Smallest bass with regular tuning?

[MrLenny1]

The Traveler P bass is not short scale but a joy to
play when you have major left arm issues.
32" scale, headless, 6.4 lbs.

 

[JohnJazzBassGuy]

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?

Brand new on here in Talk Bass so apologies if i get some things wrong but ive seen some Jackson Minion basses that are 28 inch scale lengths that can take E standard tuning, id recommend using slightly thicker strings to keep tuning better (50-110 if possible) they sound ok for the price and sorta feel good for the money, they are rather affordable and pretty well for what you might be going for, i hope this helps and hope your condition gets better soon, take care man!

 

[SLPimp]

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?

Kala U bass (acoustic or electric), Goldtone Micro, or maybe the new Fender Mini P. I have no experience with any, but I do experience pretty heinous tendonotis in my R shoulder, so I feel ya. Heal up and dont over so it.

 

[Jack Butler]

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

Another thing to consider is weight. I’ve been wanting the sterling but every one I’ve seen is 8.5lbs plus. That’s more than my standard 34” basses weigh.

 

[Nuage420]

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[KohanMike]

Here's my collection of basses from 20.5" to 24" scale, most of which have been modified or converted from short scale guitars.

 

[SLPimp]

Another thing to consider is weight. I’ve been wanting the sterling but every one I’ve seen is 8.5lbs plus. That’s more than my standard 34” basses weigh.

I had a Sterling SS Ray. I had to put Hipshot UL tuners, remove the pickguard, and swap the knobs for plastic ones to get it under 8 lbs. The EBMM SS Ray's come in much lighter.

 

[Jack Butler]

I had a Sterling SS Ray. I had to put Hipshot UL tuners, remove the pickguard, and swap the knobs for plastic ones to get it under 8 lbs. The EBMM SS Ray's come in much lighter.

Right. IMHO a short scale should be in the 6lb range.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If it's a short term situation while your shoulder heals and you don't want to go the bass ukulele path, I'd just pick up an Ibanez Mikro.

 

[SLPimp]

Right. IMHO a short scale should be in the 6lb range.

Even thats hard to find. Trust me, I've played SS exclusively for years. Lightest I ever had was a Squier CV Mustang bass that I put Hipshot UL on. 6.5lbs. They're usually around 7 (my Reverend is 6lb 15oz).

The bass use, as some others stated, may be your beat bet, or a SS Ibanez acoustic. They sound good for $250 basses.

 

[boombloom]

Just noticed Steve Wishnevsky has a few 28" fretless basses on sale right now on Ebay with free shipping... Search for Wishbass.

 

[eliascalles]

I have a Kala SUB solid body electric U-bass and it's great. takes a minute to get used to the strings but it's a joy to play. fwiw u-basses have a pretty specific sound, though having had a few acoustic ones and now this solid body electric one, I find I can get much more tonal variation with the SUB. have used it in all manner of situations (rock/blues/jazz/latin etc). very playable instrument.

 

[dalkowski]

Kala U-Bass all the way. Plugged in, the acoustic is the closest you can get to upright IMHO.

 

[Aussie Player]

Gibson ES Les Paul.
Semi Acoustic Les Paul that weighs only slightly more than the strap.

 

[Jack Butler]

I’ve heard the new Squier p bass mini is usually in the 6’s but haven’t personally verified.

Even thats hard to find. Trust me, I've played SS exclusively for years. Lightest I ever had was a Squier CV Mustang bass that I put Hipshot UL on. 6.5lbs. They're usually around 7 (my Reverend is 6lb 15oz).

The bass use, as some others stated, may be your beat bet, or a SS Ibanez acoustic. They sound good for $250 basses.

 

[Robscott]

You have my sympathy dude! I had a similar problem years ago and it did my playing no favours. Short scale may indeed help, but also experiment with holding the neck at different angles. A bit more upright than usual may help - sounds counterintuitive if you have trouble lifting your arm, but it also changes the angles alowing you to keep your elbow tucked in a little. Anyways, best of luck. Frozen shoulder is a long haul, but it does get better eventually

 

[micguy]

I've had both shoulkders frozen (thankfully, they tend to not repeat), and neither bothered my range of motion enough to where I couldn't play a regular scale bass. Have you had that checked out?

 

[Bassamatic]

I am not quite the Shorty connoisseur that kohanmike is, but I have been through a lot of short scale basses. For a ready made, light, easy-to-find and play - the Ibanez miKro rules. I have a 4 and a 5 and they are terrific and so affordable. The TinyBoy basses are a real step up but much more expensive and hard to find. The smallguitars.com mini-P is also a good choice - have the Samick version and it is nice and sounds like a P. I don't like the bass ukes with the rubber band strings because that is what they sound and play like. Good Luck!

 

[Fretless55]

I love my little Hadean!

 

[seilerbird]

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

https://www.amazon.com/Kala-UBASS-RMBL-FS-Rumbler-Mahogany-Ubass/dp/B00JK5Q24E/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3KJ3ZJCONRTWP&dchild=1&keywords=kala+ubass&qid=1609624304&sprefix=kala+ub,aps,199&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A1OTG971I56HHM&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyMjdXM1JCWVFIVDhOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTA2MjE0M0pQWUNHMDQzRFkxOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDA5ODg3MkhKQlFCMTRZSERYWSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

The first time I played a uke bass I was shocked by how much I loved the sound (just like an upright)and the feel. It is a different feel to be sure but in a few days it just feels normal.