Like the title says i just have a general question about how everyone plays their bass when standing and using a strap. do you guys and gals like to have it up very high? kinda old old schoolish and up on your chest. or is their some kind of cool club that the only rule is that the closer your bass is to the floor the better everything is? i play with my bass set a little above my waist but everyone that i know of that plays the bass has it down at their knees and i have no idea how one manages to play that way so i thought id just ask and see if im actually the odd one
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Strap length. on your chest? or at your knees?
- Thread starter BHester93
- Start date
I adjust my strap so that it is at the same length when Im sitting or standing. It never made sense to me that we practice most often sitting down then attempt to play with the bass much lower when we stand. Anyway, a higher strap position allows me to play much better than a low hanging axe.
I center my bass so that the neck joint plate is directly over my bellybutton, and I raise the neck up to about a 30 degree angle. This way my wrists are straight or with a slight bend, thus avoiding any carpal tunnel issues. If you jack your bass up under your chin your right wrist will have to be bent at a severe angle, inviting carpal tunnel problems. Likewise, if you drag your bass on the floor your left wrist will have problems. You want your bass like these guys:
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They'll never have carpal tunnel syndrome!
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They'll never have carpal tunnel syndrome!
not entirely true. carpal tunnel can be caused by repetitive motion, no matter what angle your wrist is at.
and just because you sling a bass low doesnt mean your wrist has to be at a bad angle. yes, if you play low and have your thumb behind the neck in so called 'proper technique' you can have problems. my thumb is generally wrapped around the neck leaving my wrist at no worse an angle than people who supposedly play properly.
Exactly. If it is a rock gig and is pretty easy, I used to hang it lower, but that was mainly to prevent me from getting fancy up there..lol.
I read a lot of posts where people think doing something a certain way looks cool. I think that is a poser mentality. No offense to anyone, but your vibe should be what naturally works. Not what you think looks cool. If you think that way, you are doing it wrong.
Personally, I like the bass on me the same way it is when I am sitting.The other reason is I can sit down with it strapped on. This prevents my leg from falling asleep from the weight of the bass as well.
If you are a great player with great stage presence that is all that matters. You want it setup so you can play properly.
Most important is a lot of guys who play with it lower have long arms. If you don't have long arms you will actually look and feel a lot better with it higher up.
I read a lot of posts where people think doing something a certain way looks cool. I think that is a poser mentality. No offense to anyone, but your vibe should be what naturally works. Not what you think looks cool. If you think that way, you are doing it wrong.
Personally, I like the bass on me the same way it is when I am sitting.The other reason is I can sit down with it strapped on. This prevents my leg from falling asleep from the weight of the bass as well.
If you are a great player with great stage presence that is all that matters. You want it setup so you can play properly.
Most important is a lot of guys who play with it lower have long arms. If you don't have long arms you will actually look and feel a lot better with it higher up.
When practicing, I stand up so everything feels right in practice and live playing. I have my bass fairly low because of my long arms. It's comfortable for ME and that is how I play. I am not comfortable playing sitting down any more, so I do not bother.
Wear it where you feel comfortable and play well. Don't play it at a different level just to fit in. Your playing will ultimately suffer that way.
Wear it where you feel comfortable and play well. Don't play it at a different level just to fit in. Your playing will ultimately suffer that way.
Yep...that's about where mine sits. The neck plate is about navel height with the neck tilted upwards a little.
I made my strap from a piece of leather. It's exactly the right length when using a Precision/Jazz style bass. Not adjustable, but no buckles or other stuff to deal with. Just 3-1/2" of leather all the way through. Comfy.
I made my strap from a piece of leather. It's exactly the right length when using a Precision/Jazz style bass. Not adjustable, but no buckles or other stuff to deal with. Just 3-1/2" of leather all the way through. Comfy.
I used to have it up higher, above my waist, but have recently lowered it to just below my waist.
All in all, I think whatever feels comfortable for you.
I can't sling it any lower because my arms are short and it cocks my lest wrist at a very uncomfortable and unusable angle.
Wearing it up higher it was easier to play most things, but, at the same time, it just felt weird, so I found a happy medium.
All in all, I think whatever feels comfortable for you.
I can't sling it any lower because my arms are short and it cocks my lest wrist at a very uncomfortable and unusable angle.
Wearing it up higher it was easier to play most things, but, at the same time, it just felt weird, so I found a happy medium.
I like to experiment and I'm trying this at the moment. It makes the left hand more comfortable, particularly when moving up the neck. To keep my right wrist from becoming bent over I raise my arm at the shoulder - playing with a floating thumb technique, this feels okay.
FWIW, I wear mine approximately where Sir Paul is wearing it (above).
The only things I'm missing are his ability to play, sing, and compose.
The only things I'm missing are his ability to play, sing, and compose.
Certain basses... chunkier necks, basses with neckdive, etc. I strap pretty high. For a more well-balanced bass, like a Jazz or a Stingray, I keep it a little below my waist. Feels more comfortable.
Never been a fan of slinging it around your knees though. Just... why? D:
Never been a fan of slinging it around your knees though. Just... why? D:
I just looked at myself in the mirror this morning. I definitely hang mine a al Marcus. As with suse above, sure wish I could play like him!
I've been working on a theatre show - Once on This Island. It goes from first position to above the twelfth fret, including harmonics and slap. This position makes it all possible.
I've been working on a theatre show - Once on This Island. It goes from first position to above the twelfth fret, including harmonics and slap. This position makes it all possible.
I'd focus on getting the neck angle right. Once you do that, the correct height is much easier to find, and it becomes much less critical. In other words, the neck angle matters much more than the strap height. If your wrist hurts, raise your neck.
Mine hovers between 45 to 60 degrees from horizontal, with the headstock level with my left ear. I have no idea how anyone could play with it lower than that. I wouldn't even try to play a bass that had neck dive. Either move the strap buttons, or get a new bass. Life's too short.
Also, everyone's body is different. People have different lengths in their upper arms, forearms, shoulders, torsos, hand bones, fingers, etc. You can't really say to "put the neck plate here" or "raise your arm to that it's X inches from your body," or whatever. All of those measurements and points of reference are going to be useless on someone else.
The only thing that matters is whether your movements while playing are as natural and comfortable as possible. The object is to play with the least amount of strain. Strain makes you slow. Strain makes you work harder to hit your notes cleanly. Strain causes long-term injury.
You know what looks cool on stage? Playing extremely well. Being so relaxed that you can play your best, and still have enough mental and emotional energy left over to connect with the audience.
Mine hovers between 45 to 60 degrees from horizontal, with the headstock level with my left ear. I have no idea how anyone could play with it lower than that. I wouldn't even try to play a bass that had neck dive. Either move the strap buttons, or get a new bass. Life's too short.
Also, everyone's body is different. People have different lengths in their upper arms, forearms, shoulders, torsos, hand bones, fingers, etc. You can't really say to "put the neck plate here" or "raise your arm to that it's X inches from your body," or whatever. All of those measurements and points of reference are going to be useless on someone else.
The only thing that matters is whether your movements while playing are as natural and comfortable as possible. The object is to play with the least amount of strain. Strain makes you slow. Strain makes you work harder to hit your notes cleanly. Strain causes long-term injury.
You know what looks cool on stage? Playing extremely well. Being so relaxed that you can play your best, and still have enough mental and emotional energy left over to connect with the audience.
Im perfectly comfortable playing mine where i am and if any of you knew me youd know that im not one for appearances i just felt kinda odd playing with mine higher than all the guys i know. i didnt know if it was easier or something when played down low because whenever i tried to even with my gargantuan size and arm length i felt awkward and uncomfortable as soon as the neck plate drifted below my belt. but if its just a comfort thing and not a "it plays better thing" ill just keep mine where i have it because weither its a chunky heavy bass or a lightweight im comfortable playing here. more power to the people with gorilla arms that do play at shin level though
I don't know, I still get pretty fancy up there, lol
I have the long arms, so there's 1 point for me. I also have a bad left shoulder and the angles of my arm cause problems and pain if its up high, so that's 2. I will say I think if looks better on me that way also but thats not the priority
