Having trouble...

[Evil Undead]

I've been having trouble with my hands and wrists for a few years now, recurring tendonitis, ligament strains, a ganglion, etc. I have over the last couple of months started to lose feeling in my pinky on my fretting hand. Can't play on wide necks, can't play on huge necks, and can barely fret the notes properly unless the action is around 1-1.2mm.

In addition to this, my back is knackered, I have a shoulder than crunches ominously, and a hip that still plays up from a bone marrow biopsy about 20 years ago.

So I find that I can't play as much as I used to. Left my band back in Jan/Feb, took a break for a while and sold my lovely Fender Precision because I got wrist pain when playing on the E string due to the wide nut. Picked up an Ibanez soundgear 4 string. Which is a nice bass, super low action, but I'm still having trouble playing without either pain or numbness.

I joined another band quite recently but 4 or 5 practices in and I had to give it up again.

I don't want to stop playing altogether as I love playing bass more than anything.... should I just persevere and hope my physical problems don't worsen? Would switching to a Mustang bass help? Nice short scale and thin but but deeper profile.

Would love to hear any advice or other peoples experiences.

[discreet]

'Playing through the pain' would be a mistake. Your body is trying to tell you something. Have a look at this:

[url="http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html"]http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html[/url]

HTH.

[stjohn]

Get a danelectro!
Seriously tho. A mate of mine had a similar thing. He used a short scale for a year and got a hell of a lot better.

[CPBass]

Ive recently had to give up gigging because of health issues and its been very difficult to adjust. Ive tried selling gear but I really dont want anything to go so I decided to hang on to stuff.

Anyway, my point here is that I suffered the old hand issues and also had big problems with Tennis Elbow (outer arm) and Golfers Elbow (inner arm). I was taking anti inflammatories before gigs etc. It was horrible.
After years of suffering and seeking treatments etc my GP suggested Accupuncture. He had just done a course on it and wanted to try it on me. It worked!!! 4 Sessions and I was playing like John Entwistle (he he) but seriously, the arms and hands healed perfectly.

It doesn't hurt and I had 3 needles:
1) Forearm
2) Side of Hands
3) Elbow

Try it. It was a bit of a miracle for me. It may be for you too. There must be practitioners in your area, may be worth giving them a bell and finding out.

Hope it helps.

[Coilte]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1380465153' post='2225641']
'Playing through the pain' would be a mistake. Your body is trying to tell you something.
[/quote]

+1. My advice would be to get the advice of a doctor or physiotherapest before playing again.
If/when you get the go ahead to proceed, perhaps you should revisit your technique. IMO it is unlikely that
while the precision neck might be uncomfortable to play, I doubt that this in itself caused your wrist problem.


Heres hoping that you get back to painless playing ASAP !!

Edited September 29, 2013 by Coilte

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[gary mac]

Sorry to hear you are suffering Mel.

Hope you can get sorted.

[martthebass]

Being (just) the wrong side of 50 I get numerous shoulder, wrist and elbow issues after 30 years plus of playing. When its at its worst I move on to my Status because it's lightweight and I can place the neck to where it feels most comfortable and it stays there.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Lots of good advice here already . What can I add? Well , for your back - Pilates . For both of your issues, then a physio . Basswise, short scale or headless.
Having said that, I've been playing with my vester fretless(copy of warwick) and it feels very light and great.

One other thing; I hope you have got the bass. set so that you have it the same height standing as well as sitting. (Checkout billy Sheehan ), and not like Peter hook.
Hope it helps

[Evil Undead]

My Ibanez is very lightweight at just over 7lbs, and the neck is very thin and easy to move about.

I've got a doctors appointment next Saturday, but I guess I should start thinking about moving to short scale. I'm gonna be selling off most of my gear so will have some cash from that.

What do you lot think of these two? There aren't any music shops around here that stock short scales so I'd have to purchase "blind"

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=05071310103518

http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvette_short_scale_bk_aktive.htm

[discreet]

And I finally realised your quote is from 'Psychoville'.

Edited September 29, 2013 by discreet

[discreet]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1380472273' post='2225773']
What do you lot think of these two?
[url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=05071310103518"]http://www.guitargui...=05071310103518[/url]
[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvette_short_scale_bk_aktive.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...e_bk_aktive.htm[/url]
[/quote]

They're both nice, particularly the Warwick. The Squier VM Mustang is well-regarded, too:
Check out the reviews.
[url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/squier-vintage-modified-mustang-bass-guitar"]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/squier-vintage-modified-mustang-bass-guitar[/url]

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1380472273' post='2225773']
My Ibanez is very lightweight at just over 7lbs, and the neck is very thin and easy to move about.

I've got a doctors appointment next Saturday, but I guess I should start thinking about moving to short scale. I'm gonna be selling off most of my gear so will have some cash from that.

What do you lot think of these two? There aren't any music shops around here that stock short scales so I'd have to purchase "blind"

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=05071310103518

http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_corvette_short_scale_bk_aktive.htm
[/quote]

Mmm, they both look great. I'm sure there were mustangs being for sale on here. Have you thought about putting a wanted ad here first?

[uncle psychosis]

As well as seeing a doctor and a physio, try seeing a good bass teacher for a few lessons too. If your technique isn't quite right that could explain a lot.

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1380472372' post='2225777']
And I finally realised your quote is from 'Psychoville'.
[/quote]

[pietruszka]

I second the chiropractor option. I use one and she's excellent, Estelle and nothing is a bother, no question too stupid. My kind of person! I have a row of ganglions in my left hand, her advise? Massage your hands regularly and they should calm down, they shouldn't cause any bother and you shouldn't worry about them. They can be operated on but they have to be pretty bad for it to get to that stage! She keeps my posture in check and always give me certain stretchs to do and such. I'm encouraged to climb to keep my strength up, this helps my shoulders as I slightly seperated one of them in a BMX crash 9/10 years ago. Keeping the weight towards the heels when playing really helps to.

They're not cheap, but if you can afford it, go. What will make a huge difference is to increase your water intake throughout the day.



Dan

[Evil Undead]

I'm wondering if the extreme skinniness of my Ibanez neck isn't causing me so trouble as well. As the neck does tend to make my hand cramp up a bit after a little while.

Are there any necks out there that are a jazz width, but deeper profile than the Ibanez?

How's the mustang neck profile?

I don't know why but I feel a little reluctant to go short scale. Are they not terribly cramped up the top end?

[pietruszka]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1380473816' post='2225829']
I'm wondering if the extreme skinniness of my Ibanez neck isn't causing me so trouble as well. As the neck does tend to make my hand cramp up a bit after a little while.

Are there any necks out there that are a jazz width, but deeper profile than the Ibanez?

How's the mustang neck profile?

I don't know why but I feel a little reluctant to go short scale. Are they not terribly cramped up the top end?
[/quote]
I can't comment on the mustang neck, but a neck has never made that much of a difference to play on for me. Ok, some are just a bit bulky, but over all, the action height has made more of a difference. The easier it is to fret a string the less energy you have to use. As for short scale, do you play up the top end a lot? Enough to warrant being put off? If it'll make life more comfortable then go for it, I'm sure there's a music shop with one in stock near you.




Dan

[icastle]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1380473816' post='2225829']
I'm wondering if the extreme skinniness of my Ibanez neck isn't causing me so trouble as well. As the neck does tend to make my hand cramp up a bit after a little while.
[/quote]

Stroke it, don't strangle it.

[Grangur]

I seem to remember from another thread, you use amazingly fat strings. The fatter the strings; the harder you need to press down on the frets to bend the strings.

Sorry to say this Mel, but this too could cause you problems. You'd do well to try to use thinner strings.

Good luck

Richard

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1380484914' post='2226066']


Stroke it, don't strangle it.
[/quote]

That's what he said

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1380485316' post='2226080']
I seem to remember from another thread, you use amazingly fat strings. The fatter the strings; the harder you need to press down on the frets to bend the strings.

Sorry to say this Mel, but this too could cause you problems. You'd do well to try to use thinner strings.

Good luck

Richard
[/quote]

I usually use 45-105 (elixirs). Are they considered heavy gauge?

[discreet]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1380484914' post='2226066']
Stroke it, don't strangle it.
[/quote]

Excellent advice!

[White Cloud]

Have you considered hypnotherapy? It is a VERY POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE treatment for chronic pain.

Physio/Chiro = well worth a go. Doctors = pain killers.

[LiamPodmore]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1380487749' post='2226143']
I usually use 45-105 (elixirs). Are they considered heavy gauge?
[/quote]

They aren't considered that heavy (IMO anyway) but I find that Elixirs do have a higher tension/lower compliance than others for the same string gauges. Maybe try one of the 45-100 or even 40-95 sets?

Liam