What Is a Full Size Bass Guitar?
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A full size bass guitar is a 4/4 size bass: the standard size with a long scale and 4 strings. The Ibanez miKro below is the short scale exception, with a 28.6-inch neck. Check the size name before you buy.
What full size means
Instrument sizes use fractions of a 4/4 full size. A full size bass guitar is a 4/4 size bass: the standard size, with a long scale and 4 strings. A short scale bass is a step down in size, with a shorter scale. The size name is the fraction to look for: 4/4 is full size, and the short scale is the smaller option.
The short scale exception here
The Ibanez miKro below is a short scale 4-string electric bass, with a 28.6-inch neck, a mahogany body and a rosewood fingerboard. It weighs 6.8 lb. A short scale bass has the same 4 strings and the same kind of parts as a full size bass, with a shorter scale. Check the size name on the bass before you buy, since a photo gives no scale.
What to check on the bass
Check the strings, the pickups and the weight. The Ibanez GSR200, the Fender Squier and the Yamaha TRBX174 are 4-string basses. The GSR200 has a split-coil and a single-coil pickup, the Squier has a split-coil pickup with volume and tone controls, and the Yamaha has a vintage style bridge. The GSR200 weighs 9 lb, the Squier weighs 9.9 lb and the Yamaha weighs 11.3 lb.
Plugging in and looking after it
A bass plugs into an amp through a 1/4-inch jack. The Ibanez GSR200 and the Squier have a 1/4-inch jack, and the Yamaha has a 6.35mm jack. Wipe the bass down with a soft dry cloth after you play, and keep it in its case or bag when you are not playing. Change the strings when they look discolored or rough, or when they no longer hold tune. For work on the frets, ask a repair shop.
What you need
Ibanez Gio GSR200PW Bass Guitar
A 4-string bass with a split-coil and a single-coil pickup, a rosewood fretboard, pearl dot inlay and a 1/4-inch jack.
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Split Coil
- 1-year warranty stated
Ibanez Gio SR miKro Short Scale
A short scale 4-string bass with a 28.6-inch neck, a mahogany body, a rosewood fingerboard and a fixed bridge, for comparing with a full size.
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: combination
- 1 year warranty stated
- 6.8 lb, the lightest here
Fender Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass
A 4-string Precision bass with a split-coil pickup, volume and tone controls, a C-shape neck, a laurel fingerboard and a 1/4-inch jack.
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Split-Coil
- 2-year warranty stated
Yamaha TRBX174 Old Violin Sunburst Agathis Body
A 4-string bass with a mahogany body, a vintage style bridge and a 6.35mm jack, in an Old Violin Sunburst finish.
- Strings: 4
- 1 year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Bass Guitar, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is a short scale bass a full size bass?
No. A short scale bass is a step down in size, with a shorter scale. The Ibanez miKro here is short scale, with a 28.6-inch neck. A full size bass is a 4/4 size bass.
How many strings does a full size bass have?
The basses here have 4 strings. The Ibanez GSR200, the Ibanez miKro, the Fender Squier and the Yamaha TRBX174 are all 4-string basses. Check the string count on the bass before you buy.
What should I check before buying a bass?
Check the size name, the string count and the jack. The basses here are 4-string basses, and the Ibanez GSR200 and the Squier have a 1/4-inch jack. Check the weight too: the Yamaha weighs 11.3 lb and the miKro weighs 6.8 lb.
Ranked bass guitars lists
More how-to guides
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