first time player--having problem with my strap

Xocolatl · #1 08-16-2010, 07:32 PM

First of all, sorry if I'm posting in the wrong section. I've tried the search function too, but nothing that I think fits my question came up.

Anyway, I just started out playing bass guitar. My weapon of choice is an el cheapo (probably Chinese made) brandless bass starter set that I got off of ebay. It came with a nylon strap, the kind you' often see on a side slinger backpack.
I won't discount the possibility that it's most likely to be just me doing something wrong, but my bass seems to really dip a lot. By dipping, I mean the guitar itself would rotate, angling the neck downward as I play. As it is my first bass (and first electric guitar of any kind), I am not sure if it is just too top heavy, or the strap is too slippery, or I'm just not doing it correctly.

Do you normally have to hold the neck up a lot to keep the guitar from tilting down? Should I just go ahead and get a new strap?

Thank you.

L Anthony · #2 08-16-2010, 07:39 PM

Some basses have "neck dive", where the neck is heavy and it tends to dive towards the floor; that could be your problem.
How you have your strap on your body could contribute to neck dive as well.

I wouldn't think you'd need a new strap (unless yours is slipping on your body or something).

Jim Campbell · #3 08-16-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xocolatl

First of all, sorry if I'm posting in the wrong section. I've tried the search function too, but nothing that I think fits my question came up.

Anyway, I just started out playing bass guitar. My weapon of choice is an el cheapo (probably Chinese made) brandless bass starter set that I got off of ebay. It came with a nylon strap, the kind you' often see on a side slinger backpack.
I won't discount the possibility that it's most likely to be just me doing something wrong, but my bass seems to really dip a lot. By dipping, I mean the guitar itself would rotate, angling the neck downward as I play. As it is my first bass (and first electric guitar of any kind), I am not sure if it is just too top heavy, or the strap is too slippery, or I'm just not doing it correctly.

Do you normally have to hold the neck up a lot to keep the guitar from tilting down? Should I just go ahead and get a new strap?

Thank you.

or extend the upper strap button,with a spacer

MalcolmAmos · #4 08-16-2010, 08:00 PM

Not cool, but your bass should ride high on your chest. You should be able to sit down and the bass fit you comfortably high on your belly/chest. Now stand up. The bass should be in the same part of your body.

Adjust the strap so this happens. I've never had neck drop, so I'll leave that to others.

By the way. Good luck.

puddin tame · #5 08-16-2010, 08:07 PM

a brandless, cheap ass bass that is poorly balanced?

never

Vincent P · #6 08-16-2010, 08:21 PM

you could also try purchasing another strap and see how that works for you.

fearceol · #7 08-17-2010, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent P

you could also try purchasing another strap and see how that works for you.

+1. A nylon strap like you have is going to be slippery. Try getting a strap that has a suede lining. That should give more grip. Make sure it's fairly wide also, maybe 3".

Be careful when playing a bass with neck dive. Your left hand is meant for playing, not holding up the neck. A lot of people experience cramp in their arm or hand after a while from supporting the neck.

Hopefully some of the suggestions in this thread will solve the problem.

JimmyM · #8 08-18-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Not cool, but your bass should ride high on your chest. You should be able to sit down and the bass fit you comfortably high on your belly/chest. Now stand up. The bass should be in the same part of your body.

ewww! sorry mal but that feels so uncomfortable to me that i could never do it. doesn't really relate to the problem, either. if it drops hanging low, it'll drop hanging high.

unfortunately, i don't know of any good solution for a neck heavy bass. relocating strap buttons sort of helps, i guess, as does getting a strap that's grippy on the back, but i've found they're still neck heavy once you do those things...just a little easier to deal with.

Fergie Fulton · #9 08-19-2010, 04:27 AM

Strap problems are not unusual as basses come in all shapes and sizes so problems will occur.
There are many straps to consider from wide ones, ergonomic ones to ones with counter balance weights to stop neck dive with out increasing the load on the shoulder..do a search to see what is available. Follow the link for some info on what a strap should do.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?f...ogId=516114731

PostApocalypso · #10 08-19-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ewww! sorry mal but that feels so uncomfortable to me that i could never do it.

Same. Puts my plucking wrist into such an unnatural position that I'm sure it would cause medical issues. And it pitches the head so far from my body that my fretting wrist flattens in a bad way.

Related to the question: I have a three and a half inch rough back leather strap that works for my jazz bass--which has very little neck dive to begin with anyhow--but that might help. I find nylon straps to be a bit slippy and I'm always adjusting when I'm using mine.

rob_d · #11 08-20-2010, 05:59 AM

If I walked into this thread and didn't know what online community I was in?? Just saying.

tobie · #12 08-20-2010, 06:01 AM

Neck dive is a common problem with our church bass (nylon strap). When anyone else plays, the neck hangs horizontally to the floor (for obvious reasons). I can't play like that - it freaks out the muscles in my left hand.

If I have to use the church bass instead of mine, I take my 3" wide leather strap to church and quickly swap it before & after the service. It works perfectly for me.

The Bassmonkey · #13 08-20-2010, 06:27 AM

I use an Ernie Ball strap as im pretty tall and its the longest i could find I play my bass probably with the main part of the body pretty much on my belt buckle.

One way would be to lengthen the strap so that the bottom of the body is lower down, although this may not fit with your playing style.

kenlacam · #14 08-20-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Not cool, but your bass should ride high on your chest. You should be able to sit down and the bass fit you comfortably high on your belly/chest.:

that is personal preference. It is not comfortable AT ALL for me to hold the bass that high. That is what you prefer, so be it.

Fergie Fulton · #15 08-20-2010, 08:00 AM

It always amazes me that the idea of spending good money on a good wide strap is an after thought or even a non-starter.
Players seem to be quite happy to spend money on amps cabs, effects etc, but neglect the one thing that can be a constant in gigging, that the bass always hangs there in contact with your body via a strap.

Spending say £100 on a good quality leather strap or even a custom made one is money well spent when you understand what it does. Think on this, its job is to support the bass and spread its weight so that the pressure is reduced on the shoulders. Bad straps do the opposite they cause problems, so do yourself a favour and look at your strap as an investment in your health and playing.