What scale length bass should I get?

Just started play bass and practicing with a band. I have a normal scale Ibanez but I feel like the 34 scale length is too big for my small hands.
I have pretty flexible finger and can make long stretches but I have limitation and I want to cause strain too my finger. I recently found out about medium scale length basses (32" length) but there are limited options so I was wondering if they are even worth it or should i go for a short scale (30" length) bass?

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There are many here who play short scale basses. Historically, there have been stars who played/play shorties because they’re easier to play than long scale or because of their inherent tone. Short scales have a thumpy character to their tone as they don’t have the overtones of longer scale basses.

I started playing bass on shorties (three, in fact). They’re overall lighter and easier fretting than longer scales.

That said, I switched to long scale years ago as I prefer their tone, but that’s just me. Try out some shorties and see how they fit you. :+1:

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Here’s Josh’s take about “small hands”…

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What kind of physical limitations? If you are new to bass it takes sometime to get settled into.

It is your money and your decision at the end of the day but this is something I learn. You can scale down to 30” from 34” and all of your skills will transfer with it but not the other way around. Starting with short scale and when you are ready to move up you have to relearn your touch before you can utilize your tool bag.

Here’s a 23” scale. Kala solid body Ubass in action.

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I bought a Gibson SG shorty after I injured my left shoulder falling on ice and found that the reach to the first fret was a little uncomfortable. I now have about 15 shorties, including 3 fretless. I just got used to the 30" scale. There’s a ton of choice in basses and strings.

Not so for 32" medium scale. Limited choices. I tried an inexpensive 32" Ibanez. I hated it. Active only. No passive option. HORRIBLE preamp. Super touchy. Never sounded good to me, no matter how I configured the tone controls. Sold.

If you can afford around $525-$550, look for a Sire U5 (I have both the fretted and fretless versions). Great short scale bass for the money. Punches way above its cost. I had to wait for both after ordering, but worth it.

Here’s a review from Low End Lobster.

Here are mine.

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Hmmm, not necessarily “lighter”. My long scale is, like @michael585360, an Ibanez, my short scale is a Sterling MusicMan, which (slight exaggeration?) is (seemingly) twice the weight. But that’s just the wood.

My recommendation, if you can financially, get a short (or medium) scale and KEEP your Long scale. I love having the option.
Over time, as you get better if you find yourself avoiding one, then you found your preference and can trade/sell the other.

I also have small hands/fingers and some dexterity issues so I went with short scale bass guitars from the start. Started with a Blackstar Carry on travel bass which is ultra short just to do initial learning. I still use it. Then got the 30" Ibanez TMB30 Talman which I really like but now find really heavy and difficult to reach. I plan to sell it. So my go to bass is now a 28.6" Ibanez GSRM20B GIO miKro which I also really like. For nostalgia reasons I also got a Hofner violin bass but find reach difficult and use it occasionally.

Short scales can be fun, and as @MikeC said, they sound different to a long scale. I have an Ibanez EHB1000S, the S stands for short scale. It’s a great bass and you can really throw it around in a way that you can’t with a long scale … as in with a shortie, you are less likely to hit something or someone with the headstock! To be fair, you can’t hit anyone with the Ibanez headstock, it doesn’t have one :rofl:

I move between the Ibanez and my long scale basses with easy - no adjustment time required - but then I started on a long scale.

I’ve owned four short scale basses, each a different brand. One is a Sterling Ray short scale.

Each one of these basses has been lighter than any of my long scales. YMMV

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