How to solve neck dive

[Rod Barchetta]

There is a way to solve neck dive that doesn't require modifying the bass.

You buy a cheap leather guitar strap, cut off the portion with the slots, buy fishing weights as needed and wrap in a neat packet of duct tape, thread the slotted portion over your strap leaving space for the weights, use the long leather portion of the strap to wrap around to hide and secure the weight packet, use a black twist tie to secure the end of the strap.

You can change the weight; you can use it more than one guitar; and the weight is in exactly the right place so it doesn't take too much to balance the guitar. Works like a charm.

 

[GTHintz]

Nice!

 

[KeithAlanK]

One of the methods I tried when battling neck-dive was to put the biggest lead weights I could find at Academy into an old cellphone case that had a sturdy steel belt clip.

 

[Watchootognbout]

 

[MattZilla]

How do you get a fish taco to taste like apple pie?

 

[Leonid Nidis]

This solves it for me.if the bass hands lowish it works,if it's high your arm will push it down anyway.

I do this on any bass,even if there is no neck dive.
This way the bass is fixed in position no matter what you do.
If you change position it jumps back.

 

[Watchootognbout]

How do you get a fish taco to taste like apple pie?

Get Covid.
Then everything tastes like nothing.

 

[laristotle]

I used mag wheel balance weights in the control cavity.
Not totally solved, but helped a bit.

 

[chris_b]

Neck dive means the top horn on the body isn't long enough. Several manufacturers have added extensions to the strap, eq Rob Turner's Renaissance bass.

 

[sleddogn]

+1 on the loop thru belt procedure, it does work, just don't have to run to bathroom too quickly, lol

 

[Afc70]

I guess I’m lucky, in my 35 years of playing & over 60 + instruments, I can’t recall battling neck dive,
Maybe it’s the way I wear my bass up high ,& the angle, who knows. But I’ve never consciously experienced neck dive.

 

[Fernando Costa]

Cotton straps can help a bit, it depends on the type of clothing you wear.

 

[geddeeee]

Just buy a wide leather strap... Problem solved.
I have never had a problem with neck dive on any bass I have owned. I can't understand why a lot of people still have this problem. Never skimp on the price of a strap....

 

[Watchootognbout]

I guess I’m lucky, in my 35 years of playing & over 60 + instruments, I can’t recall battling neck dive,
Maybe it’s the way I wear my bass up high ,& the angle, who knows. But I’ve never consciously experienced neck dive.

Just buy a wide leather strap... Problem solved.
I have never had a problem with neck dive on any bass I have owned. I can't understand why a lot of people still have this problem. Never skimp on the price of a strap....

There are many who unconsciously push down with the plucking arm and lift with the fretting hand.
Lifting with the fretting arm adds forearm muscle stress.
And don't know it until they play a bass that doesn't dive.


Playing should be practically effortless.
It's like the difference between wiggling your fingers while holding a 2X4 and not.

 

[Skillet]

Just buy a wide leather strap... Problem solved.
I have never had a problem with neck dive on any bass I have owned. I can't understand why a lot of people still have this problem. Never skimp on the price of a strap....

It's quite possible that other people own different model basses than you do.

 

[Nev375]

Two words. Helium Balloons

 

[jd56hawk]

Since the Haeds-Up strap is no longer available, try some golfer's tape wrapped around the bottom of a strap.
Cover it with a seat-belt pad.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

The posters in every thread about neck dive quickly divide into

-those who are talking about imbalance (the feeling of which remains no matter what the strap),
and
-those who are talking about slippage (often fixed with a strap, but this doesn't fix the unbalanced feel).

Thereafter they just keep talking past one another.

 

[1958Bassman]

SD Curlee basses had this and it was due to the upper horn being short of the 12th fret, which is now a standard position for the button if the body isn't shaped in a way that would prevent it. I'm in the (far too long) process of adding a piece of brass under the bridge to fight this and it will balance nicely if/when I get around to finishing it.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

There is a way to solve neck dive that doesn't require modifying the bass.

View attachment 4378079 View attachment 4378080 You buy a cheap leather guitar strap, cut off the portion with the slots, buy fishing weights as needed and wrap in a neat packet of duct tape, thread the slotted portion over your strap leaving space for the weights, use the long leather portion of the strap to wrap around to hide and secure the weight packet, use a black twist tie to secure the end of the strap.

You can change the weight; you can use it more than one guitar; and the weight is in exactly the right place so it doesn't take too much to balance the guitar. Works like a charm.

Yeah and adds lbs to your shoulders and back. All you have to do is move your strap button behind your neck. Or, extend it out toward the 12th fret. It's really very simple. And lightweight tuners also make a huge difference. You wouldn't think it be that drastic, because light tuners, are still a decent chunk of weight compared, but it is.