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Best Bass Guitar for Small Hands

For people with small hands, finding the right bass guitar can be quite a challenge. Those instruments tend to have a larger scale if compared to an electric guitar so the frets are spaced wider. Plus, the neck on some models tends to be chunkier.

But it is just a matter of choosing the right instrument. There are lots of bass guitars in the market that feature a shorter scale such as the Fender Mustang Bass and/or slimmer, C-shaped necks that feel more comfortable to play. Those basses also tend to have a distinctive sound if compared to larger ones.

Today, we are going to review 6 products to find the best bass guitar for small hands. The most important factor we will take into account is playability, but we will also consider the quality of the components and the tone of each instrument.

Tip: See more products at our Best Bass Guitar article.

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Bass

We Tested 6 Products and Found the Fender Vintera 60s Mustang Bass to be The Best Bass Guitar for Small Hands

The Squier by Fender Bronco Bass was our Budget Choice

Best Bass Guitar for Small Hands in our Tests

Table of Contents

  1. Fender Vintera 60’s Mustang Bass
  2. Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II
  3. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Precision Bass
  4. Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4
  5. Ibanez GSR 4
  6. Squier by Fender Bronco Bass

1. Fender Vintera 60’s Mustang Bass

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Bass

The first model on our list is a Mustang Bass from Fender. The Mustang Bass has a shorter scale if compared to other models from the brand, as well as a very distinctive sound. This makes an optimal choice of instrument for those with small hands.

Product Specifications

  • 4 Strings
  • Short Scale
  • Available in 3 Colors
  • 1 Split-Coil Pickup
  • Floating Bridge

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

  • The short scale neck combined with the reduced size of the body and split-coil pickups makes the tone of this bass guitar very distinctive. It has a lot of midrange and highs.
  • Made out of maple and alder, two high-quality wood types.
  • Comes bundled with a deluxe gig bag.
  • Available in 3 colors. There is one for every taste.
  • The C-shaped neck is very slim and comfortable to play for prolonged periods of time, especially for those with small hands.

Cons

  • None that is particularly concerning.

Conclusion

The Fender Vintera 60’s Mustang Bass, although more expensive than some other options on the list, is the most popular choice of bass guitar for people with smaller hands. The model is iconic and has been heard on tons of legendary records throughout history.

If you’re on a budget, we recommend a similar version from Squier, which we will review further down the article.

2. Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II

Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II

Gretsch instruments have been in the hands of the likes of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, so you know that’s a brand with a legacy. The G220 Junior Jet Bass II is a short-scale bass featuring two mini-humbucker pickups that sound very distinctive when compared to other models.

Product Specifications

  • 4 Strings
  • Short Scale
  • Available in 4 Colors
  • 2 Mini-Humbucker Pickups

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

  • As discussed before, the 2 mini-humbucker pickups sound like nothing else. They have a quite distinctive sound, but can also be easily upgraded.
  • The finish in this guitar looks very well-done if we take the price into account.
  • The shape of the body is very comfortable, especially to play while sitting down.
  • Lightweight.

Cons

  • There is no control for the tone of the pickups.

Conclusion

The Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II is a simple instrument that delivers what it promises. Probably our favorite feature about this model was the mini-humbucker pickups: there aren’t many similar options in this price range, so it could be a great alternative for a more expensive model like the Gibson Thunderbird, for example.

There is only one major drawback: there aren’t any controls for changing the tone of the pickups. We really miss this feature and it could be a significant con to bassists who perform live and need to dial the right sound quickly.

3. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Precision Bass

Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Precision Bass

This model is a modified rereading of the traditional Fender Precision Bass. As you can see at first glance, it has a slightly different look and a single-coil pickup, instead of the traditional split-coil one. We think that these are interesting changes so we decided to give it a go on our list.

Product Specifications

  • 4 Strings
  • Full-Sized Scale
  • Available in 2 Colors
  • 1 Single-Coil Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

  • This model is based on vintage Fender models, so if you’re after a bass that’s designed similarly to those legendary instruments, you’re onto something here.
  • Even though the neck has a full-sized scale, the C-shaped neck is still very slim and comfortable for people with small hands.
  • The single-coil pickup in this bass is slightly different from the split-coil found on the traditional Precision model, giving it a more distinctive sound.

Cons

  • None that is particularly concerning.

Conclusion

The Classic Vibe Precision Bass is an excellent choice for people with small hands. Although the scale is full-sized, the profile of the neck (C-shaped) is very comfortable. If you have the chance to, try both this one and the Mustang Bass on a physical store to see which kind of scale you prefer.

4. Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4

Considering that Sterling by Music Man is a very well-renowned manufacturer, the price for this bass guitar is a steal ($350, by the time this article was written). This model was played by the famous bassist Flea on several Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ albums and concerts, so if you’re a fan, you will probably like the sound of it.

Product Specifications

  • 4 Strings
  • Full-Sized Scale
  • Available in 8 Colors
  • 1 Humbucker Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

  • Available in 8 colors, this is probably the bass guitar with the most number of colors available on the list so there’s one for every taste. Keep in mind that some of them are only available in 4 or 5 string options.
  • The humbucker pickups not only are less prone to noise and interference but in the case of this particular bass guitar, they also have a very strong midrange and highs, which helps it cut through the mix and is interesting if you’re into slap playing.
  • As the pickup is active, there is a built-in preamp with volume, bass, and treble control.
  • There are both options with 4 and 5 strings.

Cons

  • The pickup may be slightly too hot for certain genres.

Conclusion

The StingRay Ray4 does an excellent job at being a quite affordable high-quality choice. Particularly if you’re into slap bass, this instrument will serve you well as it has lots of bite in the midrange and the highs. An alternative to this one, in our opinion, would be the Squier Precision or the Mustang Bass.

5. Ibanez GSR 4

Ibanez GSR 4

With an active EQ, Agathis body, and excellent build quality, the Ibanez GSR 4 is quite a steal for the price: $200 as of today. This model will suit best those bassists with small hands who play heavier music genres such as hard rock and need a lot of precision while playing.

Product Specifications

  • 4 Strings
  • Full-Sized Scale
  • Available in 5 Colors
  • 1 Humbucker Pickup and 1 Split-Coil

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

  • This bass guitar has two kinds of active pickups: a humbucker on the bridge and a split-coil on the neck, for optimal versatility. You can also blend and mix between the two for the optimal sound.
  • Built-in active EQ.
  • Agathis body, hard to find in that price range.
  • Great value for the price considering the build quality of this bass guitar.
  • The pearl dot inlays look really good on the fretboard.
  • The profile of the neck is very slim, so it is perfect for people with small hands.

Cons

  • None that we found.

Conclusion

The Ibanez GSR 4 is amazing for those bassists who favor precision, after all, the manufacturer is known exactly for that. We recommend this bass guitar if you’re a fan of heavy music genres. Regardless, the build quality is very good for the price that is being asked for.

6. No products found.

No products found.

Our last model on the list is a Squier by Fender Bronco Bass. Squier is the entry-line from Fender, which aims to bring high-quality instruments at an affordable price. Therefore, it is especially popular among beginners. One of the nicest features of this bass guitar is that it can be easily modded.

Product Specifications

  • 4 Strings
  • Short-Scale
  • Available in 2 Colors
  • 1 Single-Coil Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

  • The short-scale present on the Bronco Bass makes it optimal for people with small hands. The C-shaped neck with a slim profile is also very comfortable to hold and play.
  • This model is almost the same as the Mustang Bass, but with a different pickup.
  • This bass guitar has a very distinctive sound, particularly focused on the midrange and highs, which helps it cut through the mix.
  • The Bronco Bass can be easily modified.
  • Available in 2 colors.

Cons

  • None that is particularly concerning.

Conclusion

If you look at the reviews across the internet, you will see why this bass guitar is a popular choice among beginners and experienced players. The Bronco Bass has an extremely great value for the price and, while you may argue it is not a Fender, it comes quite close.

Playability-wise, it feels just as good as the more expensive Fender Vintera 60’s Mustang Bass. The short-scale and the slim profile neck will be awesome features for those with small hands.

Tip: You may also like our Best Lightweight Bass Guitar article. 

FAQs

What is the Difference Between a Short-Scale Bass and a Full-Sized Scale Bass?

While full-sized scale basses usually have a scale of 34″, a short-scale bass most of the time has one that measures 30″ or even 28″ in some cases. This not only makes the latter more suitable for people with smaller hands but also gives the instrument a distinctive tone.

What is the Difference Between the Fender Mustang Bass and the Bronco Bass?

While both models share the same body shape and most characteristics, they have different pickups. The first has a split-coil one while the latter has a single coil. The position of the component is also different.

Conclusion

In our list of best bass guitar for small hands, we reviewed 6 amazing instruments. Different models may suit different players so we suggest that you listen to the sound of them on YouTube videos and, if possible, try them on a physical store before making your purchase.

Two basses on the list were our favorites: The Fender Vintera 60’s Mustang Bass and the Squier by Fender Bronco Bass. The reason we chose those two instruments is that they have a short-scale and a slim profile C-shaped neck which are optimal features for those with small hands.

Fender Vintera 60's Mustang Bass

Fender Vintera 60’s Mustang Bass – Overall Best

The Mustang Bass is iconic and this model by Fender comprises all of the iconic features you would expect from this classic. The main reason for our choice, however, was its short-scale and C-shaped slim profile neck.

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Squier by Fender Bronco Bass – Best Budget

The Bronco Bass is very similar to our top pick, the Mustang Bass, but for a more affordable price. It not only has the same slim features on the neck, but it also offers a great value for the price, making it excellent for bassists with small hands and on a budget.

How to Buy

If you’re interested in any of the products reviewed on this list, you can find their link on their respective titles on the list. Remember to research extensively before you make your choice and consider looking at our other bass product round-ups. Happy playing!