proportionate overall, that is to say, the Ibanez lower frets will ALSO be somewhat smaller as well as the higher frets? I'm just confused because I do not have any way to try before I buy but I think I could throw away the comfort of the Dean's pickup if the Ibanez neck length means it would be even smaller on the lowest frets too. I also notice that the Ibanez string spacing is less than the Dean AND the width at nut on the Deanis a good 3mm even more than my Jaguar.
2. So assuming the Ibanez's size is the dictating factor could I easily fit a thumb rest? I would be exceedingly worried about doing that to a new guitar. Also I've seen a few people rest their thumb on the top Ibanez pup but I still think the Humbuckers of the Dean are shaped more kindly... Although the sound is debatable and the Ibanez Mikro has a more similar pup array to my Jaguar which beats the Dean hands down, although at the time I had no proper amp and was just using computer EQ etc. Does anyone on here play the Ibanez and rest their thumb on the pup with no discomfort? Am I worrying about nothing? Does anyone favour the Dean instead and why?
3. Does anyone have first hand experience of either of these basses (Or both) and can help me decide which one to go for?
Many thanks for any opinions you can offer.
