For you bass players

[Grog]

Getting my 17 year old daughter a beginning bass guitar. Just looking for advice. Thinking about a 3/4 size OscarSchmidt or Fender squier vintage modified jaguar. Any suggestions on a practice amp? Do you lose anything when going with a 3/4 size bass? She is 5',7 long arms and fingers, been playing the piano for 8 years so she has strong fingers. Was looking at a fender mustang amp. Thanks.

[kaisen]

She's 5'7" and almost an adult, not going to grow much more if at all?

There are dozens of professional, successful bassists playing full-size bass guitars that are 5'7" or less.... even with normal arms

[nostatic]

Don't get a 3/4 scale bass. Just get a regular 34" scale bass. For a practice amp most anything will do but bassist exist in the world to play with other musicians, so sooner than later if she keeps up with it you'll have to get something bigger and with more power that can keep up with drums and guitar (depending on the style of music).

Any Fender or Squier Precision or Jazz would be fine. Get it set up correctly and get her a good teacher so she doesn't ingrain bad habits (ask me how I know).

[flipper35]

My daughter is 10 an d plays a full size Yamaha. The body is small and lightweight compared to others, but the neck is regular size. Now she wants another. I never should have shown her the bass porn threads here

I say stay full size as her muscle memory won't have to adapt later.

[rouxroux]

No on the short-scale. Get a nice P-Bass and something small like a HArtke Kickback (small enough for home, loud enough for small combo gigs plus a headphone out). Although I have a few 2-octave neck short scales, they will screw up that all-important position feel needed in a beginner. She can stretch it a bit. A short scale later maybe (for fun), but PLEASE not for a beginner. ( you might check out different radius profiles on the neck, that is more important for a nice arched finger position and proper thumb placement).

[Rapewta]

A 34" as already suggested would be my choice.
A Fender Jazz or Jazz clone is nice. Some are heavier than others. I would think 8lbs or lighter is a comfortable bass.

As far as a practce amp... I would go ahead and get a 120W 15" combo. You can lug them around without to much trouble and if need be, she can always turn it up but it will play fine at a low level.

[Superman]

My esteemed bassist superiors here once again dispense sound advice. However, I myself started with a short scale bass and I don't see a problem. I play a full-length bass now, but want a good short scale bass in my stable. Nothing wrong with them. Indeed, I think it is true that a short scale bass seems to have more 'thump.' Fact is, I almost never use the nut. My hand spends most of the night around the 7th fret. I wouldn't hesitate to get a short scale bass for your daughter. As I say, I am hoping to add a good one to my stable. Particularly the ones with the bent-back headstocks are FAR more manageable on a small stage with other musicians.

Different radius profiles are very different. I wonder if the thicker neck might encourage her to use her thumb on the neck, like she's supposed to. My first bass, a short scale, had a thick neck. I guess I learned on a classical-style guitar (bass) and then moved to the hotrod (Jazz neck). I digress.

If she continues, she WILL outgrow a pure practice amp. I am still (thank you, Dave) very much enjoying my Ampeg BA-115 HP. One 15" speaker with a 1" horn in a box with a 200w amp. Plenty O'power for small and medium gigs and TONS of tone options. Convenient, versatile, well built. Used, they go for around $300 or so. They sell for that too, if she doesn't pursue it.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Rapewta

A 34" as already suggested would be my choice.
A Fender Jazz or Jazz clone is nice. Some are heavier than others. I would think 8lbs or lighter is a comfortable bass.

You're absolutely right. I am looking for alternatives to my Jazz. That thing is a boat-anchor. Quite heavy.

[targa911S]

I'm on board with everybody on a Squire P or J. Come up a bit maybe even to a MIM jazz. J's have a thinner neck. Amp?? Ampeg baby...Ampeg. Single 15 combo. Hell I use mine for some clubs we play. It's small enough AND big enough.

[Grog]

Thanks for the help. My sons guitar teacher used a 3/4 OscarSchmidt to jam with him. I asked him about it after the lesson, he said it was a good low cost American made bass with good sound. He said it would be a good starter for a kid or girl, light weight, less finger pressure required. I did think to ask if it had less range or if it would be difficult, to move to a full size. I think she can handle a full size. She is like a fish in water when she picks up a insturment. I asked my son if he could play that top gun theme song, he said he didnt have the music. My daughter downloaded the song and listened to it and wrote out the notes. She then picks up the guitar, plucks all the strings going through each fret to find the right notes, the she plays the song. She has a heck of an ear for music. She hadn't played a guitar before, just piano and french horn.

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by Grog

just piano and french horn.

If she plays horn, she SHOULD have great pitch recognition because of the close overtone series on horn. She'll be a female John Entwistle! (also a fine horn player).

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Grog

Thanks for the help. My sons guitar teacher used a 3/4 OscarSchmidt to jam with him. I asked him about it after the lesson, he said it was a good low cost American made bass with good sound.

At $279 I *highly* doubt that is an American made bass. Likely made in China (or Indonesia or Korea). That's isn't the kiss or death as there are some really good instruments coming from there. But the teacher is either BSing or doesn't know what he's talking about.

As for "finger pressure", that depends on a lot of factors and scale length is one factor that can be offset by others. A good setup is the most important, and after that are strings as different brands have different tensions and feels.

[Grog]

I'm blaming you guys. Just ordered a Squier by Fender Standard Jazz Bass, Candy Apple Red. Next I think I will go with the ampeg single 15 combo. Won't be long and she can jam with her brother. She will have to wait for Christmas though. She got nominated for the state high school honor band. (french horn). I think she has to try out for it.

Thanks for the help.
Steve

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

No on the short-scale. Get a nice P-Bass and something small like a HArtke Kickback (small enough for home, loud enough for small combo gigs plus a headphone out).

^^^This^^^ Can't go wrong with a P-bass (I have a American Jazz) and I have a Kickback amp, has all of the above AND a balanced out that you can plug into the mixing board, I have survived playing through the PA and using the amp as a monitor for many years.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Grog

I'm blaming you guys. Just ordered a Squier by Fender Standard Jazz Bass, Candy Apple Red. Next I think I will go with the ampeg single 15 combo. Won't be long and she can jam with her brother. She will have to wait for Christmas though. She got nominated for the state high school honor band. (french horn). I think she has to try out for it.

Thanks for the help.
Steve

The Fender Jazz is the most popular bass of all time. She'll enjoy it.

I'd steer you away from the 100-watt version of the Ampeg 15" combo amp. Get the "HP" version with 220 watts and more features.

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by Grog

I'm blaming you guys. Just ordered a Squier by Fender Standard Jazz Bass, Candy Apple Red. Next I think I will go with the ampeg single 15 combo. Won't be long and she can jam with her brother. She will have to wait for Christmas though. She got nominated for the state high school honor band. (french horn). I think she has to try out for it.

Thanks for the help.
Steve

Good choices. As a horn player and band director for decades, congratulate her on the honor band nod. And remind her that trumpet players are a dime a dozen, colleges pay great $$$ to have good horn players. She can write her ticket through college (no matter what her major) if she is a decent horn payer. Scholarships and service awards for horn players put MANY of my students through!

[Grog]

She is an awesome kid. She never played the trumpet, she started on a double french horn in middle school. It helps that her mom plays the horn for a local symphony. My daughter has also helped out the symphony, played the last couple years in the community college symphonic band, local area youth symphony, also a local group that plays at the hospital, retirement homes and such. Her junior and this year, senior year, she has only one high school class, symphonic band. She is on track to graduate with a 4.0 in high school and have a 2 year college degree at the same time. She is also a 4.0 in college. Can you tell that I am proud?

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by rouxroux

If she plays horn, she SHOULD have great pitch recognition because of the close overtone series on horn. She'll be a female John Entwistle! (also a fine horn player).

My first thought! Better not call her Ox though.

I second the idea of the BA115HP. I have been using one for 6 years now. Got it all going on. Tuner, presets, Xlr out, headphonee and rca jacks for practice. Plenty of sound from practice to small club. Bigger room? Plug it into the front of the house. They run out of gas outside though. My go to amp for small rooms. (100-200)

Ampeg: Bass Amp Series - BA115HP

[rouxroux]

Wonderful! Like I said, colleges fight over good horn players, and it does NOT matter what they major in! Glad to hear you wife is a hornist as well. While I seldom post "bass porn", here's a bit of "horn porn" for the ladies....It's my Alexander 103, silver (not plated, not lacquered), serial number in the LOW double digits. HAve owned it since the early 70's, always been my favorite. Set up for Bb/F rather than the other way around. (quick-change trigger). Oh yeah, a few Fenders and a Ric in the background.

[targa911S]

"Oh yeah, a few Fenders and a Ric in the background.".........he says casually......

you crack me up...