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Slung low or high?
- Thread starter Thir13teen
- Start date
Really low, I guess. The top of the body is always several inches below the bottom of my belt; usually the bass is canted neck-high at about a 45-degree angle. Then again, I have pretty long arms. I hardly ever play with a pick and have no problem playing above the twelfth fret.
I know I've only been playing for 20 years, but every time I raise my bass up to a more "correct" height it's extremely uncomfortable and I just end up lowering it little by little until it's back below my waist. I don't do it for image, I do it for comfort.
I know I've only been playing for 20 years, but every time I raise my bass up to a more "correct" height it's extremely uncomfortable and I just end up lowering it little by little until it's back below my waist. I don't do it for image, I do it for comfort.
It's always seemed pretty joke-like to watch...occasionally one of these cats surprises me, and can play side one of "James Browns Greatest Hits" with soul and accuracy- but not with that wood chopping downstroke-pick-bass under the belt- left thumb-palm muting technique- they have to actually play their bass differently to accomplish this.
Otherwise, yeah...playing like that is a joke yup!
i dont even know where to start with how dumb that sounds.
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Mine's slung with the bridge at buckle height. Any lower and I find it hard to do my higher riffs & runs.
It's slung lower in this pic than I play now, but that's because I had to change basses that night & my ReBop sits lower than my NS-2000/5 did. I've since raised the strap.
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It's slung lower in this pic than I play now, but that's because I had to change basses that night & my ReBop sits lower than my NS-2000/5 did. I've since raised the strap.
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My top horn is at belt buckle level with my big gangly arms.
Low enough for straight wrists while playing an F through A on the E string.
Low enough for straight wrists while playing an F through A on the E string.
That tears it. I'm lowering my bass. Other bass players who strap up high won't take me seriously? Boo-hoo. My band and our fans take me seriously and the checks don't bounce. Start paying me and maybe I'll care.
I have it so that my sitting and standing position is very similar. I then adjust it for body weight/size.
Sheehan confirmed what I thought.
Sheehan confirmed what I thought.
I play with the center of the bass body aligned over my right hip bone. Works for me but I'm not sure if thats high or low.
Here's the deal. You start with it slung low, almost to your knees, and then raise it about 3/4" a year. You're a bass player...follow the rules.
Just thought I'd post this...I borrowed it from a thread that Michael Henderson started today. Any of you low-slung-bassist haters want to question Michael Henderson's skills?
Thought not.
Exactly. I've always thought (and still do) that bassists who wear their basses above their junk look dorky.
If you're playing rock, looking cool (or trying to) is part of it. Dee Dee Ramone, Nick Oliveri, and Kris Novoselic all look cooler than Billy Sheehan.
I have long monkey arms, when I play seated I have to lift my right arm a little to keep my plucking wrist fairly straight, so my strap is set lower than seated position so I can lower my right arm & play with my plucking hand at a relaxed position.
