Having a short bass guitar strap, is it okay?

ilovemysr505 · #1 10-10-2009, 04:56 PM

I'm 19 yrs old and I currently am using a very short strap.
My arms are in line with my shoulders when I'm standing.
Is this habit okay for my age?
Does this make me look old?

Everyone else has long straps and their bass guitars are just below there with their balls

I wonder why?

Gunnerhea86 · #2 10-10-2009, 05:07 PM

just look at timmy c from rage against the machine ... but seriously, do whatevers comfortable!

J. Crawford · #3 10-10-2009, 05:08 PM

Man, I wear mine very high. And age has nothing to do with anything. Im 16, and I wear mine super high. I have it adjusted so that when Im sitting my bass is at the same level as when Im standing using the strap.

Its all about comfort, personal preference.

bassmanrocke · #4 10-10-2009, 05:13 PM

Many older players wear it high to avoid Carpul Tunnel Syndrome (developed from years of playing with the bass too low). Probably much better to start with it high.

NortyFiner · #5 10-10-2009, 05:25 PM

My strap is adjusted so that my bass is about in the same position when I am both seated and standing. It's both more comfortable on my body (I have cubital tunnel syndrome in both arms) and it's actually better for making the transition from seated practice to standing performance because your position stays the same. As we say in the military, train like you fight...

Oh, and if you don't think having your bass that high is cool, tell that to guys like Tim Commerford, Vic Wooten, John Myung and John Entwhistle...

ilovemysr505 · #6 10-10-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmanrocke

Many older players wear it high to avoid Carpul Tunnel Syndrome (developed from years of playing with the bass too low). Probably much better to start with it high.

I already got that syndrome from too much computer work

fdeck · #7 10-10-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysr505

I already got that syndrome from too much computer work

All the more reason to be careful. I wear mine high because it makes sense for the technique that I was taught.

jollygiantchris · #8 10-11-2009, 09:41 AM

Wear mine high but I'm really tall. I also personally feel that you are able to do more technically with your hands/wrists at the "correct" playing angles.

ByF · #9 10-11-2009, 10:32 AM

I believe in wearing the bass at a height that keeps your wrists straight--the backs of both hands should be aligned with your forearms. That avoids pressure on the nerves in your wrist.

I like to practice standing up, because that puts the bass at the most natural position. The only time I sit down to play is if I'm writing something down, say, transcribing something to paper.

Anyhow, what's wrong with looking old?!?

Ed

ForestThump · #10 10-11-2009, 10:57 AM

Wear it like a bow tie if that's what gets the groove happening.
Saw PIL back in the day and Jah Wobble wore his Ampeg bass really high.

iamlowsound · #11 10-11-2009, 12:06 PM

Mine doesn't change position whether I am sitting or standing. Although I usually am standing. It was the way I was taught when I started playing.

lowsound

alapantera · #12 10-11-2009, 12:28 PM

I've only recently lowered my strap (within the last few years). I started playing primarily with a pick. This let my arm sit at angle at my elbow and my picking wrist was straight. Much more comforatble. When I was playing more fingerstyle, I had my bass up much higher as well.

Just play whatever is comfortable to you. If whatever position you're using is reducing discomfort when you're playing, then that's a good thing.

sonic assassin · #13 10-11-2009, 06:19 PM

i had a strap made for me because i couldnt find a leather one that was short enough and wide enough. 4 inches wide, shortest hole is the perfect height.

and my bass sits pretty high. might be higher than when im sitting. i hunch into my bass when i sit anyway.

tplyons · #14 10-11-2009, 08:25 PM

I keep mine so seated or standing it's the same length and I play in a posture that allows me to keep both wrists as straight as possible since I suffer from CTS in both wrists.

Piotr · #15 10-13-2009, 09:25 AM

When I first started playing bass I had a very long strap, over time, to be more specific, when I started studying, I realized that it mas much more comfortable to wear it high. It's much better for my technique, I can use all the strings, and all the bass with no problems, which I was not able to do at the beginning. Plus, as many already said, it turns out to be that is in the same position either sitting or standing.
Even been a metalhead I wear it high. I now is not "cool", is not very heavy metal, but the 2 guitards on my band were them high as well, so we all look "old" even when playing Iron Maiden