Bass suitable for ~ 8 year old - suggestions please

[dougal]

George, my son, plays a 1/2 size 'cello, and when we were talking about another instrument he wanted to play, he didn't say drums or keyboard (as I expected him to), instead he said bass.

So now I'm on the hunt for a small bass for him.

We already have an ashbory, which he messes about on, but I want a fretted bass, as we worry about intonation and the like on the cello already.

I'm not made of money, but I don't mind spending a few quit, so I'd rather avoid the Harley Benton / toys'r'us plywood stuff.

So far the options appear to be:
Ibanez http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_gsrm20ca.htm


Warwick Corvette http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvette_basic_short_scale_nt.htm




Squire Bronco http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_squier_bronco_bass_rd.htm


Any more suggestions?

[Grangur]

Of those you've listed I'd go for the Ibanez. They have good fast necks and slim for small hands.

The Warwick would be great, but knowing what kids are like it's a lot of money if his mates knock it over in his bedroom etc.

You could also consider a Fleabass Junior.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLEA-JUNIOR-PUNK-3-4-SHORT-SCALE-BASS-GREEN-GIG-BAG-NEW-/251270148129?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a80de3021"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a80de3021[/url]

Edited May 12, 2013 by Grangur

[JamesBass]

I started on a Bronco just before my 10th birthday, it's a brilliant bass for little hands! Plus it's a damn sight cheaper than the Warwick! Personally I'd go Bronco, it is at the end of the day something for the kid to learn on, it's not gonna be a bass that stays with him for years upon years!

[dlloyd]

Fender Mustang Bass

[jezzaboy]

I`d go for the Ibby as I have never owned a bad one and it`s much cheaper than the Warwick.

Or how about a Short scale Jag? Good looking bass and easily upgradeable if you so desire.

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-By-Fender-Vintage-Modified-Jaguar-Bass-Special-SS/FYZ?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+Squier&utm_content=di3hQLtr_pcrid_30132057679_plid__kword__match__"]http://www.gear4musi..._kword__match__[/url]

Edited May 12, 2013 by jezzaboy

[krysh]

I'd be careful with a fender, there is something in the laquer that seems to change the dna.....


but seriously I 'd also recommend a mustang or the bronco.
as an alternative, how about a kala-u-bass?

[BetaFunk]

Either the Bronco or Ibanez would be fine. Both are excellent for the money.

I'm amazed that no one has recommended a Stingray with the comment 'he'll grow into it'.

[lapolpora]

I recently bought the Ibanez for my nine year old. I cannot fault it in anyway. It's small, light and sounds huge with the PJ pick-up configuration. I had to lower the action and I'm going to buy lighter gauge strings as my son is very small for his age - but that's it.

If you do go for this and buy from Thomann get the package with the gig bag. It's a tenner extra but is actually a really good case.

[BetaFunk]

[quote name='lapolpora' timestamp='1368380948' post='2076329']
I recently bought the Ibanez for my nine year old. I cannot fault it in anyway. It's small, light and sounds huge with the PJ pick-up configuration. I had to lower the action and I'm going to buy lighter gauge strings as my son is very small for his age - but that's it.

If you do go for this and buy from Thomann get the package with the gig bag. It's a tenner extra but is actually a really good case.
[/quote]
I agree with that. Thinking more about it the Ibanez has a slightly shorter scale than the Bronco and is lighter. Ibanez definitely.

[pete.young]

For 8 years old I think these are all too big. An alternative is to look for a Tanglewood Elf, they have a 19.75 inch scale length and crop up on ebay from time to time.

I think there was one for sale on here not long ago.

[CPBass]

Flea bass Junior?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/flea_bass_junior_the_wild_one.htm

Keenly priced

Edited May 12, 2013 by Voodoosnake

[BetaFunk]

I just remembered the Samick Corsair and it just happens that there is one on ebay at the moment. Ideal for an 8 year old i'd say.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samick-Corsair-MCR1-Short-Scale-Bass-Guitar-/111070925572?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19dc57d304"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19dc57d304[/url]

Edited May 12, 2013 by BetaFunk

[Junkyard Rocket]

The Squier Vintage modified jag SS is a massive upgrade over the bronco. Its 30" scale like the bronco/musicmaster/mustang & mine is as light as my danelectro longhorn (another 30" bass which might be worth looking at)

[bagsieblue]

Does it have to be an electric bass?
Have you considered an inexpensive acoustic / electro acoustic bass so there are no leads / amps to invest in and have lying around?

[Thunderbird]

The Ibanez looks good or how about an Epiphone EBO ?

[url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=04042010345718&gclid=CMa04d26kbcCFfIPtAodcAkACA#main-product-overview"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=04042010345718&gclid=CMa04d26kbcCFfIPtAodcAkACA#main-product-overview[/url]

[Owen]

My daughter had a Flea bass junior when she was 10. She loves it. The Thoman price is good and the gig bag is a useful one. Black is cheapest.

[floFC]

What about the Hofner Shorty? http://www.hofner-guitars.com/electric-basses/solid-body-basses/hct-shb-bk-0.html

Small body but the neck might bo too long (30" scale).

[simon1964]

The Bronco is an excellent little bass for the money. My son started on one when he was about 8, and got on fine.

[Left Foot]

Personally Id go for a Westfeild small body bass. Really lightweight, playable neck, decent tone no fuss or hastle, plus fairly cheap and price but not build (from my experience).

[stoker]

How about this as an alternaive?
http://www.thomann.de/gb/gretsch_g2214_junior_jet_bass_sunburst.htm

[pete.young]

If you're going to ignore my advice and go for a 30", you want this:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207578-squier-vintage-modified-jaguar-short-scale-for-sale-l150/

[BetaFunk]

I'm still amazed that no one has recommended (or rather been told) buying a Stingray...............

[dougal]

Thanks everyone for their input.

Pete, to give you some scale, here is he stoof next to a fully grown young woman - I don't think 30" will be too large:



I tried [i]really[/i] hard to convince him that the Squire on here is a better idea than the bronco, but he really likes the bronco in black / white, damnit.

I may just have to play the 'daddy knows best' card. Perhaps someone will make me a white pickguard.

[dougal]

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1368472756' post='2077543']
I'm still amazed that no one has recommended (or rather been told) buying a Stingray...............
[/quote]

He [i]would[/i] grow into it....

[Jono Bolton]

Does it have to be a short scale? I started at the same age but on a full-sized P Bass copy. "Back in my day, blah, blah, blah..."