Narrow neck

[Mykesbass]

I know we have already had the light-hearted comments about playing above the 12th fret, but I'm really curious as to the exercise you are playing that needs your pinkie on the E string all the way up there. Do you have a link or screenshot?

[Daveee]

43 minutes ago, Mykesbass said:

I know we have already had the light-hearted comments about playing above the 12th fret, but I'm really curious as to the exercise you are playing that needs your pinkie on the E string all the way up there. Do you have a link or screenshot?

Bear in mind I've only been playing for less than 3 months. One of the things I'm doing is playing major and minor scales starting at the bottom of the E string going as high as I can and then back down. So if I've got this right and I play, say a D or D# minor scale my little finger is above the 12th fret. 

Edited May 28, 2024 by Daveee
amendment

[tom.android]

10 hours ago, Daveee said:

Bear in mind I've only been playing for less than 3 months. One of the things I'm doing is playing major and minor scales starting at the bottom of the E string going as high as I can and then back down. So if I've got this right and I play, say a D or D# minor scale my little finger is above the 12th fret. 

Ah, I’m familiar with similar technical exercises. The point of doing them is just that, technique. Your bass has a very ‘medium’ neck on it and shouldn’t pose an issue. Focus on wrist position, hand placement etc. I actually wouldn’t really recommend these types of exercises for beginners. One octave scale pattern are probably sufficient for the time being.

 

Very rarely when playing will you actually need to play 4th string above 12th. Occasionally but rarely.

Edited May 29, 2024 by tom.android

[Daveee]

1 hour ago, tom.android said:

Ah, I’m familiar with similar technical exercises. The point of doing them is just that, technique. Your bass has a very ‘medium’ neck on it and shouldn’t pose an issue. Focus on wrist position, hand placement etc. I actually wouldn’t really recommend these types of exercises for beginners. One octave scale pattern are probably sufficient for the time being.

 

Very rarely when playing will you actually need to play 4th string above 12th. Occasionally but rarely.

OK thanks. I'm hoping to start lessons soon, presumably my teacher will recommend a suitable practice routine.

[tubbybloke68]

USA musicman Sterling prehaps? Narrow and shallow necks. Lovely little things x 😊

[crazycloud]

On 27/05/2024 at 00:32, Daveee said:

I read a lot about Ibanez SR basses and wonder what they are like. 

The Ibanez website provides good dimension parameters on all their basses which may help inform your choices.

 

I'm not the tallest guy, nor have the biggest hands in the world, but I play 6s, so I'm wondering if your issue is technique and/or ergonomics related. If you don't have an in person instructor, get one as this can be a massive help in working out your mechanical issues. So ditto Burns-Bass earlier in the thread.

[ead]

On 27/05/2024 at 10:56, Reggaebass said:

I’ve just had a look and realised ..there really is frets above the 12th 😁

 

Wow, my basses have them too.  What are they there for?

Edited May 30, 2024 by ead

[miles'tone]

Check out this Adam Neely video on left hand technique - this is essential advice. Enjoy!

 

 

[edstraker123]

I have small hands too but love basses so over the years have played alll manner of scale lengths and widths and you do get used to them. The Ibanez basses do have a lovely thin neck but the easiest bass to play in beginner terms I've found is the Retrovibe L'il Richard so if you don't persevere and do wish to buy something new I'd definitely check them out.

Reflecting back to my beginner days I think the biggest thing that hindered me was the action of the bass  ( particularly back then when cheap instruments could be really poor). As a beginner it is difficult to know what the action should or can be like, so definitely seek advice and make sure the action is nice and low. If not it would probably be worth investing in a setup rather than in a new bass if you are happy with what you've got.

[tom.android]

Also possibly a worthwhile question: Are you playing sat down or standing? If standing how long is your strap set? Try shortening it to bring the bass a little higher up. Was just trying an exercise like the one you mentioned with a slightly longer strap length and my thumb was having to come around with the rest of my hand when trying to use my little finger on 4th string 15th fret and above. Physics has its limits!
 

Also don’t those Nordstrand Acinonyx basses have narrow string spacing and skinny necks / shorter scale? 

[Daveee]

Thanks for those comments. Definitely sounds like my technique is the problem and I will be getting face to face lessons shortly which should address it. 

 

I play sitting down with a comfy strap taking the weight of the bass.

 

I'd seen that Adam Neely video before but it was definitely worth another watch. What he says makes sense but contradicts what many other teachers say (keep your thumb behind your index finger ....  keep your fingers in line with the frets ...)  Hopefully my teacher will show me the right way (if such a thing exists).

[Daveee]

I'm definitely going to concentrate on my technique rather than just buy a different bass but I must admit I'm curious about the Ibanez mezzo which is a medium scale at 32".  Anyone tried one? 

 

I like the idea of short scales and from what I've heard the sound would appeal to me but I can't deny they look like toys.  Maybe a medium scale would be a decent compromise?

Edited May 30, 2024 by Daveee

[Woodinblack]

The problem with the mezzos is that the width of the neck hasn't changed, so your issue wouldn't be any different.

[Paolo85]

8 hours ago, Daveee said:

I'm definitely going to concentrate on my technique rather than just buy a different bass but I must admit I'm curious about the Ibanez mezzo which is a medium scale at 32".  Anyone tried one? 

 

I like the idea of short scales and from what I've heard the sound would appeal to me but I can deny they look like toys.  Maybe a medium scale would be a decent compromise?

 

I have a mezzo. Incredibly comfortable but IMO has nothing of the sound of the short scale - which should be fatter/more boomy than a long scale in theory.

I play it with treble at minimum, 45-105 gauge, but it still sounds thinner than my P bass with tonerider pickup and 45-100 strings.

To be honest, I now mostly play a short scale semihollow, but my instinct would not be to learn from scratch on a short scale unless there are specific reasons to do it. I would learn on the most commonly used type of bass and then change once you know with a bit more certainty what do you want from a bass

[Mykesbass]

25 minutes ago, Paolo85 said:

 

I have a mezzo. Incredibly comfortable but IMO has nothing of the sound of the short scale - which should be fatter/more boomy than a long scale in theory.

I play it with treble at minimum, 45-105 gauge, but it still sounds thinner than my P bass with tonerider pickup and 45-100 strings.

To be honest, I now mostly play a short scale semihollow, but my instinct would not be to learn from scratch on a short scale unless there are specific reasons to do it. I would learn on the most commonly used type of bass and then change once you know with a bit more certainty what do you want from a bass

+1

[nekomatic]

20 hours ago, miles'tone said:

Check out this Adam Neely video on left hand technique - this is essential advice. Enjoy!

 

Thanks, that's good.

 

Wasn't he young back then though! 😄