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Double Bass What size is my bass?

J

jd435

Oct 17, 2024
18
5
#1
Hello there TBer’s I need help. I don’t know what size my bass is.

So for the longest time I thought my bass was a 3/4 size and after looking at another 3/4 bass I tried it and it felt too small for me. So I went home and measured everything and turns out all the measurements add up to a 4/4 result.

Overall length: 75 inches

Upper bout: 21 inches

Lower bout 27.5 inches

Scale length: 43 inches

Bottom to shoulder: 45 inches

Mind you I am on the shorter side of double bass players.
 
#3
Hi Eric thank you for your response. So would a 4/4 be too big for me or are they around the same measurements because the basses I am looking at have these measurements
3/4
Upper bout: 20 inches
Lower bout: 26.5 in
Scale length: 41 in
Overall length: 72 in

4/4
Upper bout: 22 in
Lower bout: 27.5
Scale length: 43 in
Overall length: 74 in
 
#5
jd435 said:
Hi Eric thank you for your response. So would a 4/4 be too big for me or are they around the same measurements because the basses I am looking at have these measurements
3/4
Upper bout: 20 inches
Lower bout: 26.5 in
Scale length: 41 in
Overall length: 72 in

4/4
Upper bout: 22 in
Lower bout: 27.5
Scale length: 43 in
Overall length: 74 in
Click to expand...
I don't know how big you are. Bassists come in all sizes and shapes. Get a bass that's comfortable for you to get around on. 3/4 is the sweet spot for most unless they want a big sounding 7/8 orchestra bass. I would recommend whatever body size you choose you plan on max 42" scale length.
 
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#6
Hi Tom thank you for your response. I have had my bass for a while now and it is my only one and I have gotten very comfortable playing it I just didn’t realize how big it was lol, but I will take that into consideration when looking for another bass.
 
#7
Eric Hochberg said:
I don't know how big you are. Bassists come in all sizes and shapes. Get a bass that's comfortable for you to get around on. 3/4 is the sweet spot for most unless they want a big sounding 7/8 orchestra bass. I would recommend whatever body size you choose you plan on max 42" scale length.
Click to expand...
I will say I am under 5’7” but I have gotten so used to my big bass. I am also a bigger guy so it balances against my body well.
 
#8
jd435 said:
Hi Tom thank you for your response. I have had my bass for a while now and it is my only one and I have gotten very comfortable playing it I just didn’t realize how big it was lol, but I will take that into consideration when looking for another bass.
Click to expand...
It's a trade off. Larger basses are usually louder and have a better low end which are completely adversarial to a lot of thumb position, soloing. It depends on what you're playing. Certainly, smaller basses are easier to get around on.
 
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#10
AFAIK ~42" mensure is sort of a modern standard. AFAIK it's not unusual for older 3/4 and larger basses to have a longer mensure.

The last bass I played professionally was considered a 7/8, but the mensure was just under 42". This bass was a new build in the earlys 2000's. Fingering notes in low positions was fairly easy, but I felt like I had to put a lot of energy into it with my right hand; especially the bow. I don't think it sounded massively louder than a good 3/4, but it had more cushion and rumble down low.

I thought it was pinched and harsh in thumb position. Fingering high notes seemed to take excess effort and drawing a good sound with the bow was difficult. I don't spend a lot of time up there, so I didn't worry about it. Perhaps it would work fine for someone with a reason to play in that range and the skill pull it off.

One of the best sounding basses I ever played was a 7/8 with >33" mensure. Playing in lower positions was really hard on my left hand. As much as I loved that bass, the mensure was too big.

It's up to you to decide what to play and why. Try both basses, multiple times if possible. You might decide neither is a good choice.
 
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#12
Wasnex said:
AFAIK ~42" mensure is sort of a modern standard. AFAIK it's not unusual for older 3/4 and larger basses to have a longer mensure.

The last bass I played professionally was considered a 7/8, but the mensure was just under 42". This bass was a new build in the earlys 2000's. Fingering notes in low positions was fairly easy, but I felt like I had to put a lot of energy into it with my right hand; especially the bow. I don't think it sounded massively louder than a good 3/4, but it had more cushion and rumble down low.

I thought it was pinched and harsh in thumb position. Fingering high notes seemed to take excess effort and drawing a good sound with the bow was difficult. I don't spend a lot of time up there, so I didn't worry about it. Perhaps it would work fine for someone with a reason to play in that range and the skill pull it off.

One of the best sounding basses I ever played was a 7/8 with >33" mensure. Playing in lower positions was really hard on my left hand. As much as I loved that bass, the mensure was too big.

It's up to you to decide what to play and why. Try both basses, multiple times if possible. You might decide neither is a good choice.
Click to expand...
Hi Wasnex thank you for your response. Honestly I love my bass that I have it feels comfortable and it feels balanced also another thing I should have mentioned I mostly play rockabilly/ psychobilly so the balance off my body is perfect and it doesn’t move unless I move it even with my heavy hand. Sadly I am unable to try both basses at the same time but I do want to be sure of my decision if I buy another one.
 
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#14
jd435 said:
Hi Wasnex thank you for your response. Honestly I love my bass that I have it feels comfortable and it feels balanced also another thing I should have mentioned I mostly play rockabilly/ psychobilly so the balance off my body is perfect and it doesn’t move unless I move it even with my heavy hand. Sadly I am unable to try both basses at the same time but I do want to be sure of my decision if I buy another one.
Click to expand...
Imo, your decision should be based on which basses tone and sound you prefer. Physically, you'll adapt.
 

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