I know that my bass of choice gets alot of flack from people on site, but i have been playing for many years, and the Fender Squire Affinity Series is a wonderful bass, that has caused me no issues in the 4 years that I have owned it.  I play the Jazz Version, but the P style is basically the same with the exception of the pick ups.  This bass has a 34 inch scale, and a very slim, very fast neck.  I have very small hands, and have tried to play many more expensive Basses with fatter necks, and just can not reach my fingers around the neck to get good positon on the E string for alot of notes.  This bass has no issues, and even my 16 year old daughter has no issues playing this bass, and her hands are much smaller than mine.  It has a nice rich sound, with little buzz.  If you hook it up with a good amp you will be very happy with this guitar.  There is also a short scale version fo this, though i am not sure squire still makes it, but it is called  a Bronco, it is not quite the quality, but awsome if your arms are not long enough to reach the end of a 34 inch scale easily.  You have to remember that you must be comfortable when you are learning, or else you will just give up when you have little to no success.