JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Bass and Drum Forum Need info on purchasing an excellent bass

I'm a new bass enthusiast, with an inexpensive Yamaha bass. I'm hooked, and already want to upgrade. I've heard about the Fender Jazz. I have small hands and not much reach. What is a great quality respected bass, with an easy to play neck and frets.
RLBerry

I had a band member early on that used a Gibson bass. he had smaller hands and he said he loved it. The sound was great! I played it once in a while at practice, and found it easier to play than any other bass before or since, including the Fender. But that's me. See if you can try out the Gibson. The one I'm taling about was Cherry with black knobs.

Ok,,,,went to see if I could find a pic of that guy plating that bass in our band, and yes, it appears to be the same as I remember it,,,,not a wide neck at all, and with Gibson being the name, it would be ne of the better ones. Maybe not for now,,,,,but I would try it out for "size"! Many places might have good used ones. Sam Ash, Guitar Center, (most big chains)

Also, the Hofner seems very playable. Will be lighter than the Gibson, it that matters.

John

Thanks John, and is the Hofner what Paul McCartney played early on?
RLBerry

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

Yes, RLBerry, and Paul has and uses several of the same model Hofner.

Good info Mike!
John

Thanks Mike and John.
RLBerry