I have mild lower back discomfort but NOTHING that comes close to what’s been described. Your best bet would be a 30” / 32” headless S. Martyn 5. I purchased one as a “preemptive strike”…comes-in at about 6 lbs.
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Bassist and Spinal Issues club
- Thread starter iriegnome
- Start date
My advice: Be patient with your recovery. I had cervical spine surgery after a ruptured disk paralyzed my right arm. I could move it immediately after surgery, but it took a year to get full strength back.
My wife and a friend of mine both had a surgery similar to what you're having, which is much lower in the spine, almost as low as it goes. It's very serious and a big surgery. After watching both of them, I will tell you to expect extreme pain immediately afterwards, like 12 on a scale of 1-10. Stay on your pain meds, if you let the pain cycle get out of control it will be hard to get it under control again.
Nine months post surgery, my wife is better than she has been in a very long time. My friend's surgery was years ago and he's doing great. But it took a long time to get there. Be patient with yourself and most of all make sure you have help around the house because you're not going to be able to do anything except eat and go to the bathroom at first, and even those will be hard. It's gonna be bad, very painful, right after, but it will get better.
My wife and a friend of mine both had a surgery similar to what you're having, which is much lower in the spine, almost as low as it goes. It's very serious and a big surgery. After watching both of them, I will tell you to expect extreme pain immediately afterwards, like 12 on a scale of 1-10. Stay on your pain meds, if you let the pain cycle get out of control it will be hard to get it under control again.
Nine months post surgery, my wife is better than she has been in a very long time. My friend's surgery was years ago and he's doing great. But it took a long time to get there. Be patient with yourself and most of all make sure you have help around the house because you're not going to be able to do anything except eat and go to the bathroom at first, and even those will be hard. It's gonna be bad, very painful, right after, but it will get better.
Wishing you a good and quick recovery. The other band members will need to take charge of moving the PA gear. I think that's only fair or pair down your setup. Looking into short scale basses and or something like a strandberg that only weighs a few pounds might be helpful for longer gigs.
You did see my post, didn't you? "I have to sit when playing my 21" scale bass ukes, can't play anything longer, and slouch in a stool with a back."
Wishing everyone who visits this thread relief from your back pain. I've had pain for a long time, but recently lumbar pain grew bad enough to warrant interventions. Still working on that - no surgery yet. In the meantime, I bought a GR Aerotech 112(13.5 1bs) and I'm switching to lighter weight, short-scale basses for any gigs that include standing. I also use a Roc'n'Soc drum throne when I'm seated.
I wish when I was working full-time days and playing 90+ gigs a year I'd had time to keep my core muscles strong and developed some better habits. Starting with a lighter basses -- I used to wear a 10+ lbs bass for 8-hour days, and I have always had a slight build.
I wish when I was working full-time days and playing 90+ gigs a year I'd had time to keep my core muscles strong and developed some better habits. Starting with a lighter basses -- I used to wear a 10+ lbs bass for 8-hour days, and I have always had a slight build.
Yes absolutely. I have many basses, but overwhelmingly I reach for my 7.6-lb. Road Worn Precision. I also have a few flyweight vintage Kay basses that are great fun to play.
He likely did, yet his question was probably directed to everyone here.
Yes I did. The Uke bass is a great option for many as it is super light and very easy to carry around. I am hoping to find a 5 string option for myself. I am appreciative of all responses to this club here
You are an inspiration.
The moral of the story is never quit!!
How do you find competent yoga? I am looking because I am losing flexibility. When I see "new age y " speak I become skeptical.
For what its worth the cheapo Glarrys are really light.
This one is 6.5 lbs;
They are astonishingly decent. With a little detail work and setup rival at least a Squire CV.
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Sarah Ivanhoe - Fat Burning Yoga
This is the one I do. I also cannot get onto my knees, so I use blocks for some of the poses and do the modified version when needed (They show that as well)
I underwent several cervical spine surgeries, ending with C4-C7 fused in 2017. Completely sunk my musical career(or so I thought at the time).
Pinched nerves affecting my left shoulder, arm and hand. Came out of the first surgery with numb fingers in my fretting hand. I thought, well this is it, I am done as a bassist.
My depression was deep for several years, I even lost 26 pounds from not eating (good result, less than good experience).
I even sold my beloved 73 P-Bass due to these issues.
However, after a couple of years of feeling lost, my better half suggested I at least noodle on my remaining basses.
I did begin to noodle around, very disappointed in my lack of coordination and lack of feeling.
But, as it has throughout my life, MUSIC brought me back to myself. It took many hours of practice, scales, etc, but I retrained my brain around the numb fingers and joined an oldies band with some friends. Found out my musical knowledge made up for a lack of dexterity, and slowly gained most of my chops back.
I have since played out at least weekly with several bands as a permanent member, and am enjoying this like there is no tomorrow, because there probably isn't. I am 74.
So, I settled on a Spector Euro LX 4 at 7-1/4 lbs. I loved it and shortly thereafter, replaced the Korean Spector with a Euro 5 LT at 7-3/4 lbs.
I also replace most of my bass gear to lighter equivalents for similar reasons, went from Ashdown amps and speakers to Mesa Subway gear.
I did retain my small rack with an Ampeg SVP Preamp and Crown power amp. My current band likes it enough to lug it around for me.
By letting every band mate understand why I am unable (not unwilling), to load in and out as much as everyone else, everyone has been golden in this regard. I also do most of the cable rolling to offset this.
Sorry for the length, I am very caffeinated currently.
Pinched nerves affecting my left shoulder, arm and hand. Came out of the first surgery with numb fingers in my fretting hand. I thought, well this is it, I am done as a bassist.
My depression was deep for several years, I even lost 26 pounds from not eating (good result, less than good experience).
I even sold my beloved 73 P-Bass due to these issues.
However, after a couple of years of feeling lost, my better half suggested I at least noodle on my remaining basses.
I did begin to noodle around, very disappointed in my lack of coordination and lack of feeling.
But, as it has throughout my life, MUSIC brought me back to myself. It took many hours of practice, scales, etc, but I retrained my brain around the numb fingers and joined an oldies band with some friends. Found out my musical knowledge made up for a lack of dexterity, and slowly gained most of my chops back.
I have since played out at least weekly with several bands as a permanent member, and am enjoying this like there is no tomorrow, because there probably isn't. I am 74.
I started looking at lighter weight basses than my Schecter PJ, Fender jazz bass. I already had a Korean Spector 5 string that sounded wonderful, but weighed about 11 lbs.
So, I settled on a Spector Euro LX 4 at 7-1/4 lbs. I loved it and shortly thereafter, replaced the Korean Spector with a Euro 5 LT at 7-3/4 lbs.
I also replace most of my bass gear to lighter equivalents for similar reasons, went from Ashdown amps and speakers to Mesa Subway gear.
I did retain my small rack with an Ampeg SVP Preamp and Crown power amp. My current band likes it enough to lug it around for me.
By letting every band mate understand why I am unable (not unwilling), to load in and out as much as everyone else, everyone has been golden in this regard. I also do most of the cable rolling to offset this.
Sorry for the length, I am very caffeinated currently.
Has anyone needed assistant devices after these types of surgery? I am officially scheduled for October 1. It will be an A & P dual surgery. Anything like a walker, a grab bar for the bed? One of those toilet seat risers so you don't have to bend as much? Maybe a wedge to elevate your legs in bed?
I found a 2 piece memory foam back wedge that looks like it will be a great help. Found friends with a hand bar rig that goes under the mattress to help with rolling out of bed as well
FYI, it's not 'uke bass,' it's bass uke, following soprano uke, concert uke, tenor uke, baritone uke. People have that misunderstanding because Kala named their bass ukes U-Bass, which came from the owner of Kala, Mike Upton. He made a license deal with Owen Holt of Road Toad Music for his design of the bass uke using thick polyurethane strings. Part of the deal was to put the Road Toad logo on the headstock of all the early Kala bass ukes.
After searching, I didn't like my 5 string bass options, so I am opting to just build one. I found a Paulownia Pbass body which comes in at only 2 pounds 14 ounces. I plan on doing it as a 4 string to 5 string conversion 4+1 tuners and doing it as a full on frankenbass. I should easily have a finished weight of well below 7 pounds.
