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Size matters! A solution for a short upper horn.

fourstringbliss

fourstringbliss

Supporting Member
Oct 5, 2003
12,442
6,016
56
Puyallup, WA
#1
I have this Peavey Foundation

100_2782_zps4fa9425c.jpg


and because the body is so light (a good problem to have) the bass is neck heavy (not so good).

Here's my solution:

100_2785_zps43fc05c2.jpg


Two extra strap buttons drilled for the Straplok size screw, and all three attached to the upper horn with a 2" wood screw. I just needed to file down the head so it would fit in the Straplok hole. Balance issue solved. It looks a little funny but it's cheaper than new tuners and it works! I ordered another set of chrome Straplok buttons so all three buttons will match.
 
#4
My bass is immensely heavy so I took a screw so large that no strap buttons could fit it. Instead of that, I simply put straps on the screw and then used some plumbing rubber to tighten everything together, works like a charm, tight as can be :D And yeah, extra length can't hurt for sure. It's just that it could hurt... eyes :hiding:
 
#5
InternetAlias said:
My bass is immensely heavy so I took a screw so large that no strap buttons could fit it. Instead of that, I simply put straps on the screw and then used some plumbing rubber to tighten everything together, works like a charm, tight as can be :D And yeah, extra length can't hurt for sure. It's just that it could hurt... eyes :hiding:
Click to expand...

I remember you saying that - yikes! This bass is only about 8 lbs and now balances nicely.
 
#6
Yeah, there's a lot of difference between 8 and 13lbs... But balance wise, it seemed your bass needed more help in that department, which could mean our necks are of similar weight but it's bodies that differ. Also, if I were you, I'd change the angle at which the strap button is positioned, the more angle you have (relative to the neck, of course) the less effect it has.
 
#8
It's an SX jazz bass, one with the ash body. This is probably the heaviest non-maple bass I've played, but it sounds amazing (especially for how much I paid for it) so I keep it and often gig with it. I also have a cheap P knockoff that's defretted, it's 8lbs and man is there a difference. But I've realized that if I use a double strap system, it doesn't really matter how long the horn is, so I play it with two straps even though it has serious neck dive (when played with one strap, that is). Two strap system allows you to tweak position however you want, and I've put an extra strap button on the back of my jazz so that I can attach the extra strap to. However I position the bass, it stays, and I mean literally, it can go from completely upright to horizontal with no problems. Not to mention you can tweak it left/right to accommodate one of your hands.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] < the back strap button
This is how it looks like, one strap goes normally over your left shoulder, the second strap goes over your right shoulder, than crosses the other strap (tightening it more!), then goes around the back (to the left, not right!) and stomach and finally connects to the bass. The idea is that however you might position the bass it will stay.

This is to say, that if you have any further balance/positioning problems (after the horn extension, that is) - they are fixable! :D
 

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