I didn’t know if a Jazz bass would be easier for someone with small hands?
I currently have a P bass and I’m very likely to be a ‘bedroom bassist’ forever, in that I doubt that no one else will ever hear me play. So not overly fussed on the overall tone.
Didn’t know if anyone here had any opinions on the J vs P bass debate…exclusively about ease of playing both and if either seemed easier for someone with smaller hands?
Thanks guys
Yes Jazz bass neck profile is slimmer and offer faster feel neck than P bass. That said not all are the same so it depends on what brands and models some are thicker than others.
What do you have in mind? Going short scale may not be a bad idea either.
Before buying a new bass, be sure the current one is set up correctly with good (for you) strings. Neck bow, string height, and string gauge will have a MASSIVE change in how a bass feels.
Also proper fretting technique. It takes less force to press the strings down the closer you are to being on top of the frets. This is super noticeable on the lowest frets.
After that… yes, a jazz neck will tend to be slimmer. But definitely try different brands and models to find one that feels nicest in YOUR hands. You might like a brand like Ibanez that offers especially thin necks, and or like a short-scale bass.
I actually find 5 strings to be the most comfy to play because the neck radius is so flat.
Other than that I find short scale basses comfortable. Try out some different basses in a shop because this is so subjective.
Fenders often have a 7.5" radius and you might like a 10-12" radius more
I just recently got a squire jazz bass and I do find it easier to play than my Ibanez. I did get used to the the Ibanez since I started with it but I all around like the feel and sound of the jazz bass personally. If there is somewhere you can go and try one out that may help you find out which one you like best.
Make space on the wall, get bass hooks and buy more basses…
Thanks for all the responses guys.
As essentially a beginner (completed the course a while ago…but I suck)
I currently have a Classic Vibe Squire 60’s precision bass. Which has been professionally set up. So I don’t think the bass is the issue.
A short scale might be a good option but I have another round of beginner questions 
Is a short scale bass easier to learn on?
Is the short scale considered a beginner/kids bass?
Is it difficult to transition to a larger bass again?
Looking at mustang basses - Are they more similar to jazz or precision basses? - Or are they a beast all to themselves?
Anyone got any more advice/recommendations for small scale basses?
Learn? No.
Play yes.
Yes, conceptually but once the pro pick one up it’s over.
Difficult? No but unlike going from larger scale to short scale there’s a recalibration period, and it’s not 5 minutes.
I love Mustang Bass, Love! I have 2 American Performer and a few Squier Mustang. They are simply awesome. Check out the tone comparison.
Also check out the Sterling Short Scale. I love them just as much.
Here’s one with the custom fretless but the electronics is original, it has tape wound string on it.
That’s the best round of questions. Ask away.
As a lifelong guitarist, I found a short scale more comfortable to learn with.
That said, I switched to long scale halfway through taking B2B. I now find shorties to feel fast and fun to play, but I’m more accustomed to my longer scales. YMMV
That the way… I like it… 
My walls are filling up as I don’t have the floor space.
When were newer its likely impossible to know what we like best, experience shows us in time.
Just buy more basses…
Agree 
I had two basses back when I was in music college: an early 70s Fender Jazz and a Rick 4001. I never gelled with either of them.
Later, I played a short scale (with a pick) in a rock band years ago: a Danelectro Longhorn. I had always played guitar, but the band needed a bass player, so I jumped on the grenade. Fun was had by all.
My Longhorn was perfect for the purpose: it was lightweight, had a great feeling neck and a booming, ballsy tone.
Decades later, I signed up for B2B because I wanted to learn proper fingerpicking. That’s when I bought three shorties in rapid succession.
They all played fine, but I was jonesing for the clear, ringing tone of a long scale that I love in my fave jazz and blues recordings. So I bought a damn fine long scale. Then a signature custom. Then a custom built to my specs. Then…then…
I dig my shorties for fun every now and then, but playing my five long scales 4-strings is where I live.
Oh yeah, and each of my basses except for one has a 38mm nut width neck. My EBMM Cutlass P bass is only marginally wider at 40.3mm, but its outstanding modern C neck is a joy to play. I just don’t care for chunky or wide necks.
My preferences is the 38mm nut width ‘so far’, I jump back and forth between a Geddy Jazz and a Fender Marcus Miller Jazz. Each one is my favorite at different times, I’m still figuring out which is my number 1.
I hope to play a cutlass one day to feel the width to see if I like it, because they sure sound good.
I almost bought a Music Man Sterling (38mm) but the sound is said to be not as rich and bassy as a Stingray.
Now I’m thinking Ray 4 (38mm) then mod it out after awhile. There are some vids with excellent sounding results after the mods.
EBMM Cutlass Modern Classic basses are extremely rare. These American P basses were built in a limited run, and owners hold on to them like life itself. They’re that good.
As of this writing, there’s one for sale on Reverb, going for a cool grand over the original sale price. I personally don’t care for the blue color, but if someone really wants one, it’s there (for the time being).
I was lucky to buy a minty-mint Cutlass from an original owner dude in New Zealand. He was a really nice guy, but he apparently didn’t play it. I don’t think he knew what he had. Still, we were both happy with the deal, even though shipping to me in Texas was waaaay expensive.
I started out liking 38mm the most but then later discovered that I like 40mm much more. The really old school P-bass 43mm necks are a bit chonky for me though. Weirdly 43mm is my preference for guitar, though; I’ve become more accustomed to Gibson scale there. I think Strats might be the same too at the nut.
