An interesting idea for neck dive?

[davec629]

I've seen these on Steinbergers and Boltin basses but never seen one for sale. I'm thinking of buying this and trying it on a cheaper bass to see how it does. I've had quite a few basses and guitars that were fine except for the neck dive problems. I do believe that these can be setup to swing out of sight when not in use.

[Slowgypsy]

I actually tried one of those strap extender hooks on a Steinberger Spirit bass. Worked just fine. No reason it wouldn't. Don't know how you make it swing out of the way.

[davec629]

You use just one screw hole as a pivot point and attach one screw as a stop. Rotate the arm clockwise to extend the arm (being stopped by the the second screw) and rotate counter clockwise to hide behind the body. Maybe line the rear of the arm with felt to protect the finish. I think it maybe possible to either clamp or spot wield a strap button the the end of the arm to use strap locks (such as Dunlop or Schaller). Maybe I'm thinking too much here. The bass would fit in the case easier with the arm down.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by davec629

Maybe I'm thinking too much here.

No, you're doin' good. I gotta play super light basses because of neck injuries and most light basses dive (which is as or even more stressful than a balanced heavy bass). This extender stuff is all just variations on a theme so I'm always interested in minor refinements folks come up with.

[klaus486]

I find that standard Dunlop strap locks, ie; not countersunk, will balance any Fender type bass perfectly. The 3/4 of an inch they stick out seems to make all the difference for me.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by davec629

You use just one screw hole as a pivot point and attach one screw as a stop. Rotate the arm clockwise to extend the arm (being stopped by the the second screw) and rotate counter clockwise to hide behind the body. Maybe line the rear of the arm with felt to protect the finish. I think it maybe possible to either clamp or spot wield a strap button the the end of the arm to use strap locks (such as Dunlop or Schaller). Maybe I'm thinking too much here. The bass would fit in the case easier with the arm down.

Certainly works in theory, and quite possibly reality. Just be aware that.... when the strap is pulling on this thing, and you're moving around, there's a heck of a lot of leverage pull on the single remaining screw... if you do it that way. Not saying don't do it.... just pointing out a possible "gremlin".

[Diogenes]

I've done variations on this idea but a simple hook like this still falls short (IMHO) of being ideal. Since it's roughly on the same plane as the back of the body, the bass tends to lean forward when on straps... I find this to be not as comfortable as when the strap button is along the centerline or even closer to the top of the body.

I finally have an EB-O that I play regularly but it suffers the same problem as my violin bass (aside from the neck dive). I've made extensions that clip to the neckplate mounted strap button and cup the body for stability and extend a strap button out the desired spot but they all looked too industrial. I plan to weld a steel rod to the neck plate which will extend out to the 12th fret and almost be in line with but a few inches above the FB surface. I just have to come up with a design that will look pleasing and enhance or at least follow the aesthetics of the SG body style. I want it to look like a piece of functional ornamentation rather than some ham-fisted junkyard scrap looking tumor/growth.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by Diogenes

I've done variations on this idea but a simple hook like this still falls short (IMHO) of being ideal. Since it's roughly on the same plane as the back of the body, the bass tends to lean forward when on straps... I find this to be not as comfortable as when the strap button is along the centerline or even closer to the top of the body.

I finally have an EB-O that I play regularly but it suffers the same problem as my violin bass (aside from the neck dive). I've made extensions that clip to the neckplate mounted strap button and cup the body for stability and extend a strap button out the desired spot but they all looked too industrial. I plan to weld a steel rod to the neck plate which will extend out to the 12th fret and almost be in line with but a few inches above the FB surface. I just have to come up with a design that will look pleasing and enhance or at least follow the aesthetics of the SG body style. I want it to look like a piece of functional ornamentation rather than some ham-fisted junkyard scrap looking tumor/growth.

Actually, the official licensed Steinberger strap extender that the OP shows a picture of is NOT flat. It's curved. When properly installed it attaches to your strap in the proper place for balance.... not even with the back of the instrument. This is one reason I'm not sure the use-1-screw-and-pivot idea he's thinking about will work.

[davec629]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Actually, the official licensed Steinberger strap extender that the OP shows a picture of is NOT flat. It's curved. When properly installed it attaches to your strap in the proper place for balance.... not even with the back of the instrument. This is one reason I'm not sure the use-1-screw-and-pivot idea he's thinking about will work.

My original post should have said "Bolin" not Boltin. I starting to think the neck bolt attachment might be a better idea.

[Diogenes]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Actually, the official licensed Steinberger strap extender that the OP shows a picture of is NOT flat. It's curved. When properly installed it attaches to your strap in the proper place for balance.... not even with the back of the instrument. This is one reason I'm not sure the use-1-screw-and-pivot idea he's thinking about will work.

Ah... I see the slight curvature in the photo. Are these extensions made of a nylon resin or something of that ilk?

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by Diogenes

Ah... I see the slight curvature in the photo. Are these extensions made of a nylon resin or something of that ilk?

Not 100% sure of the material, but the one I have, I believe, is black anodized cast aluminum. Feels like it anyway. Definitely not nylon resin or any type of plastic.

[Pilgrim]

On a Steinberger site, it appears the extender was made to be fixed rather than swivel...if this is the same one.



I found the image on the page at: http://www.steinbergerworld.com/syna...se-preview.htm

Here's another photo from farther down the page:

[davec629]

Does anyone know what Freekbass uses on his bass to offset neck dive? A cylinder like extension on his strap button.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by davec629

I've seen these on Steinbergers and Boltin basses but never seen one for sale. I'm thinking of buying this and trying it on a cheaper bass to see how it does. I've had quite a few basses and guitars that were fine except for the neck dive problems. I do believe that these can be setup to swing out of sight when not in use.

Where can they be bought? That's the perfect solution for the Axe Bass' horrible neck dive.

[davec629]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Where can they be bought? That's the perfect solution for the Axe Bass' horrible neck dive.

Try this link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[davec629]

Thank you to everyone for their advice and input.