Left Wrist Pain Rant

[CapnSev]

So I know there's been a million threads on this same thing, but lately (like past 6 months or more) it seems like I'm putting my left wrist in a lot of pain. I ahve been playing for over 12 years and I am practically the poster child for proper form, so it has got to be something else. Hopefully not Carpel Tunnel's or something to that effect. I can only think of two things that would cause it:

1 - Bass height. I wear it at about the same level as my waist, and about the same as it is when I sit. I've tried raising it, but that seems like it's a more awkward position for my left hand, because it jettisons the neck way out there.

2 - The bass itself. This is the real question, because I thin kthis is the problem. I have been playing a Warwick $$ 4 string for a little over a year now almost exclusively. I notice that the way it hangs makes it seem like it's at a shallow angle, and the there is a lot of neck sticking out. My old basses with traditional body shapes did not give me this wrist problem. I also have long arms and fingers, and I think the narrow string spacing and width on the Warwick might be cramping me too. Lately I'm finding a 5 string neck more comfortable than a 4.

What's the diagnosis talkbass people?

[Lincoln]

for the short term, I would massage your forearms. They are cramping and knotting up which leads to the lack of blood flow to the wrists. This is what is damaging the nerves and causing the pain. Take some lotionrub it on your forearm. Put your left forearm on a table then take your right forearm and lay it across your left forearm. Push down on your arn and drag ir from the crock of your elbow down to your hand. Do this several times and them go drink plenty of water. I would do this before and after every practice or gig time until you can minimize the pain.

Good luck

[Andrew.Glose]

I'm 95% sure it's your bass.

I played/have a Warwick 'Vette 5 (for two years), and in my opinion, it's a nice quality rock bass. That's it. I got fed up at the end of last semester and went to sell it that day. I wound up keeping it but got a different bass the next day. One that fit my body more. And it's made all the difference. And I'm very aware of any discomfort I experience when playing. In fact, I'm probably a little too conscious.

I, personally, do not like the way the Warwick feels, in the lap, or on a strap. It does, like you say, seem to jut out and place your 'field' of play more to the left than norm.

You may consider another bass. It could be the difference you're looking for.

[CapnSev]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm going to try the massage thing, but I think that I'm convincing myself it's the bass.

Too bad too, because I really like the tone and concept of it (except lately because it needs a setup desperately - see other rant). However, I think I'm going to ditch it for a stingray 5 one of these days...

[IanStephenson]

If you're confident that your technique is good then look to the rest of your life:

I switched from a laptop keyboard to a full size "split" keyboard, from a mouse to a trackpad, and modified the way I lie in bed. Those three things have REALLY helped my wrists.

Often bass is where it hurts but the damage is cumulative.

Ian

[Lincoln]

very true! I'm a designer by day and spend alot of time on a keyboard so I'm particularly sensitive to symptons that damaging to the wrist outside of the bass.

[CapnSev]

+1

I'm definately more concious of my wrists now that they hurt sometimes.

I hope that in the end I learn a good lesson - play softer and relax my wrists all the time.