Wearing your bass high or low...

Sundogue · #1 12-15-2004, 09:43 AM

I want to thank all the guys who helped me with my sore wrist/hand problem.

I have a long scale Peavey Cirrus 5 string and was contemplating going to a shorter scale bass so my wrist and hand weren't so sore after gigs.

But, I've adjusted how I wear my bass. I wear it lower now and it has helped immensely. With it lower, my wrist isn't so bent when trying to reach and play the low notes near the bridge.

However, I'm still trying to get used to wearing it lower. It feels so far away from me now that it doesn't seem like it fits me anymore. With it up higher it seemed more like a part of me, whereas with it lower it seems to just hang on me. I've been able to play everything I've played before, though it seems like more work now.

I've included some before and after pics. The before pics with it up higher feels nicer to play, but give me pain the next day in my wrist/hand. The after pic shows it lower and I hardly have any pain at all...but I feel I have to "work" my bass more to accomodate the lower position. With it lower it is a good 6 inches lower (about the length of the upper horn) in the before and after pics (though it might not look like that much in the pics).

How do you guys, who wear it low (and it's nowhere near as low as some wear it), feel about wearing it like this? And if anyone wears it higher, and you have long scale basses, do you experience any wrist/hand pain after a gig because of it?

It sure is taking some time getting used to, but not having any pain sure is nice.

NJL · #2 12-15-2004, 09:49 AM

Great Thread!!!!

We really need more threads like this. Playing healthy and thinking
healthy is the way to go.

here's a bump

mark beem · #3 12-15-2004, 09:53 AM

Same height standing as sitting for me. No problems (anymore).

Dude, you look like Jeff Berlin!!

McHack · #4 12-15-2004, 09:55 AM

I've had no finger hand issues, wearing my bass so the resting thumb position is right around waist high.

Sundogue · #5 12-15-2004, 09:56 AM

I've been playing for over 25 years...but only recently has my wrist/hand bothered me.

I normally don't have my thumb wrapped over the neck (as in the one pic), I usually have good technique. But in that photo, I'm wearing my bass lower. I'm also playing a relatively simpler song (not much left hand movement), and also I've found with it lower, I have a greater tendency to wrap my thumb over as I'm trying to control the neck more. Though this hasn't hindered my playing much yet, and my wrist/hand aren't sore after the gig.

It's only when I play with it up higher and I play more low notes (near the nut) for an extended time that my wrist and hand are terribly sore...to the point I can't even make a fist the next day.

Lowering it has helped immensely, but I miss wearing it higher as it feels more natural to play that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark beem

Dude, you look like Jeff Berlin!!

Yeah...I've heard I look like a lot of people...but that's the first time I've heard that. I wished I heard that I played like him though!!!

NJL · #6 12-15-2004, 09:58 AM

when i wear my 6 lower, it's a real pain in the ass to slap. that's the only thing that i don't like about wearing lower....i'm into wearing a bass high as well.

mike_v_s · #7 12-15-2004, 10:04 AM

As low as possible (within reason). I've found it more comfortable to play with my elbow on the plucking hand (right) extended at greater that 90 degrees. You're right, this does cause a complete reworking of your left hand technique, but I think you'll adapt quicker than you think.

Downside? I have a little difficulty playing sitting now.

Mike

kaboom133 · #8 12-15-2004, 10:05 AM

Think of it this way: Wearing it lower may hinder your playing a bit now, but it's better than not being able to play at all in 20 years, isn't it?

I know that's kind of an extreme example, but you never know, you're always better safe than sorry.

Sundogue · #9 12-15-2004, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaboom133

Think of it this way: Wearing it lower may hinder your playing a bit now, but it's better than not being able to play at all in 20 years, isn't it?

I know that's kind of an extreme example, but you never know, you're always better safe than sorry.

Well that was my thinking exactly. Although at 44 years old, I don't think I'll still be gigging at 64.

I was considering getting a shorter scale bass. I tried a Rick the other day at a store and was just astounded at how short it felt. It seemed like the neck was a good foot shorter than my Cirrus.

But I love my Cirrus and if lowering it allows me to keep it, and most importantly, allows me to keep playing...I'll do whatever it takes. Giving up music was not an option.

andruca · #10 12-15-2004, 10:10 AM

I use my bass at midium height for fast fingerstyle, much lower for metal E+B string brutal pounding and just under my chest for slapping.

ANDRUCA

Mobay45 · #11 12-15-2004, 10:12 AM

[quote=Sundogue]Well that was my thinking exactly. Although at 44 years old, I don't think I'll still be gigging at 64.

[quote]

Why are you planning to quit playing at such a young age?

Sundogue · #12 12-15-2004, 10:14 AM

[quote=Mobay45][quote=Sundogue]Well that was my thinking exactly. Although at 44 years old, I don't think I'll still be gigging at 64.

Quote:

Why are you planning to quit playing at such a young age?

Well, I don't plan on quitting, ever. But one never knows how long you can continue to do it. It's not the playing...it's hauling the gear...setting up and tearing down. But then again, I've got three kids with another on the way. Hmmm, homegrown roadies.

Sundogue · #13 12-15-2004, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andruca

I use my bass at midium height for fast fingerstyle, much lower for metal E+B string brutal pounding and just under my chest for slapping.

ANDRUCA

Do you have three different basses, or do you adjust the strap length on the fly in between songs?

Rod B. · #14 12-15-2004, 10:26 AM

I wear mine where it is basically the same height standing or sitting. I must sit perfectly straight though or the bass rests on my knee.

That said, I use to play my bass several inches lower. I developed hand/wrist pain from overuse. No matter where I placed the bass the pain would come back. That was two years ago. About 3 weeks ago I started to see a guy who does Active Release and now I'm 90% better.

The Hammer · #15 12-15-2004, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

As low as possible (within reason). I've found it more comfortable to play with my elbow on the plucking hand (right) extended at greater that 90 degrees. You're right, this does cause a complete reworking of your left hand technique, but I think you'll adapt quicker than you think.

Downside? I have a little difficulty playing sitting now.

Mike

This is exactly the reason I play my bass low

Aram · #16 12-15-2004, 10:29 AM

Sundogue,

Maybe there's a compromise? Have you tried 3-4" lower, as opposed to a full 6"? here's where I wear mine (35"-scale Ibanez BTB):

Vic · #17 12-15-2004, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundogue

...at 44 years old, I don't think I'll still be gigging at 64.

Never say never, dude. It's in your blood now.

Vic · #18 12-15-2004, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Well, I don't plan on quitting, ever. But one never knows how long you can continue to do it. It's not the playing...it's hauling the gear...setting up and tearing down.

hmmm, gotta' point there, but good powerful gear is continuing to get smaller...

Quote:

But then again, I've got three kids with another on the way. Hmmm, homegrown roadies.

Good thinking!

fenderbassabuse · #19 12-15-2004, 10:37 AM

I have my jazz bass just a little lower than sitting. Comfort for both hands.

Sundogue · #20 12-15-2004, 10:39 AM

I've tried every strap length from higher than normal, to incrementally lower...until I came about with this length seeming to be about right, where I still feel I have control and having it ease my pain.

I've been to two doctors, a chiropractor, an accupuncturist and a massage therapist.

We've all come to the conclusion that adjusting how I wore my bass was about the only thing that would help (or a shorter scale bass).

I wear it this way, in addition to rubbing Ben-Gay (before and after playing) on my elbow where the ligaments join it all together, and doing stretching exersizes before and after.

It's working so far. The only thing now is adjusting my playing to the different position the bass is at now. There were times during these last two gigs where my bass seemed to be fighting me. When it was up higher it was tight to my body and it just seemed like a part of me. Now it seems to be hanging off me, daring me to play it right.

Maybe it'll just take some time to get used to it. I have no idea how some bass players wear their bass so low (like down around their hips or even their knees) and still manage to play it.