By DF (208.27.111.121) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 05:44 pm:

I'm a bass player. I am starting to develop some shoulder pain, due to playing basses. I have a 1994 Japanese Fender Jazz and a 1962 P Bass reissue (I also have an American Standard P, which I rarely use). The Jazz is light, compared to many of the Jazzes of the 70s. The P-Bass is just what it is--a heavy, big sounding P-Bass.

Just this week, I got a padded replacement for an awful strap I used for the Jazz. The P-Bass strap is also padded, but may need to get a new one for that as well. Anyone have any suggestions, such as straps, ointments, shoulder excercises, etc? I seriously hope I don't have to stop playing Fenders (or playing bass altogether). I post on this subject because I see that there are some musicians on this board. Any help would be wonderful. If there any doctors on this board, your help would be the most wonderful. Sorry to take up your time. Peace.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 05:52 pm:

HEY DF!!!...DO YOU GENERALLY SIT OR STAND WHEN YOU PLAY???...IF YOU SIT...YOUR THIGH CAN TAKE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF YOUR SHOULDER BY RESTING THE BASS EVER SO SLIGHTLY ON IT!!!...IF YOU'RE STANDING...TRY SITTING!!!...STUBASS

By stephanie (64.63.221.158) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 06:45 pm:

My brother said that you can get some ICY HOT for the shoulder pain and get some healing lotion to smooth out your skin in a drugstore. Get a wide guitar strap and not a thin one if you get a wide strap it will cause the weight on your shoulder to be evenly distributed.......from a STUBASS ANGELSBROTHER Ronald Campbell who is going to play behind the ORIOLES FULL TIME!!!
Stephanie Campbell
A (songwriting STUBASS ANGEL)

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.9.172) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 09:47 am:

..and/or U can get a shoulder support band, or keep it wrapped when N use. (probably from your Doc)unless U can find one N a good drug store...but Stu is right also, try sitting 2 take some of the pressure off...and make sure U kind of exercise it a bit, so it wont stiffin' up 2 much, warm towels when not N use..then there's aspercreme (has no scent 2 it), a good massage would B great also.

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.9.172) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 09:49 am:

..and I 4got 2 add, If it's ok with your Doc., there R some muscle relaxers, like Motrin(Ibuprophen), Flexeril, there's a whole list of meds 4 your complaint. U should really check with your Doctor.