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Fat "P" Neck: Learn It or Move On?

Icculus

Icculus

Jul 29, 2010
606
264
South Jersey
#1
So I got my first P bass about six months ago and although I love it, is not easy for me to play between frets 1-5. My hands aren't that big, and they hurt when I play up near the nut. The pain sometimes extends into my elbow.

Question is, do I learn to deal with it, and therefore play faster on smaller necks in the future (like running with ankle weights), or is this just going to continually hurt and maybe lead to bigger problems later?

I know I could swap for a thinner jazz neck, but it's a Roadworn P and I don't want to split the parts up.
 
#2
Seems it's been discussed that there's discomfort, and then there's pain. Pain signals a bigger problem. I have small hands too, but have not experienced the repetitive stress injuries some have. Listen to your body. Though I don't choose larger necks, it's for comfort and playability. In your case, be careful of bigger issues.
 
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#5
I have all P-Basses just for that large modern C-shaped neck,,but I grew up playing a Fender P-Bass anything smaller and it feels like a broom stick,, your hand will adjust, but be careful! you can hurt yourself,,if it hurts,,STOP playing and rest,,practice in moderation,,,? swapping out your neck is really no problem,ebay has Roadworn Jazz Bass necks if ya look,,also look on youtube for finger and hand excerise's for guitar and bass player's. perhaps they may help?
good luck and congrats on your new P-Bass!
 
#6
Dude I'm having the same problem. A coupleof weeks back I picked up a Hondo II professional. Its sounds so sweet but I can't play for more than 20 minutes without pretty serious discomfort in my fretting arm.
It's not setup ideal for me nor does it hang like I like so both my hand and arm are in unfamiliar positions playing it.
 
#10
Amplified electric bass is one of the physically easiest instruments to play (ever try trombone?? ;)) so if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, you're doing it wrong.

You didn't tell us much about your technique or what your teacher is telling you. I have tiny hands and play a P bass. I learned both 1-2-3-4 and 1-2-4 fingerings, and I find that 1-2-4 is much more comfortable when playing in 1st position (near the nut). Also make sure your thumb is not opposite your middle finger so your palm is creased; that is an instant recipe for pain/cramping.
 
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#11
Keep going. The smaller width won't help except in your head. I'm 5' 7" and I don't have large hands or long limbs in general. I'm a mediocre player on my best days but I still prefer my stock p-bass neck to a tiny jazz width neck. FWIW I'm playing a 35" scale 5 string 98% of the time these days. I've gotten over the whole obsession about neck dimensions and yes first position hurts for me too sometimes. Just keep playing man!
 
#12
How confident are you in your technique? I would think technique and not the bass is causing the issue. No matter how long I play, even on fatter necks (been using my P recently) I do not get elbow pain. Maybe it is just me.

If you are confident in your technique, toss the bass. I don't see the point in playing something you are not %100 satisfied with.
 
#14
Pain is a no-go. If it hurts then you need to stop. If its discomfort you may be able to work around it. Try looking into proper fretting hand technique. It could be that it hurts because your positioning your hand wrong.

I too have smaller hands and the smaller Jazz necks work best for me but I can get by with P necks fine, its just a comfort thing, not a pain thing. It got easier when i discovered better technique.
 
#15
I feel good about my technique. Oddly, I don't get the same pain when playing my Yamaha TRB 5 string. I think its the stretch from 1 to 3 and 1 to 4. Truth be told, I don't play consistently enough these days to get used to it, but when I do play certain songs or riffs for even just 45-60 seconds, I start feeling it. Pain, not discomfort.

A more regimented practice routine should help figure out whether I need a new neck or not.
 
#17
Yeah it's not a question of being tougher or more talented or anything like that...it's like a pair of shoes, they either fit you or they don't. If they don't have any Jordans in your size, it's not going to improve your basketball skills just because they are Jordans, if they don't fit you. I've got smaller hands and finding a suitable neck profile has been a nightmare thus far. Plenty of basses returned because I just couldn't play them comfortably. Finally found one that fits perfect, the Ibanez CTB5! Swapped it out with EMG JX's and BQC, it's without a doubt my favorite bass both in feel and tone.
 
#18
Icculus said:
So I got my first P bass about six months ago and although I love it, is not easy for me to play between frets 1-5. My hands aren't that big, and they hurt when I play up near the nut. The pain sometimes extends into my elbow.

Question is, do I learn to deal with it, and therefore play faster on smaller necks in the future (like running with ankle weights), or is this just going to continually hurt and maybe lead to bigger problems later?

I know I could swap for a thinner jazz neck, but it's a Roadworn P and I don't want to split the parts up.
Click to expand...

As others have said, pain is a bad thing. That said, small women like Esperanza Spalding are able to play upright bass, which usually has a beefier neck than electric (as well as much longer scale length!) Also, I have smallish hands for my size, but I've always preferred P necks (even vintage C width), and now that I play fiver I can handle really beefy necks such as on the Warwick Streamer Stage I fiver (20mm string spacing at the bridge, extra chunky profile).

Point is, if you really like this bass, I would encourage you to keep at it. Just be patient... some discomfort is okay, but take a break if the pain flares up. If you practice regularly and are still uncomfortable a few months down the road then consider other options. Good luck!
 
#19
Pain is bad, and in this case is most likely your body telling you to stop. However, I think any bass guitar, as long as it's set up with some common sense, can be played with the right technique. Maybe practice your left hand/right hand technique. There is nothing inherent to you, barring injuries or disorders you haven't disclosed, or the P-bass that would make it this painful to play.
 
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#20
Icculus said:
I feel good about my technique. Oddly, I don't get the same pain when playing my Yamaha TRB 5 string. I think its the stretch from 1 to 3 and 1 to 4. Truth be told, I don't play consistently enough these days to get used to it, but when I do play certain songs or riffs for even just 45-60 seconds, I start feeling it. Pain, not discomfort.

A more regimented practice routine should help figure out whether I need a new neck or not.
Click to expand...


Shift instead of stretching 1 to 4. Problem solved. :)
 
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