Bass advice

gtaus

I have been playing bass for about 2 years now. Just recently, we started playing some songs that will require me to cover 4 frets with my pinky on certain bass runs. I will admit that my pinky is not up to the task at present. But, I also have small hands and physically I am having trouble stretching all four frets. I have been wondering if there are smaller scale basses available that anyone could recommend, or will my pinky ever get to the point where I can actually stretch and play that 4th fret?

Manitou

What scale length do you happen to have now?
You will find quite a few brands carry these necks.
There are different shapes too. Most common is the modern \"C\" shape.

Short Scale: 30 inches
Medium Scale: 32 inches
Long Scale (Standard): 34 inches
5 string long scale: 35\"
Extra-long Scale: 36 inches

I use a Gripmaster to strengthen my fingers, and it really makes a difference.
I was having problems doing legatos with any bark with my little finger.
I started out with a medium Gripmaster, and now use a heavy. Huge difference now.

shredd

Yes, it will. You just have to get it used to it. (Phoebe Cates in 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High': \"Just keep doing it\". )
That said, yes there are shorter scale basses. The best one out there is probably the Gibby SG model:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-SG-Reissue-4String-Bass?sku=517540 (Epiphone makes a ripoff:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-EB0-Electric-Bass?sku=518523 or http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-EB3-SG-Bass?sku=518243).
There's also the Hofner and Hofner clone basses - they also have a very short scale:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?N=100001&Ns=P_Price%7c0&Ntk=All&Ntt=Hofner+bass&Nty=1&rpp=20

Manitou

Fender Mustang is usually about $700...those Gibsons are twice that price....unless you can find a good Chinese Gibson.

iliace

\Manitou\ wrote:

unless you can find a good Chinese Gibson.

It HAS to say \"Make in China\" on the back.

shredd

\iliace\ wrote:

It HAS to say \"Make in China\" on the back.

And it has to leak dioxin into your hands while you play. :shock:

gtaus

\Manitou\ wrote:

What scale length do you happen to have now?
You will find quite a few brands carry these necks.
There are different shapes too. Most common is the modern \"C\" shape.

Short Scale: 30 inches
Medium Scale: 32 inches
Long Scale (Standard): 34 inches
5 string long scale: 35\"
Extra-long Scale: 36 inches

I use a Gripmaster to strengthen my fingers, and it really makes a difference.
I was having problems doing legatos with any bark with my little finger.
I started out with a medium Gripmaster, and now use a heavy. Huge difference now.

I had to look up how to actually measure the scale on the bass guitar. If I measured my bass correctly, it is 35.5 inches. It's an older Kramer bass and weighs a ton, especially after 4 hours. Until now, I haven't felt any need to get a different bass, but I don't think my hands are big enough to play the bass run I need using all 4 fingers stretching over 4 frets on the bass. I might be looking at getting a smaller scale bass now that I know my bass it at the longer end of scales available. Thanks to everybody for their input.

cyclonic

\iliace\ wrote:

\Manitou\ wrote:

unless you can find a good Chinese Gibson.

It HAS to say \"Make in China\" on the back.

a friend of mine just got the Ace Frehley knock off and a Zack Wild bulls eye flying V :shock: Amazingly enough,after new electronics and set-up,it sounds really good 8) but it DOES come with a \"Floyd Rosd\" trem (they miss-spell everything)

BTW....for short scale basses,the SG \"epi's\" work great and are relatively cheap

shredd

I have huge hands; I play my Peavey Cirrus (35\" scale :shock:) with no problems.
I have a big nose too.
If Shania knew that, do ya think she'd return my phone calls? :twisted:

Manitou

\shredd\ wrote:

I have huge hands; I play my Peavey Cirrus (35\" scale :shock:) with no problems.
I have a big nose too.
If Shania knew that, do ya think she'd return my phone calls? :twisted:

They say...a person with a big nose, is the only one who can over-look it.

shredd

\Manitou\ wrote:

\shredd\ wrote:

I have huge hands; I play my Peavey Cirrus (35\" scale :shock:) with no problems.
I have a big nose too.
If Shania knew that, do ya think she'd return my phone calls? :twisted:

They say...a person with a big nose, is the only one who can over-look it.

There's another saying:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yusgPH6KZE
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: