FinnDave Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 (edited) Anyone who has read my recent posts will probably get what NSSBD stands for, but for those wise enough not to have read my previous outpourings, I shall offer you a clue. I have bought a Squier Mustang bass to try and beat the osteoarthritis in the fingers of my left hand. Today I have played about 6 times more than I have been able to play in the last six months. I'll add a pic if really necessary, but it's a standard Olympic white/tort/rosewood substitute Mustang. The Fender natural finish with PJ pickups played and sounded much better, but I was reluctant to spent over £600 on what is basically an experiment to determine whether I can continue to play bass or not. If it works, then it's worth every penny. Edited May 31, 2023 by FinnDave auto correct corrected incorrectly! 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 17 minutes ago, FinnDave said: I'll add a pic if really necessary If necessary? This is BC, you know the rules… 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 Nice one Dave, hope it’s the solution for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkie635 Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 49 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: Nice one Dave, hope it’s the solution for you. This x2. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 First time I picked up my SS Ray it felt like it was playing itself - remember those days? - days when playing was effortless, days before playing became physically strenuous - age does that - I joke with my aging friends that the MOT on this body has run out and it requires fixing up. Bad back? Got one...arthritis - yep, that too. Father Time conspires to take away that which we have always relied on. If a short scale bass allows us to cheat Father Time for a short while then so be it - I'll take any time or anything that allows me to keep playing. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 Same for me Mick, my Mustangs have given me the opportunity to keep playing with bands, I think I’d have had to stop otherwise, though would still have played at home. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted May 31, 2023 Author Share Posted May 31, 2023 Played along with the first set of a Wirebirds gig I had recorded, no problems at all. Hoping to get a band rehearsal organised in a week or so. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkie635 Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 16 hours ago, FinnDave said: Anyone who has read my recent posts will probably get what NSSBD stands for, but for those wise enough not to have read my previous outpourings, I shall offer you a clue. I have bought a Squier Mustang bass to try and beat the osteoporosis arthritis in the fingers of my left hand. Today I have played about 6 times more than I have been able to play in the last six months. I'll add a pic if really necessary, but it's a standard Olympic white/tort/rosewood substitute Mustang. The Fender natural finish with PJ pickups played and sounded much better, but I was reluctant to spent over £600 on what is basically an experiment to determine whether I can continue to play bass or not. If it works, then it's worth every penny. Sorry to hear about the osteoporosis arthritis and some other comments on here. If you feel like your bass-playing days are coming to an end due to 'left-hand' issues, I can't recommend your trying out a Kala electric U-Bass highly enough. If you have had any previous experience with 'rubber-band' mini-basses, forget it. The Kala uses a different type of string and is a completely different animal. Once in tune, it stays there; is seriously lightweight, which addresses any shoulder issues for those with arthritis/back pain, and sounds something like a cross between a DB and a Precision. I used mine recently with a full band and more than a few folk were up and asking what this small instrument with the deep bass voice was. These are not cheap - retailing at around £1250 -but they really are proper instruments and not 'toys'. I thought that posting this might help anyone reading who is unaware of this bass. Of course, it goes without saying, I have no connection to the company or any other incentive to write this other than trying to assist those experiencing pain when playing a 'normal' bass. Photo of my bass for illustration. Best Snork. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted May 31, 2023 Author Share Posted May 31, 2023 Thanks, Snork, I will keep that in mind if my current experiment with a 30" scale conventional bass causes any issues with my hand. My problem is osteoarthritis in the fingers, the osteoporosis is something that autocorrect slipped in when I wasn't looking! I played the Mustang bass for about an hour this morning and that didn't cause any problems, so I am hoping to get a band rehearsal together in the next couple of weeks and hopefully pick up a few summer gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkie635 Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 28 minutes ago, FinnDave said: Thanks, Snork, I will keep that in mind if my current experiment with a 30" scale conventional bass causes any issues with my hand. My problem is osteoarthritis in the fingers, the osteoporosis is something that autocorrect slipped in when I wasn't looking! I played the Mustang bass for about an hour this morning and that didn't cause any problems, so I am hoping to get a band rehearsal together in the next couple of weeks and hopefully pick up a few summer gigs. OK. Best wishes for that. Enjoy your gigs and the summer. Hop all goes well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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