Aching Shoulders and Back

grass132456 · #1 10-03-2011, 04:54 PM

I don't know if this is the right section, but here I go.

So I have a Fender Deluxe P Bass Special and when I play live, after around 30 minutes, my shoulders start to hurt from the weight of the bass. Is it just the strap, or posture, or is the bass just really heavy? I can't find the weight of my bass anywhere online and my scale is not a electronic one so it is not very accurate.

Exploiter8 · #2 10-03-2011, 05:01 PM

Posture and bass height is everything as far as I'm concerned. If you're leaning or bending forward or your bass hangs down at your knees you're going to feel it.

X8

Audiophage · #3 10-03-2011, 05:03 PM

Unless your bass is exceedingly heavy you can probably just get a thicker strap. However, you should definitely look into good posture for playing even if you think what you're doing is fine.

James Judson · #4 10-03-2011, 05:04 PM

Sit to pee. Worked for me.

Exploiter8 · #5 10-03-2011, 05:05 PM

Maybe too much Ping-Pong? Yeah, I checked your profile!

X8

grass132456 · #6 10-03-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

Maybe too much Ping-Pong? Yeah, I checked your profile!

X8

Haha highly doubt it though :P

perfektspace6 · #7 10-03-2011, 05:19 PM

A better strap is a good short term suggestion. Strengthening your shoulders and back are better long term solutions.

grass132456 · #8 10-03-2011, 05:38 PM

What kind of straps are good? Because I don't know the art of straps, they all seem the same to me.

Exploiter8 · #9 10-03-2011, 05:40 PM

I use a 4 inch wide strap. It's not the softest, but it spreads out the weight and also is somewhat non-slip to help combat neck dive.

X8

Exploiter8 · #10 10-03-2011, 05:45 PM

I know, too much time on my hands, but...

You say BOTH shoulders hurt? I had that problem when I would spend too much time looking at my fretting hand. I still look too much, but I've learned to look away at intervals. Kind of like looking away from the monitor screen every so often to give your eyes a break.

X8

I'm forcing myself to sign off now, good luck!

puddin tame · #11 10-03-2011, 05:49 PM

I don't know about your physical condition but since I started working out i've had no trouble with pains from playing long gigs

grass132456 · #12 10-03-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I know, too much time on my hands, but...

You say BOTH shoulders hurt? I had that problem when I would spend too much time looking at my fretting hand. I still look too much, but I've learned to look away at intervals. Kind of like looking away from the monitor screen every so often to give your eyes a break.

X8

I'm forcing myself to sign off now, good luck!

No, only the left shoulder, the one bearing all the weight, hurts.

kb9wyz · #13 10-03-2011, 06:04 PM

A good thing to do also is to do some stretching & light weight lifting to work out the shoulder muscles. The extra blood flow and what not will help with the muscles not tensing up as easily. Believe me.

TwinBass · #14 10-03-2011, 06:22 PM

First things first, take care of yourself. Exercise, stretch, hydrate (with water, not beer

), and play your bass in the most comfortable position you can find (not too high, not too low). Also, when moving gear, don't try to be superman... ask for a hand, use a good sturdy dolly, or take extra trips.

If that doesn't help, look into a comfortable wide strap.

Etienned · #15 10-03-2011, 06:23 PM

I had similar issues with my heavy fender. Some stretching and free weight exercises helped but I reached nirvana when I bought myself a y-shaped strap (going over both shoulders). It's less wide than most bass strap yet the weight is more evenly shared across my body. Also it did wonder for the neckdive issue I had. The bass just stays where you want it to and definitely feels lighter.

groove pump · #16 10-03-2011, 06:51 PM

I got a really wide strap at a little local store several years ago and I adore the thing. It's just a no-name accessory, but I get a nice weight distribution with it and it's night-and-day more cozy that the more narrow version of the exact same strap. This one is almost five inches wide, but that's including the thin padding that extends beyond the edges of the weight bearing portion which is three inches.

Works for me.