Smallest bass with regular tuning?

[Alban]

Hi all,

Recently I seem to have developed a frozen shoulder syndrome, an inflammation in my left shoulder joint. This can take a while to heal, so I am considering my options with regards to playing bass... my lower left arm and fingers seem to be fine at the moment, so maybe a really small scale bass (i.e. less than 30”) would be a solution? What is the smallest bass with regular tuning, without going the custom route?

 

[Thud Staff]

Hi all,

Recently I seem to have developed a frozen shoulder syndrome, an inflammation in my left shoulder joint. This can take a while to heal, so I am considering my options with regards to playing bass... my lower left arm and fingers seem to be fine at the moment, so maybe a really small scale bass (i.e. less than 30”) would be a solution? What is the smallest bass with regular tuning, without going the custom route?

I’d say Ibanez Mikro @ 27” scale and a very diminutive body, which helps tremendously.

 

[MynameisMe]

You could mount a couple pickups, bridge and tuners on a 2 x 4. Not sure it would play good though.
Probably a thicker neck than preferable also.
No charge for my advice.

 

[SwitchGear]

My Norma short scale bass. This is the bass i started out on back in 1973. It has a 25 1/2” scale.

 

[seilerbird]

Check out Kala U bass. Small size, huge sound, regular tuning.

https://www.amazon.com/Kala-UBASS-R...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[Gsnorgathon]

Could go the Ashbory route (18"!) if fretless is your thing.

 

[FranF]

Fretted? Hofner Shorty. They sound and play great.

 

[hypercarrots]

lots of info in this thread
Sub-Short Scale Talk

 

[pingvuiini]

Uke basses! Very light (5-6lbs) although the strings take some getting used to.

 

[Need Gigs]

Uke basses! Very light (5-6lbs) although the strings take some getting used to.
View attachment 4113605

Can you please tell us about that beautiful 5 string?

 

[pingvuiini]

Can you please tell us about that beautiful 5 string?

Ken Bebensee Baruke bass finally complete! (:^D

 

[Deleted member 165050]

As others have said, a Uke bass is the way to go. I had the same problem years ago while a collar bone was healing, it can be quite painful I seem to recall.

 

[Need Gigs]

I haven't played these but BassTheWorld seem to like them: Link Removed

 

[boombloom]

[This invalid link has been removed]

 

[Bodeeni]

The new Squire Mini P is looking pretty cool for not a lot of $

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

Gold Tone makes a few 23" & 25" scale basses.
Basses | Gold Tone

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Hohner, B2A

 

[Hevy T]

The new Squire Mini P is looking pretty cool for not a lot of $

This, Jackson Minion, Ibanez Mikro or a Sterling Short scale Ray

 

[cchorney]

I haven't played these but BassTheWorld seem to like them: Link Removed

That's a very cool 5er. I am sad that there are no prices on the website, no retailers in the US, and the US distributor doesn't have a website. Maybe they're not quite ready for retail. Bummer.

 

[ixlramp]

A 'Wing Bass' type instrument, 16" scale, with custom strings to reach down to standard E1 https://kempstrings.com/the-smallest-bass-in-the-world-thanks-to-kemp-strings/
I think rubber stringed piezo pickup basses are a different category and not one i would personally consider, i insist on having conventional strings and electromagnetic induction pickups.