tight bass strings/weakness

[MattParasite]

Title is meant to read "tight bass strings/weakness in strum hand"

Hi,
I was usinh Rotosound Swing Bass Long Scale Strings 40.60.80.100 or 45.65.80.100 later and then moved on to Ernie Ball coated 45.65.80.100, and they just seem too tight on all three sets. I even have a low set-up on a USA Fender Precision bass. It makes gigs hardwork and takes the enjoyment out of it as sometimes my strum hand becomes very cramped up and weak. It's actually something that's really starting to bother me.
I've been playing for 4 years, I play fast paced hardcore punk, recently it's become alot worse.
Any help or advice would be very much appreciated!
Thanks
Matt

[Eric Swaim]

I had the same problem years ago. When you move from a lighter (.40-.60-.80-.100) to a heavier (44-65-80-100) you probably noticed the G & D strings were much tighter in tension than before. You could try a different brand. I noticed when I stated using "DR" Hi-Beams in a 45-65-85-105 the tension was the same as using a 40-60-80-100 in other strings. So I could get a heavier string with less tension. I personally do not like playing "telephone cables" on my bass unless the tension is lower. That's why I us "DR" Hi- Beam or "DR Low Riders" on my basses. I do a lot of "slapping" and prefer low tension strings. I been playing for 31 years now and have tried just about everything.

Feel free to contact me and I will give you my phone number if you have any questions

[KingRazor]

Sounds more like a technique issue to me than a string tension issue. I recommend reading up in the Technique forum and seeing if there's anything you're doing that might be contributing to the pain.

As far as string tension, I recommend a balanced tension set from Circle K. https://circlekstrings.com/store/

They have a wide variety of gauges. I'm currenty using the 5-string balanced .136 set and it plays wonderfully.

[darkstorm]

If your useing string thru body option for bridge stop, go back to top load. The only change string thru with a high qaulity high mass bridge is a greater perceived sense of tension, no tone benefit in my experience. Are you useing 35 scale bass? They will give greater perceived tension feel then 34 scale. If none of the above, youve got weak hands. Since you say even rotosound 40-100 gauge feel too stiff. Get some of those hand and finger excercise squeezee things to help hand strength.

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

If your useing string thru body option for bridge stop, go back to top load. The only change string thru with a high qaulity high mass bridge is a greater perceived sense of tension, no tone benefit in my experience. Are you useing 35 scale bass? They will give greater perceived tension feel then 34 scale. If none of the above, youve got weak hands. Since you say even rotosound 40-100 gauge feel too stiff. Get some of those hand and finger excercise squeezee things to help hand strength.

I've heard plenty of people say rotosounds kill their fingers. It's one of the reasons I don't use them.

Also, you don't need strong hands to play bass. If your technique requires strength, you're doing something wrong.

[ixlramp]

If you're strumming with a pick that could be the source of strain, picks often strain my hand. Perhaps a new pick holding technique or a special pick?

How about switching to a lighter gauge of strings? 95 70 50 35 also has equal tension on each string, which also reduces strain. You could build such a set from singles or buy a tension-balanced set from Circle K Strings.

[MattParasite]

I hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers. What do you recommend I change? Special pick?

I'll try relaxing a little more although this is really hard when your playing very fast hardcore punk with energy.
I've lowered the strings a little more and that seems to have helped. I darn't mess with the struss rod. I took it for a set up a while back and i think he might have changed something, hence it becoming worse lately. I am also trying playing over the pick-ups instead of right by the bridge, looking at myself play in the mirror i hadn't realised i had drifted so far down.
I'm going to work on building the strength up in my hands too. I'll also try a different set of strings each time im due to change until i settle!

Thanks for the advice people espcially Eric, thats so kind to offer!

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by MattParasite

I hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers. What do you recommend I change? Special pick?

I'll try relaxing a little more although this is really hard when your playing very fast hardcore punk with energy.
I've lowered the strings a little more and that seems to have helped. I darn't mess with the struss rod. I took it for a set up a while back and i think he might have changed something, hence it becoming worse lately. I am also trying playing over the pick-ups instead of right by the bridge, looking at myself play in the mirror i hadn't realised i had drifted so far down.
I'm going to work on building the strength up in my hands too. I'll also try a different set of strings each time im due to change until i settle!

Thanks for the advice people espcially Eric, thats so kind to offer!

Check out the Carol Kaye Pick method.

Also, use the heaviest pick you can get. Less force required to make the strings sound.

[MattParasite]

heaviest pick? I thought that would cause more strain. I'll try that too then!

[KingRazor]

Originally Posted by MattParasite

heaviest pick? I thought that would cause more strain. I'll try that too then!

With a heavier pick you have more mass to use to hit the thick strings of a bass guitar. Because of this, you don't need to use as much force to produce the same volume.

A lighter pick will require more force to make the strings vibrate.

[ixlramp]

Yeah I used to use very thin flat picks, but they 'catch' on the strings. Someone then recommended a fatter pick. Then I discovered Dunlop Big Stubby 3mm ...



The rounder tip 'rolls' over the string a little which I find helps. There are circular depressions on each side that help with grip, you don't have to grip it so hard. So this was an improvement ...

Now I've discovered cast-acrylic V-Picks, best shape and material I've found. The acrylic grips well and the thickness of the pick is more comfortable to hold. The material has a much nicer sound when it hits the string. The edge is a sharp edge within a rounded bevel, making it a very fast pick, perfect. They also look amazing.

I really want to try some 12mm 'Insanity' V-Picks! ...



I'm currently trying the large rounded 2.75mm ...



http://v-picks.com/

[Sifl]

Originally Posted by MattParasite

I hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers. What do you recommend I change? Special pick?

I'll try relaxing a little more although this is really hard when your playing very fast hardcore punk with energy.
I've lowered the strings a little more and that seems to have helped. I darn't mess with the struss rod. I took it for a set up a while back and i think he might have changed something, hence it becoming worse lately. I am also trying playing over the pick-ups instead of right by the bridge, looking at myself play in the mirror i hadn't realised i had drifted so far down.
I'm going to work on building the strength up in my hands too. I'll also try a different set of strings each time im due to change until i settle!

Thanks for the advice people espcially Eric, thats so kind to offer!

Are you playing with just down strokes? When I first started I was doing just down strokes (1/16th notes) and it killed. Then I changed my technique to do up and down and that made my hand feel way better. Being able hear myself better (by turning up my amp or getting more in my stage monitor) helped a lot too.

Also with my technique and speed, thin picks work better. .60 Dunlop Tortex are my choice.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I've heard plenty of people say rotosounds kill their fingers. It's one of the reasons I don't use them.

That complaint is normally directed at Rotos not because of the stiffness, its because of the roughness of the strings, which isnt going to affect your right hand if your using a pick .

[carlos840]

Originally Posted by MattParasite

I hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers. What do you recommend I change? Special pick?

I'll try relaxing a little more although this is really hard when your playing very fast hardcore punk with energy.
I've lowered the strings a little more and that seems to have helped. I darn't mess with the struss rod. I took it for a set up a while back and i think he might have changed something, hence it becoming worse lately. I am also trying playing over the pick-ups instead of right by the bridge, looking at myself play in the mirror i hadn't realised i had drifted so far down.
I'm going to work on building the strength up in my hands too. I'll also try a different set of strings each time im due to change until i settle!

Thanks for the advice people espcially Eric, thats so kind to offer!

I was just trying to hold the pick with thumb and 2 fingers like you say you do and i feel like its putting more tension on my hand than using only one finger..
It kind of curls up my hand and i think it would hurt after a while, maybe try using only thumb and index finger.
Also i really think that pick thickness influences a lot, i found that a thick pick will get me more tired because you have more pick deflection since it bends less, thus your hand has to fight the deflection more and you fingers need to be tighter to hold the pick in place.
I use Dunlop gator grip .96mm and i found them great, the just have the right bend and the rough texture really helps relaxing the grip...

[MattParasite]

I'm playing up and down strokes.

I have tried briefly to play using thumb and index finger...how on earth to people do that? the pic wont stay in my grip at all!

[KingRazor]

I learned my picking method from this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpJNUGHxC3M

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

Looks like those coughdrops.

Originally Posted by Sifl

.60 Dunlop Tortex are my choice.

Mine too.
.

[Sifl]

Originally Posted by MattParasite

I'm playing up and down strokes.

I have tried briefly to play using thumb and index finger...how on earth to people do that? the pic wont stay in my grip at all!

Last night at practice, I tried to hold my pick the way you do and boy did it slow me down! I would suggest to continue practicing holding it the "normal" way. Although, if you can get your technique to work without any detrimental effects, play on!

My buddy plays that way, but he's not in a super fast punk band.

[JimmyM]

Why I keep hammering the Carol Kaye pick method

study everything you can about carol's pick method. in brief, use heavies, pick near the neck, always up and down strokes, move with a side to side motion in the wrist, and never move your thumb. also, it's not necessary to do so, but lighter and looser strings will help.

checked out a few minutes of that paul gilbert video as well. paul looks like he really knows what he's doing, and while i didn't see the whole thing, he's got great pick technique so you could learn from him as well.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by MattParasite

I hold the pick with thumb and first two fingers.

Perhaps this is the problem? I used to pick like that and it caused me problems. Is the base of you thumb curled in toward your palm? Two fingers and thumb does that to my hand and I can feel the ache in the base of my thumb. If you flatten your palm, bend your thumb and use 1 finger and thumb that might help. Also wearing your bass a little higher and more horizontal helps I think.