What Size Bass do you buy for a average size 13 y.o. Boy?

[rickster]

Still on the lookout for a bass for my son.A few people have told me that a full size bass would not be a good aproach for him because of their already bigger scale.Of course neither of them were bass players.Is this true?

[MeYatch]

there are plenty of people smaller than a 13 year old boy who play long scale basses, and plenty of people bigger than me that play short scale.

personal preference

[JackANSI]

Take him to the store and try some out.

I think 30" is as small as I've ever seen.

32" is as small as I'd ever go, for tonal reasons..

[RamRod 1]

I have small hands but I tried a Precision and for some reson it worked out okay. Don't rule out a full size.

[Colton]

Micheal Jackson probably knows how big kids like it.











Sorry, just couldnt help myself.

[MOONDOGGY]

My first bass was a Squier P bass. I was 13 and had stubby sausage fingers. It felt huge and if I had't found a 32" scale Kramer Duke shortly after starting out (a very sweet little bass with a headless aluminum neck BTW), I don't think I would have stuck with bass.

I'd recommend that bass because of the scale, tone, looks, and overall coolness. And no one else will have one around here! Just make sure that if/when he graduates to a better bass that he always keeps his first one. I'd literally kill someone to get my old Duke back. (It was transparent red if you happen to see it!)

Short scale will definitely make it easier for him to start out. It will make bass more enjoyable for him and not such a chore to play it. And it's probably worth a sacrifice in tone. Being a beginner, tone isn't exactly the first thing on his mind. And from my experience, a short scale bass still sounds like a bass. Look at Stu Hamm. His signature Fender is a 32" scale. There's some tone for ya!

Good luck.

[Mikey Wax]

Dude, buy him drums.


Don't start him down the "dark path".

[bassist_25]

I'd say go to a music store and let him at least hold some basses to see what feels comfortable. Scale does have some importance, but ultimately, it's going to be setup that determines whether learning to play bass is an enjoyable experience.

Scale does affect tone, but it's not a positive or negative thing. Short scales don't "sound bad" as compared to standard or long scales, especially if the short scale is still a quality instrument. Generally, a short scale is going to be more punchy than a 34" and with less fundamental.

[bassgirl]

Coming from someone with "small hands," I started out on a full-scale bass and I'm glad I did. I actually use a 35" bass now too. So, I would suggest that he learn on a full scale from the beginning.

A thinner neck may help him with being able to reach the frets better. Ibenez's necks tend to be thinner.

[JackANSI]

Guess I should have opted for the semicolon.

I started on a 32", but quickly desired a larger scale.

[felix'apprentice]

I would go with a standard size bass - all instruments are hard to play at first. The first few months learning are always the worst ... be prepared for many frustrations. I know i was "selling" my strat a few times lol, and that freakin bass was ridiculous to play at first - but ehh it all worked out. id say, buy him a normal size bass, and keep encouraging him. Encouragement is key. Just my opinion.

- kayla

[MeYatch]

Generally, a short scale is going to be more punchy than a 34" and with less fundamental.

I have heard the exact opposite, that short scale basses produce more fundamental, because long scale basses will have more harmonic overtones.

Just goes to show you how ridiculously subjective tone descriptions are.

[Mikey Wax]

Generally, a short scale is going to be more punchy than a 34" and with less fundamental.

I have heard the exact opposite, that short scale basses produce more fundamental, because long scale basses will have more harmonic overtones.

Just goes to show you how ridiculously subjective tone descriptions are.

Doesn't matter what size the drums are. You still beat the living shit out of them.

I'm just sayin.

[bassist_25]

Generally, a short scale is going to be more punchy than a 34" and with less fundamental.

I have heard the exact opposite, that short scale basses produce more fundamental, because long scale basses will have more harmonic overtones.

Just goes to show you how ridiculously subjective tone descriptions are.

Haha, good point.

And on the topic of scales and subjectivity, I've heard cats go on and on about how 35" scales are superior for five strings when compared to 34". I've played 35" basses, both four strings and five strings, and while they were nice, that inch different in scale lenght isn't going to determine whether I would choose the bass or not. In my experience, the build quality is what really matters when it comes to how the B string is going to respond on a five string.

On the other hand, I definitely notice a difference between bolt-ons versus neck-throughs. Again, it's not a "one is better than the other type of thing," but I definitely notice a difference in tone and how the notes resonate between the two. Which you prefer is totally subjective.

[JackANSI]

So what we are all saying it seems is let the 13 year old pick out what is comfortable to him

I will have to make the leap and say that I agree with bassgirl that Ibanez would be a good first choice. They are inexpensive, yet still have enough quality to last, IME.

[P MAC]

I have been playing bass for more years than I care to admit, actually longer than many RP members have been alive. I started on a short scale bass, cause that's what was available. Eventually moved to a Fender P Bass as soon as I could get my hands on one ( it was a1964 which I deeply regret parting with, but I digress ). I have relatively small hands, and the initial transition to the full scale bass was a bit if a challenge, but well worth the effort. A short scale bass, in my opinion, lacks depth and clarity on in the lower regitser, and was always a source of frustration in the eternal quest for great bass tone.

The notion of seeing what feels comfortable, may not be the best approach. Learning to play bass on any instrument will be uncomfortable for a while, but you can get used to anything, ask my wife she has been putting with me for 25 years. Bottom line for me would be to start with the full scale bass and learn good technique from the get go. I would suggest investing in the best instrument you can afford.

[grimmbass]

Short scale basses are a bad idea to start on, unless you're going for a particular sound (i.e. the Hofner "Beatle" sound or the Jack Cassidy Epiphone thing). I have always recommended that people take on the 34" standard as their entry....just like callouses, the finger pain is part of training yourself to an instrument. No musical instrument can be learned without some level of physical exertion, and bass is no exception (in fact, bass players are more prone than most to carpel tunnel and other kinds of repetitive stress disorders). No guts=no glory!

Why you should start him on a 34" 4-string bass:
1. Most basses are 34". The Fender Precision is still the standard, and it's 34".
2. If you get asked to "sit in" or need to borrow a bass, the boy will be acclimated to the industry standard. Although the five-string is becoming the standard for any bassist under 25, the four-string still rules. If he sticks with it, a fiver can be his next stop.
3. 34" offers better tone, intonation, and tension...less "rubber band" string effect, especially considering the low tuning in today's music.

Suggested starter instruments:
1. Squire or Fender P or J basses: You simply can't go wrong. I despise the Fender company, but their basic quality, playability, and value are still intact.

2. ESP or Schecter: Great quality stuff at a reasonable price. I list this as a second option because these guys include a lot of bells and whistles like active electronics, active tone circuits, etc. I'd keep the boy away from these distractions while he's learning to play. Get into the active stuff after he decides to stick with it, and don't waste money on a cheap active instrument (there's enough potential opinion fodder for a separate thread!).

3. Peavey Millenium Basses: These used to be well-made American basses, now they're really cheap imports (read: if you buy a new one, it's a cheapie import, if you buy a used one, research it first). The new el-cheapo models are very playable and reasonably well-made starter instruments. For a few bucks more, you can even get into a neck-thru Grind bass.

Steer clear of the under $300 Ibanez stuff or anything by Rogue (JUNK!).

I have owned both 34" and 35" scale basses. I think that the 35" scale is a GREAT idea for drop tuning and extended tuning (i.e. drop C tuning and 5-6 string basses). If I didn't already have a passionate romance with my 34" scale Spector 4 strings, I'd be looking into a 35" Peavey Cirrus 4 or a 35" Spector Euro 4.

Glad to hear a new young bassist is entering the fold! He'll never want for work!