Coilte

8 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 Then I lucked into a set of TI flats for a great price, which IMO sound even better.

 

Love TI flats. A bit pricey, but well worth it IMO. Some people find the tension  too low. This never bothered me.

I have always admired the late great Glenn Cornick and his beautiful lyrical bass lines on the early 'Tull albums..especially "Stand Up". 

I found Dave Mark's set of walking bass lessons very helpful. Start where you feel is appropriate.

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Think i might try out a few Squier P basses if they are all that good.

 

 

 

While you are at it give the G&L Tribute JB2 a try...or get the best of both worlds (P & Jazz pickups) and try the Tribute SB2 (has a jazz neck). IMO they are at least as good (and probably better) than a Squier P bass.

If your budget allows, try a USA G&L. 

4 hours ago, wishface said:

Well, anchoring per se isn't bad since most bass players (I would assert) do it and they don't all suffer. So it depends how hard you play or stress your digits. Anchoring doesn't mean gluing to the pickup and contorting your hand. I move my thumb usually between pickup and a string. 

No need to explain or justify your technique. Everyone is entitled to play as they see fit. 🙂 

42 minutes ago, wishface said:

I like anchoring the thumb because it feels natural

 

 

 

Unfortunately it is anything BUT natural, and can lead to potential injury problems. However..to each their own. They are your hands/wrists. 🙂

1 minute ago, Cuzzie said:

Carol Kaye’s Technique is very repeatable and wrist friendly 

Agreed...but.. is she not exclusively a pick player ? I assumed the OP is a finger player.

17 minutes ago, wishface said:

I think it's because I had been practicing string crossing which I find necessitates a greater reach when plucking and thus wrist tension. I do try to stay on top of this, but probably should have taken a break more often.

It is mentioned briefly in the clip I posted earlier, but here is a more detailed one on the "Floating Thumb" technique. No reach required from the wrist with this technique. Also, even when using a safe technique,  regular breaks are always recommended. 

Rest up for a couple of days to allow the wrist to recover. When you return to playing, revisit your technique. Make sure the wrist is straight as much of the time as is possible.  Play for shorter periods at a time...i.e. don't over do it. The video below on safe technique is worth checking out.

Finally, dont hesitate to seek professional medical help if the problem persists. 

Best of luck in your recovery. 🙂

16 hours ago, oldslapper said:

No Henry McCullough

...or "Chicago's" Terry Kath. 🤔

1 hour ago, Bleat said:

I'm sure I read an interview with Steve Harris somewhere, and he mentioned that he doesn't do warm ups or practice much if at all before gigs. I'm almost certain that playing with such a light touch he doesn't feel the need to. As I have learned to play fairly standard classic/ heavy rock tunes  with a much lighter touch also over the years , and combined with low string action, I too don't feel the need to do warm up exercises. Just plug and start playing. My hands and fingers have not suffered in the slightest since doing this.

I guess maybe it is something that is dependant on actual playing style, bass setup, and complexity of fret board gymnastics which dictate the need to do warm up excercises.

 

http://bassguitarplayerworld.com/beginner/warming-up/        In my estimation for every bassist who shuns warm ups there is another who uses them as part of their practice schedule. There is a lot of truth in your last paragraph above, but IMO for the sake of a few minutes, why not "err" on the side of caution and warmup anyway ?  Just because problems are not apparent right now does not mean that they won't happen at some stage. It is the nature of the beast that these injury problems take time to show themselves. Anyway...to each their own. 

58 minutes ago, mikel said:

All fine and dandy by me. If you have the time or the inclination to do warm up exercises then good for you. I am very much a semi pro/pub band player. If I were a pro musician or indeed part of the act was dancing and gymnastics then I would "Warm up" but as I am not going to put my body under any undue or unexpected strain then no.

The human hand is not designed for playing bass, and so it is under some strain when we play. Warming up helps to alleviate the strain, as does good technique. Regardless of the status of a bass player..i.e. pro or semi pro, amateur, playing tiny pubs or stadiums etc., the muscles and tendons required to play are the same for ALL bass players. As any sportsperson will tell you, it is a good idea to warm up muscles and tendons before "putting them to work". 

As for the "inclination"..that  is entirely up to you.  Time...we are only talking about a couple of minutes...five or six maybe. Small expense if it minimises the risk of potential injuries IMO.  

2 hours ago, mikel said:

/\ This. Its Rock and Roll FFS. Warm up? In my day blah blah blah.

Yeah...only wimps warm up...not macho rock and rollers !!  Personally, I'd rather be an injury free wimp than suffer from all types of physical problems further down the line.  Not saying that warm ups prevent injury problems, but they certainly help to reduce the chances of experiencing them. Prevention is better than cure....even in "Rock and Roll"...and in ANY day. 😉

https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2011/07/07/health-fitness-for-the-working-bassist-–-part-3-warm-up-exercise-tips/

Warm up for a few minutes with gentle stretches before you even touch the bass. Warm down the same way when you are finished. 

Before I even touch the bass I do some gentle stretches for a couple of minutes.  I then do arpeggios starting at the twelfth fret and slowly work my way down, followed by some chromatic scales. 

I also "warm down"  for a minute or so with more stretches after a practice session...which is something you don't often hear being recommended.

Loved his work with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. R.I.P.

As 4000 mentioned above, the problem is probably to do with the design/body shape of the Yamaha.

Generally speaking...no matter what the brand of the bass...playing with the thumb on the pick up causes the wrist to bend somewhat severely. Over time this can cause injury problems such as CTS. So, even if the problem is not apparent RIGHT NOW with your other basses, there is a possibility that in time, these too, will cause injury problems due to being played with a bent wrist.

You could try learning the "Floating Thumb" technique or the "Moveable Anchor". In both cases the wrist is straight, thus minimising the risk of injury.

When I saw the thread title I thought it was another..."best way to clean the fretboard.." thread. 😅

11 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 I like my thumb down in the strings. 

There is another technique called the "Moveable Anchor" where the thumb rests on the string above (or sometimes... two above ) the one being plucked. As with the FT, the arm does not rest of the body of the bass.

6 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

.Now I'm playing bass more, I've noticed a similar sensation if my wrist/lower arm is touching the body of the bass.

 

 

Have you considered changing your technique ? With the "Floating Thumb" technique the arm does not rest on the body of the bass.

It would help if you gave an idea of your budget.

It's the age old problem with bands..i.e. people not being able or willing to commit. From my experience this has all the hall marks of coming to an abrupt end.

For the OP's sake, I hope I am proved wrong.

Another vote for some kind of meditation. There are numerous meditation apps available featuring all types of meditation, including ones for sleep. Basically, the idea is to sit still, breathe deeply and slowly, allowing thoughts to come and go, without getting carried away with them. Try it for a few minutes to start, then  after some practice, build up the time gradually. 

I never tire of hearing the "hand in a glove" rhythm section of Jon Hiseman and a favourite bassist of mine...Tony Reeves. I love their work with "Collosseum" but for me, they really show their mettle (especially during the sax solo) in John Mayall's short lived Bluesbreakers line up on his "Bare Wires" album. Here they are in full flight on a track from the album.  

On 31/03/2019 at 10:07, lowlandtrees said:

 The question from a playing perspective is whether to act now or wait? It may stabilise and the expense wasted or there may be a more positive outcome with early intervention. Gonna go see a consultant anyway.

 

If there is one thing I have learned about DC it is that no two people have the same experience after an operation,  even if their initial problems seem the same.

Having said that, the general opinion is that the longer you delay treatment the more intrusive the operation (if one is recommended) will be. 

Yes...do see a consultant and get an opinion ASAP.

Best of luck in whatever you decide on. 😊