I don't think I've seen any metal bassplayer with the bass up high.
(Picture linked from http://www.twoby2band.com/page-2.html)
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Strap height and tone
- Thread starter TribalEagle
- Start date
(Picture linked from http://www.twoby2band.com/page-2.html)
I think that tone can be effected in the extremes of strap length, but for those of us who aren't using the bass as a bowtie, or as shin guards, the tone difference won't be as big a deal as the ergonomics. So Commerford seems to be right the way he said it.
I think that Billy Sheehan is right about strap height. Having a consistent height is very valuable for playing well. And having a secure strap whether sitting or standing is necessary for effective playing, so that your hands can play the instrument, rather than having to support it. (I don't advocate his fretting hand ergonomics, however...)
I think that Billy Sheehan is right about strap height. Having a consistent height is very valuable for playing well. And having a secure strap whether sitting or standing is necessary for effective playing, so that your hands can play the instrument, rather than having to support it. (I don't advocate his fretting hand ergonomics, however...)
Over the years, I have experimented a bit with strap heights. I tried wearing the bass under my chin which, was great for playing in the upper registers but terribly uncomfortable for playing in the lower registers. I have also worn basses much lower and that had the opposite effect. Now, I ware my basses in what I call the "Goldie Locks" zone, not to high or to low. Bass height affects playing comfort not, tone.
I play with the bass pretty low, maybe a bit lower than Ben Shepherd, which is where it's comfortable for me but it makes absolutely no difference to my tone, I sound the same standing or sitting. Maybe it's different if you've got your thumb anchored on the pickup all the time but with a floating thumb I'm hitting the strings exactly the same regardless of the bass height.
I don't find a strap at all necessary sitting down unless you're playing a bass that's neck heavy.
I don't find a strap at all necessary sitting down unless you're playing a bass that's neck heavy.
I don't dispute your experience, but I find that even subtle effort of keeping the bass in place has an effect on playing. Things like resting your arm on the body to hold it next to you limit the movement of your plucking arm. Having to use your fretting hand to keep the bass from moving around slows down shifting. YMMV
I've said it before in other threads like this one, and I'll say it one more time. In my opinion the best way to hold your bass is to have the neck/body junction right over your bellybutton, and the bass angled up about 30 degrees. That way your wrists are dead straight, or with minimal bend, thereby avoiding future wrist and carpal issues. As far as whether or not it affects tone all I can say is that a bass in a good position should make it easy to produce good tone.
Confort = playability = good tone. Medium height for me, I'm tall with long arms. Abdomen is a problem
No I don`t think so.
Usually the most comfortable way to play bass is at medium/high height. Like many have said that is the most ergonomical way to do things.
Feel is more related to how the bass playing feels
Like it feels bit "wrong" or even bit stupid to play punk with bass high up your chest.The playing it self is physically correct but it does not feel right for the context.
It`s all so really interesting to see how many disagree that holding your bass certain way has something to do with the tone. Or that many have never even thought about it. I see all these threads about how strings, pick ups, amps etc. effect your tone. And then some one comes to say that "tone is in your fingers" and gear doesn`t really matter. Part of this "your fingers" is how you wear your instrument and how it affects your playing. Or do you disagree?
If you wear your bass down low it forces you to play over the neck pick up at certain angle. You can not play over the bridge pick up and get that "Jaco tone" cos you can not oven reach there.
Angle of the bass all so makes you pluck string differently. I think that this is one thing that Commerford is referring at the interview, considering the fact that he plays over bridge pick up all most exclusively and plucks the strings at straight angle (picture in first post).Extreme example is Robert Trujillo:
It seems that not many punk, glam/hair metal etc. players read "Technique" section cos no one has admitted that looks is the number one thing..
Ah ok...so you are likening 'feel' with pre conceived image of what it should look like?No I don`t think so.
Usually the most comfortable way to play bass is at medium/high height. Like many have said that is the most ergonomical way to do things.
Feel is more related to how the bass playing feels
The playing it self is physically correct but it does not feel right for the context.
It`s all so really interesting to see how many disagree that holding your bass certain way has something to do with the tone. Or that many have never even thought about it. I see all these threads about how strings, pick ups, amps etc. effect your tone. And then some one comes to say that "tone is in your fingers" and gear doesn`t really matter. Part of this "your fingers" is how you wear your instrument and how it affects your playing. Or do you disagree?
If you wear your bass down low it forces you to play over the neck pick up at certain angle. You can not play over the bridge pick up and get that "Jaco tone" cos you can not oven reach there.
Extreme example is Robert Trujillo:
It seems that not many punk, glam/hair metal etc. players read "Technique" section cos no one has admitted that looks is the number one thing..
I read it as how the the bass feels when played on a strap.
Yes and no. Thats why I separated "looks" and "feel". Feel is more complex and bit hard to explain in English.
It`s partly looks, tone, wanting to do it like the original player and so on. So "pre conceived image" as I understand it, seems to be big part of it. Some times you like, or even have to copy certain player (cover bands). One original example was playing Metallica like Jason Newsted. Looks is part of it, but copying the playing technique is more important. In this case major part of it is lovering you bass, taking pick and start playing those heavy down strokes. That way you get the right feel and tone, and in Newsteds case big part of his tone is how he plays. This "Feel" all so effects how you play, not just the tone. Like I said earlier, its "impossible" to play like that if your bass is up high. Many might say that Newsteds technique is bad, and I might agree with them. But if you want to get that tone, you have to adjust your technique and in this case strap length is part of it. IMO of course.
Comfort for me. It allows me to play longer. I understand the feel and tone though. I have my main bass at a height so I can access all the frets, and my right hand can pluck, pick, or slap near the neck pickup or the bridge at angles that don't hurt my arm or wrist.
However, my basses are all at different strap heights as each one has a specialized purpose. I don't plan on picking or slapping much on my Fretless bass, so I can keep it at the "jazz height." My 4-string is a little lower as it's more of a rocking-out bass, and bright-sounding enough that I don't have to play near the bridge. The 5-string, being the versatile one for all styles, is at the middle height.
However, my basses are all at different strap heights as each one has a specialized purpose. I don't plan on picking or slapping much on my Fretless bass, so I can keep it at the "jazz height." My 4-string is a little lower as it's more of a rocking-out bass, and bright-sounding enough that I don't have to play near the bridge. The 5-string, being the versatile one for all styles, is at the middle height.
I can finger better up high without moving my hand but that is as far as that goes I get the same tone high or low
Sit down at a chair, rest your bass on your knee, adjust your strap so that it holds your bass steady on your leg. Not to tight.
Now stand up with your bass. It should be in the same position. This method may not look the coolest but as someone who has suffered from wrist straining for years, this is a very comfortable playing position once you get used to it.
Another benefit is your hand position will be the same sitting to standing.
Just my two cents. I'm sure some will disagree.
Now stand up with your bass. It should be in the same position. This method may not look the coolest but as someone who has suffered from wrist straining for years, this is a very comfortable playing position once you get used to it.
Another benefit is your hand position will be the same sitting to standing.
Just my two cents. I'm sure some will disagree.
I tried the strap length at the same for both sitting and standing - and came to the conclusion that for me it was too high. I don't have it super low, but lower than where it would be while sitting. I did this because I rarely sit. Also I have longer arms relative to my torso, so the sitting position is actually uncomfortable. My tone sounds the same, but I can play more fluidly if its a little lower.
I agree, and I find that sitting on a stool helps if you don't want to stand up all the time.
If it's too high or too low, I feel dorky and uncomfortable. But I tend to err on the side of too low since the dork level when it's too low isn't nearly as bad as when it's too high 
Comfort is good, avoiding injury is even better. If you can't play because of an injury, you'll have the worst tone possible, which is no tone at all.
