Bass guitars for youngsters (10-12)

[Netballman]

Hi,

The daughter of a singer/songwriter I play with has expressed an interest in trying to take up bass. She's 11 (the daughter that is!) and quite small, and although she's had a go on mine it's way too big for her (35" scale).

Her mum has asked me to look out for something cheap but reasonable for her to try learning on - but this is a bit outside my usual area of expertise! Can anyone recommend (or even better have for sale or donation) what might be a suitable instrument? I guess I was thinking some cheap ultra-short-scale - or can you get 3/4 size basses (NOT DOUBLE BASSES before anyone gets going! ) and would they be any good?

All help greatly appreciated by both me and, hopefully in due course, Georgia

[Happy Jack]

Bin there, dun that, with both my daughter and my son.

I would definitely avoid "children's" or three-quarter sized instruments; far better to buy a normal short-scale bass, as light as possible, and assume that she can move to a 34" scale bass later should she wish to.

Look for the Squier-badged Mustang basses, perhaps?

I collect (or used to collect) vintage Hofners, so both of mine started on 50-year-old instruments.

[Ian Savage]

Squier Mustang or Daisy Rock if she/you can cope with the out-and-out girliness of 'em.

[bassatnight]

Bought my eldest lad a Squier P and he loved it, well built with a decent tone and a price that's not going to break the bank.

[Bankai]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1217656' date='May 2 2011, 03:46 PM']Look for the Squier-badged Mustang basses, perhaps?[/quote]
Do that and she'll have a luxury most beginners don't have; a bass that's cheap but good and appropriate!

[markstuk]

Or Squier Jaguar SS or Bronco? Both 30" scale basses...

[Netballman]

God you guys are quick! What nothing better to do on a bank holiday Monday?

(like me, obviously! )

Cheers chaps, I shall start looking!

Edited May 2, 2011 by Netballman

[risingson]

Do Squier do a Mustang bass? That would be a really great start.

[mart]

I got my son (at age 9) one of these:
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbp90bk_shortscale_ebass.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbp...scale_ebass.htm[/url]
29" scale, and an unbelievably low price (cheaper than a Sue Ryder ). Yeah, it's not a Fodera, but it's perfectly ok and will keep him ticking over until he can manage 34".

Edited May 2, 2011 by mart

[redstriper]

[quote name='mart' post='1217724' date='May 2 2011, 04:43 PM']I got my son (at age 9) one of these:
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbp90bk_shortscale_ebass.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbp...scale_ebass.htm[/url]
29" scale, and an unbelievably low price (cheaper than a Sue Ryder ). Yeah, it's not a Fodera, but it's perfectly ok and will keep him ticking over until he can manage 34".[/quote]

I've got one of these that I bought here recently, very nice too and ideal as a starter for a child.
It weighs just 5lbs 12ozs and is very easy to play with the black nylon rotosound tru bass strings that the previous owner fitted.
It sounds good too and it's as new in the original box.

You can have it for £50 including delivery - PM me if you're interested.

Steve.

Edited May 2, 2011 by redstriper

[pete.young]

Tanglewood used to make one called the EB-18 Elf in Daphne Blue or sh*te brown. I think it's now discontinued but they pop up on the bay occasionally. I bought one when my then 10-year-old son showed an interest.