ansir

First things first: Grab your bass, strap it on, stand up, play a few of your favorite licks, and observe the angle it’s positioned at. Next, sit down and play those same licks, again noting the playing angle. You’ll most likely notice a difference. If this difference bothers your fretting-hand technique or causes you discomfort, there may be an answer—or Ansir—to your problems.

Ansir basses are named after the acronym “ANSIR”—which stands for “angled neck string instrument resource”—and they’re built by Jody Michael and a team whose design philosophy concentrates on ergonomics. Because electric basses have traditionally been designed around a linear playing dynamic, Ansir believes players must manipulate their bodies to accommodate them, thus increasing the potential for repetitive stress injuries. To avoid this, Ansir’s basses are designed to maintain a consistent playing angle whether you’re seated or standing.