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Club Bordwell Part 2.

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#661
Moe Monsarrat said:
The more I play my 5 string CB the more in love with it I am. It is without a doubt the best trade I've ever made. It's the most user friendly instrument I own including those I basically designed myself. Not that the others don't have their strong points, but the CB just has no drawbacks. The next custom bass I order will probably be a CB & if it takes a year or whatever, so be it. Meanwhile I'm scanning the classifieds.........
Click to expand...

Which one do you own?
 
#663
So has Cliff come up with a new case for his basses? I read something about a nice case on the updated news page with that awesome looking 4-string. I use a Mono bag for mine, but the upper horn is a bit tight in there. If there is something that protects as well but fits better, I'm all over it!

Again, as I shall always end my posts in this thread: Best. Bass. Ever.
 
#665
You sure it's not a technique or repetitive motion issue? Granted, my 6er is a Rami, but I have tennis elbow (though not from tennis) and I don't really notice anything adverse. Before you let it go, perhaps see if if your posture could use a little adjustment. Naturally, after letting yourself heal up before any attempts.
 
#666
Sure, it's possible that there's a positioning issue.

What I'm finding is that the bass sits on me in a way that's awkward for me to achieve an ergonomic positioning. That's fine, no bass is for everyone and no size fits all, but if I move the bass in a way where the low frets are comfortable then I can't touch anything beyond the 14th fret, if I move it so chording, etc are easy then the lower frets equal pain.

My wrist has been constantly hurting today, I really don't want to risk long term pain at all, I've recovered from it once and that was a bad enough process. I'd rather lose a good bass and some money then have to put up with extended wrist pain ever again.

I just want to stress that, in my opinion, my problem isn't a fault of Cliff or of the bass, but more of a combination of things unique to me and my history. Certainly I think a lot of people seek Cliff out for shorter scale, comfortable instruments. I originally did too, I wish I'd gone with a shorter scale, but it's odd: my 35" scale bass causes me no problems. I think the width of a 6 string neck, and the longer stretch for the bass notes makes a lot of difference for me.
 
#667
theNoseBleedKid said:
Sure, it's possible that there's a positioning issue.

What I'm finding is that the bass sits on me in a way that's awkward for me to achieve an ergonomic positioning. That's fine, no bass is for everyone and no size fits all, but if I move the bass in a way where the low frets are comfortable then I can't touch anything beyond the 14th fret, if I move it so chording, etc are easy then the lower frets equal pain.

My wrist has been constantly hurting today, I really don't want to risk long term pain at all, I've recovered from it once and that was a bad enough process. I'd rather lose a good bass and some money then have to put up with extended wrist pain ever again.

I just want to stress that, in my opinion, my problem isn't a fault of Cliff or of the bass, but more of a combination of things unique to me and my history. Certainly I think a lot of people seek Cliff out for shorter scale, comfortable instruments. I originally did too, I wish I'd gone with a shorter scale, but it's odd: my 35" scale bass causes me no problems. I think the width of a 6 string neck, and the longer stretch for the bass notes makes a lot of difference for me.
Click to expand...

That's a real shame dude :(
I've been playing 33" 5 and 6 string basses for about 4 years now, and they certainly make a huge difference comfort wise for me.
I went shorter, as I'm not the tallest of guys, but I'm sure it can make a big difference for someone with your condition too.

Best of luck mate, and I hope your tendinitis doesn't return properly.

Cheers,
Eude
 
#668
eude said:
I've been playing 33" 5 and 6 string basses for about 4 years
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+1

I play a 33" scale 6 string and it makes a huge difference with playability. For me, and this may help with you if you decide you really want a 6, I also have narrow strings spacing. That makes the neck much less wide than what you see as standard most of the time. My bass has 16.5mm spacing at the bridge and is 2" at the nut. Very, very comfortable bass to play, and you'd never know hearing it that it is a 33" scale. The B is incredible.
 
#669
Keep in mind that some 33" scale basses have roughly the same overall body dimensions. Some luthiers will move the bridge away from the strap button.

Without seeing the technique, a lot of people who struggle with 34" scale, additional strings, etc, tend to hang their bass too high. Even as a pretty small guy (5'6" 120lbs), I'm still comfortable on my 35" scale 6ers. Due to my size, I'm very religious about my technique or I'd be screwed.
 
#670
I've always agreed with your perspective Spade, and I'd like to echo what others are saying. There's definitely a 6 string that would work well for me.

Unfortunately, the spacing, neck dimension and reach aggravate my existing problems. I've done a lot of looking at my technique and at what could be improved and, essentially, I don't think I can get there with this bass, sort of cutting into it.

Hitting the low notes torques my fretting wrist in a painful way, and there's little I can do about it at the moment. Furthermore, while there may be a way with this instrument, I'm hesitant to experiment. I played it for about 30 minutes yesterday and was in pain all of today.

Maybe I'm a little too fearful, but I'd rather be careful about my hands than reckless.
 
#672
Definitely take some time off, but it might be in your best interest to have an instructor take a look since this is something we can't do via internet. I could be right or 100% wrong, but a good bass teacher could see what we can't. A lot of guitarists and bassists have a very non-ergonomic form because a good amount of instructors can't push the issue since it's not rock n' roll.
 
#673
Do you stretch before you play? I have to stretch more before I play certain basses. Usually, I don't have an issue with my acoutic upright, but I have to work out my wrist a little before I play my Baby Bass. I use light pressure for a few minutes before I play.

Edit: But, yeah, this is something that someone should look at in person to make sure you don't injure yourself.
 
#674
The 4-string Rami turned out beautiful!

zz7-kt1.jpg
 
#675
spade2you said:
Keep in mind that some 33" scale basses have roughly the same overall body dimensions. Some luthiers will move the bridge away from the strap button.

Without seeing the technique, a lot of people who struggle with 34" scale, additional strings, etc, tend to hang their bass too high. Even as a pretty small guy (5'6" 120lbs), I'm still comfortable on my 35" scale 6ers. Due to my size, I'm very religious about my technique or I'd be screwed.
Click to expand...

All my custom basses have been specced to have the bridge as close to the edge of the body as possible, otherwise it would defeat the purpose of going short in the first place for me.

I think the optimum bass height is to find a balance between both wrists in the most natural playing position possible and go from there, just my 2p of course, but it's always served me well...

Eude
 
#676
eude said:
All my custom basses have been specced to have the bridge as close to the edge of the body as possible, otherwise it would defeat the purpose of going short in the first place for me.
Click to expand...

My 33" scale Stambaugh is about the same overall length of a conventional bass. Had I moved the bridge all the way, I think I might have problems finding hard cases that fit and gig bags where it doesn't slide around a lot. With most 6-7 strings, the larger headstock helps keep it a roughly standard size.
 
#677
spade2you said:
My 33" scale Stambaugh is about the same overall length of a conventional bass. Had I moved the bridge all the way, I think I might have problems finding hard cases that fit and gig bags where it doesn't slide around a lot. With most 6-7 strings, the larger headstock helps keep it a roughly standard size.
Click to expand...

I get you dude.
5 and 6 strings get held in place by the way a Hiscox case works, but you'd get a floppy end in a standard gig bag.
I ended up getting custom leather gig bag made up by ProBag, who I think used to make the very nice LowEnd bags.

Cheers,
Eude
 
#678
You asked which bass I own & here it is. Although it looks like a Rami shape I know very little about this bass. It has passive Delano pups, which I love. It's very light, but not tone wise. Superb in all respects.
 

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