How High Do You Wear You Bass?

[Frank77]

I once did an experiment. I sat down with my bass, made up a bass line with a lot of octave work that was challenging to play. Then stood up with a strap and adjusted height until I could play the bass line at the same tempo. Turns out, it was quite high. Kind of looks "nerdy" but if you look at old Beatles video, they used to wear their instruments quite high.

So I argue the "dumbing down" of bass lines that happened after the mid to late 60's classic rock era is partly due to bass players wearing their bass way to low to "look cool" at the expense of playability.

See my avatar...is this considered "high and nerdy" ? If yes, then so be it! I play mostly funk and jazz/fusion. For me, being comfortable wearing my bass standing up for a few hours and being able to play through technical passages without fighting the bass are way more important.

Also, wearing your bass low to look cool is pointless IMO: By playing bass, you've achieved invisibility!

 

[mongo2]

Depends on the bass I'm using. Whichever bass it is I set to "Just Right" using my Strap-O-Meter.

 

[Lizooki]

If it looks like a necklace, it's too high.
If it looks like you're trying to take a dump in the woods, it's too low.
Anything in between is fair play.

 

[jfh2112]

I'm fat, but it's all in my midsection, so I tend to wear mine just above the "continental shelf". Any lower and it looks someone glued a toothpick sideways on a pear.

Plus, the bass being a six-string, it's easier for me to get my fretting hand around the neck when it's higher.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

I once did an experiment. I sat down with my bass, made up a bass line with a lot of octave work that was challenging to play. Then stood up with a strap and adjusted height until I could play the bass line at the same tempo. Turns out, it was quite high. Kind of looks "nerdy" but if you look at old Beatles video, they used to wear their instruments quite high.

So I argue the "dumbing down" of bass lines that happened after the mid to late 60's classic rock era is partly due to bass players wearing their bass way to low to "look cool" at the expense of playability.

I agree. Wearing your bass high, IMHO, allows you easier access to the entire neck. Who cares about looking cool? Well, lots of folks - me, not so much. . .

 

[2saddleslab]

Off the hip.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

I wear mine so that it's the same height whether standing or seated.

That actually makes a LOT of sense!

 

[Glenn Johnson]

I will add one more thing: wearing your bass low can lead to poor posture - and back/neck pain. Something to take into consideration as you age.

 

[Ric5]

How High Do You Wear You Bass?

around belt height

 

[BlacknWhite]

I can't stand having any bend in my right arm so I wear my bass pretty low and angle the neck up. When I'm setting my strap I usually judge when my picking hand is directly in front of my junk lmao.

 

[And I]

I disagree that there has been any dumbing down of basslines. But I'll just leave that one alone...

I wear my bass more or less over my abdomen. I lowered it a few inches recently. I like to keep my wrists straight and the higher up the bass goes the further they need to bend. I have no problem playing anything standing up. I find it easier to play the hard stuff standing up than sitting down.

 

[sleddogn]

about.....here

 

[MTN.bass72]

I couldn't care less if anyone thinks I look cool or not when I'm playing... I set my strap for my comfort..
The neck is a bit over my waist .. but definitely not up where it's rubbing my titty nipples..

 

[Nashrakh]

That's what... oh never mind...

Ding-ding-ding!

 

[Rib 13]

higher than most....originally, i tried to wear the bass the same height I would playing if I were sitting down, but that didnt look too good. Because I am a firm believer audience members listen with their eyes as much as their ears I found a happy medium between that and not looking too dorky ....

 

[Polka1]

Definitely not a technician- but not needed for the music.

I'd argue that the guy was a technician, just not in the normal sense. Full shows of machine gun down picking isn't easy. The live shows were generally way faster than the recordings too.

There is a video somewhere of DD's replacement, CJ, talking about not being able to keep up with the pace when he first starting playing with the band. That is UNTIL he lowered the bass so that his right arm was fully extended. Then no problems.

I remember seeing them with CJ in the 90s and they were as fast if not faster than ever.

Depends what you are trying to achieve, I suppose.

 

[dje31]

That actually makes a LOT of sense!

I seem to remember Billy Sheehan, in the early / mid 80s, said that this is the way to go. Since a lot of folks practice sitting down, your body gets used to the mechanics playing at that height...if it's not the same when you stand, your mechanics will be off.

 

[Flatwound]

I seem to recall a video of Pat Travers where the upper horn of Peter Cowlings P-bass is nearly brushing his trachea, and who's cooler than Mars?

I don't wear mine quite that high, but somewhat above the belt buckle.

 

[chuck1073]

About this high.

 

[Slevage]

I'd argue that the guy was a technician, just not in the normal sense. Full shows of machine gun down picking isn't easy. The live shows were generally way faster than the recordings too.

There is a video somewhere of DD's replacement, CJ, talking about not being able to keep up with the pace when he first starting playing with the band. That is UNTIL he lowered the bass so that his right arm was fully extended. Then no problems.

I remember seeing them with CJ in the 90s and they were as fast if not faster than ever.

Depends what you are trying to achieve, I suppose.

Right hand is only half the battle.
Note choice and interval jumps are a big part of technical stuff.
To quote the Good Rats " Speed ain't nothin without class".