Why do I resist?!

[Bolo]

Dig in to the huge variety of shortscale basses and see what triggers your GAS. There are so many wild designs that people will only envy you for playing something unique (ish)

[Telebass]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1387917809' post='2317262']
My GP says it's an ulnar nerve issue but doesn't seem willing to offer a solution
[/quote]
Then you need a new GP, not just a new bass!

[Big_Stu]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1387952190' post='2317461']
Big_Stu that's really interesting. I might print your reply off and take it to a chiropractor, with your permission.
[/quote]

No problem, don't know if it's relevant but I've always seen a sports physio, they seem to have wider experience.

Edit: I've also had RSI cured by a physio where my GP wanted to operate on my elbow. The physio (different one to the neck trapped nerve) said that the RSI was caused by three tendons in my fore-arm fusing together due to too much bass practise. Using her fingers deep between my arm muscles she separated them. Yes, it was painful, but as both of the physios said, "it's a damn site better than being cut open & often having symptoms operated on rather than the cause".

Edited December 25, 2013 by Big_Stu

[JapanAxe]

I'll limit myself to the bass issue rather than the medical issue, as I have neither experience nor qualifications regarding the latter.

I have recently added a Pawn Shop Mustang to my small collection, and as far as I am concerned it is just as valid as my long scale basses. The 34" scale length came from an arbitrary decision by Leo Fender as to what would work on a a solid fretted bass guitar. It is not written in stone. Fair enough it does work, but so does 30".

A short scale bass may be 'easier' to play in the sense that less left-hand stretching is required, and the tension is less for a given string gauge, but it also presents a much smaller area for the left hand to work on, and therefore can feel a bit cramped.

I bought the Mustang because it plays well and sounds great, in an old school Precision sort of way. And it looks as cools as an eskimo's fridge. It is another option, a different flavour. If you like it, go for it.

[lojo]

If you can make it make the right noises then any judging won't be able that, surely that's all you need to worry about

[gary mac]

Mel, just play what is comfortable, or at least less painful for you. If it's a shorter scale model so be it.

A fair few players have to adapt, due to age related issues or injuries. I know there are a number of us on here for example, who aren't comfortable with Jazz necks but find P necks great and vice versa.

It's not the type or style of instrument that makes you a bass player

[merlin]

Hi, I have no feeling in my left hand,and struggle with long necks and long sets now,this is due to a broken nerve conection,heres a piccy of me and my EB3,Im 5 11 tall and 17 stone,I think I look great, [attachment=151032:gibson EB3.jpg],happy new year Also chase the Doc to get it sorted,Im up for an opp in the near future.

Edited December 27, 2013 by merlin

[the boy]

It's because you are a girl..... Ye can't stick at anything. One week it's short scale next its medium and so on..... Yada yada

[Evil Undead]

[the boy]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1388280786' post='2320466']

[/quote]

[Grangur]

Imho Mel, you're too young to be resigning your self to accepting bits of your body stopping working. You need to find a doc who can and will help.

The trouble is tbey have budgets and they try to avoid spending it.

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1388317152' post='2320627']
Imho Mel, you're too young to be resigning your self to accepting bits of your body stopping working.
[/quote]

Although there have been some really helpful posts in this thread, over the last few days this one in particular has kept rattling through my mind.

I didn't really think about it before but you're right, at the grand old age of 32, I am too young to put up with my hands not working properly.

This morning before work, I had a jam on my 34" scale Ibanez and can't believe how much I love that bass - the sound, the feel, even down to the string tension. But after about 10 minutes, as predicted, my little finger on my fretting hand was numb. I carried on anyway, and felt the effects of it all morning. It's just about starting to feel like it's returning to normal.

I've picked up a cheap Squier short scale Jaguar, which is a very nice bass (perhaps surprisingly) especially after a pickup upgrade) but I feel so cramped on the 30" scale compared to the 34" and I'm not sure it's comfortable. And the string tension, while admittedly being easier to fret, feels so floppy and... like there's no fight in the strings.

I feel a little bit despondent at the moment. I don't want to resort to feeling cramped on short scale basses, and I can't risk carrying on with the Ibanez and risking permanent damage. I also don't want to give up playing - it's not like I'm any good but dammit I enjoy it!

I don't think the nerve damage is enough for the doctors to bother with it either, and the worst thing is, I'm also starting to feel tingling in my thumb, first finger and middle finger on my plucking hand.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, whoever got this far!

[Grangur]

I got that far...

Mel, if this turns out to be progressive, what are you going to do when you're finding the hand has no sense of feeling and at all affected and its starting up the arm?

Go see a doctor and make a nuisance of yourself. If you can't get any joy, go see a good Osteopath, but make sure they're a specialist in all skeleto-muscular problems. I know it might cost you about £50 a time, but maybe you can get an initial consultation for free if it's to establish if they can help you. But the Osteopath may be able to put pressure on the doctor to DO something about fixing it.

Buying another bass is not "doing" something about it.

[discreet]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1388753075' post='2325560']
I don't think the nerve damage is enough for the doctors to bother with it either...
[/quote]
[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1388753821' post='2325571']
Go see a doctor and make a nuisance of yourself.
[/quote]

Yes, I think so too. The people who make best use of the limited health resources we have are those who shout loudest. Tell your GP you are now at the end of your rope, your condition is worsening, it's affecting your quality of life as a musician (and generally), and INSIST on a referral to a specialist. Refuse to leave until this happens. Your GP will do it just to get rid of you, they only have 10 minutes allotted for each appointment. In any case you have a right to a proper diagnosis at least.

Edited January 3, 2014 by discreet

[Grangur]

Mel, have you looked at the number of folk following this?
They all care about you and your health.

You KNOW you're worth it!!

Go make that call now.

[Damonjames]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1388754151' post='2325586']



Yes, I think so too. The people who make best use of the limited health resources we have are those who shout loudest. Tell your GP you are now at the end of your rope, your condition is worsening, it's affecting your quality of life as a musician (and generally), and INSIST on a referral to a specialist. Refuse to leave until this happens. Your GP will do it just to get rid of you, they only have 10 minutes allotted for each appointment. In any case you have a right to a proper diagnosis at least.
[/quote]

PLEASE, just go and see another GP, take a tent and pitch it in their office and refuse to leave! Fight for YOUR quality of life. You are 32 and ready to accept disability??? Seriously, if this is getting worse as you say, how long are you going to leave it? Until you can't drive a car? Until to cant write? Until you can't wipe your own.... Well you get the picture.
If you can afford to pay as a private patient, or have private health insurance through work etc, go and see an osteopath or a chiropractor, as has been mentioned, if you have pins and needles in both hands, this could be linked to an out of place vertabrae around you shoulders/lower neck and could be very treatable with some visits and exercises. If you are unable to go private, insist that your GP makes you an appointment, you might have to wait a few weeks but at least you will get in.

The squeaky wheel get the grease matey, don't give up!

[alyctes]

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1388782575' post='2326109']
PLEASE, just go and see another GP, take a tent and pitch it in their office and refuse to leave! Fight for YOUR quality of life. You are 32 and ready to accept disability??? Seriously, if this is getting worse as you say, how long are you going to leave it? Until you can't drive a car? Until to cant write? Until you can't wipe your own.... Well you get the picture.
If you can afford to pay as a private patient, or have private health insurance through work etc, go and see an osteopath or a chiropractor, as has been mentioned, if you have pins and needles in both hands, this could be linked to an out of place vertabrae around you shoulders/lower neck and could be very treatable with some visits and exercises. If you are unable to go private, insist that your GP makes you an appointment, you might have to wait a few weeks but at least you will get in.

The squeaky wheel get the grease matey, don't give up!
[/quote]

This!
You need to know what the problem actually is. [u]Then[/u] you can decide to get it sorted, or not.

[UglyDog]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1387923530' post='2317356']
And Jack Bruce.
[/quote]
And Mark King.
And Stanley Clarke.
And Stu Hamm.
And Matt Garrison.
And Lincoln Goines.


Mel, 32 is no age to be losing the use of any part of your body. If you don't take the sage advice offered by your mates here and [u]go and get properly checked out immediately[/u], i shall come round to your house, bite your postman's leg and pee on your rose bushes.