My Strap Height Changes My Bass Weight

[Smallmouth_Bass]

My band's repertoire has a couple of songs with slap and one thing I have noticed is that I prefer to strap my bass lower for finger style playing (not Krist Novoselic low, but medium low), but prefer higher when slapping (about the same height as when playing seated, not Mark King high).

So at my last gig, I decided I would shorten my strap length to my slap preference. And you know what? Playing finger style was fine, but I found it was more uncomfortable on my shoulder - as if my bass weighed more. Obviously, my bass didn't change weight, but it was surprising on how it affected my comfort and shifted more pressure to the contact point at the shoulder.

I quickly returned my strap to its normal length and was none the worse. I was able to adjust it relatively quickly for the one tune that is almost entirely slap and I just "suffered" through the other.

With all this talk of lightweight basses, I thought that this was an interesting discovery for me. Have any of you noticed something similar?

 

[Killing Floor]

The weight of a bass is distributed evenly across the entire length of the strap. Jaco's 2nd Law.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The weight of a bass is distributed evenly across the entire length of the strap. Jaco's 2nd Law.

Well, it must do it better with my setup when it's a little longer (and lower)!

 

[fhm555]

It is perceived weight and It all depends on weight distribution on each side of the point where your strap lays on your shoulder. The closer you can bring that to 50/50, the lighter it will feel because gravity is exerting equal force on both sides. In a perfect world you could have your bass hang where it was in your preferred playing position which would also give you 50/50 distribution, but the basic design makes this difficult to achieve.
short form, the closer you can get to 50/50 distribution on either side of your shoulder the lighter the bass will feel.

 

[SteveLo42]

Additionally, where the bass sits in relation to different points along the length of your body will change the way it feels. Ergonomically, carrying or lifting a weight, you should hold it around belly height. For a backpack, you ideally want the bulk of the weight around the small of your back. It's body mechanics, the height of your bass, relative to your body, will put a different force/strain on different points of your spine.

Not sure if I've explained that very well...

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Additionally, where the bass sits in relation to different points along the length of your body will change the way it feels. Ergonomically, carrying or lifting a weight, you should hold it around belly height. For a backpack, you ideally want the bulk of the weight around the small of your back. It's body mechanics, the height of your bass, relative to your body, will put a different force/strain on different points of your spine.

Not sure if I've explained that very well...

I think so. I noticed that the straps I use - seatbelt material - I feel it all along my back, so while the brunt of the weight is still at the shoulder, there's still a "whole body" feel to it when in a good position.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

Raising your bass on the strap just changes the centre of gravity slightly so, more pressure on other areas, 'tis all. You probably will notice that you have your neck height relatively unchanged.

 

[waynobass]

If the audience can see your crotch, then your bass is too high.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

If the audience can see your crotch, then your bass is too high.

I make sure I am wearing something at all times! (and no, not just a sock!)

 

[jd56hawk]

I think so. I noticed that the straps I use - seatbelt material - I feel it all along my back, so while the brunt of the weight is still at the shoulder, there's still a "whole body" feel to it when in a good position.

I've been wanting to try one of these for quite some time to see how much it helps.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My basses hang around the lower part of my belly and I use a 4" wide leather padded strap. I don't notice any weight or discomfort because the wide strap allows that weight to be distributed along a wider surface area as opposed to a "Regular" guitar strap or something.

 

[Eidolon0274]

You are probably resting more of your right arms weight on the bass body when the strap is higher up= perceived heavier

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

My basses hang around the lower part of my belly and I use a 4" wide leather padded strap. I don't notice any weight or discomfort because the wide strap allows that weight to be distributed along a wider surface area as opposed to a "Regular" guitar strap or something.

I find the 4 inch width straps dig into my neck a bit. 3 inches feels like the sweet spot between added weight distribution and comfort for me.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

You are probably resting more of your right arms weight on the bass body when the strap is higher up= perceived heavier

Now that I think about it, you might be right! So it is heavier! It's just not the bass, it's my arm!

 

[2112]

If the audience can see your crotch, then your bass is too high.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I have a couple of these:

Leather Right Height Series

Our Patented Right Height™ Line of guitar straps with RipChord Technology™ solves the age-old problem of getting the perfect fit while playing your instrument. Easily adjust your strap with a quick pull of the handle, raising and lowering your instrument without missing a beat.

levysleathers.com

BBB

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Just watch a video of Larry Graham.....and strap it the same.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Mass x distribution over area= comfort. Unless the cosign O' The Times is lesser the distribution area minus pain.
Then the sun of the difference must align.

 

[Jazzdogg]

After I hit my sixties, I had to pay more attention to weight, straps, and ergonomics.

I ended up buying a separate Comfort Stapp for each bass, and adjusted the length of each strap to best suit the bass to which it was assigned.

Part of setting the strap length involved standing in front of a mirror while playing, looking for neutral hand and wrist position, and angle of the bass body against my torso, and trying different strap lengths (and on some basses, different strap pin positions) until I was comfortable.

With my body and my basses, swapping a single strap from bass to bass didn't work because each bass is different.

I typically try to set the strap length so I can comfortably use a strap while seated.

I was surprised that learning to play with an unanchored right hand, and avoiding man-handling the bass, had such a significant effect on ergonomics. I experience less pain and can play longer with less fatigue, since I started using a lighter touch; I can now coax more nuance from each note than I could when I was younger, which really helps with fretless.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I was surprised that learning to play with an unanchored right hand, and avoiding man-handling the bass, had such a significant effect on ergonomics. I experience less pain and can play longer with less fatigue, since I started using a lighter touch; I can now coax more nuance from each note than I could when I was younger, which really helps with fretless.

Good luck in your quest.

I have heard that not resting your right forearm on the bass is the proper technique, but I have been playing that way for so long, I don't think I can (and am too lazy to) change that now! When I strap on my bass a little lower, I do notice that it does make it so my wrist is not at a 90 degree angle and is more natural. I do make an effort to make sure there are no drastic angles in my wrists. It must be working okay, because I don't have any pain or problems with that. I could do with playing a little lighter though. When doing 3+ hour gigs, the only things that are sore are my fingertips and my feet!