Do I need a short one?

[Bassman Sam]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and 3 the last 3-4 months I have been pain free ( due to an injection in the wrist) and am playing for around 30-45 minutes a day. I use a '57 RI P bass but I find that I can't stretch my fingers too well to cover 4 frets on one string. I was thinking of going for a short scale jobbie to see if this will help.

Can anyone suggest a good one, not to heavy either?

[geoffbyrne]

I've just bought a 29.5" bass from Thomann.de for £55 as a 'travel bass'. If you are passing by Loughborough you are welcome to pop in & give it a try.

G.

[Bassman Sam]

Thanks guys, I think I'll go and do the rounds of the Manchester music stores and choke a few necks to see if any fit the bill.

[chris_b]

Change your technique. Don't stretch, move your hand to get your fingers to the right place.

[derrenleepoole]

I made the move to short scale and have never regretted it. Not really for any other reason than it's far more comfortable, and my back thanks me for it But like others have said, shop around and try out basses first. You may actually dislike short scale as someone people can't get their heads around the feel etc.

[fatback]

[quote name='chris_b' post='994871' date='Oct 20 2010, 02:42 PM']Change your technique. Don't stretch, move your hand to get your fingers to the right place.[/quote]

+1

The double bass Simandl technique is the one.

[Bassman Sam]

[quote name='fatback' post='995107' date='Oct 20 2010, 05:16 PM']+1

The double bass Simandl technique is the one.[/quote]
Thanks for the tip, I googled it and now am going to give this a shot. I have just started using finger style as I always used a pick so it another challenge and a new learning curve to test me. Lets see how the wrists hold out, If you get my drift.

[Shambo]

I bought a short scale a couple of months ago because I was having a similar problem, but it ended up spending long periods sitting in my living room with a hat on it whilst I carried on playing my familiar Jazz. So I got rid after promising myself I'd explore the 5 string option to alleviate the incredibly tedious yet painful, "Peter Gunn R.S.I.©"