Difficult to reach low frets

Toadsmacker · #1 09-30-2010, 04:53 PM

Hey guys,

Recently I've been having more and more trouble with stretching my left arm to reach the low frets (1st fret in particular, occasionally feel some discomfort with 2nd fret, 3rd is all good.)

I'm about 5'5", like the strap somewhat high (the neck is at the same height as my belt when 100% horizontal) and I like to play with the body of the bass as centered as possible.
I am physically small, and I do try to stretch before playing, but it's just getting tougher every day and I don't know why. The most difficult songs for me to play are actually "Geek Stink Breath" and "Fairies Wear Boots", not because of any difficult runs or whatever, but because of the energy I need to be constantly reaching to the first fret.

Any suggestions on what I can do to relieve myself without changing the strap height?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #2 09-30-2010, 04:55 PM

Get a 5-string. All those lower notes will be available much higher up

Tajue17 · #3 09-30-2010, 04:57 PM

how about lowering the bass a bit until you can reach your notes and then move your playing/plucking hand up towards the neck,,, ergonomics should be the same except the strings will have a looser feel.

or try some stretching..

loopee · #4 09-30-2010, 05:05 PM

you can always start playing short scale basses

Samsound · #5 09-30-2010, 05:13 PM

I hope you are not playing the bass 100% horizontal - very hard to reach indeed unless you are an orangutan. Try angling the neck up a bit 20-45 degrees. Then lower the body until you have a comfortable balance between left hand comfort and right hand access to your playing positions. Something to try...

fretlessguy · #6 09-30-2010, 05:15 PM

I am 5'5" as well, and have encountered the same problem. There are some things you can do to alleviate the situation:
1. You can use frets 2 and 1 sparingly, like on the choruses of songs or for the final.
3. I know you like it horizontal, but tilting it up a few degrees and letting the strap out a little will allow not so far to reach.
3. Get a 5 string as Bryan suggested.
4. Get a set of strings .50-.110 and detune it to DGCF. (I never could adjust to it mentally). This would put the normal EADG all at the 2nd fret.
5. Get a hipshot detuner and drop the E to a low D (sort of like #4 but only the E string of course. You could just detune it yourself when needed).
6. Get a short scale or medium scale bass. When my arthritis and other ailments kick in, I usually use one of my shorties.

Toadsmacker · #7 09-30-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samsound

I hope you are not playing the bass 100% horizontal - very hard to reach indeed unless you are an orangutan. Try angling the neck up a bit 20-45 degrees. Then lower the body until you have a comfortable balance between left hand comfort and right hand access to your playing positions. Something to try...

Oh, sorry!
Playing 100% horizontal would be HORRENDOUS!
I just said that for a reference of strap height, but I do play with the neck angled upwards.

I've been told I have a stance similar to Malcolm Young of AC/DC, if that helps anyone picture my technique

mambo4 · #8 09-30-2010, 05:42 PM

You are not wearing your bass high if it's centered on your waist as your description seems to imply. I'd guess neck angle is the solution. Leave your bass where it is, and rotate the neck up until the head stock sits level with your shoulder.

puddin tame · #9 09-30-2010, 05:48 PM

since when was neck at belt height wearing your bass high? that's about as low as it goes in my book

CapnSev · #10 09-30-2010, 05:49 PM

What kind of bass are you playing? I had the same trouble with a Warwick once. It killed my left wrist after a while, because the ergonomics of the bass pushed the neck so far out to my left.

(BTW - I second Bryan's 5-string suggestion

)

Toadsmacker · #11 09-30-2010, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

What kind of bass are you playing? I had the same trouble with a Warwick once. It killed my left wrist after a while, because the ergonomics of the bass pushed the neck so far out to my left.

(BTW - I second Bryan's 5-string suggestion

)

I've got an Ibanez ATK300 (my main) and a Fender Jazz.
ATK's are my favourite basses, and they are offered in 5-string, something which I've definately been checking out...

Could be the answer!

Jack Clark · #12 10-01-2010, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin tame

since when was neck at belt height wearing your bass high? that's about as low as it goes in my book

And "belt height" is an amazingly ambiguous term these days. I've seen guys wearing their belts midway up their thighs.

hrodbert696 · #13 10-01-2010, 10:52 AM

yeah, like the others have said -- you can get a short scale, a 5-string, or angle the neck up more. I can't think of any other ways to improve your reach down the neck.

Thrill-House · #14 10-01-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadsmacker

I've got an Ibanez ATK300 (my main) and a Fender Jazz.
ATK's are my favourite basses, and they are offered in 5-string, something which I've definately been checking out...

Could be the answer!

Id also suggest a 5 string. Im about 5'9" and i too have a bit of trouble with the 1st few frets. Its not that i cant reach them, its that they are so wide and down the neck (im mostly a guitar player, recently took on bass for my band) that my hands sometimes hurt. I have a 6 string, the low B really helps hit those lowest notes on the E string. The tone is also somewhat different on the B string, and at least IMO it sounds pretty nice.

crow01 · #15 10-01-2010, 11:49 AM

as an exercise:
- put your right fist, between your left hand fingers, to open up the width between your fingers.
- Squeeze one of those stress balls
- DO hand stretching

This is cheaper than just go out and buy a new bass

scowboy · #16 10-01-2010, 12:03 PM

+1 when I read the title of this post CapnSev's point is exactly what caught my interest.

I'm 5'8" with short limbs for a guy my size but yet I had to go the through the "fancy" bass phase and was disappointed because I could not play first position comfortably ever. Found this to be true in particular with a very nice Warwick Thumb and Status Kingbass. The Thumb was hard to say goodbye to because I really boded with that bass but in the end my confidence improved so much once I figured out what "fit" me.

The answer for me has been a MIA P-bass and a Stingray. Fender and extended family Fender designs are where it's at for my ergonomic needs. I have considered a short scale but never bit the bullet on one. I've also dabbled with a 5 string with decent success. But I still prefer a 4 string.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

What kind of bass are you playing? I had the same trouble with a Warwick once. It killed my left wrist after a while, because the ergonomics of the bass pushed the neck so far out to my left.

(BTW - I second Bryan's 5-string suggestion

)

NickInMesa · #17 10-03-2010, 12:23 PM

It's your comfort zone. Plenty of bassists, such as Geddy Lee or John Spiker play mostly in the 5th to 12th frets.

I have a large reach, as I can put the 1st finger in the first fret and the pinkie in the 5th fret, many but not all bass players can do that.

Players with smaller hands glide their hands more. I had a teacher once who only played with about 3 fingers, mostly 2, and he was really good.

You will have to learn the best technique to play in these frets.

HesslerGerard · #18 10-03-2010, 04:26 PM

5'3 here. :P It's really hard reaching that fret. As for me, I position the neck directly in line with my belt buckle. It's like the plate is literally sitting on my buckle. But that's the lowest I could go when I go slapping.

Sucks to be a small person