When do you know it's the neck and not your technique?

lastminute · #1 06-26-2009, 06:14 AM

For the most part, I have confidence in my technique, but not always. I have a Tribute G&L L2000, and at times, especially playing up the fretboard, the neck just feels a bit wide for me, especially when I'm doing walking basslines/moving all over the strings.

How do you tell when it's the neck and not technique, and vice versa?

Asher S · #2 06-26-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastminute

How do you tell when it's the neck and not technique, and vice versa?

When the neck is snapped into 2 or more pieces...

Seriously, unless your hands are unusually small, you should be able to play on all types of neck widths. Some may feel better than others, but especially going from 4 string to 5+ string, you should be able to adapt fairly easily with some practice and if needed some instruction on hand position, technique etc.

lastminute · #3 06-26-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asher S

When the neck is snapped into 2 or more pieces...

Seriously, unless your hands are unusually small, you should be able to play on all types of neck widths. Some may feel better than others, but especially going from 4 string to 5+ string, you should be able to adapt fairly easily with some practice and if needed some instruction on hand position, technique etc.

What hand size constitutes unusually small?

iplaybassguitar · #4 06-26-2009, 04:38 PM

What are you even asking?
I am not aware of standard "hand sizes," but as he said, if you have smaller hands, certain things will be harder to play.
Common sense will tell you if you have small hands, just look around at other people's hands...if yours are smaller, you lose. you are destined to never be a good bass player. in fact, if you cant palm a watermelon, you should probably just quit RIGHT NOW

mokkat · #5 06-26-2009, 05:08 PM

I also have a tribute L2000, and I gotta say, as cool as it is, I still have some trouble playing on it. It has the biggest neck I know of on a 4stringer (1 3/4 nut, and a bit fat). If theres a bass that gives people with average size hands problems, its this one

Ive gotten used to it by now, but I kinda wish I had bought the 5 stringer insted, because of the strings being closer together

JimmyM · #6 06-26-2009, 07:44 PM

I've got the smallest hands I know of on any male, and I grew up on a Precision with a wide neck. So it's definitely not a matter of the neck. However, you have to make yourself comfortable, and if it's not comfortable to play a bass with a neck like that, get another one.

ikenplay · #7 07-04-2009, 04:41 PM

The size of your hands does not...I repeat...does not prevent you from being a great bass player. I grew up on a fender precision, and have played all kinds of basses. The real question is whether or not you are comfortable with the fretboard. No two basses are exactly alike. Just take your time and practice the parts that are most difficult for you on the particular neck. Your technique and your patience will carry you through.

**Marcus Willett** · #8 07-04-2009, 04:54 PM

It's true that you can adapt to just about anything within reason neck-wise.

It's also been true in my case that once I switched to a smaller 5 string neck with tighter spacing I felt much more comfortable, and the bass was easier to play. I can (and do, if the gig calls for it) play just fine on my 4 string P bass, but I'm much more comfortable and as a result more free and creative on my narrow 5's.

There's very few absolutes in music....just find what works for you. It may take some time; I spent about 7 years trying different designs and dimensions before I wound up with what works for me.

Orangeclawhamme · #9 07-04-2009, 05:56 PM

I got whiplash a few months ago, but my playing wasn't affected in spite of the neck pain. Of course, it wasn't too great to start with.

Jim Carr · #10 07-04-2009, 10:25 PM

Small teen-aged women play double-bass--some are in fact brilliant at it. They have excellent technique, small hands, and a bass with a 41.5" scale and a cross-section at the nut thicker than ANY electric bass and as wide as any 4-string.

Just sayin...

Georynn · #11 07-04-2009, 10:32 PM

I would just like to add, that sometimes it helps to warm up before you try to play songs that are tougher to fret. I have average sized hands, and I can tell if I haven't warmed up, and stretched out completely, especially if its on a bass with wider string spacing.
Perhaps waiting until your fingers have warmed up a bit before you throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Good luck and don't give up!

seamus bass · #12 07-05-2009, 01:17 PM

stay away from carnival people, little people, big hands, and they smell like cabbage

**lowendfriend** · #13 07-05-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastminute

What hand size constitutes unusually small?

Check out this graphic...the higher your percentile the larger your hand compared to general population...my length is about 8.0 inches, so I guess I'm around 80th percentile....I say my hand is medium:

Brad Johnson · #14 07-05-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

Small teen-aged women play double-bass--some are in fact brilliant at it. They have excellent technique, small hands, and a bass with a 41.5" scale and a cross-section at the nut thicker than ANY electric bass and as wide as any 4-string.

Just sayin...

Yep. With decent technique just about anyone should be able to comfortably play a four string.