Evil Undead

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331040485' post='1566671'] Sounds about right to me. Do you press very hard on the strings? [/quote] I try to play with my thumb off the back of the neck, so it's just floating about. *try* to, that is. I think I mostly succeed, but when I do put my thumb down I think I do grip a bit.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331038929' post='1566633'] Where are your mouse, keyboard and monitor positioned? Or do you use a laptop only for long periods? [/quote] Right in front of me. Well, with enough space to rest my hands in front. And the mouse is right next to it. Both have the squidgy rests in front. Been through all this with an "H&S" inspector at work, and he insisted that all is well in that respect.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330985263' post='1565971'] I don't know about the wood I'm afraid. However having a new neck made and tailored to you (possibly shorter scale) is worth looking into if you really like the sound. Regarding the dive what type of strap are you currently using? [/quote] I'm using a wide padded leather strap. [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1330986053' post='1565999'] Point one. Don't f*** with the Warwick neck. They are that thickness for a reason and they have shallowed recently due to some sort of technological advance they say. I have the very neck you describe and it is a little thick, but I think thicker necks are generally more ergonomic. There are some VERY small women who play bass, and upright bass, although, played properly, upright is more ergonomic due to the reduced flexion of the wrist, and less ulnar deviation. The thing is, as I posted much earlier, you don't appear to have considered that other activities may be the root cause of your problem and any diagnosis on here will be completely hit or miss, which means if you are relying on it, or you own, you are putting yourself at risk of making the problem worse. Go an see a bloody doctor! x [/quote] I work at a desk but I'm careful not to put strain on my hands and wrists while I'm typing. And I'm an iPhone user... But the only time I have any discomfort is when playing bass. [quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1330986975' post='1566024'] See my thread about Wrist Rehab. I f*****d up and now have a long term problem. See a doctor, listen to their advice and then worry about how to continue playing. At that point new necks, straps etc become relevant, at the moment you're pissing in the wind because you don't know what the problem is! Steve [/quote] The reason I'm not seeing a doctor is because I've seen them before about my wrists. I've had x-rays, MRI's, seen GP's and orthopaedic consultants, and no one has been able to sort the problem out. So I very much feel like I'm wasting my time if I go back to see them. [quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1330988217' post='1566050'] I wouldn't tamper with the neck. Said it before but, strap height. try setting your strap so when sitting down the bass is just resting on your leg (sitting straight) so when you stand there is no variation in your wrist etc from when sitting. As Scott Divine said, a bass hung really low may look 'cool', but you are looking at wrist and back problems, at least long term [/quote] I don't hang my bass low - I've never been accused of being cool! I've messed with the strap height and nothing seems to help. The only thing that really helps is angling my bass so the headstock is nearer to my head, but then I have to hold the neck up, causing my arm and hand to ache. Not only does having the bass angled upwards bring the lower frets closer to me, it saves me having to twist my wrist around so much. Palm is facing towards me rather than straight up, which is a much more comfortable angle. Can't remember whether I mentioned, but I did some experimenting with masking tape last night to see whether moving the strap button would help, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I'm currently using Rotosound RB40 on my $$ but it really depends on the bass. I like Chromes on a P bass, and Elixir on my old Ibanez.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330976788' post='1565738'] Is it worth saving for a bit and seeing about either getting the neck reshaped by a luthier or getting a neck similar to your ibby made for your $$? [/quote] It's worth considering. I've read somewhere that ovangkol isn't the most stable neck wood (which is why it's so much fatter than the wenge ones) so would having it thinned/reshaped cause any problems along those lines? Also, having messed around with the bass most of the weekend and all day, I'm thinking it's more a combination of the balance, the neck thickness, and me just generally being short and not having the arm-span of you blokes!

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330967918' post='1565527'] Just a thought, why not add an additional strap button instead of moving it? [/quote] I did some testing earlier with some masking tape - moved the strap around where I thought the strap buttons could go, and tried out the balance - no difference at all. I was playing it for two hours at band practice last night, and I've been playing it on and off all afternoon to see if I could get comfortable with it but I can't. Dammit. I'll be gutted if I have to sell it on and buy another SR505 (Flex knows how much I love this bass, haha!) but I've already got problems with my wrists (as well as my back) and can't afford to make things worse.

I think I've figured out the problem. I was thinking about it this morning and realised I didn't have this problem at all when I had my Ibanez SR505 which had great balance. So I started to play my $$ and realised that the neck dives quite a bit, and it naturally wants to make itself horizontal. Looks like I might have to move the lower strap button (which scares the living $h!t out of me as I'm not terribly handy with a drill). The only other option is to move the $$ on and buy another SR505, which I don't really wanna do.

Thank you for the replies. So you guys think it's more likely to be a technique problem than the size of the neck? I just assumed it was the neck as it's very chunky. The bass does neck dive a little - could this be part of the problem? Doesn't dive to the floor but seems to automatically try to make itself horizontal.

Update I've raised my bass strap almost to geek proportions and it's helped a bit - it's helped a lot up past the 5th fret but I'm still having trouble down the lower end. I've tried tilting my bass so the headstock is nearer to my head but it doesn't tilt up far enough. The corvette's upper horn combined with not being exactly small up top doesn't help with that area.

[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1330499130' post='1558298'] She can't. She has nowhere to run to, baby, no place to hide. [/quote]

thanks for all the advice guys (about both topics haha!) I'm looking at the position of my bass strap and my left hand technique (when playing bass that is) Hopefully I'll figure something out

[quote name='Dave Tipping' timestamp='1330298359' post='1555514'] .. is nobody else going to say it?? [/quote] Say what?

I keep getting an achy pain in my left wrist when I play bass, which is bothering me a bit. I think my technique is ok (watched countless YouTube videos on technique and don't seem to be doing anything wrong) I'm wondering if the neck on my bass could be causing the problem? It's a Warwick corvette $$ - has the jazz nut width but a pretty fat profile. Or do I just need to practice more and build up some strength in my wrist?