Yet another advantage of detuning a whole step: it's like playing a short scale bass with an extension on every string. Of course it opens a whole different can-o-worms...
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Tired off fighting my 34"
- Thread starter stuntbass77
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77stingray
Supporting Member
77stingray
Supporting Member
And my 32" scale 5 string
. I've never played a bass with a better feel than this one.
These are ugly as hell to me, but music trumps looks and I'd rather be able to play than not.
Guitar Straps | Bass Straps | Slinger Straps Ergonomic Guitar Straps
I know nerve issues are nerve issues, but to take the load off the shoulders sounds amazing to me.
Guitar Straps | Bass Straps | Slinger Straps Ergonomic Guitar Straps
I know nerve issues are nerve issues, but to take the load off the shoulders sounds amazing to me.
My friend is the creator. I got to play some early versions of these, and the belt style strap let me stand and play when I couldn't do that with conventional straps.
I am a short scale bass player now. Love the feel and sound of my SG. No more hand cramps now that I don't play 34" scale.
I feel your pain, I have damage from carpel tunnel. I also have a short scale for those days that my hands just hurt too much to play the full size.
I have an Eppie eb0, if I had to play a shorty full time I would find a fiver that would suit
good luck, don't give up.
I have an Eppie eb0, if I had to play a shorty full time I would find a fiver that would suit
good luck, don't give up.
Similar issues with injuries are what led me to have my custom P/J with half-fanned frets made, starting with a square nut and fanning forward. This takes pressure off the elbow, wrist and thumb and allows them to naturally come forward as I come up the neck, without pronation, strain or stress. One point to notice is that, just like a tailor, I measured the "C" span of my thumb to forefinger in order to derive a nut width and neck profile that also fit my hand so tendons and nerves stayed as relaxed as possible. Link:
A Different Custom P-style Bass
A Different Custom P-style Bass
Left arm has a hardened Ulner nerve, AKA atrophy. Affects pinkie and ring finger,very painful.
20 years now, I have yet to try a 32 inch scale.
One thing that does help is playing a 5 string low B.
Instead of reaching for a low F or G i.e. my F is 6th fret, G is 8th fret
on the B string. Its not a cure but it helps.
Also a well balanced bass helps, my heaviest bass balances the best.
I have a custom chambered 5 that is my lightest bass and it balances perfectly
and reduces pain.
20 years now, I have yet to try a 32 inch scale.
One thing that does help is playing a 5 string low B.
Instead of reaching for a low F or G i.e. my F is 6th fret, G is 8th fret
on the B string. Its not a cure but it helps.
Also a well balanced bass helps, my heaviest bass balances the best.
I have a custom chambered 5 that is my lightest bass and it balances perfectly
and reduces pain.
I've been WAY too enamored of the Chromasonic to realize that Brad did anything of the sort...damn GAS...
You mentioned modern styled basses and the (EX) Factor bass, so maybe the headless design appeals to you.
If so, there is Status Graphite which is available in 32" with the Bendwell option. I have a 32" status Graphite S3 and enjoy the shorter scale greatly, but they are $$$$$.
Maybe give the new Keisel/Carvin Vader 30" a try?? I myself am most curious about them and they seem to be great value for the buck.
If so, there is Status Graphite which is available in 32" with the Bendwell option. I have a 32" status Graphite S3 and enjoy the shorter scale greatly, but they are $$$$$.
Maybe give the new Keisel/Carvin Vader 30" a try?? I myself am most curious about them and they seem to be great value for the buck.
I find my Jazz bass the worst culprit for aggravating my pain. When seated there is neck dive... due to the offset body lower curve. This makes it play like a 35"+ bass while seated. Other 34"'s play much nicer when seated IMO IME.
I've tried a lap cushion to offset it to right (i.e. feel like a shorter scale) but didn't feel right. Maybe something over the right thigh to "cup" the lower horn might help shift it towards your right, play shorter while seated, but it sat too high.
I've tried classical guitar pose seated. Forget it.
Standing with neck at 45° helps when standing dead still, but is terrible IME when trying move about on stage as the Left hand works even harder to stabilise the bass.
I've got 4 30" basses: the Rob Allen Mouse (6.2lb) and Duesenberg Starplayer (8.4lb) are the best I've come across. Low E is as solid as they come.
For home I LOVE my '67 Fender Coronado II full Hollowbody. It's 6.5lb, slinky 30" neck, slim body only slightly thicker than a slab bass and easier against the ribs (esp when moving around).
I'm yet to try the 32" retrofit neck. I've got 4 fender basses that aren't getting much playing time. Thanks for the tip.
I also have the Takamine B10 that is on a tripod stand that I can play for hours no prob. Much easier than my 3/4 DB. The Mouse gets the most band time, more versatile too.
I've tried a lap cushion to offset it to right (i.e. feel like a shorter scale) but didn't feel right. Maybe something over the right thigh to "cup" the lower horn might help shift it towards your right, play shorter while seated, but it sat too high.
I've tried classical guitar pose seated. Forget it.
Standing with neck at 45° helps when standing dead still, but is terrible IME when trying move about on stage as the Left hand works even harder to stabilise the bass.
I've got 4 30" basses: the Rob Allen Mouse (6.2lb) and Duesenberg Starplayer (8.4lb) are the best I've come across. Low E is as solid as they come.
For home I LOVE my '67 Fender Coronado II full Hollowbody. It's 6.5lb, slinky 30" neck, slim body only slightly thicker than a slab bass and easier against the ribs (esp when moving around).
I'm yet to try the 32" retrofit neck. I've got 4 fender basses that aren't getting much playing time. Thanks for the tip.
I also have the Takamine B10 that is on a tripod stand that I can play for hours no prob. Much easier than my 3/4 DB. The Mouse gets the most band time, more versatile too.
It's an archtop without any f-holes. Sounds fully hollow to me, and knowing Helborg's history with custom acoustic bass guitars, it only makes sense that this one is, too.
If I could afford one, I'm pretty sure it would be my thing. Especially a fretless. I LOVE my full hollowbody bass (not a semi-hollow) and the Taylor AB-1 on loan to me right now. Of course, I also play upright, so...
He also had a history of really heavy basses like his Wal double neck. This goes back a "few" years, but I thought he had a bass like you posted made solid and he mostly sat with it. The bridge pickup was also as close to the bridge as humanly possible to get a very bright sound.
Wow, thanks for all the great responses. Wish I could "like them all". As for my nerve issue it looks to be perhaps permanent. I have had nerve blocks, nerve ablation (burning of the nerves to stop the pain signals), Botox and physical therapy with no help. I live just outside of Chicago and have been to all the University hospitals. I have seen the best and one of the doctors came from mayo clinic and really wants to get me in for at least an appointment. It saddens me to see so many others have pain that effects their playing as well, that's just life right 
We all have to find a way to get by and music is a great distraction and very fulfilling. For now I have been adjust my playing position and using my SB14 as it allow for better positioning. I didn't realize Lowe made a neck conversion and will look into them. I will also try others advice to see if I can get even more relief. Thanks again for so much concern and help from "everyone" who posted!
We all have to find a way to get by and music is a great distraction and very fulfilling. For now I have been adjust my playing position and using my SB14 as it allow for better positioning. I didn't realize Lowe made a neck conversion and will look into them. I will also try others advice to see if I can get even more relief. Thanks again for so much concern and help from "everyone" who posted!
