Left hand pain; finger stops moving

[LoungeLizard]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any insight because I'm out of ideas.

I've been playing bass since 2008, never had any problems. A few years ago, I sold my bass (MIM Precision bass) and bought an American Ultra Precision bass. Shortly after, i started getting serious cramps in my left hand at the 20 minute mark. I figured I was getting older, and probably developing some kind of carpel tunnel or something. I adapted, took breaks, played higher up on the neck whenever possible. It's always the same; index finger starts getting tired, cramped and eventually physically does not move enough to press the strings down on the string. It's as if the finger just "turns off".

A few months ago I wanted to try a 5 string, so I bought a sterling ray 5. I have never experienced the left hand problem when playing the 5 string. I don't understand. They have the same string gauge, and the same action. The 5 string neck is a little bit bigger, the string spacing is tighter, my technique is the same not counting the small adjustment for the bigger neck. I and others have noticed that my accuracy and speed actually improve on the ray.
Today, I played the fender until my finger gave out, and immediately switched to the ray, and the pain dissipated WHILE i was playing.

So I guess my question is what is going on? It can't be arthritis/carpel tunnel, because it doesn't happen in any other context. Is it the string spacing? I often hear of people having pain and discomfort when moving up to 5 strings, but never the opposite. I really like the fender, so I'd be pretty bummed out if I couldn't enjoy it anymore.

 

[ShadowGroover]

See a hand specialist and avoid useless guessing and advice.

 

[Lobster11]

I certainly agree with @ShadowGroover, but in the meantime....

Is it possible that on the Ray you are taking advantage of the low B string and playing higher on the neck than you do on the Fender? As an experiment, you might try playing the Ray for awhile without using the B string, using the same fingerings as you would on a 4-string, to see if you have the same issue as you do on the Fender.

 

[Lo-E]

Without more information we’re just guessing but a couple of things to look for could be:

Depth of nut slots - are the nut slots cut too high on the 4?

Position on body - do both basses hang exactly the same on you and at the same angle. Is your reach to the low frets somehow different?

Depth of neck - how deep are the two necks front-to-back? Maybe one is flatter and is causing your hand discomfort?

And yeah - see a doctor.

 

[JRA]

makes total sense to me: some necks (with their subsequent setups) aren't friendly to your technique(s). sometimes it's quickly obvious and sometimes it's very subtle and slow to show itself. there can be so many variables involved (many re: the ax itself, and many re: your own 'physicality'/technique) that changing several of them may not resolve the issue(s) entirely or adequately.

if you closely examine the differences between the necks (and the ergonomics of the instruments) and your finger/hand/arm/shoulder/etc. 'postures' you could probably figure out which differences are more significant that result in your pain and "finger stops moving."

also, if you tend to play with a harder grip (i.e., not a "light touch") you may be adding to the process and lowering the threshold for its occurrence (and it shows up, in spades, when playing that particular instrument).

if it was me = i'd go to an expert teacher first: for an assessment of your complaint, with that ax, in your hands, with your 'technique'. doctors/therapists who don't know much about the various hazards of playing various instruments aren't always helpful, but that option is always available.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

See a hand specialist and avoid useless guessing and advice.

This!!^^^^^

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Play the bass that doesn't hurt.
From what you've said it seems simple: a functional use issue caused by the relationship of your body to that bass.
I mean you could do detective work and identify the exact problem, but man, just play the ones that don't hurt.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

go see a specialist and in the meantime, use the 5 string since you have no issue with that one.

 

[Firebass12]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any insight because I'm out of ideas.

I've been playing bass since 2008, never had any problems. A few years ago, I sold my bass (MIM Precision bass) and bought an American Ultra Precision bass. Shortly after, i started getting serious cramps in my left hand at the 20 minute mark. I figured I was getting older, and probably developing some kind of carpel tunnel or something. I adapted, took breaks, played higher up on the neck whenever possible. It's always the same; index finger starts getting tired, cramped and eventually physically does not move enough to press the strings down on the string. It's as if the finger just "turns off".

A few months ago I wanted to try a 5 string, so I bought a sterling ray 5. I have never experienced the left hand problem when playing the 5 string. I don't understand. They have the same string gauge, and the same action. The 5 string neck is a little bit bigger, the string spacing is tighter, my technique is the same not counting the small adjustment for the bigger neck. I and others have noticed that my accuracy and speed actually improve on the ray.
Today, I played the fender until my finger gave out, and immediately switched to the ray, and the pain dissipated WHILE i was playing.

So I guess my question is what is going on? It can't be arthritis/carpel tunnel, because it doesn't happen in any other context. Is it the string spacing? I often hear of people having pain and discomfort when moving up to 5 strings, but never the opposite. I really like the fender, so I'd be pretty bummed out if I couldn't enjoy it anymore.

A few years back I dropped string size to lights.. my 67 year old hands thanked me

 

[Mastiff_5]

It’s because Fenders are made with a heavy dose of evil, and are each individually hand-cursed by a highly trained coven of groupies, originally led by Sweet Sweet Connie until her death in 2021.
You’ll need an old priest, a young priest, and an orthopedic specialist. Good luck.

 

[Geddaric]

makes total sense to me: some necks (with their subsequent setups) aren't friendly to your technique(s). sometimes it's quickly obvious and sometimes it's very subtle and slow to show itself. there can be so many variables involved (many re: the ax itself, and many re: your own 'physicality'/technique) that changing several of them may not resolve the issue(s) entirely or adequately.

if you closely examine the differences between the necks (and the ergonomics of the instruments) and your finger/hand/arm/shoulder/etc. 'postures' you could probably figure out which differences are more significant that result in your pain and "finger stops moving."

also, if you tend to play with a harder grip (i.e., not a "light touch") you may be adding to the process and lowering the threshold for its occurrence (and it shows up, in spades, when playing that particular instrument).

if it was me = i'd go to an expert teacher first: for an assessment of your complaint, with that ax, in your hands, with your 'technique'. doctors/therapists who don't know much about the various hazards of playing various instruments aren't always helpful, but that option is always available.

Fully agree with JRA on this. A doctor can help you relieve your symptoms, but it would be helpful to know what is causing your symptoms. If the cause can`t be determined, you may well be making additional visits to the Dr..

 

[Geddaric]

It’s because Fenders are made with a heavy dose of evil, and are each individually hand-cursed by a highly trained coven of groupies, originally led by Sweet Sweet Connie until her death in 2021.
You’ll need an old priest, a young priest, and and orthopedic specialist. Good luck.

I always wondered what "doing her act" entailed.

 

[Mastiff_5]

I always wondered what "doing her act" entailed.

Haha - I worked at a bar in Little Rock that she frequented. She stayed true to her famous reputation at least through the mid 90’s

 

[jimmydean]

See a doctor , but factors could be the weight on your shoulder , use wider strap , angle you wear the bass and angle of wrist / finger stretch and maybe your body needs vitamins .

 

[FullumMusic]

See a hand specialist and avoid useless guessing and advice.

First answer is all you need to read.

If there's pain and your finger STOPS MOVING, something in really wrong and you need professional medical advice, not advice from a bass forum.

- Find a doctor who can diagnose and treat what's wrong.

-Then find a medical professional who can assess your bass playing technique and help you adjust in a way that won't cause or exacerbate the problem (so long as the problem isn't to the point where you need to not play bass.)

But all these decisions need to be made with a medical professional, hand-specialist doctor.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Ditto on the hand specialist, hands are very complex, even they may never define what the problem is. In my case baseball bat necks are really uncomfortable due my smallish hands and mild arthritis. Short answer: see a doctor, play what doesn’t hurt. No magical fairy dust on Fenders.

 

[Michael135]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any insight because I'm out of ideas.

I've been playing bass since 2008, never had any problems. A few years ago, I sold my bass (MIM Precision bass) and bought an American Ultra Precision bass. Shortly after, i started getting serious cramps in my left hand at the 20 minute mark. I figured I was getting older, and probably developing some kind of carpel tunnel or something. I adapted, took breaks, played higher up on the neck whenever possible. It's always the same; index finger starts getting tired, cramped and eventually physically does not move enough to press the strings down on the string. It's as if the finger just "turns off".

A few months ago I wanted to try a 5 string, so I bought a sterling ray 5. I have never experienced the left hand problem when playing the 5 string. I don't understand. They have the same string gauge, and the same action. The 5 string neck is a little bit bigger, the string spacing is tighter, my technique is the same not counting the small adjustment for the bigger neck. I and others have noticed that my accuracy and speed actually improve on the ray.
Today, I played the fender until my finger gave out, and immediately switched to the ray, and the pain dissipated WHILE i was playing.

So I guess my question is what is going on? It can't be arthritis/carpel tunnel, because it doesn't happen in any other context. Is it the string spacing? I often hear of people having pain and discomfort when moving up to 5 strings, but never the opposite. I really like the fender, so I'd be pretty bummed out if I couldn't enjoy it anymore.

Firstly, sorry about your injury. That’s frustrating. Secondly, you’re on to something by switching instruments. I have experienced numbness and pain when playing on thin necks - like a newer fender jazz bass. When I switch to a bass with a thicker neck, the pain stops. It could be arthritis (not just the old people kind) or tendon strain, but it’s clearly a function of how you bend your wrist to meet the frets. With a fatter baseball-style neck - e.g. early precision telecaster-style bass, or recent remakes - you’re not forced to bend your wrist as much as with a smaller, thinner neck. Hence your relief on the 5. Just a thought, and best of luck to you.

 

[Michael135]

See a doctor , but factors could be the weight on your shoulder , use wider strap , angle you wear the bass and angle of wrist / finger stretch and maybe your body needs vitamins .

Strap is a big deal too. Buy a wider, padded strap. Try these things (and if you get no relief, ask your doctor, as others are wisely recommending here)

 

[Nuisance]

A couple months back I was focusing my rehearsals on a segment of music that required some slapping. Within weeks I developed trigger finger in my thumb, then it began to lock up. I had been slapping since way back, but hadn't "focused" on it for a while. I ended up seeing a hand specialist as nothing I was throwing at it worked (heat, ice, rest, advil, etc). He gave me cortisone shots, and took some pics. We're waiting to see if the cortisone helps. Otherwise my next stop could be surgery.

Having just gone through this, my advice echos that above:

1. See a hand doctor.....not just a GP.
2. Consider a cortisone shot ( to reduce swelling) if offered to you.
3. Reduce your string gauge.
4. Reduce/eliminate alcohol consumption (this helped me considerably, but did not cure).
5. Increase water intake.

Good luck. As I gigging bassist I can tell you I empathize 1000%. Hand injuries really suck.

 

[jim nolte]

As others have said go see a hand specialist but you might also consider an MRI of your neck spinal discs, I have a bulging disc in my neck which greatly increases the pain and numbness in my left hand after years of dealing with it I realized for me it was always exaggerated by thick bass necks, the thicker the neck the more numbness, it was the only reason I sold my Sire V7 5 string , it had the thickest neck of all of my other 5 strings and the only one that caused the issue so off it went, but if you can afford it I would in addition to seeing a hand specialist, and he/she may recommend it, get a MRI scan of the neck discs.