Playing bass is getting painful

[gary mac]

I'm finding it increasingly more painful playing the bass these days. Due to a long term illness and subsequent muscle wastage, I very quickly start to suffer shoulder and upper back pain when playing with a bass strapped on.

I think I need to face facts and accept that if I want to continue gigging, then a light weight bass will be essential.


My taste in bass guitars leans towards the traditional styles. I currently have a USA Precision, Squier VMJ, Wal, Yamaha BB1200 and a Yamaha Bex 4.

The Precision causes less pain than the VMJ, which is strange because the Precision is the heavier of the two. But even so, I can only play for about half an hour before really suffering.

I am using a good quality comfort strap and have tried various other models, so I don't consider this to be a strap problem.



Anyway the purpose of this post is to ask for info/recommendations for a light weight bass, preferably one with looks/sounds that will appeal to my traditional sort of taste.

Below 9lb would be good.




I tried a couple of Ibanez basses at the weekend and was impressed with the build quality. They also felt extremely light compared to my lot. But I wasn't keen on the modern look.

Maybe I will have to compromise, but thought I would seek out the opinion of others in the first instance.


I know there are other BC'ers of the same vintage as me (50+), do any of you have the same problem, if so what did you do?





Cheers, all the best, Gary

[Conan]

There was an extremely light Prosebass custon job for sale on here a few months ago.... I don't know what happened to it? Good price too if I remember correctly.

EDIT: here's the link. Sold, I'm afraid but it shows what is possible! [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79935"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=79935[/url]

Edited April 20, 2010 by Conan

[throwoff]

I am no fender expert but there is a Fender P Lyte(?)
Not the most common of beasts but also not incredibly desirable so when they do crop up prices are usually ok

theres one in USA at the moment on fleabay
[url="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Precision-Bass-Lyte-w-Case-Foto-Flame-Jazz-Japan-/170473267936?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item27b0ffa2e0"]http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Precision-Bass-...=item27b0ffa2e0[/url]

7lbs 7oz weight sounds just right for you!

[Bigwan]

Could you play your bass on a stand? I remember reading something in 'bass player' about a chap who injured his back in some sort of garden accident and did this. Definately the cheaper option, although it may take a bit of getting used to!

Like this: [url="http://www.mbracestand.com"]www.mbracestand.com[/url]

Edited April 20, 2010 by Bigwan

[derrenleepoole]

Maybe a combination of lighter and shorter scale may help, but it all depends on your budget?

Rob Allen do lightweight shortscale basses, but the sound is quite uprighty. There's also Birdsong who do shortscale solid bodies, and a lot of people rave about them. The Fender P Bass Lyte is a superb bass. I had the deluxe edition and it was a fantastic bass. The pickups though seemed to lack punch, so that could have to be an upgrade option perhaps.

[xilddx]

Weight is not your primary issue here I don't think. It's about weight [b]distribution [/b]and posture. You've kind of proved that with "The Precision causes less pain than the VMJ, which is strange because the Precision is the heavier of the two.".

I would be looking a strap which distributes the weight as evenly as possible over BOTH shoulders and using a bass that balances perfectly with no neck dive before looking for a lighter bass. A lighter bass is not really going to help you as much as you think. Obviously in combination with the other two solutions it will help more.

The Planet waves DARE straps are cheap enough to try out. I'd do couple of weeks of using it exclusively to let your muscles and posture adjust to it and see if you feel benefit. You should talk about posture with a specialist too.

[url="http://store.daddario.com/category/154813/DARE_Strap"]http://store.daddario.com/category/154813/DARE_Strap[/url]

[url="http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/product_1420_Planet_Waves_Troy_Dare_Double_Shoulder_Guitar_Strap_50DARE000.html"]http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/product_14..._50DARE000.html[/url]

Edited April 20, 2010 by silddx

[Simon.]

I would agree with Derren - a P-Lyte would be a really good option. Light weight, good balance, very, very playable, and yes, the pick-ups probably could do with an upgrade. Still, all in all, a nice bass. It does sound like weight distribution/balance is something to take into account, if a P-bass is sitting more comfortably for long, than the Squier VMJ.

[Buzz]

You know that getting a lighter bass is only going alleviate some of the symptoms don't you, rather than actually cure the problem?

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='silddx' post='812742' date='Apr 20 2010, 04:43 PM']Weight is not your primary issue here I don't think. It's about weight [b]distribution [/b]and posture. You've kind of proved that with "The Precision causes less pain than the VMJ, which is strange because the Precision is the heavier of the two.".

I would be looking a strap which distributes the weight as evenly as possible over BOTH shoulders and using a bass that balances perfectly with no neck dive before looking for a lighter bass.[/quote]

This sounds like good advice to me.

But in terms of basses that are trad-looking and fairly light, you could try a Ric.

[RussFM]

I've not played anything as light as my Ibanez SR1000, I never take my Jazz to 2hr practices anymore, just the occasional short gig, the difference is huge.

[xilddx]

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='812761' date='Apr 20 2010, 04:53 PM']But in terms of basses that are trad-looking and fairly light, you could try a Ric.[/quote]
yes but then he'll have problems with his fingers and his general street cred

[thisnameistaken]

[quote name='silddx' post='812786' date='Apr 20 2010, 05:05 PM']yes but then he'll have problems with his fingers and his general street cred [/quote]

I suppose at least with a precision you can look aloof by claiming it's the first thing you saw in the shop.

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='gary mac' post='812657' date='Apr 20 2010, 03:41 PM']I know there are other BC'ers of the same vintage as me (50+), do any of you have the same problem, if so what did you do?[/quote]

Bin there, dun that, my obsession with weight is (far too) well documented on various other threads.

Options:

[list]
[*]Forget P basses and just go light - buy a Hofner
[*]Forget P basses and go extreme - buy a Steinberger
[*]Go mainstream & keep it cheap - buy a Bass Collection
[*]Go bananas & keep it miniature - buy an Ashbory
[*]Get just what you want - commission a Prosebass
[*]Put the weight on the floor - learn to play an upright
[/list]

Sorted.

My bill's in the post.

[BlackElan]

What does your Wal weigh? I heard they can get very heavy.

I got Paul to make me a Wal Mach II that weighs under 10lbs, I just requested to use the lightest woods for the build.

[Sibob]

Anything that is chambered I would have thought!

If you have the budget, a chambered Swamp Ash custom of some sort!?, and you can still keep the design traditional!

Si

[bumfrog]

could always just sit down.

[D-L-B]

[quote name='silddx' post='812742' date='Apr 20 2010, 04:43 PM']Weight is not your primary issue here I don't think. It's about weight [b]distribution [/b]and posture. You've kind of proved that with "The Precision causes less pain than the VMJ, which is strange because the Precision is the heavier of the two.".

I would be looking a strap which distributes the weight as evenly as possible over BOTH shoulders and using a bass that balances perfectly with no neck dive before looking for a lighter bass. A lighter bass is not really going to help you as much as you think. Obviously in combination with the other two solutions it will help more.

The Planet waves DARE straps are cheap enough to try out. I'd do couple of weeks of using it exclusively to let your muscles and posture adjust to it and see if you feel benefit. You should talk about posture with a specialist too.[/quote]
Excellent advice.
Go see a specialist and even take your bass with you. If you're particularly weak then just having one arm raised longer than the other is going to cause you posture problems and discomfort rather quickly and that's before you even factor in the weight of any bass.

[gary mac]

Thanks for all the replies gents, plenty to think about.

I'm due to see a physio therapist.


I have weighed my basses, much to the amusement of my wife and daughters:

Precision 9lb 14oz
VMJ 9lb 6oz
Yamaha 10lb 2oz
Wal 9lb 6oz


No imminent gigs coming up, so there is no tearing hurry. Rehearsing tonight though, so I will probably take the Wal and Precision.



Thanks again, grateful for all the suggestions.

[KERMITNT]

quit playing bass thats the lightest option

I think that the best bass for you is a ibanez i have one 3.2 kilos SoundGear awsome bass and fast neck i know is not like a persicion but at least is cheap and with a good strap you dont feel a thing!!!

[WalMan]

When I was having problems with my left shoulder a few years back (before the metal was put in) and when I was only using my Wal I got a [url="http://www.sliderstraps.com/"]Slider Strap[/url] which helped enormously.

I've said it in similar posts before, but they do change the angle of dangle of the bass, which takes a bit of getting used to, and as both the Slider Strap and the similar one mentioned above are just webbing that can bunch up it is worth spending a couple of squid in Halfords to get a set of padded seatbelt restraints to add. That said as a way of continuing to use your basses they are well worth a try before starting the endless GAS round to find a lighter bass

[cheddatom]

[quote name='WalMan' post='813754' date='Apr 21 2010, 01:40 PM']....they do change the angle of dangle of the bass....[/quote]

I've never checked my dangle angle. What's the optimum dangle angle? Any books on the subject of the dangle angle?

Sorry, this phrase is my new love.

[redstriper]

I have a cool and very lightweight white Yamaha RBX4 A2 AIR bass for sale - let me know if you're interested.

Review here -

[D-L-B]

[quote name='redstriper' post='813871' date='Apr 21 2010, 03:38 PM']I have a cool and very lightweight white Yamaha RBX4 A2 AIR bass for sale - let me know if you're interested.

Review here -

[/quote]
I was gonna suggest this bass!
I was briefly GASing for a white one of these when they first came out.

[Dood]

I realise this doesn't quite fit in with the kind of bass you are looking for, but have you thought about 'going headless'? I think people who haven't tried a headless maybe don't realise how much additional weight is baring down on thier shoulder as it acts as a fulcrum for that big load of metal at the other end of the bass neck. (Big Fender tuning keys!!)

The biggest improvement on my back whilst playing has been my Shuker Headless bass. If I'd have known I was going to enjoy the improvement that much, my 7 string would have been a headless too, for sure.


Here are a whole bevvy of beautiful headless basses at Shuker's Headless Gallery: [url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/hlgal.htm"]http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk/hlgal.htm[/url]

and from BassChat:

Dood:


CrazyKiwi


Johngh

[AndroWal]

[quote name='WalMan' post='813754' date='Apr 21 2010, 05:40 AM']When I was having problems with my left shoulder a few years back (before the metal was put in) and when I was only using my Wal I got a [url="http://www.sliderstraps.com/"]Slider Strap[/url] which helped enormously.

I've said it in similar posts before, but they do change the angle of dangle of the bass, which takes a bit of getting used to, and as both the Slider Strap and the similar one mentioned above are just webbing that can bunch up it is worth spending a couple of squid in Halfords to get a set of padded seatbelt restraints to add. That said as a way of continuing to use your basses they are well worth a try before starting the endless GAS round to find a lighter bass[/quote]


The Slider looks great.

I have a similar issue with weighty basses. I'm going to try one of these. It would be great to play my heavier basses again without issue.

Otherwise...I have to add my support to SR series basses from Ibanez. Especially the Prestige models. They are a bit lighter....but coming from 11 lbs. basses to the 9 lbs. range...I think this lower range is actually light! So the basses you have don't seem to be very heavy ones.

The strap may do it for you also....I'll report back how it goes.

Edited April 22, 2010 by AndroWal