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Can't play new bass!?? ACK!!

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Exemonium, Apr 18, 2012.

  1. Apr 18, 2012 #1
    Exemonium

    Exemonium

    May 13, 2010
    So I finally sold my Lakland, put in some money and got a Warwick FNA Jazzman 5 string....and I'm having difficulties playing it!

    I don't know what is going on! I played a 5 string Corvette for a while and was fine, I don't understand why this is suddenly so difficult for my to play. And it's not the left hand, it's the right. Could the string spacing be that much of an issue to the fingerstyle? I understand that slapping is going to take getting used to again, but even that isn't as bad as my fingerstyle. It's bizarre...maybe it's the strings? They do feel a tad sticky. But nothing crazy, I mean my lakland was like that for a while and I was fine on that.

    Has anyone ever had this happen? Bought a bass that even after 5+ hours of going at it, just isn't sitting right with you? Or do I just need to put more time into it? I mean, if I have to I can return it. And if that happens I'll be getting a 5 string Musicman Stingray HH. Which has wider spacing. It's plain craziness, It's like my body, arms, shoulders, neck, fingers are all tensing up needlessly. The action is great and it's not like it takes much effort to play it...but for some reason I'm putting a TON of effort into it!

    ACK! Please tell me I'm not alone in this odd situation. Share your stories and solutions :)
     
  2. Apr 18, 2012 #2
    darkstorm

    darkstorm Guest

    Oct 13, 2009
    Put your fave strings on. That may make a quite a diff. Esp since your not liking the feel of the strings. But if prob continues Id say you need a corvette instead since you liked them when you played one.
     
  3. Apr 18, 2012 #3
    paganjack

    paganjack

    Dec 25, 2007
    Los Angeles, CA
    It has taken me a while to get used to my Rickenbacker honestly. But now I love the feel as well as the sound. My warwick took a bit but that is actually a super easy playing axe.
     
  4. Apr 18, 2012 #4
    Stewie26

    Stewie26

    Feb 15, 2012
    Redondo Beach-Palos Verdes, California
    I have always played Fenders. Just recently, I purchased a Gibson SG bass with a 30.5 inch SS neck. My left hand had no problem adjusting to the shorter neck, but my right hand had problems muting the open string notes when playing with a pick. The guitar's whole bridge area felt very uncomforatable at first. Now after playing the Gibson for at least 40 hours, I have readjusted and my muscle memory is use to it. It was well worth the time retraining my hand position as this new SG bass just rocks. Just give it more time for your right hand to adjust.
     
  5. Apr 19, 2012 #5
    Exemonium

    Exemonium

    May 13, 2010
    I'm starting to think its the balance. I'm used to the entire bass hanging a bit more to the right. That's also why ppl feel like warwicks have such a long neck, I bet.
     
  6. Apr 19, 2012 #6
    electracoyote

    electracoyote

    Jan 2, 2009
    Purple Mountain Majesties
    It took me a couple of weeks to adapt and adjust to my first Rickenbacker 4003.

    It was worth every minute.
     
  7. Apr 19, 2012 #7
    metalstorm

    metalstorm Supporting Member

    Oct 13, 2005
    Calgary, Canada
    Often it takes me at least a month to get used to a new bass regardless of how similar it is to my old bass.
     
  8. Apr 19, 2012 #8
    GM60466

    GM60466

    May 20, 2006
    Chi-Town
    Make it the only bass you play and play two to three hours at a time. In a week or two, you'll be fine
     
  9. Apr 19, 2012 #9
    jbiscuti

    jbiscuti

    Dec 22, 2007
    NYC / LA
    Endorsing Artist: Grolsch Strap Locks
    Yup - you can get used to anything. Stick with it!
     
  10. Apr 19, 2012 #10
    Dr. Cheese

    Dr. Cheese Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2004
    Metro St. Louis
    It sound like you got used to the wide spacing on your Lakland, and your Warwick feels cramped now. If you want to keep the Warwick, stay away from wide spaced basses.
     
  11. Apr 19, 2012 #11
    D.M.N.

    D.M.N. (O)))) Supporting Member

    Oct 6, 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
    When I first got my T-Bird, I could hardly play the darned thing. I'd been playing on my 62 AVRI P, and the feel was just totally different. I'm still not nearly as comfortable on the T-Bird as the P, but I've become way more used to the narrower string spacing and neck profile.