Ok, so first a little bit of background on me. I’m in my early 40’s I was born back in '81 so I grew up and fell in love with all the awesomeness that was the 90’s including the music. Basically, I’m really into anything grunge, metal, and hard rock. In my 20’s I got a sweet deal on an Ibanez gsr200 which I stupidly sold years later. Fast forward till now and I’m really regretting that decision. My husband got me a strich bass along with a gig bag, amp, and strap for $199 for my birthday back on December 1st. Now, that’s not the one I originally wanted. The one I originally wanted was the Jackson JS series concert bass Minion js1x bass guitar. And I wanted this for two very specific reasons. One because it’s a short scale (my husband affectionately calls me a short little shit and my tattooist that I’ve known for 20 + years calls me fun size…think 5 ft 0 in average size is around 150lbs and I’ve got tiny little hands to boot) and two because I’m into metal and want to play metal, grunge, and hard rock. This is a bass that is TAILOR MADE for metalheads like myself. But alas when my husband went to snag it it was out of stock sooooo he got me all the Strich stuff instead. I’m noticing I’m kinda having trouble reaching all the frets on this standard 34 inch that I’m playing. Enter into the mix a fella from Sweetwater that I talked to today about all this and he recommended based on my size, stature, and what I want to play to get a Squier classic vibe 60’s mustang bass for the obvious grunge that I’m into and use a distortion pedal for the metal (I asked and got a recommendation for the pedal as well). Soooo my question is this…do I keep practicing with what I have even though I struggle with the length (I literally have to put it in tone while it’s on my lap and when it’s leaning on the couch and I’m sitting on said couch it’s as tall as my head), or do I possibly upset my husband and get either the Minion as planned OR do I go with experts advice and go with the Squire? Looooove your videos and lessons!!! It’s how I’m learning thanks in advance. Sincerely cassy
P.s. the pics in order are…the Strich that I received, me along with the Strich, the Minion that I originally wanted, and the Squire Classic Vibe 60s Mustang bass
I’m slowly figuring out that I’m never comfortable and/or find fault until I get what I wanted in the first place. Though, I’d say keep the original one as well. The one you thought you wanted may not actually be all you thought it was going to be, and you end up liking the first one after all.
I can’t speak for the Mustang, but a couple of weeks ago I bought a second hand Squier CV 50s p-bass. Freak me, after just over 18 months of playing a bass and saying I didn’t want a Fender (or Fender inspired) bass, I love the thing.
The Squier isn’t replacing any of my basses on the rack, but it’s earned it place on it.
I also received a P bass as a gift several years ago. I am female and a bit (9”) taller than you and was able to play it for a while, but not with good technique because I didn’t know what I was doing. Fast forward to when it broke and I had to borrow my friend’s Ibanez with a thinner neck. It was a whole new world. I have since purchased a used Yamaha with a neck I can play but I’ve kept the original P bass because it was my entrance into the bass world and I’m so grateful for the gift. All that to say, I can’t imagine playing a P with small hands and I think, as someone else suggested, to keep the gift from your husband and see if you can’t find an affordable, possibly used bass that you are comfortable with.
I would get a new bass that plays well. I play long scale, but all the shifting at the wider frets is tiresome.
Have you thought about how you can get your husband on board? Maybe all you need to say is you appreciate the gift and it/he helped you to figure out that you want a short scale.
If you really like the JS Series Concert™ Bass Minion JS1X, I say go for it. There’s one available on Amazon right now. It has gotten decent reviews and at a 28.6" scale should really help you comfortably play.
Stoked you have a bass and are looking to play loud good music on it!
I’d go along with the recommendation for a short scale bass (whatever model you think looks coolest) and a distortion pedal.
If you think your bass looks rad (and either the Jackson or the Fender short scales are beautiful, but definitely different vibes - the Fender is an easier bass to bring into lots of genres. The Jackson really only wants to be in a metal band, and the punkers and the grungers might look at you with raised eyebrows if you bring a traditional metal instrument into their midst) and you have a distortion pedal, you will be a very happy bassist.
Get the bass that makes you want to play. It sounds like the current one is not it.
As far as the Jackson vs. the Squier, I have no strong opinions or advice on that. I think you should try to put hands on as close to those two as you can to see what you like better.
For your husband - thank him for getting you a bass and let him know that you appreciate it and that his gift has made it clear that you really enjoy playing bass. That the problem is just the size. He wouldn’t be offended if he bought you a nice piece of clothing and you exchanged it for a different size.
Also, get a decent stool to sit on while practicing that lets you hold the bass comfortably with upright posture. I’m 5’9" with long arms, and I would not be able to play sat in a chair like that.
That bass doesn’t look too long for your arms. The chair looks like it’s messing you up in a bad way. You said things get tiring after a while standing.
A shorter neck might help, but I think it’s also very likely that one or more is the bigger issue:
You’re fretting the low frets inefficiently. (Press directly over the first fret, not between fret and nut.)
The bass is set up poorly. (Neck relief, string height, nut height)
The neck is a poor shape for your hands. (Too thick or shaped oddly.)
I would go put hands on different instruments and find what fits you best when seated properly in a stool or standing - not just go off of an online recommendation. Short scale may be the right answer, but don’t limit yourself to that. Look at brands like Ibanez that have very slim necks.
Yea I totally get what you’re saying on where you practice makes all the difference in the world. Honestly, that was just a “prop” photo from when I just got the bass.he just wanted to snap a picture of “hey pretend to play I wanna show off what you got” kinda thing…I wasn’t actually sitting down to practice. When I sit down to practice it’s on the couch (the couch that the bass is leaning against) so that I can have full access to everything and not be all scrunched up add to all this a shitton of pillows behind me for back support.
It sounds like the classic vintage mustang would be good for the long haul and would be more versatile that could be added up on with the distortion pedal (the best of both worlds kinda thing). Is that the vibe I’m getting from ya? What do you think josh would think?
Dude, I found your YouTube and subscribed!!! You’re doing amazing. I noticed that we’re into a lot of the same grungy music…that’s soooo awesome. it sounds like you’re INCREDIBLY impressed with the classic vibe mustang. That’s cool as hell. I’m in this for the long haul and into it for the harder music so it sounds like the classic vibe mustang would be a super great fit for that. That’s the sense that I’m getting from your post anyway.
P.S SUPER glad to hear that those are NOT your curtains…those things are horrendous.
I can’t speak for Josh, but I like either bass with a distortion pedal.
I think the Jackson has more sound options, but it gets pigeon holed as a metal bass because of their reputation and the design.
Yea I’ve looked into the Ibanez mikro as well. Thing is, is I know that an Ibanez is an awesome bass because I owned an Ibanez previously AND I already know that Ibanez is great for metal lovers.
It’s all relative. What works for some might not be ideal for others.
Some bassists who play seated use a foot stand (like classical guitarists) to raise a leg so their instruments are situated in the lap for optimal playability.
Personally, I find this approach comfortable and very useful. YMMV
thanks in advance. Sincerely cassy
