Lightweight bass with no neck dive - Is it possible ?

[rafitoprtx]

Jackson Spectra series

 

[Ric5]

Lightweight bass with no neck dive - Is it possible ?

YES IT IS!!!

7.5 pounds and zero neck dive ... and 21 frets and 5 strings and a 4 band preamp

 

[overit]

Wood is wood. A good builder knows how to match a lightweight body with the right neck. I had two basses in the 7lb. range and they were both perfectly balanced. One by Clement, the other by Prat. Both purchased here and well under 2k.

 

[darwin-bass]

I have 3 basses with zero (absolutely zero) neck heaviness. Not only do they not dive, but they are not even neck heavy.

32" scale P at 6.75 lbs.
32" scale P at 7.7 lbs.
34" scale 'Ray at 8.2 lbs.

All built from Warmoth parts. And the 34" scale 'Ray is using steel bars in the neck and it is still not neck heavy.

The solution is really simple.
1. Minimize weight at the headstock.
2. Reduce body weight to about 3.5 to 4.2 lbs.
3. Increase bridge weight. I use brass bridges weighing 0.3 to 0.5 lbs.
4. Upper horn strap button at the 12th fret.
5. Body end & strap button right behind the bridge. No extra wood between bridge and the end of the body.

You probably won't get this from a commercially built FSO bass.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Wide and/or sticky straps fix the symptom, not the problem.

Adding weights to the body side of the strap fixes the symptom, not the problem.

Looping the strap into your belt fixes the symptom, not the problem.

Proper weight distribution is the fix to the problem.

I get what your saying but if I fix the symptom then neck dive is no longer a problem. I have some basses that are a little heavy on the neck end but a wide leather strap that grips my shoulder takes care of that.

 

[Manticore]

Yes, it's possible. I have one.

 

[gmarcus]

Yes I have a heavily modofied 6 lb Glarry GIB 5 with no neck dive. RES-O-LITE tuners took 1/4 lb off the headstock.

 

[pigpen ridding]

i have a `64 Gibson thunderbird which was notorious for neck dive and an old blues bass player suggested i try some wheel weights in it like the ones they but on wheels to balance them and ive not had any neck dive from it since and i know several other Gibson owners who now use them to counter balance the neck dive

 

[JimmyM]

I have two PJ basses that weigh in at 7 3/8 and 7 1/4 lbs. Neither of them dive. Lightweight hardware and build techniques to lighten up bodies and it's easily done. Be fortunate you don't have to worry about it yet, though. Didn't start hitting me till my mid 40's, then it got me good.

 

[Yonni]

Ibanez do a pretty good job with their narrow necks and small headstocks.

 

[johnh89]

I have two PJ basses that weigh in at 7 3/8 and 7 1/4 lbs. Neither of them dive. Lightweight hardware and build , techniques to lighten up bodies and it's easily done. Be fortunate you don't have to worry about it yet, though. Didn't start hitting me till my mid 40's, then it got me good.

I'm 54 and spent best part of a year with metalwork screwed into what was left of my shoulder/collarbone after an accident . Still love my 12 pounder p bass . I do , by necessity have quite a high pain threshold due to advancing arthritis after years of playing rugby . Still makes me smile every time I play it .

 

[JimmyM]

I'm 54 and spent best part of a year with metalwork screwed into what was left of my shoulder/collarbone after an accident . Still love my 12 pounder p bass . I do , by necessity have quite a high pain threshold due to advancing arthritis after years of playing rugby . Still makes me smile every time I play it .

Well see John, that's the difference between you and me...you are way more of an actual man than me I have a very low pain threshold due to decades of geekdom.

 

[steveinohio]

I have a Stingray Special that is 7lbs on the nose. Absolutely no neck dive. Nothing even close.

 

[johnh89]

Well see John, that's the difference between you and me...you are way more of an actual man than me I have a very low pain threshold due to decades of geekdom.

Alcohol and prescription medication . Not actual mandom .

 

[Lesfunk]

Sandberg TM 4 ultralight
6 lbs
No neck dive

 

[Robot.G]

Yes, it is possible.
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.

Where did you find that aftermarket Mustang body?

 

[fdeck]

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

View attachment 4299764

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.

I'm intrigued. Have you ever written this up? Maybe some close up pics of the top and bottom in the Luthiers forum.

 

[smarthound]

No neck dive on my Aria fretless, plus it weighs as much as a basket of soup!

 

[Williethump]

Hadean f-hole walnut uke bass. Big thump from a little package. Be surprised if it weighed 2 kg (5 lbs). No neck dive neither. Punches above its weight. Just over $200usd. Active electronics, built-in tuner.

 

[baileyboy]

My 8 lbs 8 oz Fender P has no neck dive. Not sure what you consider super light weight, but it is perfectly balanced.