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Hanging a Bass by the Headstock? Tuning Problems?

#22
I mean, I think it’s possible for the tuning to change. If your neck has a TON of neck relief, maybe it’s not the best quality neck, like a one piece whatever sawn with no reinforcement rods. I could see the neck straightening while on the hanger and then bowing back to original position when off. It’s not going to get longer but it could possibly get straighter with less bow. Combine that with a super heavy body pulling the neck straight on the hanger. Seems physically possible to me.
 
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#24
CoffeeLove said:
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
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nope


but ...


when the humidity goes up the basses go sharp and the humidity goes down the basses go flat.

 
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#29
sleddogn said:
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.
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Right or wrong, I love this line of thinking; physics has always fascinated me. Except that it rekindles my anger at my parents for cutting off my math schoolin' at Algebra II.
 
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#30
I build guitars and basses and I think a lot of people would be surprised at how strong a piece of wood like a neck can be. You're basically building a laminated T-beam. Even though hanging it would be creating tension, they handle tension and compression very well, hence their use in instruments. I've used old necks and neck blanks as temporary supports for things in a pinch, or placed them across two objects and stood on them to reach things in my workshop. Any wood strong enough to be in a neck is pretty dang strong. :D

I can't imagine how a relatively small weight like a bass body could create enough tension in the neck to impact tuning. This effect in my view, is more likely to come as a result of temperature variation, but I'm open to being wrong. :thumbsup:
 
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#31
Nope. I hang all of my instruments by the headstock (except the headless ones :whistle: ) and never experienced this, unless a tuning key got bumped.
 
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#33
Hanging or on a stand, in my home studio/office/bass butchery room all my basses tune up very slightly i keep it around 67-69 degrees F all year.
At the jam spot, hanging or on a stand, my basses always tune down slightly. That place is usually a bit warmer and dryer.

When i take a bass from my place to the jam spot, the damn thing is basically in tune... crazy right??
 
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#35
jdthebassman said:
I have never understood why people hang their basses up on the wall just see the condition most are in at GC etc I store all mine in their cases that is why you get a case in the first place. I find my basses have less maintenance issues and some even stay in tune.
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I thought cases were for transporting... i only have 1 case though, it would be hard to store 8 basses in it.
 
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#36
jdthebassman said:
I have never understood why people hang their basses up on the wall just see the condition most are in at GC etc I store all mine in their cases that is why you get a case in the first place. I find my basses have less maintenance issues and some even stay in tune.
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so they are easily accessible and within reach when the mood strikes AND gives me more floor space in my small studio
 
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#38
My Les Paul and SG,after not being played a few days, are always sharp. Sometimes by a half step. Makes no difference if they're in the case,on a stand or hanging on the wall. None of my other guitars or basses do this. Just these two. Weird!
 
#40
jdthebassman said:
I have never understood why people hang their basses up on the wall just see the condition most are in at GC etc I store all mine in their cases that is why you get a case in the first place. I find my basses have less maintenance issues and some even stay in tune.
Click to expand...

It's a convenience factor for me. Grab and play, they are out of the way and the cats can't rub up against them. The anchors are rated for 150+ lbs, so I'm not concerned with them falling.
 
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