endorka Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Subject says it all! I usually play the bass guitar for over two hours a day, and over time have developed pains around the neck / shoulder area. Because of this I've recently been favouring my light four string bass, but it doesn't make much difference. If I use my knee to support the instrument rather than the shoulder strap, my neck stops hurting. I'd prefer to sort this out before it gets too severe, just wondered if anyone has any experience of alternatives to the traditional guitar strap? Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Iwould go for a comfort strap. I think the bass gallery in camden stock them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monckyman Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Generally, the wider the better. Spreads the load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Do you already use a wide strap? I find some of the comfort straps can get a bit sticky and sweaty after a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 For standard types of straps you can get very wide ones with neoprene padding such as "Comfort Strapp" or "Brooklyn Gear" - [url="http://www.comfortstrapp.com/products.htm"]http://www.comfortstrapp.com/products.htm[/url] [url="http://www.brooklyngear.com/perfstrap.php"]http://www.brooklyngear.com/perfstrap.php[/url] There's also a kind of harness available from Dare Straps [url="http://www.darestrap.com/guitar.html"]http://www.darestrap.com/guitar.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 The ones I have tried are as follows: Mono strap - was quite comfy but I didn't really care for the metal bits, seems to me like it might ding the top your bass if it fell on it. Neotech mega strap - I really like this one - it certainly takes the sting out of my 12lb Victory Artist. I used to have it on my Epiphone Les Paul Standard bass, another fairly substantial beast, and it was also excellent at combating neck dive. Mono:http://www.monocase.com/mono-gs1-betty.asp [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/5425-mono_gs1_sharkskin_guitar_strap_in_black"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/54..._strap_in_black[/url] Neotech: [url="http://neotechstraps.com/mega-strap.html"]http://neotechstraps.com/mega-strap.html[/url] [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/neotech-mega-ax-strap-extra-wide-heavy-duty-guitar-strap--52740"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/neotech-mega-...ar-strap--52740[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I'd say a strap is part of the solution. Bad posture and being unfit may also contribute to bad neck and back problems - especially later in life. I know this cos i get (got) the same issues. Stretching - warm up exercises and Yoga/Pilates are good. I have been doing Pilates for a few weeks and it has really helped already. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Well, I'm having my bass on my shoulders usually for over 4 hours a day and I'm using Comfort Strapp, but it doesn't seem to help - I'm also experiencing pains in neck/shoulder area.. But then, got to add, it might not be caused by bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 (edited) Seems this problem has two parts. As said above, the wider strap will spread the load better. However, that won't help your shoulder / upper trunk / neck if a problem does develop. Once discomfort does set in, try the following (unless you are aware of reasons why you shouldn't do these movements, such as medical problems etc); 1. lower your shoulders is if reaching into really deep pockets and hold them there for a few minutes. Don't hold them down 'hard' as if going for the max, just try and let them drop over 10 - 20 seconds and let them sit there. Repeat this throughout the day when you think about it, it's amazing how the shoulders just creep up to join the ears all by themselves while you're not looking. This is also part of a larger issue involving posture. A physio can help with this, as could a session with someone from BAPAM. Also, Alexander Technique practitioners look closely at posture and can help with this too. 2. There is also the do it yourself method of using a massage machine to loosen things up if the muscles go tight and your own massage with the hand of the opposite side doesn't help. If it's a recurrent problem, it may well be worth having someone professional look at it. Hope that helps J T Edited May 30, 2011 by essexbasscat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Hey Jennifer. I also used to have this problem until someone mentioned Harvest to me. Fantastic leather straps available in different leather and lengths but all wide enough to take the weight of the bass off your shoulder. [url="http://www.harvest-guitar.com/en/Straps-for-Guitar-and-Bass/Strap-short-adjustable-from-102-127-cm/"]Harvest Fine Leather Straps[/url] It's an alternative to the more modern neotech etc and might raise issues if you're a veggie... if not, then I cannot recommend them enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pantherairsoft Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Another Vote here for the comfort Strapp. Very very good. Seems to make the bass feel about 25% lighter. I have one currently unused, I'll need it in the long run, but am happy to post it to you so you can use it for a week or so and send it back when you know if it works for you or not. Drop me a PM of that'd help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Wrap an old shirt round your strap when practising and just brave it live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Comfort straps are good, as are wide soft leather. Another thing is getting the length right, for both standing and sitting - straps with an easy slide adjustment enable you to experiment and get it just right, but the leather ones can take a bit more fiddling. Its worth a good fiddle every now and then, just to make sure its adjusted for comfort rather than being how you set it in a hurry two years ago. I try and set a strap so that the bass is in pretty much the same position, whether I'm sitting or standing. This isn't the same from one bass to another (body design, strap button positions etc) so I try to have a strap for each bass, and keep them together. For sitting, I want the bass on my leg, but with the strap taking some of the weight and helping to keep the bass still. Takes some time to get it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endorka Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 Thank you for all these considered replies, this is obviously not an uncommon complaint! Essex, I think you are onto something with the shoulders creeping up: I've noticed when running that quite often after 4 kilometres or so my right shoulder sometimes starts to ache. I suspected that this was because I was holding it up in the way you mention while running, and making a conscious effort not to do this has helped avoid the ache coming on. I have no doubt I am doing something similar when playing bass guitar. I think I shall investigate the benefits of the comfort strapp. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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