Compact body basses

[BassApprentice]

I think I have worked out what's most important to me in a bass. 

 

It's not the neck, or pickup arrangement or even number of strings. It's a smaller body. 

 

The two basses I've got on best with recently is my MTD Kingston K5 and a Sandberg Electra VS4 which I regret selling a bit. I've currently got a Sire V7 which just isn't working, just like the other 3 jazz basses I've had in the past haven't worked.

 

And recently I tried a Squier CV 50s P Bass which was great, but the G&L SB2 I tried after just felt better to me. Of course, this could just be another phase but having a large bodied bass might be something I just don't like. Anyone else in the same camp? 

[itu]

Meet your local luthier and ask for a smaller body. Rhonda Smith (one of Prince's bassists) talked about this in some Bass Player mag.

My fretless 4 has 36" scale and a compact body. Light weight, chambered body by a local luthier.

[tubbybloke68]

Defo with you on this! Just picked up a musicman USA Sterling on here.lovely small body and narrow neck, the thing feels like a toy ! Really digging it at the moment 😊

[neepheid]

I do enjoy my Epiphone Les Paul Standard bass - the body's the same size as the guitar with a big long neck glued into it.  When Gibson released the Oversized Les Paul bass, a little sick went in my mouth.

 

Then again, I have an Epiphone JC Signature.  I'm so contrary

 

[Boodang]

My 2 main basses are a Jazz and a custom Sei Flamboyant. The jazz neck starts to join the body at the 15th fret and the Sei at the 24th fret. In consequence the body on the Sei bass is about half that of the jazz and far more ergonomic to play. 

When you put the two side by side the jazz body looks unnecessarily large. I love the jazz but I might be tempted to get a smaller bodied version made without a cumbersome neck joint.

[LeftyJ]

I'm a big guy at 1,96 m (6'5") but I too really enjoy a smaller body and an overall more compact instrument. I really enjoy the small body of my Warwick Streamers, they're essentially based on the Spector NS shape that's been around since 1977 and the curves and compact size really are a treat. 

[Doctor J]

I like smaller bodies but, unlike necks, they're not a deal breaker for me. I'm a big fan of the Streamer/Spector NS shape, in particular.

[Jonesy]

I really love my SG bass, it's light, the body is very thin, the neck is lovely and everything else feels like a boat in comparison.

[ped]

Yes the G&L SB basses do feel like sleeker and more refined versions of their ancestors. My old SB1 with flats is like a pair of ancient jeans that feel like a second skin, combines with a pair of warm slippers.

 

When I pick up the Stingray (pre EB slab body) it feels like a right chunky sod, but I love that about it, and for me the hand position is really comfortable - the bass isn't even very heavy, so that's lucky. 

 

I'm not that sensitive to neck width or profile, but do really appreciate the rounded feel of a played in neck.

[bassbiscuits]

Yup. My most comfy bass to play is a Yamaha BB604 - small sleek body, 24-fret slim neck. It’s just the way it tucks in close to my body when I play, without any sharp edges. 

[LeftyJ]

3 hours ago, ped said:

Yes the G&L SB basses do feel like sleeker and more refined versions of their ancestors. My old SB1 with flats is like a pair of ancient jeans that feel like a second skin, combines with a pair of warm slippers.

I had a USA SB-2, and it was indeed very sleek and comfortable but much heavier than its compact size and slim, narrow neck would have you expect! 

[Paul S]

The Fender Precision Lyte basses ( and later Zone basses) had smaller than your average Precision bass bodies that were the same size as Strats.  Might even have started off life as Strat bodies.  Nice instruments.  

[Lfalex v1.1]

On 16/12/2021 at 15:34, LeftyJ said:

I had a USA SB-2, and it was indeed very sleek and comfortable but much heavier than its compact size and slim, narrow neck would have you expect! 

Conversely,  my SB-2 Tribute is only about 8lb...

[Waddycall]

Yep, same here. Ibanez SR really suits me. I have a fretless Jazz and it feels really big compared to the Ibanez 

[Boodang]

If an ergonomic body is what you're after, how about a Kubicki? Always been interested in one but you rarely see them come up s/h.

[Guest]

.....

Edited December 17, 2021 by Ricky Rioli

[PaulThePlug]

I find the Yams 'Fugly'..

Ibby SR 'worn pebble'... nice...

Edited December 17, 2021 by PaulThePlug

[TheGreek]

One of the best small bodied basses has to be the Bass Collection SGC Nanyos.

 

Like Ricky, I prefer the TRB and BBG5s bodies to the BB range, which others rave about.

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

I find the Yams 'Fugly'..

 

Sorry, have sorted that

[fretmeister]

Yup. Me too.

Sandberg TT4, couple of Ibby Mezzos, Ibby EHB, are all very comfortable.

My precision feels very antiquated by comparison. I still love it but I do want a Sandberg version!

[durhamboy]

Despite being fairly tall, I find a smaller body more comfortable. Even with guitars my preference is a Tele or SG sort of size. I'm also no fan of sharp edges or slab bodies, even the Tele 6 string I made for myself has forearm and belly cuts and deeper round overs on the edges.

 

With basses Warwick Thumbs, Corvettes and Streamers, Spector N4's and the like tend to be in my happy place, just have to be careful about the choice of woods, some of those beautiful timbers can be pretty heavy and overly heavy basses are another thing I try to avoid. (Hey, I'm 69 with lower back issues I have to take care of. Growing old is a right royal pain sometimes.)

[Grahambythesea]

The Spector NS shape would suit you perfectly.

[verb]

I play a Warwick Corvette, I have tried more traditional shaped basses but just never get on with them 

[Merton]

Yup I’m all about smaller bodied basses too. It’s the future (for me…). Along with 30-32” scale.

[Grahambythesea]

I suppose if you want a really small body then the steinberger cricket bat headless or the more recent spirit bass are the ones for you.