Moving Lower Strap Button to Reduce Neck Dive?

winston · #1 09-17-2010, 11:42 AM

Just wondering if there are any rules of thumb for moving the lower strap button to counteract neck dive. Recently got a bass that sounds great...unlike my others it dives when played on a strap.

Looking at the bass, I imagine if I move the button from the center line closer to the output jack it would help. This would put the center of gravity closer to the bridge, right? Is there any simple physics I can apply to determine the proper balance point? I want to be sure before I bust out the drill so I don't mess it up!

Pilgrim · #2 09-17-2010, 11:51 AM

You can always take some duct tape and try taping the end of the strap in place in the area where you're thinking of moving the strap button. Just be careful not to let the tape come loose!

In the end, a wide strap with plenty of friction - and possibly lighter tuners - will probably be the solution.

Bijoux · #3 09-17-2010, 11:57 AM

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ack · #4 09-17-2010, 12:00 PM

Pilgrim has some good advice there.

I just built a bass and had a feeling that it was gonna be a diver.
I taped the tail-end strap in several places until I found good balance, then marked & drilled.

Looks kinda funny, but it balances nicely. Wide straps do help as well.

winston · #5 09-17-2010, 12:35 PM

I'm using a 3' wide leather strap with a rough back already. Will try the duct tape thing, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack

Pilgrim has some good advice there.

I just built a bass and had a feeling that it was gonna be a diver.
I taped the tail-end strap in several places until I found good balance, then marked & drilled.

Looks kinda funny, but it balances nicely. Wide straps do help as well.

That's a lovely bass! What kind of pickups are those?

ack · #6 09-17-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winston

I'm using a 3' wide leather strap with a rough back already. Will try the duct tape thing, thanks!

That's a lovely bass! What kind of pickups are those?

Thanks, I appreciate that.

The neck pickup is from a Telebass (probably Squier) and the bridge is a EB-0/3 clone (probably Artec). The two pickups have different spacing, so I used a Schaller roller bridge to help compensate. The EB-0 is usually located closer to the mid-point or near the neck, but its far enough away from the bridge to pick up substantial vibration.

Good luck getting yours balanced.