Happy New Year fellow bassists.
A few weeks ago I purchased a new 55-94 (trans blue/maple, not that it matters). In the store I fell in love with just about every aspect of it, and there's no need to gush about it again here, but suffice it to say the bass was pretty much exactly what I was looking for, and is a wonderful instrument.
At the time I tried it out, however, I did notice the lack of a deep contour for my right forearm, which felt a little off compared to most other basses I have played or owned. I thought this would be a minor thing I'd adjust to, but if anything, it has become more problematic. Despite the slight taper and rounded edge, it pushes into my arm enough to be a somewhat annoying, and presses some on the nerves in my forearm so that the arm seems to develop a dull ache at times (although to be fair, my tendons may be a little tender from adjusting to the SS strings and 35" tension). On the plus side, the forward position of the forearm seems to reduce the amount of wrist curl. Note I do use a floating thumb technique religiously, so the point of contact often varies.
Bottom line: has anyone else noticed this to the point where it is a problem? More importantly, has anyone figured out a way to work around it? I thought of perhaps an arm sleeve like waiters use to hold hot plates, or some other way of cushioning the edge (the climate is too warm here for long-sleeved shirts, typically). Not resting my forearm on the bass is not an option.
Thanks for your help and advice.
A few weeks ago I purchased a new 55-94 (trans blue/maple, not that it matters). In the store I fell in love with just about every aspect of it, and there's no need to gush about it again here, but suffice it to say the bass was pretty much exactly what I was looking for, and is a wonderful instrument.
At the time I tried it out, however, I did notice the lack of a deep contour for my right forearm, which felt a little off compared to most other basses I have played or owned. I thought this would be a minor thing I'd adjust to, but if anything, it has become more problematic. Despite the slight taper and rounded edge, it pushes into my arm enough to be a somewhat annoying, and presses some on the nerves in my forearm so that the arm seems to develop a dull ache at times (although to be fair, my tendons may be a little tender from adjusting to the SS strings and 35" tension). On the plus side, the forward position of the forearm seems to reduce the amount of wrist curl. Note I do use a floating thumb technique religiously, so the point of contact often varies.
Bottom line: has anyone else noticed this to the point where it is a problem? More importantly, has anyone figured out a way to work around it? I thought of perhaps an arm sleeve like waiters use to hold hot plates, or some other way of cushioning the edge (the climate is too warm here for long-sleeved shirts, typically). Not resting my forearm on the bass is not an option.
Thanks for your help and advice.
I'm hoping I get used to it.
