My shoulder is killing me!!

[Andre 1964]

Hey everyone! My name is Andre. I live in Las Vegas. I've been very fortunate to have had consecutive house gigs for 15yrs and Counting.However this "success" has come at a price... My damn shoulder is TRASHED!!!! DAYEM!!!!!!! lol! I have pain that no amount of excercise will resolve. I still do them anyway .....it helps but it still freakin hurts!! I think it's ridiculous that the ONLY option we Bassplayers have , with regards to a strap..is just a wider strap!! I looked at this dual shoulder strap idea online. It was a good idea..but poorly designed. It distributed the weight on both shoulders but it TOTALLY ****ed up the natural feel and balance of the instrument.
Anyway I was just wondering how many of my brothers of the bottom know what i'm talking about... is it just me? or does anyone else out there know about that KNOT that sits right in the middle of your strap shoulder? Holla!

 

[Floyd Eye]

Brother you do have a choice besides a wider strap. I got one of these and like magic, my shoulder pain disappeared. I can't recommend it enough.

Comfort Strapp - Guitar, Computer and Utility Shoulder Strap Comfort

 

[EtoG]

Many people will probably suggest a lighter bass.

What kind of bass are you playing at your gigs?

 

[flowlikeocean]

I've been blessed with youth, and an 8 1/2 lb Squier bass, but I feel for everyone who is carrying around the 13 lb jazz basses; they really do have extra "soul," it just weighs a ton.


Ben

 

[Monsterbass74]

Yes. I have been there. I get softer wider strips of material at 3 inch or 3 1/2 inch that doesn't have lots of padding on them or that are softer leather, suede, or sheep's skin (expensive). Then I have them cut to have the strap pin insert on the right most... so it looks like the strap is straight on one side and curved on the other... like an "L" or 1/2 "U". It shifts the bass strap over so it doesn't cut as much into your shoulder. My other basses have the typical thick padded ones, but they weight atless than 8 and 1/2 pounds.

I hope that helps.

It also helps to have someone message that knot once in a while and standing up straight while playing. Losing some weight helps if you have a nice sized gut since it brings the bass closer to your chest and keeps your shoulders back and not hunched forward trying to reach the bass... but don't stone me for saying that. I know from experience!!

Cheers!

 

[bluesdogblues]

Try Yoga

 

[bgmww]

dude.. go to a gym

 

[G On Bass]

Some of my basses weigh in excess of 11 pounds.

All of them get this strap: Buy Neotech Mega Bass Strap | Bass Specialty Straps | Musician's Friend With the NeoTech, I can go hours and not be sore. Highly, highly highly recommended.

Comfort Strapps are great as well. Unfortunately for me, I had a Comfort Strapp, but for whatever reason it didn't fit right and my shoulder didn't get much of the padding.

 

[Billnc]

My shoulder problems are on the opposite shoulder. A portion of every day is spent doing exercises to maintain full range of motion.

 

[bassguppy]

1: lighter bass

2: motrin





.

 

[funk_in4]

I, too, have a left shoulder issue...I use both of these straps and have had no discomfort since they arrived on my bass:

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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[srxplayer]

I have a similar problem. A couple of years ago I had to resort to cortisone injections in my right shoulder and physical threrapy.

 

[JimmyM]

i have a chronic shoulder problem too, and though i have gotten relief from using a very wide strap called the mss24 made by levy's leathers, i've found the only thing that really works is lightening my load. so i use lighter basses and the levy's strap now. i still have shoulder trouble, but it's not nearly as bad as it was, and thank god, no more headaches.

 

[Duke21]

Go the gym! General training and maybe some moderate weight lifting will help lot as fresh muscle will carry the load better than "dead meat".

 

[JimmyM]

Jimmy that is good to hear.. I am also gravitating towards the lighter side.. Although It sure is hard to find 5 strings in light versions that can command the low end.. Any suggestions?

i once played an alleva coppolo 5 string jazz copy that was super light. but they're super expensive. and really, i'm out of the 5 string loop these days. i just don't know what's out there that's light.

 

[arsie]

Would you consider one of these? I am not sure what the general public might think, but I would not lose any respect to anyone who has to use this.

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[JimmyM]

Go the gym! General training and maybe some moderate weight lifting will help lot as fresh muscle will carry the load better than "dead meat".

while it's true i don't work out like i used to, i did used to work out and it never helped. 4 hours a night of playing with a heavy bass is still 4 hours.

 

[wave rider]

I remember someone having a gizmo that attaches to your belt and then snaps into a straplock button on the *back* of the bass, thus transferring some of the load to the belt and off the shoulder.

Gotta hope one has enough butt to hold up the pants...

=wr=

 

[Crystalman85]

If you have a rough strap and wanted a more comfortable strap, I personally would recommend levy polyester straps. these straps are affordable and they're comfortable. I use them on all of my bass guitars.

 

[Duke21]

duke your suggestion is great!, for you young guy's if you have been on top of this hidden situation..But for us old guys that didn't know and better, we are stuck with muscle memory I'm afraid.. Do you have a solution for us that have this condition?

I'm 40 years old, so not so young, but thanks. Being "old" should not stop you from doing some training. Better to start today then next year. Everything that improves your condition will help, fast walks, light waight lifting in focus with lower back and shoulders, or just basket ball game which activates all of the body.