Question for 35" Scalers

Woodchuck · #1 06-25-2003, 01:03 PM

My main 5er is a Modulus Q5, which is 35", and I truly love this bass. Here's my problem: When I play stacatto style notes within the first 3 frets, I get the ol' "tired wrist" thing happening, which can be painful. No matter how I adjust the bass' position or height, I still get the pain. This isn't the first 35" scale bass I've had, but it is the first I've had in a while. Any suggestions? I DO NOT want to get rid of this bass!

EDIT: Oh crap! Maybe this belongs in "Techniques"?

20db pad · #2 06-25-2003, 01:13 PM

You're referring to the left (fretting) wrist?

I initially had problems myself, because the albeit small increase in fret distance down there forced me to stretch a little more to nail down the notes cleanly.

Being the hypochondriac I am when it comes to playing-based pain, I ran this by a sports medicine specialist who advised me to try to get used to it slowly over time, and to not play while in pain.

This worked for me, and I eventually got used to the extra effort involved.

Woodchuck · #3 06-25-2003, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll take the time.

Christopher · #4 06-25-2003, 01:36 PM

Stop doing the Berklee poindexter C-shape minimal-contact thing with your left hand and wrap that thumb around the neck. It's not "proper" technique and puts your fingers at an angle to the strings (a la 80s hair-metal guitar players), but it straigtens out the wrist.

Woodchuck · #5 06-25-2003, 02:16 PM

Really? I give that a shot as well. Thanks. If I do that, I'd have that bass vertical like an upright!

**Chris A** · #6 06-25-2003, 04:48 PM

Yeah, let's go to technique.

Chris A.

**embellisher** · #7 06-26-2003, 01:01 PM

Woodchuck, I was really worried about this when I bought my Cirrus, due to a small bodied, baseball bat neck 5 string that I owned in the 80's. I was in constant pain from playing it, and it nearly ruined my wrist.

When I bought the Cirrus, I did have some pain at first, and I worked my way up. When it started getting uncomfortable, I would either switch positions(like playing in F or G on the B string) for a while, or switch basses at the next break.

Now, I can play the Cirrus all night, and stay in first position with no pain.

Modern, thin profile neck basses like the Cirrus and your Quantum make adjusting to the 35" scale a pretty quick adjustment for most.

Good luck!

secretdonkey · #8 06-26-2003, 02:26 PM

One thing to try...

I'm a somewhat compact 5'7" and play a 35" scale 4 stringer (Peavey Cirrus) and find it the most comfortable bass I've ever played, despite the fact that I DO notice the extra length.

I use a round core string (DR Fatbeams) that is slinkier than your average hex core string. I put some hex cores on as an experiment and found that the round/hex difference was MUCH more pronounced on a 35" scale instrument than on a 34".

Might be worth a try.