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Backache - I may need something lighter


geoham
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I've been having a bit of lower back pain recently, and suspect playing bass may be responsible. I've been gigging with my Lakland 55-01 recently. I don't know how much it weighs, but it's definitely heavier than both my Fenders.

I took my Fender J to a rehearsal this week and will gig with it on Saturday just to see if it has any impact. (I've been gigging and rehearsing every week with the 55-01 for the past while)

I love the bass, but I suspect it may have to go if I can rid myself of backache using my four string basses. I really hope this not to be the case, since I love this bass!

So, to get to my point... is anyone aware of a modern, versitile, lightweight five string bass? I really quite missed the B string the other night! Another caveat is that I like the 35 inch scale and wide string spacing. (I realise I may be asking too much!)


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This: http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail17.php?year=2017&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=67&color=CL01

I personally[i] love[/i] the tone of the big Nordstrand PUPs and I suspect you won't find an easier to play neck. But it's 34" and not 35".

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The 55-01 will be somewhere in the high 9 lbs, or could even be more than10 lbs. They are heavy basses.

You can get 5ers in the 8 - 9 lbs range if you look hard enough. My Mike Lull P bass is 8 1/2 lbs and is a great sounding and playing bass. Brother Jones is selling a Mike Lull M5V Jazz which comes in a less than 9 lbs. This is a great sounding bass.

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/311020-mike-lull-m5v-bursttortrw/page__fromsearch__1

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This may be slightly off topic but I have blamed lower back pain on certain basses in the recent past, and then I found that the actual cause of the pain was work stress combined with a lack of sleep. I'm not suggesting this is the case here, but for me physical and mental health has a huge impact on how my body feels. If i'm stressed and overworked I get all sorts of weird aches and pains. The joys of being self employed..

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Thanks for the advice and recommendations! Lot of pretty awesome looking basses there!

Definitely a few things to think about too. I definitely could be fitter, though I've always considered myself to be strong. (I'm always the guy to lift the PA speakers or heavy box!)

Work stress and lack of could be an issue too... just at the tail end of a 4 year Finance/ IT project at work that's been tough going, plus the fact that I'm also gigging more that I ever have too. The joys of being an adult AND a musician!

I have a few weeks off gigging now, so I'll see how my back does. I'll run with a Fender four string for a while before splashing out too.

Cheers,

George

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[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1504802731' post='3367465']
This may be slightly off topic but I have blamed lower back pain on certain basses in the recent past, and then I found that the actual cause of the pain was work stress combined with a lack of sleep. I'm not suggesting this is the case here, but for me physical and mental health has a huge impact on how my body feels. If i'm stressed and overworked I get all sorts of weird aches and pains. The joys of being self employed..
[/quote]I was also thinking that the cause might not be your bass. Your back doesn't necessarily get painful at the time it's being abused. Got any Trace Elliot gear? ;)

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[quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1504816808' post='3367606']
I was also thinking that the cause might not be your bass. Your back doesn't necessarily get painful at the time it's being abused. Got any Trace Elliot gear? ;)
[/quote]
I don't get too much pain when I'm playing, it's more so the day after. I've never had an Trace Elliot gear, but I got rid of my Ashdown stuff in favour of TC Electronic for a reason!

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Like someone else said earlier, I would be looking at solutions to the back pain other than simply swapping basses. I suffer with my back but my wife is a physio and gave me really simple excercises to do to help when I get pain but also to do as a preventative measure.

Go and see someone before you sell a bass and possibly spend a lot of money on a new one. It might be something you can remedy simply with excercise. It's got very little to do with your overall strength in a lot of cases, I can lift PA speakers and lug around heavy stuff, but sometimes my back is just triggered by sitting badly at a computer and once bending down to tie my shoelace.

Go see a physio would be my advice from a fellow bad back sufferer.

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I'd also be looking at strengthening your back. I do Pilates, which is starting to show results.

But even if you're another Geoff Capes I still don't see the point in carrying a boat anchor around when you don't have to.

This is a 2 pronged issue and you should be getting stronger and finding the best light weight bass you can.

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I had back issues over a number of years , turned out I fractured it in a fall which I only discovered after a scan for other issues

Anyway , physio really helped me learn how to strengthen the muscles and about standing postions for long periods such as playing

I also think strap type makes a massive difference with a heavier bass

You might already know the above but good luck

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[quote name='geoham' timestamp='1504799121' post='3367432']
I've been having a bit of lower back pain recently, and suspect playing bass may be responsible. I've been gigging with my Lakland 55-01 recently. I don't know how much it weighs, but it's definitely heavier than both my Fenders.

I took my Fender J to a rehearsal this week and will gig with it on Saturday just to see if it has any impact. (I've been gigging and rehearsing every week with the 55-01 for the past while)

I love the bass, but I suspect it may have to go if I can rid myself of backache using my four string basses. I really hope this not to be the case, since I love this bass!

So, to get to my point... is anyone aware of a modern, versitile, lightweight five string bass? I really quite missed the B string the other night! Another caveat is that I like the 35 inch scale and wide string spacing. (I realise I may be asking too much!)
[/quote]

Is it pain or a bad ache? Could it be your body adjusting to a slightly different posture with the recent change of bass? Sometimes a period of adjustment is required during which there may be discomfort. If it's actual pain, seek medical advice.

It would seem unfair on yourself if you let go of the Lakland over a mere physical adjustment issue.

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[quote name='Al Krow' timestamp='1504799894' post='3367441']
This: [url="http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail17.php?year=2017&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=51&data_id=67&color=CL01"]http://www.ibanez.co...d=67&color=CL01[/url]

I personally[i] love[/i] the tone of the big Nordstrand PUPs and I suspect you won't find an easier to play neck. But it's 34" and not 35".
[/quote]

I agree, alternatively a high end Bass Collection or what about a newer BTB if you want 35" scale. They are also pretty lightwieght (or at least mine is). The Prestige and some of the high end premium Ibanez have different pup and pre-amp combo's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2osFbwuOyEE

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[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1504855503' post='3367757']
Was chatting to a friend about back pain and his was caused by something very serious indeed. My new advice is go to the Dr :)
[/quote]

I've only had this for a couple of weeks - There's a bit of a correlation in that it's at its worst the day after a gig or rehearsal then gets better for a day or two afterwards. I know that speaking to a doctor would be best - I think I'll get something booked soon if this doesn't go away!

Cheers,

George

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[quote name='Steve Browning' timestamp='1504862077' post='3367806']
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242967-south-east-bass-bash-no8-surrey-saturday-1st-november-2014/page__st__210"]http://basschat.co.u...4/page__st__210[/url]

This was an excellent talk at the SE Bash in 2014. I've remembered all of the exercises but must confess I haven't A-framed for a while. Well worth a look.
[/quote]

You have to be vigilant when A-framing wearing your Y-fronts.

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Posture and strap length. Put you bass on and stand in front of a full length mirror and see if you look natural. If you go to a physio or Osteopath, take you bass with you so that they and see if that is causing your problems.

Also if you tend to stand still and play try moving around a bit.

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