i keep my bass as high as my strap will allow (granted i'm a little guy) because i like to have the bass right in front of me and be able to reach comfortably
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Do ya wear it high, or sling it low...?
- Thread starter artdrtr
- Start date
used to be low but after I started losing feeling in my left hand
I went to mid low and was a lot better
than i got into slap so I went to mid level
I went to mid low and was a lot better
than i got into slap so I went to mid level
I used to think this sitting/standing level made sense so I dabbled with it for a while as a new player. Then I remembered I feel uncomfortable when I play sitting down, and that may have been one of the reasons I sucked. Tried medium height, that sucked. I brought it a bit lower and it was less brutal on my fretting hand but my right hand felt even crappier. Starting playing with a pick, brought it up a bit to medium again and both hands were happy. And I don't look dorky because neither of my hands are at awkward angles.
used to play it real low... end result: messed up wrist...
so now I play it above my belt and wear a brace for my wrist, works great!
so now I play it above my belt and wear a brace for my wrist, works great!
If I'm only going to be playing finger-style, I go medium-low. If the gig requires slapping, I'll go a little higher, say up to medium. I hate slapping on a low-slung bass.
Ideally, I go for "high enough to slap/low enough to finger" <---(I know, that sounds kind of nasty)
Ideally, I go for "high enough to slap/low enough to finger" <---(I know, that sounds kind of nasty)
Just recently ive moved mine higher and its worked wonders for my finger playing.
For years ive not bothered about height and worn my Bass so my belt is close to the top of the body. All this time ive struggled with fingers even though im fine with a pick and not too bad with fingers when i sit down to practice at home.
A month ago by accident i adjusted the strap up so my belt is now just at the bottom of the body and what a difference its made. I can now play a lot more with fingers. It also feels better, like its part of my torso now.
For years ive not bothered about height and worn my Bass so my belt is close to the top of the body. All this time ive struggled with fingers even though im fine with a pick and not too bad with fingers when i sit down to practice at home.
A month ago by accident i adjusted the strap up so my belt is now just at the bottom of the body and what a difference its made. I can now play a lot more with fingers. It also feels better, like its part of my torso now.
Extremely high! Although the other band members think its hilarious, I think its cool as hell and a lot easier to play.
Well to each its own I guess, I just get a sore wrist when playing too low.
Well to each its own I guess, I just get a sore wrist when playing too low.
When I first started playing, I hung my bass so low, I had to extend my strap by tying a shoestring thru the loop and around the bass strap button. I'm 6'5" so even w/ the strap adjusted for max length, it wasn't long enough for that " cool" look I was after. That was in 1989. Then the band started learning "Sweet Child of Mine" by GnR..... I couldn't play the opening bass lick around the 12th fret w/ my bass hangin that low, so I moved it up a little. Then I learned "Anesthesia" Cliff Burton's bass solo, while sitting down one night. The next day I tried playing it and once again, I couldn't while standing. So, I adjusted my strap to hold the bass in exactly the same position as it's in while sitting. And, it's been there ever since, around belly level. I can tap, slap, reach any fret I want.... that's much better than "looking" cool and not being able to play, IMO.....HEHE 
Well, more or less whatever style I'm playing, fingerstyle or pick, I go pretty much on the high side!
some days I feel like lowering it down, so I do!
some days I feel like lowering it down, so I do!
Here's a question. Does anybody out there hold there bass like a classical guitarist, while sitting? I think I formed this habit, 'cause while I was first learning I always sat in this deep big-armed chair that forced me to angle the neck up and place the body between my legs. So, the strap button by the bridge is on my inner right thigh (I'm right-handed), the lower horn goes over my left thigh, and the neck is angled up at 45 degrees, or so. I actually play standing with similar positioning and angles. I've got long arms, so the lower register is still easy for me to reach in this position. Anybody else do this?
Well, more or less whatever style I'm playing, fingerstyle or pick, I go pretty much on the high side!
some days I feel like lowering it down, so I do!
Cool photo bro!!
I find that I tend to wear my 5 string bass high like Mark King so I can deal with the fretboard more easily. For my Shergold I wear it below my waist, Peter Hook style, as I use this bass for a lot more rock tracks.
Would tilting the bass so that the neck goes up at 45 degrees (or even steeper), right by your head help. It will allow your right forearm to slide over the bass' body-edge more, thereby decreasing the wrist angle.
Corny photo....but you get the idea!
Hey man, that's a cool Fender. What sort of strap is that you're using?
MikeBass
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- Nov 4, 2003
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About here:
6'0"~225 (need to loose some weight!!)
I actually had to get the "Short" version Comfort Strapp. Most places don't carry them. Have to special order it.
So when I do see one I usually buy it. I have 4 now.
I have it nearly as short as it will go too.
