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Beloved bass that's too heavy?

M

melt

May 16, 2007
635
26
#1
Ok, who has a bass that's truly dear to them that is, in reality, too heavy for them?

I ask the question because I have chronic back problems, waited 26 (?) years to get my Alembic (which I've now had approx 3+ years), it has great sentimental value, is arguably the best bass I've ever played, and yet I now can't play it for more than half an hour at a time standing, and even then suffer discomfort for days after. Sit down to play you say? It's a Triple Omega....not the most comfortable bass to play seated. The thought of selling it keeps crossing my mind, but it would be like selling my child! If I didn't like it it would be different, but it looks, plays and sounds better than pretty much anything else I've ever played. Who has or has had similar problems and what are you doing/did you do about it?
 
#3
I've seen a special guitar strap that is for this problem. I'm sure a quick internet search should find it for you. It had a strap that went over each shoulder.

*Here I found it for you:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#6
JohnLovesRush said:
use a stand like 6 string guitar players who then need to play a 12 string in the middle of the song:).. that it'd be unique and everyone would think..wow that guy has a stand for his bass:)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought about that,but figured it'd be more of a "look at that guy, what the hell is he doing?" or "who does he think he is? Steve Howe?" kind of vibe :D...

Been through all the various strap options etc (although hadn't seriously considered a back brace). The balance is superb, it's more the actual weight of the bass on my spine compressing already damaged discs. It's not my only bass, so it could be sidelined and dragged out for the occasional play, but being a very expensive instrument that just seems a waste. The tragedy is it's not actually that heavy; maybe 11 pounds or thereabouts.
 
#8
LowBSix said:
Wear a back brace.
Lots of crunch exercises.
Ride a bike.
Get the special strap and stand
Click to expand...

I struggle with crunches because of the back problems; I do as much stretching and exercise as I can though. Biking is a problem for similar reasons and because I also have bad knees! Full body replacement anyone?:D
 
#9
melt said:
Yeah, I thought about that,but figured it'd be more of a "look at that guy, what the hell is he doing?" or "who does he think he is? Steve Howe?" kind of vibe :D...

Been through all the various strap options etc (although hadn't seriously considered a back brace). The balance is superb, it's more the actual weight of the bass on my spine compressing already damaged discs. It's not my only bass, so it could be sidelined and dragged out for the occasional play, but being a very expensive instrument that just seems a waste. The tragedy is it's not actually that heavy; maybe 11 pounds or thereabouts.
Click to expand...

haha indeed.. strange thing about Howe though is that he sometimes puts the variax on the stand and plays it with the 12 string setting, and for a real comparision you'll need a one of those "on the table " basses.. like the one trey gunn uses sometimes.
You'll be the bass steve howe.. except less ugly.. even though I don't know what you look like.. it's a safe bet..less ugly
 
#10
JohnLovesRush said:
haha indeed.. strange thing about Howe though is that he sometimes puts the variax on the stand and plays it with the 12 string setting, and for a real comparision you'll need a one of those "on the table " basses.. like the one trey gunn uses sometimes.
You'll be the bass steve howe.. except less ugly.. even though I don't know what you look like.. it's a safe bet..less ugly
Click to expand...

:D

Much as I love Yes (and Steve), that is funny!
 
#11
That's a really crappy dilemma you have there. Don't ignore your body. If you can afford it, I'd say keep the Alembic to play for fun by yourself or sitting down when practicing, but get a new bass that is spec'd out to be very light. There are a lot of luthiers that could probably get you a nice bass in the 6 lb range, maybe even an Alembic. Have you ever considered a Steinberger stick bass or something like that?

If you can't afford to keep your current Alembic and get a new bass, I'd really consider selling it. I know it would be really hard, but if you have pain for days after playing it, it probably just wasn't meant to be.
 
#13
There's a great Danish bass player that also has back problems, playing his wonderful old Mørch 5 string fretless, and he also tried different straps, sitting down, and all that stuff, but he ended up having made an adjustable aluminum pole (like a crutch without the handle/arm support) and a mount for it on the end of the bass.
Now he plays it upright, and he can just take off the pole if he wants to play it normally.

Of course, that solution can only be used if there can be made a mount that doesn't harm or lower the value of the bass considerably, and if you could feel comfortable playing the bass upright.
 
#16
mongo2 said:
I picked up a couple of neoprene straps that help me carry the load longer.
Click to expand...

melt said:
Tried those too, no help.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the neo straps helped me play longer but didn't eliminate the issue. I also DIYd a couple of instruments that would fit on a NS EUB stand for zero weight on the shoulder/back. That was fine but I still wanted to be able to "play normally" with the instrument strapped on.

This probably isn't for you since you love your Alembic so much, but my end game for the times when I couldn't carry the load was to construct a very light instrument at just under 6 lbs.
 
#18
Amazing what a pound or 2 will do over a period of time.I had an ash body Jazz that I loved-great sentimental value,my first nice bass.lots of good memories with that Jazz.I had a car accident and got a bad back.It HURT to play it standing up for more than say,15 minutes.I would play on the worship team and people would say after-man,what's up--u look like you gotta lay cable up there with ur facial expressions!Eventually I needed money,and I had to sell it.Pained me,I thought of anything and everything for $$ but nothing.Sold it and said I will never,ever play again because like you said-getting rid of that bass was like getting rid of a part of me.Folks bought me a Precision Deluxe.The weight is about 2 pounds lighter,but I can play 2 hour sets standing up easily.Personally,I would find a new bass-lots of them out there that weigh less.do it for your health.I learned a lot about backs when I hurt mine-it is no fun.I had to relearn how to do lots of things--just bending over to pick up a pencil became a matter of having to plan it before I did it-sucks,but could be worse.
 
#20
Well, Steve Howe ugly? He looks a bit like the Crypt Keeper.... no, wait, Ronnie James Dio looks like the Crypt Keeper, Steve Howe is the "Mr. Rogers"-version of the Crypt Keeper. Haha, but seriously, I like both musicians.
I have a Gibson RD Artist Bass that I really like, but it is quite heavy. I switched to another strap, that was a big difference. The RD is not my main bass though, when I start playing with the RD and then switch to my Fender Am Dlx J which is my main bass then I have the feeling the weight of the Fender is like nothing.
How about playing your bass while sitting? Robert Fripp does it all the time and everybody seems cool about it.
 

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