How to solve neck dive

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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

Strap button at normal position, and it flips like the Zipper ride.

Strap button right here

And it hangs where I want it. And, doesn't even tug on me.

It's really a simple fix. Without adding any weight.

 

[WarwickE36]

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

View attachment 4378337

As a tech I appreciate this very much... Lotsa love for a good static balance

 

[Liam Wald]

It is best if I do not comment on what I think about fixing neck-dive by making your bass weigh 20 lbs.

 

[HaphAsSard]

The other way to skin the cat is moving the rear strap button to an area approximately behind the arm contour (if there):

Source:
Headless bass handmade strap hook (for Steinberger Spirit, Hohner B2, etc..)

 

[Koshchei]

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.

Or just loop your strap through your belt.

 

[Liam Wald]

Or just loop your strap through your belt.

Or just drill a hole through the bass then slip a rope through the hole and tie it to a cinderblock.

 

[Killing Floor]

I’m guessing but my P with solid rosewood neck center of mass is closer to the neck plate. A good suede backed strap keeps it in place.

 

[SLPimp]

Sell the bass and find one that's balanced.

 

[Rod Barchetta]

When I play, I move around alot. I also change basses during the show. The belt loop would work, but I usually dont wear a belt and changing basses would take lot longer. Fortunately for me, the basses I own that have this problem are light. My 1st great bass was a 76 Musicman Stingray. It weighs a ton. I grew accustomed to the feel of that weight. A light bass feels like a toy to me. And it only took 4 ounces to solve the problem. That aint a cinderblock. If 4 ounces breaks your back, maybe hit the gym now and rhen.

 

[RandalPinkFloyd]

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....

I tried this and 1, not only did it not fix the neck dive, the side of the strap was digging into the side of my neck rubbing it raw while bunching up my shirt. Leather, nylon, cotton, etc it didn't matter.




Ultimately, I got rid of the bass and went back to my standard 3.5" straps, as all the tricks only somewhat worked or added several pounds to a bass that was already weighing in at 13lbs+. Even the weight + running the wide strap through my belt didn't stop it completely if started moving around trying not to look like a bass player bored on stage. It was far more hassle than it was worth, so I sold it. Luckily that's the only bass I've had the problem with and why I'll never own another thunderbird style bass.

 

[Stevorebob]

This has me curious. How many folks seek the lowest possible weight instrument only to add counter-weights to the strap or cavity to eliminate neck dive? Maybe that 11lb. bass isn’t so bad after all?

I’ve experienced Neck dive on only three basses: a Goya hollowbody, a Gibson Grabber and an Ibanez Talman 5-string. The hollowbody, well, hollowbody. The Grabber, short upper horn and massive headstock. The Talman, same plus an extra tuner.

But I also have a Lull NRT5 (non-reverse T-bird) with a short horn and 5-string headstock that’s 9lbs. That does not dive. So, I look for moderate weight and good engineering.

 

[GeorgesEric]

For those contemplating to acquire one, the Schecter Bass VI does have substantial neck dive.

 

[bigthemat]

I've used these guitar gummy with success on my Talman which has some neck dive. Also saw these suede ones that I want to try if I ever run into it again.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I love this! great solution! But I have a feeling if i did it, I'd give myself a atomicwedgie! or lose my pants, be on stage with pants around my ankles!! like george castanza(art vandalay)!

 

[40Hz]

Yep. This is the easiest no fuss method. Works the charm every time.

Now you can go buy that TBird you always wanted!

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I own Hofners and a Jack Casady bass. I thought all basses do this for the past 50 years. Embrace the dive.
What's the problem?

 

[2112]

I just have my stage riggers run a cable down from a special pulley on the overhead lighting trusses and attach it to a fly point on my headstock. During the show, a roadie is assigned to constantly monitor the angle of my bass and adjust tension as necessary to keep it within 1 degree of nominal.

 

[MattZilla]

I own Hofners and a Jack Casady bass. I thought all basses do this for the past 50 years. Embrace the dive.
What's the problem?

some of us don’t want to grow up to have six legs, a blue body, red head, and a yellow… yellow thingy.

I definitely don’t want any antennae.

 

[FRoss6788]

I just buy well engineered basses that balance not matter what strap I use.
I'd sell a bass before jumping through hoops to try to make it balance, way to many nice instruments out there to tolerate dive.

 

[Liam Wald]

I just buy well engineered basses that balance not matter what strap I use.
I'd sell a bass before jumping through hoops to try to make it balance, way to many nice instruments out there to tolerate dive.

I agree. If neck dive is very very slight and can be corrected with ultralite tuners I will make that happen. Otherwise it is time to move on to a properly designed bass.