Huge problem with neck

[Yayboogers]

Please help meeee
I just got this P-bass from Rondo and it is BEAUTIFUL
I was playing it while sitting down and I was like "This is the bass for me!"
Then I put the strap on and stood up and the head DIPPED TILL IT WAS BELOW MY WAIST!
Since then I have tried playing it standing up but haven't managed to play it for more than 10 minutes before my left hand started cramping from holding the neck up
Can somebody please offer a suggestion for raising the neck to normal height?
BTW this is a short-scale so I know the normal-sized headstock will unbalance the lighter body

pics
http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg1561jd9.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg1562kx6.jpg

 

[EagleMoon]

My guess is that it's your strap, rather than the bass itself. Try a new strap that doesn't slide on your shoulder.

 

[ggunn]

Please help meeee
I just got this P-bass from Rondo and it is BEAUTIFUL
I was playing it while sitting down and I was like "This is the bass for me!"
Then I put the strap on and stood up and the head DIPPED TILL IT WAS BELOW MY WAIST!
Since then I have tried playing it standing up but haven't managed to play it for more than 10 minutes before my left hand started cramping from holding the neck up
Can somebody please offer a suggestion for raising the neck to normal height?

The dreaded Neck Dive syndrome...

You could get a wide strap that will provide greater friction over your shoulder and neck to help keep it in place, or you could attach the front end of the strap to the headstock like folk singers used to do with their guitars. Someone needs to invent a front strap button that will extend the top horn an inch or two.

I have a Tacoma Thunderchief which has bad neck dive, so I affixed a lead 1 lb. SCUBA weight to my strap back by the rear button; that fixed it.

 

[newfuture]

You can also put some heavy materials on the body of the bass to help balance the instrument: a heavier bridge would help, also possible would be to put some heavy material inside the electronics cavity of the bass. Sometimes repositioning strap buttons can help, as can using a non-sliding strap like EagleMoon suggests: leather with a suede backing, wool padding or other non-nylon fabric.

Also lighter tuners can help.

 

[Pilgrim]

This is nothing more than neck dive - don't make it sound like an emergency.

Options......

1) Move the top end of your strap up to the headstock: tie it above the nut and under the strings with a nylon cord, folk-singer style. Many straps come with such a cord for this exact purpose.

2) Get a wide strap with a suede lining; or perhaps one with a sheepskin pad which will stay put. The idea is to generate enough friction to minimize movement.

3) Re-locate the BOTTOM strap button counter-clockwise around the body of the bass. You'll be surprised how much difference this can make. If you have an input jack on the bottom side of the bass, try sticking the cable plug through the end of the strap - this might solve the problem, telling you that you can re-locate your bottom strap button to that area.

4) Use Hipshot Ultralite tuners on the headstock (pricey at $100+, and they only reduce weight by 4-8 ounces) or add it at the bottom. If the bass has a bridge cover, try using stick-on tape weights used to balance mag wheels. (I'm currently experimenting with this on a bass myself.) If there is an electronics cavity as noted above, you can add weight in there, but don't short any contacts.

5) Anchor your right thumb on the side of the pickup and keep it there; press lightly against the pickup and you'll reduce the neck dive.

Some combination of these should help.

 

[Slax]

I have a P-Bass too. It's heavy alright. It got even heavier once I repainted it. I never really experienced neck dive other than when I was sitting. I'd say try a strap that's a bit more "catchy" so it doesn't have the option to slide down.

 

[CodyLX450]

Lean to the right.

 

[A9X]

Lean to the right.

I dress to the right. Luckily, because I'm so gifted in that department, it helps balance neck heavy basses. If I forget and dress to the left, I usually fall over when playing.

 

[lowrez]

I dress to the right. Luckily, because I'm so gifted in that department, it helps balance neck heavy basses. If I forget and dress to the left, I usually fall over when playing.

ROFL!

 

[doctorjazz]

^ LMAO.

Pretty much in agreement with what's been said. Also, sometimes I find that playing with the bass at a steeper angle makes neck-diving tendencies less noticeable.

 

[TAZ]

Pilgrim's advice #2, #3 and #4 will minimize the neck dive.

(This is probably the biggest surprise from buying without playing first)

 

[g4string]

Peavey makes a wide contoured leather strap........its $50, but its worth it. When I owned a Thumb Bass it took care of the dive problem. Look it up on Peavey's site.

 

[embellisher]

A wide strap will help. But I have never encountered a P bass or a P copy that was as neck heavy as you describe. Most of them balance fairly well.

 

[Shoewreck]

I use two straps:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342392

 

[Earwigger]

He's got the short scale P-bass from Rondo. I would have thought it would balance BETTER then a long-scale one.

 

[embellisher]

He's got the short scale P-bass from Rondo. I would have thought it would balance BETTER then a long-scale one.

Man, that REALLY doesn't make sense, unless the body is tiny.