New to BG, injuries, buying help?

jgeary · #1 12-28-2010, 12:02 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the bass guitar. Played some on the double bass, and formerly an amateur cellist. I love the low end of the spectrum - now I'm having a lot of joint pain in both thumbs (osteoarthritis) and have seen a hand specialist and continue with physical therapy.
1. If I start very slowly, and use proper technique, is it possible I might be able to make the transition to BG without creating new injuries?
2. Is there a good-quality BG which you could recommend? I can't stand "cheap" equipment, but I don't need professional quality.
3. I know nothing about pick-ups. I have no idea what questions to ask regarding the purchase of a BG. Would a 'short-scale' BG be 'easier' on my left hand?

Any comments regarding injuries and purchasing a very good 4-string BG would be helpful. Musically I will be starting with folk (bluegrass, our local amateur ukulele group, maybe even uses the bass in our Scottish band) and would eventually love to really delve into jazz.
On a side note - I've played the mandolin for years, but the higher-tension of the strings and barre-chords is getting more difficult. Oh, and I already own the UBass

but have not spent any time with it yet.
Thank you all,
Jill
San Diego

**Freddels** · #2 12-28-2010, 12:24 PM

If you get a quality bass that can be set up with very low action and low tension strings, you should be able to fret the notes with your fingers and using the weight of your arm (like fingering on an upright) and not use your thumb for any pressure. Musicman Sterlings have small necks and are of good quality so that it could be set up with very low action. There are a lot more basses that could do this too. You just need one with a quality neck and easily adjustable trussrod.

Another suggestion would be the Fender Precision Standard.

JimmyM · #3 12-28-2010, 11:35 PM

1. yes

2. i like fenders as a good all around first bass

3. short scale basses rock hard. i have two. nothing at all wrong with them. stanley clarke plays short and medium scale and nobody complains about him.

**Stumbo** · #4 12-29-2010, 12:15 AM

I don't have osteoarthritus but other medical conditions. Based on my experiences, reading as much as possible about my conditions has always helped in getting better treatment. Here's a site you may want to check out: https://health.google.com/health/ref/Osteoarthritis

+1 on the low action setup and low tension strings.

Buy the best you can afford. IME, whatever you buy, have it setup by a pro.

jgeary · #5 12-29-2010, 11:11 AM

Thanks everyone. Just the info I'm needing!
So at the risk of sounding like an idiot, how does one determine if the strings are low-tension strings? Are they marketed that way, or do you need to go by the gauge of the strings?

Jill

jgeary · #6 12-29-2010, 11:15 AM

Stumbo,
Thanks for the link. Good info.
Jill

GianGian · #7 12-29-2010, 11:18 AM

Usually you can find information regarding tension on the wesites. For same kind of strings, and same brand, the heavier the gauge, the higher the tension. Also, a short scale bass will have less tension on the strings than its regular scale counterpart (assuming we are using the same brand and gauge at both instruments).

jgeary · #8 12-29-2010, 11:56 AM

The Music Man Sterling looks wonderful!
Is there a difference between the Fender Precision Standard and the Fender American Precision Standard? Would the Sterling be "easier" on my hands/joints than the Fender, or is it all based upon the set-up (in other words, the neck of the Sterling might be smaller, more comfortable?)
I know nothing about electronics - although initially I won't even be playing out, do I need to concern myself with Humbuckers and pickups? The Fenders are made in Mexico these days. Is that a concern.... Inquiring minds.
Wish I could line up a bunch of basses and play them all! So you guys become my hands and my ears!
Jill

gmarcus · #9 12-29-2010, 12:01 PM

Hi Jill,

You might want to check these out:

http://www.birdsongguitars.com/

**Freddels** · #10 12-29-2010, 12:06 PM

The Sterling has a jazz bass size neck (1.5 inches at the nut) and the Fender American Standard (1.6 at the nut) so the Precision is just a little bit wider but not much. The Fender American Standard is made in the US. It's also a passive bass (no battery). The Sterling is an active bass and has a couple of different pickup options (Single H, H with a Single at the neck position, and the Double H) each has their fans and you'd have to play each to see which you like. The Sterling new would cost more than the US Precision. Both are good basses and would be your personal preference. If you like the Sterling, you should also check out the EBMM Big Al bass (with the 3 single coils). You can get some good deals on used basses on this forum or for EBMM basses, look at ThePerfectBass dot com as they give discounts to TB members and I just got an email on their Holiday sale going on now. G&L basses are very good too.

Low tension strings . . . if you want flat wound then I'd suggest TI Flats. If you want round wound then there are a few more options. I like the D'Addario XL and the lighter gauge like 40 - 100.

unclejane · #11 12-29-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgeary

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the bass guitar. Played some on the double bass, and formerly an amateur cellist. I love the low end of the spectrum - now I'm having a lot of joint pain in both thumbs (osteoarthritis) and have seen a hand specialist and continue with physical therapy.
1. If I start very slowly, and use proper technique, is it possible I might be able to make the transition to BG without creating new injuries?
2. Is there a good-quality BG which you could recommend? I can't stand "cheap" equipment, but I don't need professional quality.
3. I know nothing about pick-ups. I have no idea what questions to ask regarding the purchase of a BG. Would a 'short-scale' BG be 'easier' on my left hand?

Any comments regarding injuries and purchasing a very good 4-string BG would be helpful. Musically I will be starting with folk (bluegrass, our local amateur ukulele group, maybe even uses the bass in our Scottish band) and would eventually love to really delve into jazz.
On a side note - I've played the mandolin for years, but the higher-tension of the strings and barre-chords is getting more difficult. Oh, and I already own the UBass

but have not spent any time with it yet.
Thank you all,
Jill
San Diego

In my experience with injuries, one other really critical thing you want in a bass is good balance. I.e., when you put the bass on with the strap, the neck stays put in a comfortable position. This keeps you from having to hold the instrument in position while trying to play it, or still persisting in trying to play it in an uncomfortable position. This is absolutely key to avoiding injuries.

I have permanant damage in my left wrist after years of playing poorly balanced instruments (and not knowing I was using harmful techniques to compensate for that until it was too late).

This video I think should be required viewing for anyone who plays electric or is thinking about picking it up. This is the French bass master Bunny Brunel discussing this issue in describing his signature bass from Carvin:

http://www.carvinchannel.com/play.php?vid=116

For some players poor balance isn't too big of a deal for anatomical reasons, but for many others it's critical for avoiding injuries.

LS

**Stumbo** · #12 12-30-2010, 03:13 PM

You might want to check out custom string manufacturer: www.nakedstrings.com They can provide a light tensions, balanced string set for you.

Possibly Contact them and let them know your situation so they can recommend the best for you. http://www.nakedstrings.com/contact-naked-strings.php

They are TB members: CSWStrings

jgeary · #13 12-30-2010, 03:30 PM

Thank you everyone. I'm looking forward to comparing some BGs in feel and balance.
In keeping with my general confusion, I noticed there is a "Sterling by MusicMan" and a "MusicMan Sterling." One is $600 and the other is $1,400. My uneducated guess is the cheaper one has less options/variables/pickups? Or are they the same bass?
I'm considering, due to my hand injuries, I should start with the 1,2,4 left hand as with the double bass?
Thanks again. You guys are my new brothers

Jill

**Freddels** · #14 12-30-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgeary

Thank you everyone. I'm looking forward to comparing some BGs in feel and balance.
In keeping with my general confusion, I noticed there is a "Sterling by MusicMan" and a "MusicMan Sterling." One is $600 and the other is $1,400. My uneducated guess is the cheaper one has less options/variables/pickups? Or are they the same bass?
I'm considering, due to my hand injuries, I should start with the 1,2,4 left hand as with the double bass?
Thanks again. You guys are my new brothers

Jill

The $600 dollar one is made overseas. It's ok but for a little more you could get a used US one. If you compared them side by side, you'd notice the difference.

irishpride28 · #15 12-30-2010, 05:16 PM

In answer to your left hand fingering question, a common bass guitar practice is to use one finger 'per fret'- so that each finger has its own individual 'column' of strings all in the same fret space. Sorry if that was explained poorly, I'll leave it to someone better with words than me to give you the full explanation!

jgeary · #16 12-31-2010, 12:30 PM

Freddels,
So, if I actually purchased the Sterling online, how would I determine where is was made?

Jill

**Freddels** · #17 12-31-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgeary

Freddels,
So, if I actually purchased the Sterling online, how would I determine where is was made?

Jill

If it's called Sterling by Musicman then it's the import. They will have models like Ray34, Ray35, SB14. If it's the US made ones, then they will be called EBMM or Musicman Sterling or Stingray or Bongo, etc.

I don't think it was such a great idea for them to call the imports what they did as it's confusing but it wasn't my call to make.

You should also be able to tell my the price. If you're buying used, then the seller should be able to tell you and you can ask for pics of the headstock (it'll say where it was made on it).

If you're buying from new from an authorized dealer then you shouldn't have any issues with getting the one that you want.