A/E bass for practice?

I've been feeling like the weight of my bass is an impedement to picking it up and playing it. It's one of these-- paid $500 back around 2001..

Ibanez Sr400 2001 Natural | Secret Guitars | Reverb

I've been thinking about something like an acoustic for easier practice. I stopped in a store yesterday and tried some junior jumbos (a Guild and a Taylor)- I really liked the Guild, the Taylor not so much. They didn't have any full sized acoustic basses in stock to try, unfortunately. I also picked up every bass in the store, and found one that was very light:

Although I don't think I can justify paying $600+ for something so similar to what I have now.

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

3 comments

3 Comments

Greg Fairweather

Jan 07, 2021

Maybe try a different chair so you can alternate between standing and sitting? Have you ever tried those stands that hold the bass in a playing position for you? I've never tried one, but I'd like to give it a try.

bassresources

Jan 07, 2021

Thanks Greg. It's not so much the strap as picking up a heavy bass and manipulating it to put on I think. I can't seem to find a way to make it stay in the right position when I sit so I mostly stand.

Greg Fairweather

Jan 07, 2021

Hi, thanks for the post and question. I've had shoulder pain from playing before. I changed my strap and also folded a face cloth to put under the strap for a while. I don't do that anymore, so the pain went away. I don't remember exactly how long it took, but I haven't had any issues for quite some time now (knock on wood). Do you sit or stand when you play? I sit when I practice but I prefer to stand when I "play/perform". I'd suggest trying a wider and padded strap first before buying a new bass. I hope that helps...thanks! :)