My Strap Height Changes My Bass Weight

[ximun]

Hello, on a slightly (un)related topic, something not intuitive I noticed recently is I prefer to have my bass on a "fabric" Fender strap rather than a wide leather strap "I used to use".
I thought the fabric strap sliding on my shoulder was a problem, but finally it allows the tilt of the bass to change while playing, and to have it sometimes more horizontal than I usually have it with the wide strap, sometimes more upward, and micro adjust this not consciously while playing. It makes me more relax and move a bit more while playing, less "cramped".
And finally after a moment it looks lighter.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Perhaps you change your posture when you change strap positions. That can potentially make it feel heavier and put more strain on your back. Try standing more upright with shoulders back. This posture also displays confidence.

Wouldn’t it be easier and quicker to swap a strap rather than re-adjust it between songs?. However, if you hang a wireless on your strap then maybe not.

 

[lalo_garcia-maynez]

I have several alembic basses that are super heavy . Also a Wal 5 string that is very very heavy !
This is what I suggest :
1. Get a 4 inch wide strap
2. Have two different lengths with your strap. I do this by installing 3 (THREE) straplocks on the strap. The longer length is for fingerstyle and the shorter one for slapping ; that way in the middle of the gig you can change the length !
See picture below !

When the bass is higher on my body it feels definitely heavier because the strap will land closer to your neck ; where there’s more muscle as opposed to closer to your shoulder where there’s more bone than muscle ! That’s why you will experiment some pain after a 4 set show if you keep your strap at a shorter length for the whole gig!

 

[lomo]

The subjective feel will vary depending on the degree to which the muscles around your shoulder are contracted/working. When you flex your elbow to slap and position the bass higher, some of those more obscure "secondary" muscles are working in the background to maintain your baseline arm position (eg trapezius, rhomboids). The bass is held up by the strap, but your arm is not. The reason you prefer a lower position in general is that there's less of this secondary muscle work necessary to maintain arm position when the bass is lower. Holding it higher feels "heavier" because more muscle work is required than what you are accustomed to, and because your muscles are paradoxically lifting your shoulder up into/against the strap, even though the bass weight is the same. A "shoulder" is a very complicated machine

 

[Dana R Gregory]

OP. Yes, I have experienced the same problem as you have. I normally play on the upper thigh finger style. Sometimes when playing jazz I will shorten the strap and it will transfer weight closer to my neck. When I return to my normal playing position, the discomfort goes away. You can try to push the strap away from your neck and see if that will help.

 

[chris_b]

Do whatever it takes to be comfortable.

I use wide leather straps. I find they are more comfortable over my shoulder. Multiple straplocks is a good idea.

If I tuck my thumb into my belt, that's where I need my hand to be for a comfortable playing position. I don't slap so that's not an issue for me.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Hello, on a slightly (un)related topic, something not intuitive I noticed recently is I prefer to have my bass on a "fabric" Fender strap rather than a wide leather strap "I used to use".
I thought the fabric strap sliding on my shoulder was a problem, but finally it allows the tilt of the bass to change while playing, and to have it sometimes more horizontal than I usually have it with the wide strap, sometimes more upward, and micro adjust this not consciously while playing. It makes me more relax and move a bit more while playing, less "cramped".
And finally after a moment it looks lighter.
View attachment 7033541

C'est logique. Je pense que je le fais aussi inconsciemment.

That makes sense. I think I unconsciously do that as well.

 

[Michedelic]

If the audience can see your crotch, then your bass is too high.

What about your armadillo?

 

[Queue]

I bought a strap with this feature because I liked the color of the leather. (Thought the adjustability was just a gimmick, and unnecessary.) Boy was I wrong. It is amazing to be able to adjust up or down as necessary, and on the fly. I don't slap, but I've found that some songs I can play more easily if I raise or lower my bass a few inches. Now I won't use a different strap.

 

[TOOL460002]

I've been wanting to try one of these for quite some time to see how much it helps.
View attachment 7033346

As a long-time fan of straps with a little neoprene, my one PSA, especially if you keep it "Tom Morello high" as I do, is that you can get a little stretch and launch tuning keys into your face. No crazy scars but a half inch one way and I'm rocking an eye patch. Other no downside to them.

 

[nozkcb]

My band's repertoire has a couple of songs with slap and one thing I have noticed is that I prefer to strap my bass lower for finger style playing (not Krist Novoselic low, but medium low), but prefer higher when slapping (about the same height as when playing seated, not Mark King high)...

First, excellent low and high bass player examples.

Second, sounds like you and I have the same issues with our shoulders and like you, I've tried various strap lengths and a few different straps to mitigate shoulder pain. I've not found anything yet that will allow me to play for more than half an hour without developing rather distracting shoulder pain.

A friend with back problems recommended this very wide spongy strap that I might try.

Unfortunately I don't do much live shows/gigs anymore other than short services at church which don't require standing with the instrument for long periods of time.

Otherwise, I'm just sitting in a chair.

Aside from surgery or Cortizone injections, I'd love to know if anyone has found a solution to this problem that doesn't involve modifications to the instrument and some weird body harness alternative to a strap.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

First, excellent low and high bass player examples.

Second, sounds like you and I have the same issues with our shoulders and like you, I've tried various strap lengths and a few different straps to mitigate shoulder pain. I've not found anything yet that will allow me to play for more than half an hour without developing rather distracting shoulder pain.

A friend with back problems recommended this very wide spongy strap that I might try.

Unfortunately I don't do much live shows/gigs anymore other than short services at church which don't require standing with the instrument for long periods of time.

Otherwise, I'm just sitting in a chair.

Aside from surgery or Cortizone injections, I'd love to know if anyone has found a solution to this problem that doesn't involve modifications to the instrument and some weird body harness alternative to a strap.

Finding the lightest possible bass would be a good start. Sandberg has their Super Light series basses which most often come in at under 7 lbs, for example. The other thing is to make sure your instrument is well balanced. If the headstock is always heading towards the ground, it is likely doing the same when strapped on and putting pressure on your shoulder.

Other than that, I only know of double straps that redistribute the weight over two shoulders or bass belt types of contraptions that take most of the weight from the shoulder and put it on your hips.

 

[lalo_garcia-maynez]

Paul McCartney is 82 and he never has shoulder pain …

(Hint: Buy a Hofner!!)