Short Scale Bass for 11 Year Old

[Thunderbird]

Hi Guys I am looking for a short scale bass for my 11 year old son and and wondering if any of you guys have any suggestions? l know Epiphone and Squire do some short scale basses, He is using one of my P basses atm but it is just to big I really dont have much spare cash but if he is taking an interest in playing I want to encourage that so any suggestions would be good

Thanks in advance

[Number6]

I believe the Squier Bronco isn't bad at all and i've just picked up a Gretsch Jet Bass ii for just over £200 which for the money is excellent. I did also try the Squier Jaguar short scale bass out and that was around 190 quid and played very nicely.

Good luck with the search.

[theyellowcar]

+1 on the Squier Jag. Cool finishes, nice neck, P/J pickups so potential to upgrade (as long as the string spacing lined up)

I played a bunch of SS basses a couple of weeks ago because Ms Yellow was thinking about learning and my Precision would just be huge. The Jag was the one that stood out.

[Cat Burrito]

I was going to suggest Squier Bronco, the Gretsch Jet or an Epiphone EB0 which are all fairly inexpensive and obviously cheaper 2nd hand.

[Grangur]

How about this one?

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/212024-epiphone-custom-shop-limited-edition-eb3-case/page__p__2429887__hl__epiphone__fromsearch__1#entry2429887"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2429887[/url]

I know he says local collection, but I could collect and bring to Northants as I travel for work, or I can collect and ship.

Edited April 21, 2014 by Grangur

[madshadows]

How about one of these?

[url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/ibanez-gsrm20-mini-bass-guitar-candy-apple--82513"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/ibanez-gsrm20-mini-bass-guitar-candy-apple--82513[/url]

[url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/stagg-bc-300-3-4-mini-bass-black/16731"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/stagg-bc-300-3-4-mini-bass-black/16731[/url]

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_action_junior_bass_b_stock_3.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/cort_action_junior_bass_b_stock_3.htm[/url]

Hope this helps

John

[alyctes]

Ibanez GSRM-20. From Thomann, about £170. 28.6" scale, fits a guitar bag. Change the strings, the factory ones are not very good. I've got one, I like it a lot.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_gsrm20gb_ca.htm?sid=3ac17caebd36d1cf89b625145ac9a81d"]http://www.thomann.d...9b625145ac9a81d[/url]

Edit: Madshadows beat me to it, and cheaper too

Edited April 21, 2014 by alyctes

[Grangur]

[quote name='alyctes' timestamp='1398072280' post='2430017']
Ibanez GSRM-20. From Thomann, about £170. 28.6" scale, fits a guitar bag. Change the strings, the factory ones are not very good. I've got one, I like it a lot.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_gsrm20gb_ca.htm?sid=3ac17caebd36d1cf89b625145ac9a81d"]http://www.thomann.d...9b625145ac9a81d[/url]

Edit: Madshadows beat me to it, and cheaper too
[/quote]

+1 on the Ibby. That looks great value. You can't go wrong with an Ibanez IMO

[Thunderbird]

Thanks for all those guys I am now thinking of putting one of my basses up for trade or sale to see if I can get him something nice

[Thunderbird]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1398071821' post='2430008']
How about this one?

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/212024-epiphone-custom-shop-limited-edition-eb3-case/page__p__2429887__hl__epiphone__fromsearch__1#entry2429887"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2429887[/url]

I know he says local collection, but I could collect and bring to Northants as I travel for work, or I can collect and ship.
[/quote] Why thankyou for that kind offer but I am afraid that is a bit out of his price range and he is not too keen on an Epi I dont know why as they are great basses

[SubsonicSimpleton]

Thomann also do a 30" hofner violin bass copy

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

Maybe also consider as another alternative refinishing/customising something like a used bronco as a project that you can do with your son to create something unique that he will really value as he has invested time and effort into and made with dad.

[Cat Burrito]

Or these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Violin-Bass-Guitar-LE-MARQUIS-N-Y-LM-VB-BK-/380293726016?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item588b45bf40 always looked like they might be halfway decent

[pete.young]

30 inch scale is probably still too much for an 11 year old.

The Tanglewood EB18 Elf has a much shorter scale length and they come up for sale on eBay occasionally at reasonable prices.

[EmmettC]

I bought this for my partner, but replaced the electronics (mostly because I had all the bits already) it's a great little bass, I use it a lot for messing about at home.
[URL=http://s214.photobucket.com/user/EmmettChristie/media/IMG_20512385210269_1_zps1bb9eebe.jpg.html][IMG]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/EmmettChristie/IMG_20512385210269_1_zps1bb9eebe.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[geoham]

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1398082049' post='2430175']
30 inch scale is probably still too much for an 11 year old.

The Tanglewood EB18 Elf has a much shorter scale length and they come up for sale on eBay occasionally at reasonable prices.
[/quote]

Think it depends on the 11 year old... My boy is 12 and can handle a full size bass just fine. His cousin of the same age would have no chance!

[Thunderbird]

Some good ideas thanks guys

[The Funk]

My son uses a small P bass called a Westfield or a Wesley. I'll have a look and take a pic for you in the next few days. It's very playable for younger kids (9-12) - and I can just about squeeze my fingers onto it too. It sounds and plays great!

[BassHappy]

[color=#888888][color=#888888][size=4]Here is some stuff off of my website. I don't know how readily available some of these are in the UK, as I am US based - but some of the "off the rack" short scale production basses are shown from left to right below. As pictured below, Gretsch has their short scale Electrotone and ThunderJet models - along with a JuniorJet and a Billy-Bo Thunderbird bass. Gibson has released a Les Paul Junior and an SG Faded short scale. Fender has recently released short scale Squier versions of it's Jaguar, Bronco and Mustang models to go along with the Fender Mustang, Bronco and Music Master models. Gibson's Epiphone division has an Allen Woody semi-hollow RumbleKat, an EB-0 and a Hofner type knock-off Viola Bass. Not pictured below, Gibson has released a short scale version of the popular Thunderbird bass [url="http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Thunderbird-Short-Scale-Bass.aspx"]here [/url]- while Fender Japan has released - along with their full and medium scalers - a short scale version of their iconic 1962 Jazz Bass replica [/size][/color][url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62ss.html"]here[/url]. [color=#888888][size=4]There was also a Fender U.S. Precision Bass Junior - with an extra short 28.5" scale - but it has been discontinued.[/size][/color][/color]



[color=#888888][color=#888888][size=4]Other manufacturers in modern times such as Ibanez, Yamaha, Guild, Kubicki, Aria, SX (Essex), Hamer, Dean, Cort, Warwick, C.B. Basses, S.D. Curlee, Alembic, Birdsong, and others - have offered some short scale basses - and even the occasional medium scale model over the years. [/size][/color][/color]

[color=#888888][color=#888888][size=4]Website is here for those interested: [url="http://www.innertainment.net/"]http://www.innertainment.net/[/url][/size][/color][/color]

[color=#888888][color=#888888][size=4]And my little commentary on short and medium scale basses is here: [sup][url="http://www.innertainment.net/medium.html"]http://www.innertain...net/medium.html[/url][/sup][/size][/color][/color]

[color=#888888]Good luck with all![/color]

[color=#888888]BassHappy[/color]

Edited April 22, 2014 by BassHappy

[kodiakblair]

The guys recommending the Ibanez Mikro are bang on the button.
I've one myself and they're good with really nice slim necks I've
also got a Dean Evo XM which is 30" yet another nice bass though
a wider neck. Both are very light weight so ideal for an 11 year old.

[grossey]

My daugter (and I) have been more than happy with the Harly Benton PB-Shorty, at about 55quid you cant go wrong.

[Maude]

I don't know if you want to go down the second hand do-er upper route but this old Tele copy looks interesting, 25".
If you're into a bit of restoration it could be a fun project for you both, or just keep it as it is, genuine (hate the word) 'roadworn'.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121323600542?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

[gsgbass]

One thing nice about a Gibson SG Spl. (short scale), it has twin Humbuckings, comes with a hardshell case, and is playable for a long time.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sShvW9x.jpg[/IMG]

[BluRay]

I bought a squier jaguar (last month) for my 11 year old lad - and its fab. Plays really well, sounds and looks good, and right size. Recommended.