How high do you wear your bass?

[liran]

I play at the waist, since it's the most comfortable position, and I can reach anywhere on the bass and play to the best of my ability.

 

[BillyBishop]

The bottom edge of my bass is at my knees. I have long monkey arms.

 

[CrawlingEye]

I think waist is generally where almost everyone who plays ska plays. Most likely because you have to be able to reach almost all registers on the neck comfortably. It's where I play, and it seems it's where you (skafreak) plays.

 

[jcwillcanada]

I voted balls, I like it lower

 

[Sheep Man]

I finally bothered to pull out the dictionary on this one. Just to make sure everyone voting 'waist' is really playing it at the waist...

waist 1 a: The narrowed part of the body between the thorax and hips

 

[cassanova]

I voted chest, but its more like at my solo plex (or whatever that piece is that if its hit knocks the wind outta ya)

 

[ravenousgibbs]

for me it depends on what technique i use, if i slap i like to keep it down low, but if i'm playing with my fingers i keep it a little higher

 

[CrawlingEye]

Originally posted by thegibbins
for me it depends on what technique i use, if i slap i like to keep it down low, but if i'm playing with my fingers i keep it a little higher

That's unusual... For me atleast. Whenever I slap, I generally like to keep it higher than I would when I finger-pick.

...To each his own...

 

[Sheep Man]

Originally posted by thegibbins
for me it depends on what technique i use, if i slap i like to keep it down low, but if i'm playing with my fingers i keep it a little higher

Alternatively, you could have it inbetween those two heights, and use it for both fingerstyle AND slapping!

 

[thomas]

I hang my bass down low, my buckle scratches are all on the top horn of my Hi-flyer. If I wear it as high as alot of people say is proper I find that I get pains in my right wrist, especially if I'm playing pizzicato as opposed to flat pickin, I know that flat picking is abnormal bass technique but when I broke my finger two years ago I could only use a pick and got used to it so....
But I can also scratch my knees without bending, almost, so i reckon my arms may be a bit longer than average also.

 

[Blackbassguitar84]

Well this is interesting. I voted balls. But it is kinda at an angle. the axe (body) is over my balls but the neck is up higher.

 

[CrawlingEye]

I must say! Nothing like playing with an ax.

 

[lo-end]

Balls forever!!!!!!!!!!!

I think its weird when people wear the bass up by their chest. No offense to anyone who does this, but it just looks strange to me.

 

[Tom Crofts]

I play at about waist height. I have a leather Fender strap and I have it as long as it'll go, but that's cos I'm 6'4"... I tried playing longer with one of my mates straps and it hurt my left (fretting) wrist so much! Then I tried playing it as high as it would go and it made my arms hurt but that's cos my arms are pretty thin. I'm all disproportioned, I'm really tall but have pipecleaner arms and a beer gut. I look silly so I wear baggy stuff...

 

[Bigunslinger]

I play Mine as low as my strap can go

 

[Ruud Das]

Originally posted by rickbass1
I voted "waist" but it's really a bit above the waist but not on the chest. So really, it's "tummy."

Same here

 

[Johnny BoomBoom]

I voted balls, but maybe it's really a wee bit higher than that - and the neck of my bass is up at a fauirly steep angle. I guess I find it comfy and to me anyway it looks fairly cool.

Shame my Spector's contoured body isn't really contoured for that part of mine though!!!

 

[J_PARMER]

im with FeTIS, low is the way to go. high?? it just looks dumb. i think if u started out playing with it low and are comfortable with it like that, it shouldnt change your skill level. i dont think its posing.

 

[Pacman]

Originally posted by J_PARMER
im with FeTIS, low is the way to go. high?? it just looks dumb. i think if u started out playing with it low and are comfortable with it like that, it shouldnt change your skill level. i dont think its posing.

except if you are doing something because it looks good, that's posing.

and it's a real good way to stress your wrists, opening you to carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

[onebassplayer]

I started out playing below my waist (because it looked cool), but I have found it easier to play, and I have the ability to move around the neck quicker with the bass a bit higher. I have also found it a bit easier to get a good attack when I slap - and tapping (for me) does not work at all with the bass down to my balls. I don't wear it up to my chest, but I do wear it slightly above the belt. IMHO

Dave