Uncomfortable bass.

[loldrummer]

Hey there!
I am new to bass, I've been teaching myself for about a month now and I have a problem xD. When I play my bass while sitting down (I have a Fender Squier J Bass), It starts to hurt my leg/Lap.
I don't know why it does it, But what I noticed, Is that my bass is Quite heavier then my friend's Basses.

What do you think I should do? What's the cause of it?
Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[bassbully]

Get a strap.

 

[HeadyVan Halen]

Do some squats.

 

[MonetBass]

Get a strap.

Ha!

Or:
1. Move the bass onto a different part of your leg/lap
2. Change your sitting position
3. Sit on something different

Any or all of these will help. That Squier Jazz can't be more than 9 lbs., which isn't relatively heavy.

 

[Immigrant]

I have that same issue with basses that have a skinny lower edge- because I'm a gimp and my legs have no meat on my thigh.

If I made myself ride my recumbent exercise bike more, it would be more pleasant playing while sitting.

So, 20 minutes a day on an exercise bike should do it.

 

[msb3671]

Posture maybe? Are ya slouching over on yer bass like I do? I'll put my right leg to sleep sometimes. Sit up straight young man! Seriously, it helps. Better breathing too.

Or get a short strap for sitting. Transfer that weight/pain to your back.

Rub some dirt on it! Walk it off! Take a lap!

 

[aquanaut]

What are you sitting on? For me it's much easier to use a tallish stool or relatively high chair as opposed to a low cushy sofa. You can rest the body along the side of your thigh instead of on top of it. Strap optional. Re the weight, could be just a denser piece of wood. Every one is unique after all.

 

[nostatic]

Hey there!
I am new to bass, I've been teaching myself for about a month now and I have a problem

---

What do you think I should do? What's the cause of it?
Thanks a lot for the help.

You should find a good teacher. Bad technique/posture habits can be incredibly hard to break.

 

[Lee H]

how about laying a piece of leather across your leg, as a guard?

 

[XBASSX]

Get a strap.

+ 1

If you use a strap even while sitting down you can shift the weight from your leg.

Maybe get a lighter bass.

Another option, but I don't recommend it is do what this old guy did with his 1956 P bass - for sale on eBay. (It's such a shame that the original owner did this to such a beautiful vintage instrument)

1956 Fender Precision Bass Vintage Sunburst Tone&Mojo! | eBay

 

[sloppy_phil]

Another option, but I don't recommend it is do what this old guy did with his 1956 P bass - for sale on eBay. (It's such a shame that the original owner did this to such a beautiful vintage instrument)

1956 Fender Precision Bass Vintage Sunburst Tone&Mojo! | eBay

Man, that's a terrible thing to do to an old instrument like that! but it was done in such a considerable way that I'm kind of impressed

 

[makkE]

Stand up while playing. It's the stance you will be playing your music on rehearsals and gigs anyways. Plus, you can dance and move around more

I honestly can't understand when people sit down to play, I always found it uncomfortable.

 

[msb3671]

Stand up while playing. It's the stance you will be playing your music on rehearsals and gigs anyways. Plus, you can dance and move around more

+1 on the moving. Even if just a sway, it always helps my groove.

 

[loldrummer]

Sorry for this really late response.. But it continues to hurt :/.
I really like to sit while Practicing at me home so that's why I like sitting while playing bass and also, It really continues to hurt but I don't want to give up on my Bass (Fender Squier J bass) I really love it and it will be hard for me to sell.. I hate selling things especially that I really like, Trust me :/.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Get a strap.

This. I always use a strap when sitting. Just adjust the strap to it's at sitting height and it will support the bass and get the weight off your leg.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Try to play a Cort Axe bass while seated and you'll realize how comfortable is your Squier.

 

[Setebos]

Dont put much pressure over your leg with the Cort Axe Alvaro, you might cut your leg off.

To the OP; as many have said, use a strap in a way that the bass is hanging from there while you are sit and does not put weight over your leg. Of course if you are used to use a long strap while playing your gigs and you dont want to change this fact. Then a tall stool can help too. You can set your leg straight enough so that the bass wont be resting it's lower edge on your leg.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Of course if you are used to use a long strap while playing your gigs and you dont want to change this fact. ...

That's also not a good habit to get into. You don't want it as high as a bib, but if your bass is too low you will be angling your fretting wrist at a poor angle and can injure yourself in the long run.

 

[krstko]

atleast you can play while sitting ..I have a V bass and I can only play standing -> I hate it

 

[Setebos]

SGD Lutherie
Quote:
Originally Posted by Setebos View Post
Of course if you are used to use a long strap while playing your gigs and you dont want to change this fact. ...
That's also not a good habit to get into. You don't want it as high as a bib, but if your bass is too low you will be angling your fretting wrist at a poor angle and can injure yourself in the long run.

Not a good habit indeed but some people play like that and they dont want to change it or at least they never do until they start experiencing pain or tendinitis so that was another option for him if this was his case.