what bass guitar style has the softest action for someone with arthritis

[resynthesis]

What about an Ashbory bass? I think that Thomann Uke is a copy of the Ashbory Uke

https://www.basscentre.com/bass-centre- ... -bass.html

[imrae]

Was going to say, the Ashbory bass with silicone strings is certainly an option to consider. Apparently they sound really good, but I'd want to try one in person before committing!

[Ploki]

Scale length and string gauge both affect tension.
(I have 35” long scale and super fat strings)
There’s also string spacing to consider.

Violon bass is 30”; which I believe is among the shortest bass scales.

I find ibanez SR series really easy to play.

Ibanez GSRM20 is 29”
Ibanez tmb30 is 30”


On the expensive side, EHB is 30-32” fanned fret (which might also be a good choice as it’s a more even tension instrument)

[fairlyclose]

More good suggestions - thanks again. Ashbory bass I thought was no longer made - i remember it form the 90s I think.
I have found an Ibanez I like the sound of - on youtube! - not gone out to actually try one yet. I am borrowing a fretless from a friend in a couple of weeks and will play that for a bit to see if my hands can handle the stresses. I think I can use the two middle fingers of both hands fine so might end up playing two handed on the neck at worst I guess.
The bass I saw online that I like is this one - full size but fretless so with flat strings and a low action it might work. Can only try and if not will look at short scale etc https://www.ibanez.com/eu/products/deta ... 1p_05.html

[donkey tugger]

Another thing which might help (and which people probably don't think of on bass..) is tuning down a couple of notes for less tension. I do it routinely (better for me 12 string guitars, which rule the roost... ) and my 30" scale bass 6 copes fine.

You can get capos which are good for bass too;

https://bassisthq.com/best-best-bass-guitar-capos/

[metalifuxx]

I too have worsening rheumatoid arthritis that has affected guitar and also bass playing on bad days. Sometimes it feels like the whole hand and fingers are cramping up and each knuckle is on fire. Thought about different bass options to my Squire P-Bass Special 4 string, which has the jazz pickup in the neck and the P in the bridge. The band I'm currently in for last couple years, i am playing bass, which is something new to me as far as playing live for extended amounts of time, as I originally bought a cheap bass just to lay down quick bass lines for recording/studio purposes. Turns out I am a pretty decent capable bass player (use a pick) but it just kills my hands when the arthritis is flaring up.

[RunBeerRun]

I used to play a Rondo electric u-bass, and yeah it has really fat rubber strings.

I could play wild funk! without even trying

[medienhexer]

I‘m not sure why you’re so focused on fretless. I’m pretty sure you can’t set up the action as low as on a bass with very precisely fitted frets. Or PLEKed, for that matter.

Unless you intend to play black nylons, flat- or tapewound strings will be more rigid.

I‘d suggest a plek‘ed bass and thinner round wounds. I play .40-.100, but thinner is available. Preferably nickel plated or pure nickel. And then see if a slim or a bulky neck profile works best for you.