Wrist problem :(

[Evil Undead]

thanks for all the advice guys (about both topics haha!)

I'm looking at the position of my bass strap and my left hand technique (when playing bass that is)

Hopefully I'll figure something out

[Evil Undead]

Update

I've raised my bass strap almost to geek proportions and it's helped a bit - it's helped a lot up past the 5th fret but I'm still having trouble down the lower end.

I've tried tilting my bass so the headstock is nearer to my head but it doesn't tilt up far enough. The corvette's upper horn combined with not being exactly small up top doesn't help with that area.

[BobVbass]

It's worth you visiting the doctor to get things checked just to be sure - get them to refer you to a muscular skeletal specialist if needed. You don't mention if there's any inflammation (joint puffy/spongey, hot) if it is I'd recommend a rheumatologist.

But... given apart from all the small print above.....your wrist is most effective if the fingers operate in a straight line to your arm, if you bend your hand,( either left right up or down) you need more force to move your fingers or more importantly to apply pressure at your finger tips.

If your bass neck is longer than your natural arm reach so your elbow is almost straight and your wrist is doing all the bending (and - sorry for generalising but - lots of girls being of smaller build will have this problem) at the lower registers your hand will be very twisted towards your little finger and upwards when you play standing up.

Try sitting down and playing see if it helps - if you don't get the same problem then it's likely to be be your wrist position while standing. Fixes - shorter scale/smaller bass, very light gauge strings, you could try shifting your bass playing position to a more neck centric one by moving strap buttons or strap over your right shoulder

hope that helps

[Evil Undead]

Thank you for the replies.

So you guys think it's more likely to be a technique problem than the size of the neck? I just assumed it was the neck as it's very chunky.

The bass does neck dive a little - could this be part of the problem? Doesn't dive to the floor but seems to automatically try to make itself horizontal.

[Doddy]

It might be part of the problem if you find yourself actually holding the bass more than should
be necessary.
Like I said earlier,if you have any pics of you playing,it might be easier to say.

[Paul S]

As far as I can see there are so many variables that it is impossible to diagnose what is going on an internet forum. If it were me I'd take my bass along to the doctors, wear it as I usually do and see what he says.

Neck width in particular is a funny thing and seems to defy logic - I have big hands yet find a skinny, shallow neck more comfortable. There are plenty of female bassists - I assume with much smaller hands than mine - who play 5 or 6 string basses which have much wider necks than anything I like.

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1330895698' post='1564587']
Thank you for the replies.

So you guys think it's more likely to be a technique problem than the size of the neck? I just assumed it was the neck as it's very chunky.

The bass does neck dive a little - could this be part of the problem? Doesn't dive to the floor but seems to automatically try to make itself horizontal.
[/quote]

As everyone has said, it is hard to be sure whether it's technique, neck dimensions, how you wear the bass or a combination of the three.
[b]However[/b], I own an '02 Warwick Infinity SN4. I find its neck shape the least comfortable to play of the several basses I own, including 5 and 6 strings.
Do you have access to another instrument that you could practice with / use for a long period? Try that for a while. The outcome of such an experiment might at least give you some sort of indication as to the cause of your issues.

[Evil Undead]

I think I've figured out the problem. I was thinking about it this morning and realised I didn't have this problem at all when I had my Ibanez SR505 which had great balance.

So I started to play my $$ and realised that the neck dives quite a bit, and it naturally wants to make itself horizontal.

Looks like I might have to move the lower strap button (which scares the living $h!t out of me as I'm not terribly handy with a drill).

The only other option is to move the $$ on and buy another SR505, which I don't really wanna do.

[ChrisG]

Wrist issues are grim - I utterly destroyed my left wrist playing sport when I was 16. Had to have surgery and metal pins (only temporarily thankfully) so I have to be careful as to how much I play in any given session and take plenty of breaks.

I have found that larger-necked guitars and basses seem to work better for me as I seem to put less pressure on the strings and thus through my wrist. Then again I'm 6'2" and have quite big hands.

Seeking medical help is the best and possibly only advice you should follow from an internet forum. You could try taking a break from playing (I have in the past) and don't play if you get pain.

I know the neck on my $$ 4-string is quite quick compared to some I have tried. I assume if you mention an SR505 it's a 5-string $$ which would be a big neck if my $$ 4 is anything to go by.

[charic]

Just a thought, why not add an additional strap button instead of moving it?

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330967918' post='1565527']
Just a thought, why not add an additional strap button instead of moving it?
[/quote]

I did some testing earlier with some masking tape - moved the strap around where I thought the strap buttons could go, and tried out the balance - no difference at all.

I was playing it for two hours at band practice last night, and I've been playing it on and off all afternoon to see if I could get comfortable with it but I can't. Dammit. I'll be gutted if I have to sell it on and buy another SR505 (Flex knows how much I love this bass, haha!) but I've already got problems with my wrists (as well as my back) and can't afford to make things worse.

[charic]

Is it worth saving for a bit and seeing about either getting the neck reshaped by a luthier or getting a neck similar to your ibby made for your $$?

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330976788' post='1565738']
Is it worth saving for a bit and seeing about either getting the neck reshaped by a luthier or getting a neck similar to your ibby made for your $$?
[/quote]

It's worth considering. I've read somewhere that ovangkol isn't the most stable neck wood (which is why it's so much fatter than the wenge ones) so would having it thinned/reshaped cause any problems along those lines?

Also, having messed around with the bass most of the weekend and all day, I'm thinking it's more a combination of the balance, the neck thickness, and me just generally being short and not having the arm-span of you blokes!

[charic]

I don't know about the wood I'm afraid. However having a new neck made and tailored to you (possibly shorter scale) is worth looking into if you really like the sound.

Regarding the dive what type of strap are you currently using?

[xilddx]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1330977341' post='1565750']
It's worth considering. I've read somewhere that ovangkol isn't the most stable neck wood (which is why it's so much fatter than the wenge ones) so would having it thinned/reshaped cause any problems along those lines?

Also, having messed around with the bass most of the weekend and all day, I'm thinking it's more a combination of the balance, the neck thickness, and me just generally being short and not having the arm-span of you blokes!
[/quote]

Point one. Don't f*** with the Warwick neck. They are that thickness for a reason and they have shallowed recently due to some sort of technological advance they say. I have the very neck you describe and it is a little thick, but I think thicker necks are generally more ergonomic.

There are some VERY small women who play bass, and upright bass, although, played properly, upright is more ergonomic due to the reduced flexion of the wrist, and less ulnar deviation.

The thing is, as I posted much earlier, you don't appear to have considered that other activities may be the root cause of your problem and any diagnosis on here will be completely hit or miss, which means if you are relying on it, or you own, you are putting yourself at risk of making the problem worse.

Go an see a bloody doctor!

x

[oggiesnr]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1330986053' post='1565999']

Go an see a bloody doctor!

[/quote]

See my thread about Wrist Rehab. I f*****d up and now have a long term problem. See a doctor, listen to their advice and then worry about how to continue playing. At that point new necks, straps etc become relevant, at the moment you're pissing in the wind because you don't know what the problem is!

Steve

[xilddx]

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1330986975' post='1566024']
See my thread about Wrist Rehab. I f*****d up and now have a long term problem. See a doctor, listen to their advice and then worry about how to continue playing. At that point new necks, straps etc become relevant, at the moment you're pissing in the wind because you don't know what the problem is!

Steve
[/quote]
You'd be amazed at how so many people think the health advice of a bassist is worth more than a doctor's

[leftyhook]

I wouldn't tamper with the neck.

Said it before but, strap height.
try setting your strap so when sitting down the bass is just resting on your leg (sitting straight)
so when you stand there is no variation in your wrist etc from when sitting.
As Scott Divine said, a bass hung really low may look 'cool', but you are looking at wrist and back problems, at least long term

[xilddx]

Yep, it must be the strap height that's causing it.

Or the lawnmower or summat. It's got to be summat that's causing it. Evil Undead, do you keep canaries by any chance?

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1330985263' post='1565971']
I don't know about the wood I'm afraid. However having a new neck made and tailored to you (possibly shorter scale) is worth looking into if you really like the sound.

Regarding the dive what type of strap are you currently using?
[/quote]

I'm using a wide padded leather strap.

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1330986053' post='1565999']
Point one. Don't f*** with the Warwick neck. They are that thickness for a reason and they have shallowed recently due to some sort of technological advance they say. I have the very neck you describe and it is a little thick, but I think thicker necks are generally more ergonomic.

There are some VERY small women who play bass, and upright bass, although, played properly, upright is more ergonomic due to the reduced flexion of the wrist, and less ulnar deviation.

The thing is, as I posted much earlier, you don't appear to have considered that other activities may be the root cause of your problem and any diagnosis on here will be completely hit or miss, which means if you are relying on it, or you own, you are putting yourself at risk of making the problem worse.

Go an see a bloody doctor!

x
[/quote]

I work at a desk but I'm careful not to put strain on my hands and wrists while I'm typing. And I'm an iPhone user...

But the only time I have any discomfort is when playing bass.

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1330986975' post='1566024']
See my thread about Wrist Rehab. I f*****d up and now have a long term problem. See a doctor, listen to their advice and then worry about how to continue playing. At that point new necks, straps etc become relevant, at the moment you're pissing in the wind because you don't know what the problem is!

Steve
[/quote]

The reason I'm not seeing a doctor is because I've seen them before about my wrists. I've had x-rays, MRI's, seen GP's and orthopaedic consultants, and no one has been able to sort the problem out. So I very much feel like I'm wasting my time if I go back to see them.

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1330988217' post='1566050']
I wouldn't tamper with the neck.

Said it before but, strap height.
try setting your strap so when sitting down the bass is just resting on your leg (sitting straight)
so when you stand there is no variation in your wrist etc from when sitting.
As Scott Divine said, a bass hung really low may look 'cool', but you are looking at wrist and back problems, at least long term
[/quote]

I don't hang my bass low - I've never been accused of being cool! I've messed with the strap height and nothing seems to help. The only thing that really helps is angling my bass so the headstock is nearer to my head, but then I have to hold the neck up, causing my arm and hand to ache.

Not only does having the bass angled upwards bring the lower frets closer to me, it saves me having to twist my wrist around so much. Palm is facing towards me rather than straight up, which is a much more comfortable angle.

Can't remember whether I mentioned, but I did some experimenting with masking tape last night to see whether moving the strap button would help, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1331038476' post='1566619']

I work at a desk but I'm careful not to put strain on my hands and wrists while I'm typing. And I'm an iPhone user...

But the only time I have any discomfort is when playing bass.

[/quote]

Where are your mouse, keyboard and monitor positioned? Or do you use a laptop only for long periods?

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331038929' post='1566633']
Where are your mouse, keyboard and monitor positioned? Or do you use a laptop only for long periods?
[/quote]

Right in front of me. Well, with enough space to rest my hands in front. And the mouse is right next to it. Both have the squidgy rests in front.

Been through all this with an "H&S" inspector at work, and he insisted that all is well in that respect.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1331039058' post='1566638']
Right in front of me. Well, with enough space to rest my hands in front. And the mouse is right next to it. Both have the squidgy rests in front.

Been through all this with an "H&S" inspector at work, and he insisted that all is well in that respect.
[/quote]

Sounds about right to me.

Do you press very hard on the strings?

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1331040485' post='1566671']
Sounds about right to me.

Do you press very hard on the strings?
[/quote]

I try to play with my thumb off the back of the neck, so it's just floating about.

*try* to, that is. I think I mostly succeed, but when I do put my thumb down I think I do grip a bit.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331050016' post='1566867']
If this was talk bass we could start a club

Although I haven't had my wrists X-Rayed. they did how ever X-ray my elbows . My last appointment was "I think we're barking up the wrong tree but I'm goin to re-run a previous test just in case we get a different result. I don't think it will though. Oh and it's a years wait this time"

[b]And Nigel as for "Rather advice from a bassist" Would it not make sense to see a PROPER Tutor who could see a problem in technique. After all how many Doctors receive training on Bass playing techniques? .[/b]
[/quote]

It's a fair point but how many bassists know about musculo-skeletal injuries and ergonomics?

Evil Undead hasn't told us how many stringes her bass has, how long she plays for per day and at a stretch, when the pain kicks in, etc.