• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Can this work?

i dont know how i got this idea but i thought it would be awesome if you could attach a ball bearing to a bass, then attach the other side of the ball bearing to a strap or harness that you wore so you would be able to spin it in a circle just by pushing the neck sideways. I dont know if that made sense but it would be epic to see a bass spinning. Any idea if this idea is good or if i am just typing nonsense?
 
Only if you wear this shirt while attempting it:

Link Removed

But it must be about 15 sizes too small and you must look like this guy:

Link Removed



(I think what saddens me most about this whole thing is that there's a website called "emohairguide.com" That hurts my soul.)
 
ok i might not need an epoxy, i just found out their was a metal plate right where the ballbearing needs to go for it to spin propery, i might just use a magnet their, if it does work out ill try and provide more details but i need to wait until tomorrow to get the stuff to test it out.
 
ok i might not need an epoxy, i just found out their was a metal plate right where the ballbearing needs to go for it to spin propery, i might just use a magnet their, if it does work out ill try and provide more details but i need to wait until tomorrow to get the stuff to test it out.

You could always attach the strap end of a Dunlop straplock through a hole in a belt and attach the other piece into the back of your bass. That would be kind of a "quick and dirty" way to do it.
 
Hi.

ZZ-Top was the first thing when i glanced the thread ;). Oh, these youngsters.

Atoz, if he went ahead with the magnet idea I think he'll be busy posting to the setup & repair section. There's NO WAY that would work without spending a hefty amount of money to the magnet. Not to mention a securely attached steel plate.

IIRC there's a sealed ball bearing with an attachement plate behind those ZZ-Top instruments, I remember seeing a pic of it back then. They wore weightlifting belts or something like that. But it was a looong time ago, might have been something else too.

Regards
Sam
 
Sorry i havent posted in a while ive been busy, T-Bird was right about the magnet, i cant find one strong enough to support the bass, although i did find sealed ball bearings and a belt to hold it up. Im going to be busy for a while so im not sure when i will be able to get a stronger magnet but when i do ill post it to the setup and repair section.

Also my Bass A Peavy Zodiac already has a metal bass on the back of it, so i dont have to worry about that.
 
The ZZ Top video actually used a comercial strap system - I got to try one at a guitar show. I think they were called "spin straps" (duh!).

However they were a bit more substantial than you're planning. A HUGE cast metal "X" bolted to the back of the guitar. You then wore a backpack kind of harness that went over both shoulders. Finally you could attatch the center of the "X" to a pivot on the harness. The trick was that the cable was re-routed to go through the pivot point, through the harness and out the back, so you could spin it without it getting tangled.

They assured me the spin feature was a fun side effect - their main design goal was to put the weight of the instrument equally on both shoulders. They were indeed very comfortable.

The requirement to bolt the bracket permanently to the back of your guitar, and re-route the wiring through the back (and high cost!) meant they never took off...