Cure for Neck Dive on P-Bass?

[FenderAmpGas]

First post here. Love this site!

I'm a guitar player but just started getting into learning to play the bass. I've had an American Standard P-Bass for a number of years that I got a good deal on. Since I'm getting into playing more, I've noticed that it is pretty neck heavy.

Are there some lighter tuners I could install to help alleviate the neck dive?

Thanks all!

 

[Mickey Mao]

hipshot ultra lights are a good option for lightening the headstock.

 

[FenderAmpGas]

Nice! I'm assuming the size is based on the headstock hole's diameter and for a P-bass I would order Bass side?

 

[fretno]

a suede strap will help keep it in place

 

[markkoelsch]

Perhaps a counterweight near the bridge

 

[Dave W]

P bass neck dive?

 

[Kael]

Neck dive on a P bass is pretty unusual. Those are usually very well balanced. Just get some lightweight tuners and swap them out. you should be able to shave off enough weight to balance the bass.

Also a strap that is 3" wide will help. The bass will still pull, but it will stay put without you holding it up.

 

[bassguitarthund]

P bass neck dive?

Yea fender basses rather a jazz or p seem to balance pretty well to me. Then again I do wear a saude strap for comfort. Hate those nylon ones.

 

[Thumper]

Gotoh Res-O-Lites will cure the problem, if a Comfort Strapp doesn't.

 

[jumbodbassman]

+1

 

[Black Bart]

+2

 

[millsbass5]

P bass neck dive?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[FenderAmpGas]

Thanks all. Yes, it is a tad neck heavy. I am using a nylon strap so I'll have to upgrade that and try replacing the tuners.

 

[smperry]

I agree with other folks about trying a thick strap (neoprene or suede) if you're currently using one of those skinny guitar staps.

Gotoh Resolites are fantastic and super light, but trying for the easy option first.

 

[FenderAmpGas]

Yep, currently using a skinny nylon guitar strap.

Looking at ordering a Comfort Strapp but which res-o-lite model would be a direct replacement for a American Standard P-bass?

 

[Thumper]

Someone here can help with the Gotoh number (I haven't ordered mine yet, but you will not need reverse tuners like I do), RE the Comfort Strapp, keep in mind there are two lengths, I use the long (I'm 5'10").

 

[joeyl]

Nice! I'm assuming the size is based on the headstock hole's diameter and for a P-bass I would order Bass side?

yes, the size if you are getting hipshot ultralites is 1/2" one. Be aware that you will have to drill one hole for each tuner and that the bushing is not press on but screws onto the tuning key ( I like it much better) There is no bass side, they are reversible.

 

[Sharko]

P bass neck dive?

yup, unusual, but my P bass had a terrible neck dive with the neck that came on it. My solution: replaced it with a jazz neck and hipshot tuners

 

[ryanfenderbass]

Big ole brass bridge. If that's your thing.

 

[georgestrings]

P bass neck dive?

Yeah, I don't get that, either - I've probably owned atleast 25 Fenders, and never experienced neck dive with any of them....


- georgestrings