Bass Support (Neck Diving)

NTL · #1 04-03-2008, 11:44 AM

I have been playing bass for about a year now, trying to practice as much as I can. Recently I came to the realization that my right arm is pushing down the body of the bass quite a bit to keep it level as well as my left hand pushing the neck up (I'm right handed).

Is this something that can be fixed by always using a strap when practicing sitting down? I seem to remember seeing a thread about this in the past but I couldn't find it. If this is the case then how do I adjust my strap for both sitting and standing positions?

Also, if you could provide any suggestions for good straps let me know because my current strap doesn't counteract the forces of gravity much at all.

DocBop · #2 04-03-2008, 01:24 PM

What you are describing is Neck Dive and usual culprit is a bass that is out of balance headstock too heavy and/or other factors in how the bass was designed and built. Straps can help some, but a lot of the time its just how that bass is, so next time you buy a bass be sure to check its balance.

Atoz · #3 04-03-2008, 02:01 PM

If you're not worried about drilling new holes in your bass, you could always move the rear strap button upwards, and maybe even the front one downward toward the neck joint. An alternative, if you are willing to spend the $$$ is to buy some lighter weight tuners.

NTL · #4 04-03-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

What you are describing is Neck Dive and usual culprit is a bass that is out of balance headstock too heavy and/or other factors in how the bass was designed and built. Straps can help some, but a lot of the time its just how that bass is, so next time you buy a bass be sure to check its balance.

How much do you think this actually affects my playing? It seems that by applying so much pressure with my right arm I am really limiting the smooth movement of my right hand and I am forced to keep my arm up tight to the body of the bass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoz

If you're not worried about drilling new holes in your bass, you could always move the rear strap button upwards, and maybe even the front one downward toward the neck joint. An alternative, if you are willing to spend the $$$ is to buy some lighter weight tuners.

I don't think different tuners would help, the neck doesn't even come close to staying level. Is this a common problem with cheap basses? What price range would I be looking at to find a bass which doesn't do this?

JustOpenYourMind · #5 04-03-2008, 02:50 PM

Here are the non-invasive and cheap means to get rid of neck Dive,

1. buy a nice wide strap that has a good grip.

2. If 1 fails and your bass has a big control cavity, go buy some lead weights and tape them inside your bass.

3. If your bass doesn't have a big control cavity, just tape the wights to your strap and it'll fix the problem.

Of course, you can invest in new tuners and everything but, it' won't be cheap and probably won't make a very big difference.

JustOpenYourMind · #6 04-03-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTL

Is this a common problem with cheap basses? What price range would I be looking at to find a bass which doesn't do this?

It has nothing to do with the price, it has to do with what woods are used in bass. Some cheap bass makers uses plywood or cheap basswood both very light to make instruments. Jay turser is a prime example. My first bass was a jay turser P-bass and weighted next to nothing but was impossible to balance properly.

On the other hand I had an SX bass, those are made from hardwood. and it was actually heavier than my American fenders and stayed right were you left it when you let the neck go.

kevteop · #7 04-03-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTL

Is this a common problem with cheap basses?

It's pretty common with expensive ones, too.

Headless basses and shorter-scale basses do it the least, but they make you look like an '80s reject or a girl. Best to take along a strap when trying out a new bass to see how it sits on you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustOpenYourMind

2. If 1 fails and your bass has a big control cavity, go buy some lead weights and tape them inside your bass.

I've never tried this, but if you do go down this route maybe look at the lead strip you can get for aquariums to weigh down live plants. It comes in a roll and you just break off what you need. A few places sell them on eBay.

nsmar4211 · #8 04-03-2008, 03:28 PM

Before you go drilling holes in your bass (which you may have to resort to), go to your nearest music store and get one of the Levi's suede straps. Mine is the 2.5" wide one, it's black on the outside and brown on the inner. Try that and see if it helps. The suede grabs onto your clothes and helps hold the bass in position. Should cost you under $40.... It's wide enough that'll it'll help take the strain off your back too.
Stay far far far far away from nylon webbed straps if your bass tends to dive-yea they're cheap and lots of em look cool but they are slippery as heck!
Take the bass with you if you can, try a few different ones. Don't worry about adjusting them to your height at first, just put em on and see how much it neck dives. Hang onto your bass just in case one should slip off!
Then get a good set of straplocks to go with it while you're there

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