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Lightweight bass with no neck dive - Is it possible ?

johnh89

johnh89

Jan 25, 2020
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2,073
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Kent UK
#1
Reading this forum in depth over the years , it seems that the two most complained about aspects of the electric bass are neck dive on lightweight basses , and dislike of basses that are over 8lb or so . It seems to me that neck dive is always going to be an issue if you insist on a super lightweight body . How do you guys find the happy medium ?
From my point of view , neither of them are a problem . Apart from my Jack Casady which is prone to neck dive ( not a problem by the way as I tend to use both hands ! ) , my lightweight walnut J bass is over 9 lb and the EMG equipped P bass is a tad over 12lb 2oz . ( also not a problem ) . I have never been concerned about anything other than the sound from the bass and will accomodate any nut width , weight , balance etc within reason if the sound is good .
Maybe I am fortunate to be easily contented and it must be infuriating to try and find the holy grail of bassy goodness if you are more particular .
So.....is it possible ?
 
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#2
Yes, it is possible.

Since heavier basses no longer agree with my ageing body, I've used a combination of light tuners and repositioning the strap buttons to prevent neck dive on lighter basses I don't mind modifying.

For example I have a Mustang bass I've modified with a very light body from an aftermarket source. That bass weighs 4 lbs. 8 oz. and balances perfectly using light tuners and strap button relocation. Another is a 5lb. Hofner Ignition Club bass that only required relocation of the lower strap button a few inches up the bass side to balance perfectly.

I've disposed of any basses I had when I was younger and didn't want to modify.

Edited for clarity.
 
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#7
chris_b said:
To achieve low weight and good balance you need to design your bass from the ground up. It's entirely possible, but most just want an FSO, and that's not possible.
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Rocket Music recently sold a very FSO LB-100 made from Empress, and the ad copy said: "I'm 99% sure this is the lightest G&L I've seen yet, and I've seen some very light ones! It weighs just 6.7 lbs, and even at that weight balance is not an issue." The neck was 1½", which I presume helps to a degree.

PS. I think that bass was bought by a TB-er - with any luck he'll spot this thread and expand on "balance is not an issue". I once came across someone wondering if perhaps G&L make an effort to match lighter pieces of maple with lighter bodies, but I can't remember who it was, or where I saw it.
 
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#8
johnh89 said:
is it possible ?
Click to expand...
sure it is, but it may take a little money (e.g., lightweight hardware) and/or a little "engineering" to accomplish a no-neck-dive, lightweight ax. but i get your point, and i think it's a good one --- how/when/where do we compromise?

but unlike yourself, i'd consider the "sound" of an ax to be the least important attribute only because it's the easiest to change. if the thing had the "best feel ever" = i'd figure out a way to make it sound good!
 
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#9
JRA said:
sure it is, but it may take a little money (e.g., lightweight hardware) and/or a little "engineering" to accomplish a no-neck-dive, lightweight ax. but i get your point, and i think it's a good one --- how/when/where do we compromise?

but unlike yourself, i'd consider the "sound" of an ax to be the least important attribute only because it the easiest to change. if the thing had the "best feel ever" = i'd figure out a way to make it sound good!
Click to expand...

Interesting take on the question . Differing priorities to me but agree 100% that the sound is indeed the easiest to change .
 
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#14
Absolutely possible!

EBH_0721.jpg
 
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#15
johnh89 said:
And indeed the question to many answers . Seriously , I like the longhorn . Cheap , not that well built but a sound to die for . Way more than the sum of its parts . Some may disagree but I love the sound of lipsticks on a bass .
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I also love the sound of the old Dano lipstick pickups. Having grown up between the towns that had the original Dano factories wile they operating they were everywhere around here. I became very familiar them and I'm still a big fan. I always wanted to work in one of the factories but they closed the year I got my working papers. I currently drive a Dano Silvertone Model 1444.

I just found this article by Nat Daniels son, Howard, about some of his memories of the Red Bank NJ factories. I grew up about a 3/4 mile from the plot of land he mentions that Nat bought in Eatontown for a factory that eventually became a cleaners. I wish he had built a factory there.

Boyhood Memories of the Danelectro Factory | Pen 4 Rent
 
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#18
mongo2 said:
Very cool.

What tuners were used?
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Kluson bass banjo tuners. Although I swapped out the buttons for some low-profile ones.

EBH_0720.jpg


The whole thing is a big experiment, but a successful one! It’s extremely comfortable, and probably the only long-scale (33”) EB that doesn’t neck dive. :cool:
 
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