Members nar Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Hi all, Newbie here...I've started playing around with a friend's bass, but now I'm thinking of getting my own. Problem is I have petite fingers (I'm a woman) and I have a hard time stretching them. Can anyone reccomend a decently priced bass w/a smaller neck, so that I won't have problems stretching?TIA.
Members bassguy Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 http://www.rondomusic.net/spb57short.html just what your looking for edit: welcome to the board....usually there are more helpfull threads but jazzad is on vacation...
Members bassguy Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 see, im slowly becoming helpfull...lol how is my post before yours ?!?!
Members zachoff Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 yup, bassguy's got it... and welcome.
Members Emprov Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Don't let long scales (34") scare you. I'm 5'7" with short fingers and I play a 35" scale bass with a fairly wide neck. I have to move my hands around a bit more but I manage to get around pretty quickly.
Members SA Rios Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 As long as the neck is thin, you will be fine with a longer scale bass. Try a Fender Jazz. Some Ibanez have thin necks too.
Members Darkstorm Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 ESP Ltd, BC RICH, Jackson, Ibanez, Schecter, all have nice slim fast necks that should beno problem for you. They also ave the distinct advantage over Rondo in that they have qaulity hardware, pups, & workmanship. The general agreed concensus with Rondo bassess is their hardware, pups, and even pots are poor qaulity. So your easilly gonna spendas much for a rondo with parts & pup replacement as you would for a nice active bass with qaulity hardware & pups right out of the box from Esp Ltd & Schecter.
Members nar Posted August 16, 2005 Author Members Posted August 16, 2005 Thanks everyone for the replies...I'll check some out a Guitar Center tonight. I don't want to make an impulse purchase unless I know for sure I am dedicated. I have NO music theory whatsoever, so I will probably struggle with this the most. I'm also very, very slow. I really hope this will improve with time. When you all first started, did it just come naturally, or did it take some time? TIA
Members SA Rios Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 I see you are from IL, any chance that you are in the Chicago area?
Members Emprov Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by nar When you all first started, did it just come naturally, or did it take some time? Some are naturals, some really have to work at it. For me I work at it pretty hard and am pretty anal about my personal practice. It pays off big time though. And remember, you're just starting out and your taste in basses, tone, amps, strings, music, playing style, etc.... will change many times over the next few years. Don't break the bank on this one, just get something that'll allow you to shake hands with bass and grow. Mexican Fenders are great starter basses and there are tons more out there. And, if you're confused or pressured, come back here before buying. Good luck and welcome!
Members nar Posted August 16, 2005 Author Members Posted August 16, 2005 I see you are from IL, any chance that you are in the Chicago area? Yes, I'm in the burbs.
Members sunburstbasser Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 I'd recommend a Jazz bass of some kind for you. This is a Jazz. There are all kinds of variation on this basic design. The one I posted is an SX bass, carried by www.rondomusic.com. Since you say your hands are kinda small, the Jazz would probably be a better fit for you. The neck is slim, and fairly easy to get around on. Although its called a Jazz, bassists have used it in all forms of music and it sounds great pretty much all the time. Don't worry too much about needing to replace parts or anything on your first instrument. Fact is, SX, Ibanez, Schecter, and pretty much all other imports all come from the same three or four plants. That means they all have pretty much the same components, etc. Ibanez Soundgears also have fairly thin necks, but of a different shape than the Jazz bass. They may be more comfortable to you. Ibanez instruments are easily found in Guitar Centers everywhere. I'm also a big fan of Cort basses. Cort does make a bass called the Curbow Retro. The neck is a little larger than the standard Jazz size, but not much, and the bass itself weighs less and is better balanced. It also needs no upgrade on electronics or hardware, its a great starter instrument. However, you'll have to find a local dealer to try one, as Cort doesn't deal with Guitar Center very often. However, since you are in Chicago that won't be a problem; Cort USA is based in Chicago and there are a few dealers that are within driving distance. Happy bassing.
Members T. Alan Smith Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by nar I see you are from IL, any chance that you are in the Chicago area? Yes, I'm in the burbs. Cool. You gotta try an' make it to the next HCBF meet. I'm tired of the other locals blowing 'em off! ...and you know who you are!!
Members SA Rios Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 I live out by the Arlington guitar center. I could meet you there if you have some free time and help you find a bass. pm me if you want.
Members nar Posted August 16, 2005 Author Members Posted August 16, 2005 Cool. You gotta try an' make it to the next HCBF meet. When and where are these? How often?
Members bassman1956 Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Hi Nar! Cool another in the IL area! I'm out in Aurora. 2 forumite's bands are playing out here the 27th at Mike & Denise's on Farnsworth: catphish's Uncle Boogie Pantsandthunderbroom's Yar Fulla Cars Come on out! Actually, uhm, due to not paying attention, made reservations for another show that night, and may not make it at all. *shudders, slinks away, fearing TAllen's retribution*
Members nar Posted August 16, 2005 Author Members Posted August 16, 2005 I checked out the Cort site and Rondo....is there anything else? I know that price does not necessarily reflect quality, but these are inexpensive and I want something that will I will be excited to play. Does that make any sense? BUT, on the other hand, I don't want to spend a grand either. BTW, SA Rios I know where that Guitar Center is....I was going tonight, I don't really have time to go any other time. I will PM you later.
Members SA Rios Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by nar I checked out the Cort site and Rondo....is there anything else? I know that price does not necessarily reflect quality, but these are inexpensive and I want something that will I will be excited to play. Does that make any sense? BUT, on the other hand, I don't want to spend a grand either.BTW, SA Rios I know where that Guitar Center is....I was going tonight, I don't really have time to go any other time. I will PM you later. It makes tons of sense. The better quality bass that you get, the more you will like playing it. Like its been said before, try the Mexican made Fender jazz. They are in the low $400's at most stores and would make a great starter bass.
Members xdamagexx Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 check out schecters they are sweet....
Members T. Alan Smith Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by nar Cool. You gotta try an' make it to the next HCBF meet. When and where are these? How often? Not often enough, but I've always gotta drive a couple hours to get to 'em.
Members T. Alan Smith Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by bassman1956 Hi Nar! Cool another in the IL area! I'm out in Aurora. 2 forumite's bands are playing out here the 27th at Mike & Denise's on Farnsworth: catphish's Uncle Boogie Pants and thunderbroom's Yar Fulla Cars Come on out! Actually, uhm, due to not paying attention, made reservations for another show that night, and may not make it at all. *shudders, slinks away, fearing TAllen's retribution*
Members sunburstbasser Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 If you want a Fender, I HIGHLY suggest going used if at all possible. The $100 difference between the MIM Fender and, say, a Cort Action doesn't get you any more quality, at least not on any of the Fenders I've played. If you can get a used one for about $250, thats a pretty good price for them.
Members lug Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 Originally posted by nar I checked out the Cort site and Rondo....is there anything else? I know that price does not necessarily reflect quality, but these are inexpensive and I want something that will I will be excited to play. Does that make any sense? BUT, on the other hand, I don't want to spend a grand either.BTW, SA Rios I know where that Guitar Center is....I was going tonight, I don't really have time to go any other time. I will PM you later. Listen. Spent 1 grand on a Ric. Chicks dig Ricks. Please ignore any baffoonery that disagrees with this advice.
Members nosamiam Posted August 16, 2005 Members Posted August 16, 2005 In case the guys didn't scare you away from short-scale, and if you like vintage, you may want to look at the Fender Musicmaster. Nice retro look and some very good music has been made on it. Ebay has 'em for well under $1,000. More like $600-700. http://search.ebay.com/fender-musicmaster-bass_W0QQsofocusZsoQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQcatrefZC6QQsacatZ-1QQcatrefZC6QQsargnZ-1QQsaslcZ2QQsadisZ200QQfposZ62223QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQfsopZ1QQfsooZ2
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