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Heavy Bass

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 188127
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted member 188127

Mar 9, 2011
57
30
#1
I've been playing a Warwick 6 string Corvette for the past couple of years and am just realising that it's really hurting my left shoulder since I've taken it on tour for the first time (I normally take a lighter bass). We're 3 days in (of 2 weeks) and I'm in a lot of pain already, it seems to also be having knock-on effects like my wrist and one of my fingers on my left hand getting pains, and we're gigging once or twice a day, with only a few days off.
Does anyone know how to deal with this besides the obvious solution of getting a lighter bass (I'm already looking into that)? I tried a "squid" to distribute the weight years ago but that didn't seem to work at all.
 
#2
A wide supporting strap helps. I use a 4" Levy leather strap and others here like the GruvGear DuoStrap. Other options are neoprene straps like the ComfortStrapp and NeoTech's Mega Bass Strap. Ultimately a lighter bass is your best option as this kind of damage can be permanent. I know this from experience.

Things that help me are stretching that shoulder regularly, massage, resting the shoulder and hydrating often. If it gets worse seek help. See someone after the tour. Don't let it go too long.

Take care.
 
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#3
If you can tolerate aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, take them on a regimen according to the directions until the tour is over. Some supplements are powerful anti-inflammatories also and have few or no side effects. I have a bad lower back and since I've been taking four fish oil supplements and four boswellia supplements every day, my normal daily pain has disappeared (and that's with no aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen). Fish oil is available at any drugstore or Costco; boswellia might be harder to find (I get mine online). Good luck, Bob
 
#4
bobcruz said:
If you can tolerate aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, take them on a regimen according to the directions until the tour is over. Some supplements are powerful anti-inflammatories also and have few or no side effects. I have a bad lower back and since I've been taking four fish oil supplements and four boswellia supplements every day, my normal daily pain has disappeared (and that's with no aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen). Fish oil is available at any drugstore or Costco; boswellia might be harder to find (I get mine online). Good luck, Bob
Click to expand...
That is covering up the symptom. Taking stuff is OK if you stop the activity. In the OP's case............stop it. Get on a lighter bass...now.
 
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#6
bobcruz said:
If you can tolerate aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, take them on a regimen according to the directions until the tour is over. Some supplements are powerful anti-inflammatories also and have few or no side effects. I have a bad lower back and since I've been taking four fish oil supplements and four boswellia supplements every day, my normal daily pain has disappeared (and that's with no aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen). Fish oil is available at any drugstore or Costco; boswellia might be harder to find (I get mine online). Good luck, Bob
Click to expand...

I wouldn't take painkillers or anti-inflammants based on internet advice. You're better off trying out different straps, as suggested, then getting a new bass when you're back home.
 
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#7
Thanks for the help everyone! I do have a really wide, good strap at the moment so I can't do much about that. I think I might just get an ice pack rather than anti-inflammatories and use that after each gig for now, definitely will get a lighter bass though. It's just not something you tend to think about when buying haha.
 
#15
My Dingwall sixer weighs under 9 lb. Far lighter than most sixers I've picked up.

Nothing fixes a heavy bass. My Kramer 450B weighs in at over 13 lb. Plus a hefty neckdive. It was killing my shoulder and back. Even 4" wide straps don't fix that. I checked my posture in the mirror with the bass and it was ugly.

I'd take advil before and after, but I bought a Dingwall Super P 4 that barely tips the scale at 8. Problem solved. The Kramer has been a closet queen ever since.

With a sixer you probably have to strap it up a little higher and that doesn't help either.

You are probably stuck toughing it out for the next couple weeks, so stretching your back, warming up your shoulders and core before you play, hot tubs, ice, and massage are your best bets. Maybe an construction industry stretch and flex program like we use every morning before work starts. There's that Gruv Gear double strap thing, and I've seen some guys that modded their basses so they used a strap around their waist. All of it isn't going to fix the heavy bass.
 
#20
Deleted member 188127 said:
I've been playing a Warwick 6 string Corvette for the past couple of years and am just realising that it's really hurting my left shoulder since I've taken it on tour for the first time (I normally take a lighter bass). We're 3 days in (of 2 weeks) and I'm in a lot of pain already, it seems to also be having knock-on effects like my wrist and one of my fingers on my left hand getting pains, and we're gigging once or twice a day, with only a few days off.
Does anyone know how to deal with this besides the obvious solution of getting a lighter bass (I'm already looking into that)? I tried a "squid" to distribute the weight years ago but that didn't seem to work at all.
Click to expand...

Is it the bubinga or ash model? The ash ones tend to be a couple of pounds lighter so you could look into that if you have the bubinga one and like the bass.
 

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