The jazz is a great bass, usually it has a narrow neck, but it is a 34" scale, meaning the neck is somewhat long. I've got small hands with average arms and no bass has ever presented a problem to me. my sleeve length is 34, my glove size is men's small.

The Gibsons and the Hofner are excellent choices. They each have a specific sound. If you like the Fender sound, they also make a smaller scale bass...if I remember right, it's called the Mustang. Smaller scale basses will not have as "bassy" a sound as longer scale ones. Some manufacturers offer a larger 35" scale just for this reason. The scale is the measurement from the bridge to the nut.

The pickup can make a real difference in the sound also. The modern bass sound is one of "active" pickups. That means you have to supply a battery for the bass, or in rare cases, phantom power. To my ears, a large scale bass made with good wood and using passive pickups sounds better than a cheaper short scale bass with actives.

Hit the music stores and try a bunch out.

All the Best,
Mike

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Mike Dunbar Music

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music