• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My shoulder is killing me!!

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!
 
I don't have near the number of gigs under my belt that you apparently have, but YES a heavy (any bass---on a 4 hr gig) will kill a trapezius muscle, neck, upper spine, shoulder....

I've seen a guy who had a wide Velcro back support belt that he mod'd w/ a straplock or something... either way the bass snapped on w/ a connector on it's back. He could pivot the headstock up or down while playing. No shoulder strain at all, but ZERO cool factor too :-/

But... w/ the right look, it could still look nice.