Clever solution to neck/shoulder issues aggravated by bass weight

Congrats! Glad you're able to play again and in moderate comfort. From the video, it looks a bit low for me - some bassists play a bit higher up.

Good luck to you and thanks for sharing.

 

Wait, this requires mounting hardware to be installed into the bass?

Wouldn't that absolutely destroy resale of any bass it's attached to?

I could benefit tremendously from a gadget similar to this as I have a pinched nerve in my left shoulder which causes my left hand to go numb when the strap is on that spot.

But there's no possible way id even consider attaching anything to the body of a 62 Fender Jazz Bass.
Maybe a Squier, nope not even s Squier I can't be sure the person I sell it to will want or need this.

Or is it something non permanent?

 

I guess if it was a must the need to play would become more important than the possibility of a future sale.
I don't think I could do it though, I'll just have to stick with the oversized comfort straps or resting it over the boney portion of my shoulder.
That seems to help a lot.

 

Cool idea. But adding a strap button is not going to happen for me. I wonder if some kind of soft/furry strap-type material could be attached to the Slinger strap, then be run around the lower horn (or something attached to the neck plate for bolt-ons) and back to the top horn strap button, but without interfering with upper neck access. That might solve the extra strap button issue.

But I'd still have to wear Urkel pants to get it at the right height!

 

I've got long term neck and shoulder problems too.
I've tried similar waistbelt straps of my own manufacture
but this is the clever device I've settled on to alleviate the problem:

 

I just started using a Slinger Hip Strap on two of my basses (Variax 5 string, and MM knockoff) and it's working well. I installed flush mount straplocks for them.

I used a Fender Go-Around waist belt strap in high school. It worked well, but with the Slinger, no screw eyes in the back of the bass are necessary.

 

Slinger also has a strap that incorporates the hip strap AND a shoulder strap. The shoulder strap anchors on the upper horn conventionally, and in the middle of the back on the waist/hip strap. I mounted my hip strap on a new flushmount strap lock socket about 2" below my normal straplock, on the butt end of the bass.

I have tried using BOTH the Hip Strap and my bass strap, but could loosen the shoulder strap quite a bit, relieving the stress on my shoulder (Neotech 4" strap) and it is quite comfortable. This does make the bass feel more normally hung, but I'm getting used to the hip strap alone.

Yes, it is a little lower. Yes, I don't have quite the mobility. Yes, it does press against my upper right thigh and the bass tends to want to pitch forward. But there is more possible movement than I originally thought. I've not gigged with it yet, but I have used it at church services and practices. I do like it.

I did use Fender's "Go-Around Waist Strap" in the late 60's. It mounted on screw eyes installed on the back of the guitar. (Don't ask how the screw eyes chewed up my guitar case.) The Fender strap was leather, and wider in the back. It was more comfortable than the Slinger. The guitar didn't pitch forward, or press on my right leg. It felt quite natural, BUT you had to decide your neck tilt, because once mounted, it stayed in the position you put the screw eyes in. The Slinger allows more movement, and you can adjust the neck tilt by adjusting the longer strap on the butt of the guitar/bass.

We'll see how the next gigs go (after the 1st of the year.) I do think I'm sold.

 

The added screw is the only downside for the hip strap.
I'm curious how much of a difference the combination hip/shoulder strap make in weight transfer, or rather perceived weight.

 

I don't have any neck issues, but my back starts to hurt after playing for a length of time. I've thought about a strap that puts the weight on your waist like a hiker's backpack strap, but I don't really want to put another hole in my Alembic. The Sling strap might be the answer. I also wonder how much weight it takes off your back, and would like to be able to adjust the strap length.

 

How about a G-Girdle-uitar?

 

I asked about the Sling Strap, which has a strap that goes around the shoulder and also around the waist. It sounds pretty good. I'm thinking seriously about going for it. Here is Tom's response.:

The amount of weight that is displaced depends on the model of the bass. I
found on a J Bass that it put 3-4 pounds on the hip. the strap also helps
hold the neck still so neck dive is resolved. Regarding adjustments, the
shoulder strap adjust as well as the Heel Strap to give you options on
positions.

 

Once I find out about guarantee, I'm most likely in on the Sling Strap.

 

Two straps , one regular and one connected to upper bout twice under left arm and around your neck.
adjust accordingly.

 

Hey monsterthompson. I am so glad to hear that you have recovered. I didin;t know that about you. After many years of playing organized tacklel football and a couple of auto accidents I too suffer with neck and back issues. After a 4 hour gig I can hardly bend over to load out. I have played gigs with pain patches, muscle relaxers, pain killer and a couple of shots to numb the pain. And sometimes when I play hard all of a sudden my right forearm or left arm and hand will go numb. I have played through it but was scared as hell. I thought I was having a heart attack or a stroke. It's actually nerve pinching and damage. I have cut back on my playing out because of it. This is one of the first times I can rememebr where I'm not gigging for the holidays. It sux.