Epiphone Jack Casady - Neck Dive - What to do about it?

A short strap and wear it as high as you can. That seems to change the balance when you point the neck upward. It also helps with that right forearm problem the bass can give you by cutting into your arm when it's lower.

 

You might try the "Slider Strap" X braced strap. It may help or not. Don't forget to try it upside down/backwards as the bass will hang differently. Nothing changes for you except that the logo will be upside down on your back. They're about 20 bucks and it helped with neck dive on one of my basses. Let us know. Jim T.

 

Try a strap with a suede leather backing. The suede should grab your clothing and not allow the bass to dive.

 

Chin-high would definitely be overdoing it. More like, mid-chest high, I'd say. I don't find the upper bout cuts into the body at all but the bass can dig into your right forearm as it tries to lean away from you, thus the higher position which seems to eliminate that somewhat. Experiment with strap length and I believe you'll find a suitable position that works for you. Of course, if you're skinny as a rail or fat as a hog, these suggestions should be modified accordingly!

 

I usually play mine sitting down. The few times that I've played it standing up didn't bother me that much. I haven't done it for more than a couple of songs so a longer session could prove differently.

Mike J.

 

Peter,
Try www.slider-strap.com
They give you the whole skivvy. (Explanation.)
These straps are a bit on the flimsy side and I'd like to see them make a beefier one. They ARE helpful with back and neck pain, positioning for tendonitus, etc.

People like 'em or hate 'em. Worth a $20 U.S. gamble or try out in a shop.

I recommend trying it upside down as it changes everything including where the straps interfere or not with your arm position, etc. Good luck. Tell us what you think. Jim T.

 

Hi
I have not noticed too much diving with my Jack.
I do wear it kinda high (above the waist, just above), and use a fairly wide, padded Levi's strap.
I got my Casady from Steve Azola, who did some experimenting with the strap knobs (replaced with Dunlop Straplocks). He drilled on the upper horn (did not help the balance)and on the upper inside of the heel. Also moved the butt strap buttonup a couple of inches (in line with the E string corner of the bridge, like a Zon). I have found that that position with the other button on the back of the heel works fine. There is a little nose diving but not uncomfortable.
One thing you might try is to replace the tuners with lighter ones (say Hipshot ultralites, or something similar). I have been thinking of this for my Casady, but have not gotten around to doin' it yet.
MAx

 

i wouldn't do anything, you'll get used to it. i have a guitar with the strap right by the neck joint, and at first i found it hard to play because of the dive, but now it's simply an aspect of the instrument, like action. i've gotten used to the little quirks of all my instruments, and when i strap one on, i adapt after about a minute of playing.

 

I play with my Jack Casady bass ultra low- Yeah I know, but I play live so looking cool is 90 percent of the game. I had the neck drop problem as well. I moved the pin a little below the mid point of the upper horn- and it improved it dramatically. I measured to the middle and placed a little dot with a pin. I then took a finishing nail and, ever so slightly taped it with a screwdriver. Not all the way, just enough to get the screw started. I then removed the old strap button and screwed into the location. No probs. The wood is very soft so you shouldn’t have to drill. I also have an Aguilar on-board preamp and two 10-volt battery holders in the rear. This added to leveling out the bass as well.
Hope this helps-
Boozie

 

I ran into this thread of the neckdive problem with the Epiphone Jack Casady. I have a very simple solution with a piece of foldable lead on my strap. Still a bit of TLC to do with a piece of suede or something like that. It works great, the bass is in good balance!

 

Hold onto the neck and it doesn't dive.

I play mine on the side of my hip to avoid the edge of the body digging into my forearm. Playing it on the front of the body isn't cimfortable.

Hang it to the side and hang onto it. These concessions easily make up for the great sound and cool vibe of a JC without alterations.

Weighted strap is a good idea but who wants extra weight? Hipshot ultralights are great but you have to drill a new hole. Yuck. Ymmv.

 

I have this wrapped around the bottom of my strap. A little extra weight doesn't get me down since my bass only weighs 7.3 lbs.

 

Ah Golf gadgets - That's a great idea!