When i play in the key of G (3rd fret on E string) i feel pain in my hand around the wrist and around the thumb. Is it going to be more comfortable if the strings are lower on the neck ( lower tension)? Or is it better to have a smaller gauge of strings? If i use flatwound are they going to be more flexible for my left hand? Actually i have Elixirs 45-105 Nanoweb Nickels.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Pain in the left hand
- Thread starter stefffbasss
- Start date
Those Elixirs from my experience are what I would deem a little on the "soft' side already. My Sr500 Ibby came with Elixirs on it.
Lowering the strings can make playability better....to a point.
I don't think string gauge will be the determining factor really...whether they are flats or rounds.
Although in my view silky smooth flats or even half-rounds/tapes/nylon coated just "feel" nicer to play.
It is probably more about:-
(1) Wrist angle while playing
(2) Finger grouping
(3) Over use of spanning
(4) neck radius and nut width of that particular bass
(5) whether the scale of that particular bass is best suited for you.
(6) whether or not you grip your neck with the thumb tightly on the back of the neck while playing in a"fixed" position. If you are....don't.
Lowering the strings can make playability better....to a point.
I don't think string gauge will be the determining factor really...whether they are flats or rounds.
Although in my view silky smooth flats or even half-rounds/tapes/nylon coated just "feel" nicer to play.
It is probably more about:-
(1) Wrist angle while playing
(2) Finger grouping
(3) Over use of spanning
(4) neck radius and nut width of that particular bass
(5) whether the scale of that particular bass is best suited for you.
(6) whether or not you grip your neck with the thumb tightly on the back of the neck while playing in a"fixed" position. If you are....don't.
Many things could be at work here. Here are a few questions to ask yourself: Is my thumb comfortably centered on the back of the neck, and not wrapped around it? Is my fretting hand relaxed? Is my bass well-balanced, so that my left hand isn't supporting the weight of the headstock while I play (test this by letting go with your fretting hand. If the bass drops down, then you're asking your hand to do double duty holding it up). Are you a very small person using a very long scale? Your bass could be a bad fit. If action were the issue, you would have more trouble on the higher frets than the lower, so that's not a clear answer either. The gauge of strings you use may be an issue, but I would look at these other issues first - 45 - 105 is medium gauge, so no harm in going lighter. I'm guesssing bass balance when standing is the likeliest place to look. Having "neck dive" can be very uncomfortable over hours of playing. Let us know what you think.
I have a Geddy Lee jazz bass so the neck is not large like a P-bass. I play a lot of one finger per fret style but i try to not always play the one finger per fret because it is not always needed. Also 1 finger per fret in the key of F and G can cause a stress in the fingers. I think number 6 in your message is one of my problem. When i play standing up i adjust my strap to make sure that i'ts not too low or too high. I d'ont have long fingers and i d'ont have large hands. Do you suggest a short scale bass? If i use silky smooth flat is it going to sound good for slap or any kind of music?
have a Geddy Lee jazz bass so the neck is not large like a P-bass. I play a lot of one finger per fret style but i try to not always play the one finger per fret because it is not always needed. Also 1 finger per fret in the key of F and G can cause a stress in the fingers. I think number 6 in your message is one of my problem. When i play standing up i adjust my strap to make sure that i'ts not too low or too high. I d'ont have long fingers and i d'ont have large hands. Do you suggest a short scale bass? If i use silky smooth flat is it going to sound good for slap or any kind of music?
Flats don't usually translate to 'slap' too well but they're great for a lot of styles of music.
I would certainly suggest trying out different scale basses.
Even if you stick to a long scale I would suggest trying out all you can get your hands on. Some feel just right and others feel awful.
adjusted my truss rod, the neck is closer to the strings. So i'ts a lot more comfortable now. But there is still a little pain around the thumb. I think i am going to try some short scale basses.
