How do you combat Neck Dive?

[Stealth Fighter]

Then you haven't played enough basses I've made a point of almost exclusively buying basses that don't drop from about 40 degrees when let go for the past ten years or so. There's lots of them. If they do, then it's neck dive IMO.

Then, maybe you're doing something wrong. I have never had a problem with any of my Fenders not hanging where I want them. Furthermore, I have never heard any of the Fender players that I personally know complain about neck dive. Sometimes, I think some people just look for reasons to bash Fender, and before you say it, I admit to being a Fender fanboy. Why am I a fanboy, you might ask...because they make a great product for an affordable price. Oh, and did I mention that they hang on the strap just as I like them to hang. YMMV

 

[Junk420]

I've done something similar (but not quite) to a neck-heavy Jaguar. Works great! The whole bass is shifted to my right (to the plucking hand side), and it's great for left, as for right hand.

But now I have a problem: Where do I put the cable through, so it doesn't unplug if I step on it? The strap location before worked great for it :-\

Loop the cable through your belt loop.

 

[groooooove]

the bass will either dive or it wont.

if its an issue for you, make sure your next basses balance- the strap button should be even with the 12th fret for good balance.

i've been lucky.. i can only remember one bass that had dive - guild B-301.. cool bass, but it balanced horribly!

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Then, maybe you're doing something wrong.

How would I be doing something wrong by buying products that work the way I want them to rather than ones I have to fight? I never even commented on Fenders, so no need to get the "fanboy" dander up. I've played Fenders that did and did not have neck dive- in general they more often than not balanced very well.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

I have NEVER played a Fender that had neck dive.

It appears that there are different definitions of neck dive.

Most of us would define neck dive as ... When you let go of the neck it takes a dive towards the floor ... But some define it as if your bass doesn't hang at a 45 degree angle by itself then it is neck diving.

Well there are pretty much almost no basses that will hang at 45 degrees. That is not neck dive to most bass players.

Then you haven't played enough basses I've made a point of almost exclusively buying basses that don't drop from about 40 degrees when let go for the past ten years or so. There's lots of them. If they do, then it's neck dive IMO.

Whatever, dood. I'll let the facts speak for you.

 

[aprod]

I would not buy a bass with neck dive.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Whatever, dood. I'll let the facts speak for you.

The facts seem to be that you didn't read his last sentence- the one I was responding to. Dood

 

[anton72]

Why do people choose to read what they want to read and base their answer on that?

In my original post I stated that it has a 'bit' of neck dive. Hell, it is so little that everyone else who has played it said to me 'that is not neck dive at all'. 2nd, the balance, when it is VERY balanced is not a fundamental flaw. I suppose I stated the question wrong. I want to counter-balance the headstock to make the bass MORE comfortable. I said it may ultimately hurt my potential. I'm going to try a wider/grippy strap. if that doesn't work, not the end of the world.

There's not such thing as "a bit" of neck dive. It's just the same as a bit pregnant woman. Either your bass is balanced on strap or not. If it is balanced there's nothing to complain about. If not - please take all opinions patiently Peace. And yes, lighter tuners do the trick.

 

[Flatwound]

There are some useless, crabby old farts on here. I never knew a simple question like this could ignite the douchebaggery of 'sell it'.

I'm going to look into the hippoopie ultralight tuners and a wider strap. I went to GC but they wanted 70$ for a strap. I could get one custom made for cheaper.

You can add me to your list of crabby old fart douchebags then. The only reason that I don't play Warwick Thumbs any more is because of ergonomics. Not solely neck dive, but that's a large part. I've had three Thumbs, including a beautiful old wenge/bubinga neck-thru. The neck-thru was moderately heavy (for a Thumb) at 12 lbs. 2 oz., but because of the way it hung, it was actually painful to play, and it was the first to go. IMO, nothing else sounds like a Thumb, but I don't have a strong enough desire to be a suffering artist.

Disclaimer: Thumbs work great for a lot of people. Not me, though.

 

[sobie18]

I man up, quit crying, and play the damn bass.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

The facts seem to be that you didn't read his last sentence- the one I was responding to. Dood

Just can't stand to be wrong, can you. Whatever. Have a nice day.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Just can't stand to be wrong, can you. Whatever. Have a nice day.

Yeah, you got me- even though my entire post is a clear response to his last sentence and points out that there are lots of basses that stay at around 45 degrees, you're right. It was totally talking about Fenders having neck dive, even though they weren't referenced at all. It's amazing how well you read between the words that are there to see all the ones that aren't

 

[BassGoblin]

Ok put your 'swords' away boys.

 

[FrettFretless]

One time at a jam sesh i tied 5 helium balloons to the headstock to be a goof. It helped somewhat

 

[Stealth Fighter]

Yeah, you got me- even though my entire post is a clear response to his last sentence and points out that there are lots of basses that stay at around 45 degrees, you're right. It was totally talking about Fenders having neck dive, even though they weren't referenced at all. It's amazing how well you read between the words that are there to see all the ones that aren't

 

[KatCreek Guitars]

I have a device that balances a bass. I'm looking for folks who are interested in providing input. The current version replaces the bolt-on neck plate and has an adjustable rod that slides behind the neck. The shoulder strap attaches to the strap pin on the end of the rod. I have three types of rods, one with a standard strap pin, one with an eyelet for a quick connect, and one that is bent (the other two straight).

Thanks
Kathy
KatCreek Guitars

 

[oldrookie]

Same. Had one and learned my lesson.

+1

It is never fully resolved and it makes the instrument less than fun to play.

Went ultra-light tuners, relocated strap button, added heavy bridge. Put wide strap on as a last resort and it forced me to fight with my shirt all night to keep it in place.

Sold the bass and will NEVER buy one that fights me while I am playing it again. Life is too short and there are too many other good options out there.

 

[FretlessMainly]

I am a thumb anchor type, and I anchor fairly heavily. I've played that way for well over 30 years. It just so happens that it effectively combats neck dive.

 

[sobie18]

I am a thumb anchor type, and I anchor fairly heavily. I've played that way for well over 30 years. It just so happens that it effectively combats neck dive.

Copy all, sounds good. Between my thumb and forearm, the bass isn't going anywhere.

How are people holding their basses these days?

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Then, maybe you're doing something wrong. I have never had a problem with any of my Fenders not hanging where I want them.

Then tell me what I'm doing wrong:
- I put a strap on it, and adjust it so the bass hangs a little above my belt buckle.
- I stand up.
- I take my hands off the bass, and see what happens.

My Fender history:
- '64 P-bass, skinny neck, heavy. Headstock headed for the floor whenever it had the chance. Sounded and played great, so I learned to grab the strap whenever I went to reach for anything with my left hand. Wide, grabby straps with suede backing helped somewhat.
- '02 P-bass Deluxe V. Didn't like the electronics. Not as bad as the '64, but still needed a grabby strap.
- AVRI '62. Not sure of the year. Amazing bass. Ditto.
- Squier Active Jazz V. Not sure of the year. Didn't like the electronics. Ditto
- '11 Squier Fretless VM Jazz. Nice bass, very light. Ditto.
- MIM Jazz V, year unknown. Heavy, over 10lb. Ditto.
- '13 Squier VM 3TS Precision V. Ditto.
- '13 Squier VM white Precision V. Light, at 8lb 12oz. Ditto.
- '13 Squier VM Jag Special V. The worst of the lot, presumably because of the short upper horn.

The last VM P5 was a keeper, so I installed Licensed Ultralights ($75 + shipping off eBay), along with a flush Dunlop Straplok on the back. Now it stays wherever I put it, even if I angle the headstock up about 30 degrees.