Gibson neck dive....not my Gibsons

[hopsbb]

I always hear ppl talk about Gibsons having horrible neck dive issues.Whenever I hear this I kinda scratch my head for a second.Mine are perfectly balanced.Even my Epi Tbird doesn't go anywhere.Took these photos to show you why I scratch my head when I hear ppl say that.

 

[UK Philip]

People always say the quick fix is using a decent strap to stop them diving. That looks like the kind of strap they're talking about.

 

[Bent77]

I always hear ppl talk about Gibsons having horrible neck dive issues.Whenever I hear this I kinda scratch my head for a second.Mine are perfectly balanced.Even my Epi Tbird doesn't go anywhere.Took these photos to show you why I scratch my head when I hear ppl say that.View attachment 669301

View attachment 669302

dont worry, gibby haters gonna hate.
I love mine, no divers here either

 

[jazz Bass 74]

With the T-Bird, I think it depends on how low you wear your strap.

 

[TBird1958]

I've heard it plenty, especially regarding Thunderbirds - I have problems at all. However, different people have different body types and preferences regarding strap length ( as well as playing style) and for some they may not be comfortable - if you give one an honest try and it doesn't work move on.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If you're not having issues, I'm guessing the underside of your strap has a slip-proof lining.

 

[pcake]

my husband's gibson victory bass had plenty of neck dive. too bad, too - it was a really nice bass to play otherwise.

 

[jazz Bass 74]

Also, a lot of the complaints about T Bird neck dive relates to the vintage versions which had heavier tuners. The balance improved considerably when Gibson began using lighter tuners.

 

[Matt O]

I have never had any of the issues I hear about. But, it's rep makes the Tbird more of a rare sight in the wild, which is a good thing! I fell in love the first time I played one and have always kept one around. Hell, there's a Greco TB 900 next to me on the couch right now.

 

[1stnamebassist]

My Epi Tbird Classic IV had no neck dive whatsoever. Very comfortable to me anyway.

 

[callofcthulhu]

So what's your secret?

 

[GregT]

It looks like your strap attaches to the neck and not the body as some do. Cool.

 

[friendlybass]

Mine either, and my 3.5" wide leather strap has got nothing to do with it

 

[GIBrat51]

Does my '13 lefty T-Bird neck dive? The way I define neck dive, no it doesn't. Is it slightly headstock heavy? With the strap I like to use, yes it is. It's like holding up a double cheeseburger; when I can't hold one of those up, then it's time to die... On the other hand, my Kramer 450B lumie, which will, literally, actually, peel my shirt off as it heads for the floor, DOES meet my definition of "neck dive"...

 

[hintz]

Not that I doubt the OP, or anyone about their Gibson's being well balanced, but that wasn't my experience at all(and no I'm not a "hater")...I loved the tone and looks of my "Blackbird", but it was very uncomfortable for my left hand even with the strap pin relocated behind the neck *and* with a wide leather strap... I mean why would someone make this stuff up??

Anyways, I still regret selling it...

 

[Minirehak 212]

You have both strap pins moved. I thought they all came on the upper horn stock. That's where the problem is. I did the same thing to my tbird and no dive

 

[hobosong]

I used to believe that myth, but now we have photographic evidence!

 

[wvbass]

If you're not having issues, I'm guessing the underside of your strap has a slip-proof lining.

You have both strap pins moved. I thought they all came on the upper horn stock. That's where the problem is. I did the same thing to my tbird and no dive

No. The OP's pictures are clearly photoshopped.

 

[hintz]

You have both strap pins moved. I thought they all came on the upper horn stock. That's where the problem is. I did the same thing to my tbird and no dive

Well that was close to 15 years ago, so I can't do much about that now...but yeah, I did research a few years back on this (there are a few other tricks too)if I could travel back in time I would've moved the rear one as well and just kept it.......


The look is what got me at first, but when I got to try one in a store it was the feel and tone that won me over, of course I didn't try it with a strap in the store so I found out about neck dive when I got it home...

I will say that I made a profit off selling it, I paid $600 and got $1,000 and i had it for a year, i doubt ill ever find another for that low price...anyways I keep my eye on eBay for another Blackbird(or a white one if the price is right), it might be a few years before I can afford another....
Edit: Sorry minirehak, I misunderstood your post

 

[monsterthompson]

Had a Goth Tbird Epi. Manageable but noticeable dive.