Hanging a Bass by the Headstock? Tuning Problems?

[CoffeeLove]

Based on reading several TB threads, guess I am the only one that has had a problem hanging a bass by the headstock. Both of my Stingray 5's and Jazz 5 (thicker neck) have tuning issues after coming down from the hanger. That is, they are always "sharp" right after coming down and takes a little time for them to remain in tune after pulling them down and re-tuning (go flat easily). It's not hurting the Basses in any way, just annoying they seem to de-tune easily (go flat) for a few hours after pulling them down from the hanger (notice this when going to gigs usually). Those same Basses have zero problems tuning when they are left off the hook, and remain in tune between each time they are used.

Am I the only one that has experienced this?

Just curious

 

[Wood and Wire]

Based on reading several TB threads, guess I am the only one that has had problems doing this. Both of my Stingray 5's and Jazz 5 (thicker neck) have tuning issues after coming down from the hanger. That is, they are always "sharp" right after coming down and takes a little time for them to remain in tune after pulling them down. It's not hurting the Basses in any way, just annoying they seem to de-tune easily (go flat) for a short while after pulling them down from the hanger. Those same Basses have zero problems tuning when they are left of the hook, and remain in tune between playing them.

Am I the only one that has experienced this?

Just curious

Studies have shown that it takes approximately 12 years of hanging by the headstock, for a 34" scale bass, to become a 34 & 1/2" scale bass.

 

[Geri O]

Am I the only one that has experienced this?

Just curious

I’ve never experienced what you speak of because I simply refuse to use a stands that my basses hang from. I positively hate the idea of my basses hanging by their necks. I always have. And I’m happy to be the only schlub on the planet that feels that way. I have a very hard time walking into any music store with all those basses hanging on the wall…I manage….

 

[WI Short Scaler]

My basses are on wall hangers all the time, never experienced what you're seeing. Mine are usually still in tune when I take it down to play.

 

[badinage]

...they are always "sharp" right after coming down and takes a little time

An HVAC vent blowing on or near them in the hanging spot?

 

[Renaissance]

Is the neck firmly attached to the body?

 

[Bassclef46]

i have 3 hanging from the neck wall hangers and none of them have this issue. Changes to room air and humidity or temps are most likely the cause

 

[Clank Plank]

Wall hangers and no problems here in over 4 decades of fuitar and latterly bass playing. My music room is a fairly stable temperature, which helps.

 

[Snakeman1066]

Based on reading several TB threads, guess I am the only one that has had a problem hanging a bass by the headstock. Both of my Stingray 5's and Jazz 5 (thicker neck) have tuning issues after coming down from the hanger. That is, they are always "sharp" right after coming down and takes a little time for them to remain in tune after pulling them down and re-tuning (go flat easily). It's not hurting the Basses in any way, just annoying they seem to de-tune easily (go flat) for a few hours after pulling them down from the hanger (notice this when going to gigs usually). Those same Basses have zero problems tuning when they are left off the hook, and remain in tune between each time they are used.

Am I the only one that has experienced this?

Just curious

As a guy that has 30 plus instruments constantly hanging (small studio in the central valley of California)....I'll wager it has more to do with where you live and your environment (on the Coast according to your avatar) more than it does owing to the process of hanging your basses on the wall...

Do you have them hanging on a wall that faces the outside of the house? (If so move them to an inside facing wall)

Do you use a humidifier?

Do you have central heat and air? Swamp Cooler? Use Space heaters?

How old is the house? type of insulation? etc....

Still betting it's an environmental issue...

 

[dalkowski]

Dunno why this is happening but it ain't the hangin' what's the problem.

 

[Das Jugghead]

I have noticed this phenomenon as well. I play two ESP-LTD 5 string neck-through body basses. I hang them on the wall only because my lovely wife bought me wall hangers one year for Father's Day. I prefer to have my basses on stands simply because of the theory that they cannot fall any lower than the floor. When I have my basses on floor stands I do not notice this phenomenon here or at the rehearsal studio. I thought the tuning issues when first playing after they had been hanging on the wall was just me so I am glad someone else has spoken up about it.

For what it is or is not worth my home practice studio is climate controlled and the basses are nowhere near any vents. There are no windows in the basement (one of the reasons we opted for this house) so there isn't any sun shining through on the guitars to affect the necks.

 

[Lonnybass]

Based on reading several TB threads, guess I am the only one that has had a problem hanging a bass by the headstock. Both of my Stingray 5's and Jazz 5 (thicker neck) have tuning issues after coming down from the hanger. That is, they are always "sharp" right after coming down and takes a little time for them to remain in tune after pulling them down and re-tuning (go flat easily). It's not hurting the Basses in any way, just annoying they seem to de-tune easily (go flat) for a few hours after pulling them down from the hanger (notice this when going to gigs usually). Those same Basses have zero problems tuning when they are left off the hook, and remain in tune between each time they are used.

Am I the only one that has experienced this?

Just curious

Are they near a window where they are getting hit with a blast of direct sunlight?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I’ve had it happen too. Mostly MusicMan basses.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

@op,

most people don't have a problem with it, but I'm in the paranoid camp and simply don't do it. Doesn't make sense to me to put that gravitational force on the neck which is already dealing with truss rod alignment.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Almost every bass that goes out of tune, no matter where its kept, is owned by a bassist. Coincidence? I think not.

 

[Killing Floor]

Your neck doesn’t get longer hanging on a hook any more than it gets shorter sitting in a stand. If someone wants to say it does, that’s cool. But it isn’t fact based. Although it is wood and certainly can shrink and swell the difference is nanometers, not half step.

But temperature and humidity can alter your tuning slightly.

In my case, sometimes with basses but very often with guitars, the machines can make contact with the hook on hanging or removal.

 

[sleddogn]

I always wondered about the stress put on the screws holding on neck when hanging a stringed instrument. That weight of the downforce has to hang in those 4 screws from neck to body i'd think.
A neck thru bass wouldn't have same stress at that connection point.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

If they are higher up than if they were in a case they could be in a different strata of layered temperature and humidity.

 

[Killing Floor]

Almost every bass that goes out of tune, no matter where its kept, is owned by a bassist. Coincidence? I think not.

That’s a fascinating angle. Did you know every one of Richie Sambora’s guitars has gone out of tune since he split with Bon Jovi? Proof that if your bass needs tuning you might be Richie Sambora.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

I've never had any issues - temperature/humidity are the biggest culprits IMO.