Playing Comfort

[chondro776]

Hi all. Wonderful little forum you have here. I have been reading a while, and finally got my hands on my first 'wick (Corvette std. 5, bubinga).
I know...photos to come...photos to come...

First of all I love my new slab of wood. However, I have found that there are completely different ergonomics to my vette than most other basses I have played.

I am a former geetarist (ducks to avoid flying debris), and I have always played both instruments rather high. I like them to be part of my chest.

However, my corvette is just not comfortable there. It seems to balance more horizontally than most, and so if played high then the first few frets are VERY far away from me-lol!

So I am having to learn to play my new axe quite a bit lower than I previously did.

Also when sitting, I find that the vette balances better on my right leg than my left (I am right handed). Which also seems different than other instruments I have played.

So my question is, have any of you felt the same, or is it just me?
Thanks!

Ben

 

[Martin Such]

I can't imagine any bass balance better on the left leg than on the right one (when played in a sitting position). I also played an ash 'vette for a few weeks and didn't notice any comfort issues - and I play with a bass quite high, so that its height remains the same wether standing or sitting. So it's probably just the question of getting used to a new instrument, one that's different than most.

 

[chondro776]

Hey Martin, thanks for the reply.
Both the Ibanez and my G&L would balance just fine on my left leg (perhaps I am not being clear, I would elevate my left leg and place the bass at around 45 degrees- similar to classical guitar posture). The corvette doesn't feel as happy there, plus like I said, I almost can't reach the lowest frets that way.

It just seems like the body of the bass wants to be farther towards my right hip than dead center.

None of this is a complaint incidently...

It is funny, everyone talks about the necks being challenging....I love the neck, the balance is what is taking some getting used to.

 

[jester]

I am a former geetarist (ducks to avoid flying debris), and I have always played both instruments rather high. I like them to be part of my chest.

However, my corvette is just not comfortable there. It seems to balance more horizontally than most, and so if played high then the first few frets are VERY far away from me-lol!

I 've had exactly the same experience when trying out Corvettes worn high.
My best experience with 'vettes comfort wise was with a standard Bubinga 'vette worn at belly height. The body is heavy and counteracts the ovangkol neck's weight really well, the bass was completely stable and you can have a high angle for the neck without any support from the left hand. For most types of playing you will discover a lower position is much better, you don't have to bend your plucking hand's wrist (if you 're playing fingerstyle that is). Common exceptions to this would be fretless plucking over the neck or tapping. Also obviously you can reach the first frets more easily, as you can move the body lower and to the right. If you manage a good playing angle so that the headstock is not very low (lack of neckdive helps here) it will be really comfortable to reach. The 'vettes have longish upper horns for a 'wick (think Thumb NT), but they are still short compared to most other basses. The shorter the upper horn, the more to the left the neck will move.

Both the Ibanez and my G&L would balance just fine on my left leg (perhaps I am not being clear, I would elevate my left leg and place the bass at around 45 degrees- similar to classical guitar posture). The corvette doesn't feel as happy there, plus like I said, I almost can't reach the lowest frets that way.

It just seems like the body of the bass wants to be farther towards my right hip than dead center.

What do you mean it doesn't feel happy there? Is it out of balance? For some basses this position is good to practice with as it will approximate belly height when standing up. For my Streamer it really is not comfortable.

 

[Gmon3y72]

I don't know how helpful or ergonomic this suggestion is, but this is how I play:

The body of my bass usually rests on the lower portion of my belly, slightly over my hip/groinal area.
I tend to use the underside of my forearm as an anchor so to raise the neck higher allowing easier access to the fret board.

Example - See attached picture.

I've been playing my Rockbass Corvette since 2003, and my $$'s since last year. I found myself naturally going with this position unless I'm attempting to show off :lol:

 

[jester]

I tend to use the underside of my forearm as an anchor so to raise the neck higher allowing easier access to the fret board.

When trying out Streamer LXs, I found this a good solution to keep the neck at an angle. But I finally opted for a shorter maple neck that needs no support at all.

 

[Florin]

Hey Ben,

All the warwicks, except the fortress, have a different position then let's say a Fender J.
The upper horn is shorter, it is made to reach the higher frets easier. So the lower frets will be moved to the left a little bit (if you are a righty)
So it is easier to access the upper positions, and harder to access the lower positions, compared to the same Fender J.
You get used with this, simply move the bass to the right .
Also, please notice that our bodies are smaller than others. That's why, to have the neck at the same position, a Warwick bass will feel lower, because the body is smaller.

A corvette STD Bubinga should not have any balance isues.

I say you need only a little more time to spend with your new instrument

Cheers, Flo

 

[livingsyndicationbass]

Once again I agree with Flo, lots of time spent with the instrument will help its feel grow on you. I do something similar to what Gmon3y72 does when I play lots of open strings or fast technical runs, I kinda pin the body of the bass to my torso with my right forearm, just kinda happens instictually after all these years with the Warwicks. I hated the neck dive of my Thumb BO 4, then I bought a NT 5! UGH! I was exhausted at first playing a whole show with it, it's a heavy neck to hold up all night, but I certainly got use to it. The feel, sound, and vibe of these Thumbs are well worth the effort.

As far as playing sitting down, I've never seen a bassist attempt the "classical guitar position" of having the guitar between your thighs at a 45 degree angle. Impossible to reach the lowest frets comfortably. My Thumbs balance well on my right leg, however I suggest wearing your strap and utilizing a centrally located end pin position (some Warwicks have higher pin positions on the body). I've installed/relocated the body pins so I have two there; one in the original, middle spot under the bridge, and one further up the body. Middle I use in the studio sitting, higher spot I use live.

Works for me... ; )



Thanks all, good luck...




Andy
living.syndication

 

[james brunnning]

I use the strap all the time so my sitting position matchs my standing one.

 

[livingsyndicationbass]

Right. I use my strap sitting and standing too but my standing postion is a bit lower, so when I sit my strap is very loose and virtually useless, so I utilize a lower body end pin position even with the bridge for studio work so the strap is tighter and keeps the bass in place and balanced better. That's all I was sayin... : )



Andy
living.syndication

 

[james brunnning]

I don't support the bass with my legs when I play sitting I let the bass hang by the strap.I try to copy my standing playing position.But I do move the lower strap pin up the body, I found it makes the bass balance better for me.

 

[golem]

I use the strap all the time so my sitting
position matchs my standing one.

I use my strap sitting and standing too but my
standing postion is a bit lower, so when I sit my
strap is very loose and virtually useless, so I
utilize a lower body end pin position even with
the bridge for studio work so the strap is tighter
and keeps the bass in place and balanced better.

+1.

Whenever someone sits in [literally, meaning
it's a generally sit-down gig ... ] on my bass,
they'll always drop the strap behind the bass
and play without it. I always think thaz nutz,
but I don't critique players who outplay me !

Some of my basses have two rear strap pins,
one for sitting and for standing. Most basses
don't need that but some are peculiar.

​

 

[Florin]

I play with a strap even if I sit in studio.

 

[Mr Rabble]

...However, my corvette is just not comfortable there. It seems to balance more horizontally than most, and so if played high then the first few frets are VERY far away from me...

It is indeed an issue with Warwick basses.
Most people can't adjust themselves to these different ergonomics.

 

[jcburn]

Warwicks definitely have a different 'feel' to a Fender say, I think due to the slightly shorter top horn on nearly all models. I used to play with my basses very low so I could play with my plucking hand fairly straight, and initially couldnt adjust to the balance of my Streamer, so I shortened my strap a little (only about 4 inches) and BAM - perfect. The added benefit is I have a lot better access now to the fretboard, my bass is still low enough (top horn sits just on my belt line) to get good speed for fast downpicked metal, and I also feel like I have a lot better control over the instrument for fast/dextrous playing.
I think my point is dont judge the bass just cause it feels different. I made a few changes to my setup that worked and actually make me a better player and the Warwick sound for me is to die for. Ive got a bass that I love to play that also sounds incredible!!