Tired off fighting my 34"

[stuntbass77]

I have a nerve problem (at least that's what I suspect as I have been to all the best doctors in Chicago with no real answer). I am 6 feet tall and not a small person but the nerve issue is a big problem. I love my jazz bass and will never sell it but I realize I may have to go to a shorter scale. I used a capo just as a test and found it made a real difference. So if my nerves problem doesn't get help soon I will need to consider going to a shorter scale. Funny thing is my Sterling by Musicman SB14 feels like it's a 33" so I think I will play it more for now. The medium scale market is pretty scarce. I know Birdsong and some others make a very nice bass but not my cup of tea. I would like something more modern, maybe a Factor bass as they are 32" and have clear tone with a bit of punch if dialed right. I also like the old Yamaha Motion basses a bit, 32" as well. Wonder how many others are in the same place as me.

 

[Nomogram]

You shouldn't have to fight your bass. Have you tried shortening your strap, to raise the bass up? That might help with some fret hand relief.

Different basses will sit differently, with different ergonomics, for you. If raising the strap doesn't help, try different basses, including different scale lengths if that helps. My shortest scale bass is an Ibanez Artcore Semihollow. It has a 30.3" scale, and it has a neck angle and feel that is closer to a Les Paul 6 string guitar than anything. Completely changes my left hand positioning. Probably not the bass tone you are looking for, though. But it's a nice, short scale, inexpensive bass:

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The only modification I did to it was to move the strap button from the back of the body to the upper side on the singlecut:

Good luck, I hope you find a solution, whether it is a different bass or different playing position. Don't sell your Jazz for a while, let's hope the problem is temporary one way or another.

 

[Michael B]

There is a great value Squier Jaguar VM Short Scale out there. GC has a great return policy and its just 2-300. Not too bad to try out the size. Good luck.

 

[stuntbass77]

You shouldn't have to fight your bass. Have you tried shortening your strap, to raise the bass up? That might help with some fret hand relief.

Different basses will sit differently, with different ergonomics, for you. If raising the strap doesn't help, try different basses, including different scale lengths if that helps. My shortest scale bass is an Ibanez Artcore Semihollow. It has a 30.3" scale, and it has a neck angle and feel that is closer to a Les Paul 6 string guitar than anything. Completely changes my left hand positioning. Probably not the bass tone you are looking for, though. But it's a nice, short scale, inexpensive bass:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The only modification I did to it was to move the strap button from the back of the body to the upper side on the singlecut:

View attachment 757520


Good luck, I hope you find a solution, whether it is a different bass or different playing position. Don't sell your Jazz for a while, let's hope the problem is temporary one way or another.

I have been sitting down to play for a couple years as straps of any kind cause my nerve pain to worsen. I will not sell any of my basses as I have learned the hard way one loses too much money selling. I have tried moving my jazz bass over my knee some more but it just slides back do to it's design. I plan to play my fender here and there but it gets harder over time. I'm not that old and hope doctors will be able to help me at some point. I have two doctors trying to get me into mayo clinic but the neuro department is the most backed up and hardest to get into ( one year wait even if they will take you on as a patient ). In the meantime I am hoping I can get buy a bit longer with the SB14 as it feels shorter.

 

[loopee]

Check out Landing Bass Guitars

 

[stuntbass77]

Check out Landing Bass Guitars

I did, nice stuff but pretty expensive and was thinking I could have Overwater or another builder make one with the spec's I wanted for that price. I could be wrong. There is a guy on YouTube that had a bass built for him ( I think his last name was "Whitley" and he had a Brittish accent ) that had a great tone. His bass was a 30" I believe but had a tremolo, which I would do without. He remarked on how most companies charges so much to have a bass built and he found a company that was reasonable. Most of the medium and short scale production models out are really good at doing the "thump" tone which for most styles of music really fits but nowadays I don't gig anymore and want a really good solo tone for just playing alone.

 

[Photobassist]

I have a nerve problem (at least that's what I suspect as I have been to all the best doctors in Chicago with no real answer).

Wonder how many others are in the same place as me.

I'm in exactly the same boat as you, with nerve damage and arthritis in my left shoulder and neck. It was painful playing my Warwick so I sold it and got a half scale bass. It's amazing the difference a shorter scale makes.

 

[Rob22315]

Have you tried more of a classical guitar position? If you can only sit, you might try a footstool, moving the bass onto your left knee, and tilting the bass at more of an angle. Classical guitarists do this because it reduces the number of odd angles your wrist/shoulder have to stay at for a long time. It takes a bit of getting used to but might be worth a try.

If you're standing, you're likely looking at some type of harness rather than a strap to get the load off your traps.

 

[mbelue]

Have you seen the LOWE Custom Guitar conversion neck?
Fits a standard 34" Fender body, without modification. Changes it to 32" scale. You can keep your jazz and make it playable.

 

[felis]

Skip the mediums and head directly for the short scales.

Most likely, you'll end up there anyways.

The Squier Jaguar SS mentioned in the 3rd post can be found everywhere for $179 before discounts/sales if you're looking on the low end.
Like most things, there's much more costly alternatives available too.

 

[BassHappy]

I have a nerve problem (at least that's what I suspect as I have been to all the best doctors in Chicago with no real answer). I am 6 feet tall and not a small person but the nerve issue is a big problem. I love my jazz bass and will never sell it but I realize I may have to go to a shorter scale. I used a capo just as a test and found it made a real difference. So if my nerves problem doesn't get help soon I will need to consider going to a shorter scale. Funny thing is my Sterling by Musicman SB14 feels like it's a 33" so I think I will play it more for now. The medium scale market is pretty scarce. I know Birdsong and some others make a very nice bass but not my cup of tea. I would like something more modern, maybe a Factor bass as they are 32" and have clear tone with a bit of punch if dialed right. I also like the old Yamaha Motion basses a bit, 32" as well. Wonder how many others are in the same place as me.

Hey Stuntbass

I feel your pain. You could be a poster boy for what I have been preaching all along. Bass players are extremely ripe candidates for repetitive stress injuries of all types. Pain originating in the spine, shoulders, neck, elbow and wrist can be debilitating as you get older - and can be exacerbated by not finding the bass that fits you properly. Whether it's nerves acting up or tendonitis, or arthritis or dozens of other ailments - over time they can all take their toll. It can also be exacerbated by using much heavier extended range and extended scale basses - which can tilt the torso and add to the problem - especially if they don't hang on your body in perfect balance. It's a fact of life and many roll their eyes and scoff, some are in deep denial - until they get older and it starts happening to them.

Short scales can be a problem as well, with mostly beginner and student models available at Guitar Center or the local mom and pop store - and the change from full scale to short scale can be very dramatic. I personally find them way too cramped to be aggressively playable in the upper registers. I have nearly 20 medium scale basses, counting the four new ones being built for me - many of them built to my specs. I have played medium scale basses exclusively (except for a Rob Allen Mouse) for over 50 years, and I am still playing away for hours and hours at a time with no repetitive stress pain. I have nearly 25 records in the marketplace including "live" bootlegs and I am currently working on three new album projects.

One of the easiest things at the moment is to take your full scale Fender or clone body and slap a Lowe 32" scale conversion neck on it. For the price of a neck you can put it through it's paces and see how it does for you.

Go here for more:

For Sale - LOWE Custom USA Unfinished 32" Scale Conversion Necks

If you find over the course of time that medium scale works well for you - and you want something a little more custom - you can have your dream bass built in medium scale. Quality builders have instruments in medium scale out there at about any price point you deem reasonable - if you really do your homework.

As mentioned the basses below are ALL mediums except for the Rob Allen. Good luck with the hunt and if you are seeking additional info feel free to visit my site here:

Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?

Good luck to you, whichever way you go!

 

[DonaldR]

Have you considered a 5-string?
My Yamaha TRBX 505 feels really shorter than my other 34" basses, and being 5 string I can play notes higher on the neck (more comfortable) and still have my open strings if desired. It's also the only 5 strings I immediatly felt at home switching from 4 to 5 strings.

 

[mc900ftj]

I have a nerve problem... I also like the old Yamaha Motion basses a bit, 32" as well. Wonder how many others are in the same place as me.

I have owned a Yamaha Motion and can tell you: I regret selling it. Played great and was pretty versatile. Hope this helps.

Good luck with both the bass search and the nerve issue.

 

[MakoMan]

I agree with skipping the mediums and going directly to short scales. There is a much greater selection of shorties than mediums. I have a left hand issue myself and 30" scale makes playing much, much easier.

 

[MobileHolmes]

Warmoth has a couple different short scale bodies now, then you can deck it out however you want

 

[Freddels]

Another option is to move the pin strap (or add an additional one) to the neck plate. This will allow you to hold the bass vertically rather than horizontally. I have a friend that does this and it works for him.

 

[ultra60]

Suffered a pinched neck nerve, 2 years back, that has left permanent damage to my left index finger. The sensation is that it feels swollen, when its really just numb. I find it interesting that you mention a Jazz bass. Since my injury, I've found Jazz's harder to play unless they have a chunky neck. It's almost like my fingers can no longer deal with the 1.5" nut width. I'm actually thinking of trying a P with a 1.75" nut. I'd owned a few in the past with mixed results. I am willing to try one again.

Good luck with your situation. 2 years ago, I thought I was done. I pushed through it and am thankful to be rocking today.

 

[FirewalZ]

I have a nerve problem (at least that's what I suspect as I have been to all the best doctors in Chicago with no real answer). I am 6 feet tall and not a small person but the nerve issue is a big problem. I love my jazz bass and will never sell it but I realize I may have to go to a shorter scale. I used a capo just as a test and found it m.....

Sorry to hear about these issues, the TB community is good for sharing experiences and if there is a solution out there someone will bring it up. I have recently had to "retire" my 77 Jazz from live playing, its simply too heavy and was wrecking my back and shoulder. Even with a Comfort Strapp, its simply to heavy for the all night gigs I do.

 

[interp]

I have been sitting down to play for a couple years as straps of any kind cause my nerve pain to worsen. I will not sell any of my basses as I have learned the hard way one loses too much money selling. I have tried moving my jazz bass over my knee some more but it just slides back do to it's design. I plan to play my fender here and there but it gets harder over time. I'm not that old and hope doctors will be able to help me at some point. I have two doctors trying to get me into mayo clinic but the neuro department is the most backed up and hardest to get into ( one year wait even if they will take you on as a patient ). In the meantime I am hoping I can get buy a bit longer with the SB14 as it feels shorter.

I wish you luck in your quest; unfortunately I have no advice on that. My comment, though, has to do with your not wanting to sell any basses because "one loses too much money selling." If I may, I would suggest that by virtue of having bought the basses in the first place you've already "lost" that money, and selling something that you no longer can use would actually mean you gain some of that "lost" money back.

 

[BurningTheAltar]

There's always the EB-0. I got one, hated the Mudbucker, replaced it with the EMG HB active pickup. Made a world of difference.