bass height dilemma

Devo-lution · #1 01-15-2010, 02:54 PM

good day fellow TB'ers

I am currently trying to find the ideal bass height...
I found out these things...

higher = more comfi slapping
higher = more comfi left hand technique
lower = more comfi right hand technique

Is there a way of measuring the ideal playing height? I usually hang m quite high, but I can't seem to pinpoint the ideal height. I am trying to find a way of playing as light handed as possible, but on higher positions it seems that the scale exercises based on the low F just don't work out light handed...

Any hints?
thx a lot in advance

Devo

fearceol · #2 01-15-2010, 03:02 PM

The height you wear your bass is a personal matter. Some wear it below the knee, others, under their chin. The "ideal" position, IMO, is for the bass to be at the same height when sitting as well as standing. Best "all round" position IMO.

jonnyonbass · #3 01-15-2010, 11:13 PM

slung down way low by your knees looks cooler (i guess) but its impossible to do much of anything with your fretting hand. the only guy i've ever seen do it really well is robert trujillo and he has the bass positioned like straight up and down (from the floor) practically. waist height is so much easier on the hands and just easier to play in general. I also agree it should be the same standing or sitting, but that is usually pretty up there.

Lady Kayri · #4 01-16-2010, 08:05 AM

I'll admit, when I am standing the bass is in a much more vertical position than it is when I'm sitting. I find it a lot more comfortable for my elbows and wrists that way; it's easier to keep the wrists from bending too much. I tend to have it so the head is between the 1 to 2 o'clock position, with the bottom of the body between 7 and 8 o'clock. (Hope that makes sense.)

trowaclown · #5 01-16-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Kayri

I'll admit, when I am standing the bass is in a much more vertical position than it is when I'm sitting. I find it a lot more comfortable for my elbows and wrists that way; it's easier to keep the wrists from bending too much. I tend to have it so the head is between the 1 to 2 o'clock position, with the bottom of the body between 7 and 8 o'clock. (Hope that makes sense.)

+1. I sling mine like a classical guitar sometimes to alleviate any soreness in the wrists. Having it more 'vertical' allows you the best of both worlds, while maintaining a more neutral wrist position.

Les Izmor · #6 01-16-2010, 08:38 AM

+1 to all who have said the bass should be adjusted to hang at the same height sitting or standing. You're going to want to sit, and you don't want to have to develop two techniques; one for sitting and one for standing. To me that makes it the only choice. What I do is sit with the instrument, then while maintaining good posture, I adjust the strap. To check it, I stand and sit while playing, watching for any slight variation in position. You may want your feet flat on the floor or the right one might need to be elevated slightly.

Of course this is only my opinion. Eric Avery, and Flea seem to do well with very low slung basses.

Also, Gary Willis makes an interesting point regarding the right elbow (plucking hand). He suggests learning to hold it out to eliminate the bend at the right wrist. I'm not sure if this would help your right hand feel more comfortable or not. There was a video or pictures of him demonstrating this on the web, but I can't find it anymore. Essentially you have to develop the habit of holding your plucking elbow out and away from your body to take any pressure off your wrist. Feels weird at first but can become second nature.

Remember they say it takes 2 weeks to develop or break a habit.

CamiloDíaz · #7 01-17-2010, 03:44 AM

+1 on all. The only thing I can't seem to get off me is the bad habit of leaning the elbow back and bend my wrist. I'm worried cause I have a fear of CTS like you don't know (My mother in law had surgery last year and she was unable to lift a spoon in like 3 weeks or so...)

Les Izmor · #8 01-17-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamiloDíaz

+1 on all. The only thing I can't seem to get off me is the bad habit of leaning the elbow back and bend my wrist. I'm worried cause I have a fear of CTS like you don't know (My mother in law had surgery last year and she was unable to lift a spoon in like 3 weeks or so...)

Play in front of the mirror, it only takes a week or two to change habit. I've been going through some nerve pain, and have had to make slight adjustments recently. You can do it, and the mirror will help a lot.

countrybassist · #9 01-19-2010, 02:22 PM

I hold mine where it feels comfortable.

rappa29 · #10 01-20-2010, 02:18 PM

^ All very good suggestions.

I tried the "same hgt standing\sitting" method and it doesn't really work for me. It's too high for me and ultimately not very comfortable, especially with my heavyish G&L.

I wear mine where the bass body is almost clearing my belt buckle but not. In other words, my belt buckle would still rub against the lower part of my basses body.

I keep the neck at the standard 45 degrees +/-.

Works for me and I do not feel fatigue or strain in either hand\wrist after 2hrs or so of playing.

I still need to work on getting my elbows out though.

As usual YMMV.

My buddy who's been playing almost as long as I've been alive wears his chest height.
My best friend whom I've played music with since high school wears his clearing his belt buckle but below his chest.
My buddy who plays bass in our cover band wears his slightly lower than me.
Our guitar player who also plays bass wears his below belt buckle.

Pretty much do whatever is most comfortable for you regardless of set 'standards' or practices.

Asylum-49 · #11 02-04-2010, 01:43 PM

My bass height has crept up as I've got older and my playing became more mature. When I was a kid it was around my knees ala Krist Novoselic / Duff McKagan looking as cool as I can!

Now a days, especially recently it's more like Tim Commerford!

Gawd · #12 02-04-2010, 02:24 PM

I have mine in the same position that I do when I sit down. Which is sort of a classical guitar position in between the knees. It lifts the neck for easy left hand access, and keeps the body a bit lower for easy right hand access.

lolaviola · #13 02-06-2010, 08:50 AM

If you never play sitting down, like me, then it's silly to follow the sitting/standing advice. If you practice in the same position you perform in, then you're good.
I like the bass half below/above the belt. Keeps my wrists straight.
The right shoulder should be developed for strength.

JimmyM · #14 02-06-2010, 04:48 PM

the correct answer is find the proper height FOR YOU, and forget what everyone else says. if it's important to you that you have full range of movement on all frets and strings, wear it up high. if it's more important to feel relaxed at the expense of being able to do a handful of things you can't do with it slung low, wear it lower. i could never wear my bass at the same height sitting as standing. i'ev tried.