Tired off fighting my 34"

[groooooove]

i think 33" really should be more popular, especially with 6 strings. i've had two. they were both killers.

 

[Planespotter]

I have a 2 level spinal fusion (C4/5/6) and multiple disk herniations as a result of a car accident many years ago. A majority of my problems are on or around my neck and left shoulder. Getting the lightest bass I could find and stringing it up with extra light strings has helped tremendously. I have a lot of problems with pain and weakness in my left hand and arm, but less weight on the shoulder and lighter strings have helped a ton. All my basses are 34" scale fwiw. I went through a period of about 5 years where I though I was done playing and that's very difficult to deal with, but I'm back at it and glad I kept most of my stuff. Anyways, good luck and try to hang in there!

 

[VoodooJazz]

Before you spend money on a new bass, go see a qualified physical therapist. I had some serious nerve and pain issues in my left arm a couple of years ago, and a short series of visits to a hand therapist got me results akin to magic. I've had no problems since. Based on this experience, I recommend you address your body first, and your axe after that (if necessary). Good luck!

 

[radioface]

My question is, if you are having pain while playing, why not just switch to a different instrument like a piccolo bass, baritone guitar, keyboard bass or maybe even a baritone sax.? If it's me, and I love music that much, I'm switching to another instrument, maybe even a 7 string guitar.

 

[mbelue]

My question is, if you are having pain while playing, why not just switch to a different instrument like a piccolo bass, baritone guitar, keyboard bass or maybe even a baritone sax.? If it's me, and I love music that much, I'm switching to another instrument, maybe even a 7 string guitar.

Maybe he likes..............playing bass.

 

[1954bassman]

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.

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:

So. if you used the same strap, you actually lowered your bass, which is what worked for me.

I have a nerve problem .... Funny thing is my Sterling by Musicman SB14 feels like it's a 33" so I think I will play it more for now.

Could have more to do with fingerboard radius and neck profile.

I quoted these two posts because about three years ago I started experiencing numbness in my left (fretting) hand. At the time I played my bass high with a short strap. I also had a large collection of nice basses.

I switched to EMBB Sterling fives (slimmer neck & smaller body) and a 53" strap. Plus I play four string sometimes. Worked out great for me, numbness gone, and no playing pain.

 

[drakson]

Try alternative treatments, it won't hurt you. Chiropractic, Acupuncture, & Massage. You may also consider a Homeopath, one who uses different homeopath remedies as well as ask about about nutritional supplements at a good Health Food Store. Don't buy the BS sold at big box stores. Last but not least try Yoga.
Yoga has many benefits as far as keeping you body in alignment and there are poses for different areas of the bodies. Don't worry about your age, it is never too late to start. These may benefit you but the main thing is none of the above will hurt you with "side effects" like many drugs and other Medical procedures. It seems like you should have time before you may get into the Mayo Clinic if that is taking a year. If you try Chiropractic I would find one that does Impulse Technique as it is very gentle and can comfortable adjust different areas of the body. For people who may not believe in alternative treatments, I wouldn't listen to them, it is not their body that is hurting. Not ever condition is a Medical Condition and some of these other treatments may benefit you. There is not one profession that can cure or help everything every-time. Just like there is not one bass that can do everything every-time. Good luck to you.

 

[tpa]

Oh, btw. a proper physical excercise program may do magic. It has done so for me.

 

[mongo2]

I've been using shortscales on and off for decades but exclusively for the last several years. More recently I've been using sub-shortscales as well.

I don't currently have a medical reason restricting me, I simply prefer the easier playability of shortscales.

 

[radioface]

Well, he'll just have to send lot's of new bass money, to his surgeon.

 

[Steve Dallman]

Arthritis has chewed through all the discs in my neck and other joints...cervical fusion in '96, constant neck and shoulder pain...

The strap was killing my shoulder. Wide, neoprene, or padded leather did no good.

I bought. A Slinger hip strap over two years ago. It was THE answer. I mount mine with flush mount strap locks, and put the end that would go on the lower horn, below the lower horn, right where the center of balance is. I have 5 basses set up to use it.

Due to advancing arthritis in my hands, stretches are becoming a problem. I can see a short scale conversion (my main bass is a Line 6 Variax) at some time in the future. But my band is reaching it's last year, and I may just stick to playing at church after that.

I'm playing more guitar these days because of the arthritis.

 

[BassHappy]

Arthritis has chewed through all the discs in my neck and other joints...cervical fusion in '96, constant neck and shoulder pain...

The strap was killing my shoulder. Wide, neoprene, or padded leather did no good.

I bought. A Slinger hip strap over two years ago. It was THE answer. I mount mine with flush mount strap locks, and put the end that would go on the lower horn, below the lower horn, right where the center of balance is. I have 5 basses set up to use it.

Due to advancing arthritis in my hands, stretches are becoming a problem. I can see a short scale conversion (my main bass is a Line 6 Variax) at some time in the future. But my band is reaching it's last year, and I may just stick to playing at church after that.

I'm playing more guitar these days because of the arthritis.

Hey Steve

So sorry to hear about your struggles.

Just wanted you to know the Line 6 Variax coffin works with other scale lengths. Happily the tracking is not scale sensitive. If you are addicted to the versatility of the Variax electronics as I am - you can lift them out and transplant them into a new bass of a different scale length. Of course, due to the larger control cavity you will need, customization would be required. However, there are routing templates available and made for this purpose.

The other alternative is to see if the Varaix neck pocket will accept a standard Fender neck. If it does you could be in luck with a Lowe conversion neck. if you want to give medium scale a spin, you can bolt on the Lowe conversion neck as long as it fits the pocket - and be on your way with no other alterations to the instrument. The frets on the conversion neck compensate so the bridge doesn't need to be moved.

So you know, I did a Variax transplant into a medium scale Viola Bass (check my avatar) and it works perfectly.

 

[Steve Dallman]

Hey Steve

So sorry to hear about your struggles.

Just wanted you to know the Line 6 Variax coffin works with other scale lengths. Happily the tracking is not scale sensitive. If you are addicted to the versatility of the Variax electronics as I am - you can lift them out and transplant them into a new bass of a different scale length. Of course, due to the larger control cavity you will need, customization would be required. However, there are routing templates available and made for this purpose.

The other alternative is to see if the Varaix neck pocket will accept a standard Fender neck. If it does you could be in luck with a Lowe conversion neck. if you want to give medium scale a spin, you can bolt on the Lowe conversion neck as long as it fits the pocket - and be on your way with no other alterations to the instrument. The frets on the conversion neck compensate so the bridge doesn't need to be moved.

So you know, I did a Variax transplant into a medium scale Viola Bass (check my avatar) and it works perfectly.

I have looked with great interest hour violin bass project. I'd likely build a shorter scale neck. A.transplant might be fun. I was a.Line 6 tech for a few years.

 

[BassHappy]

I have looked with great interest hour violin bass project. I'd likely build a shorter scale neck. A.transplant might be fun. I was a.Line 6 tech for a few years.

Good luck whichever way you decide to go!

All the best to you and happy holidays!

 

[canuckshort]

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.

I've seen that video, I'm pretty sure that you can order those as he is having them built and at a fairly reasonable price Link Removed. Good luck and I hope the nerve pain is only a temporary.

 

[Shortie]

I have a nerve problem

Played big 5's for years - Lakland, G&L, J5. About a year ago I started having a lot of pain in my hands, arms and shoulders (I'm 65 - strong long arms, strong hands but they're fairly small and I'm not that tall - 5'8) . Doctors said arthritis and tendonitis - stress related from playing. I stopped playing for 2 weeks to recover a bit. In the interim I got itchy to play so I tried messing around with a Hofner I have over here. No, it didn't sound like my Lakland 5502 but I could play it with no pain.

You can see my lineup now in my avatar and album. I still have a J5 (can't play it for more than 15 minutes) but I sold the rest off, and a 2015 Gibson SG is now my go-to. It's been a big adjustment - short scales are a different animal especially since I'd been playing mostly 5s for a long time - so I've had to do some wood-shedding, but being able to play in comfort is worth it. SG has a reputation for being very muddy but with some patience and a good amp it's not necessarily so - feel is great. I have the stock strings on it but I'll probably change them to bright flats soon.

BTW, Warwick has a medium scale line - 32 inches - even a 5 - hard to find somebody who stocks them in the USA, but they make them - even low end models - $600 or $700. Check their website.