What exactly would moving the "bottom" strap button from the usual position to where I have pointed out in this image?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Moving strap button
- Thread starter KingRazor
- Start date
It would get in the way, look weird and cause more wear on the bottom of your bass!
Would also change the angle your bass would hang at.
I had the strap button moved on my old Ibanez, only a couple of inches though. Made a slight improvement to balance/comfort.
IME a “standard” location for offset strap pin seems to line up near the edge of the bridge.
Would also change the angle your bass would hang at.
I had the strap button moved on my old Ibanez, only a couple of inches though. Made a slight improvement to balance/comfort.
IME a “standard” location for offset strap pin seems to line up near the edge of the bridge.
Sometimes relocating the strap button in this manner is used to help offset neck dive.
IME, the success of this technique depends on several other factors, and isn't really a blanket cure for basses that don't balance well.
IME, the success of this technique depends on several other factors, and isn't really a blanket cure for basses that don't balance well.
I don't own a Jazz so I can't offer an accurate opinion on that.
My basses are all short scales. One has a Musicmaster body and one a Mustang. They didn't have neck dive where they would fly to the floor but they both tended to hang horizontally. I moved that lower strap about 2" up on the body of each and was very happy with the results, kept them more in playing position.
Just my experience.
My basses are all short scales. One has a Musicmaster body and one a Mustang. They didn't have neck dive where they would fly to the floor but they both tended to hang horizontally. I moved that lower strap about 2" up on the body of each and was very happy with the results, kept them more in playing position.
Just my experience.
This is potentially fun: tape your strap to that location. Try it. Decide if you like it.
Tape residue cleans up well and safely with naphtha
Tape residue cleans up well and safely with naphtha
I should have added that to my post. I used this exact method to tape it in place to see if it would help.
But I used gaffers tape, no residue.
Moving the strap button an inch or so up from the centerline helps a bass "sit" better - the center of gravity is further below the line between strap attachments, so it's less likely to lean "forward" - the top of the bass rotating towards the floor - it's a subtle thing, but I notice it, so I build all my basses with the rear strap button (actually, flush mount strap lock receptacles) a bit above center. It also means your strap is effectively an inch longer in terms of where the bass hangs (you can shorten it an inch to compensate).
As for neck dive (rotation in another plane, where the headstock dives for the floor), it doesn't do much, though people ascribe all kinds of magic to it in that regard. You get a lot more out of a longer horn, or a horn extender than you get out of this.
As for neck dive (rotation in another plane, where the headstock dives for the floor), it doesn't do much, though people ascribe all kinds of magic to it in that regard. You get a lot more out of a longer horn, or a horn extender than you get out of this.
Try it out by taping your strap to the bass at that point. Should drive the neck down slightly, but you won't know until you try it.
Is it possible that one could look like Bill Wyman?
...who is the only Rolling Stone I have ever met.
...who is the only Rolling Stone I have ever met.
Spector basses have the back strap button close to that. I do it to most of my basses, because I like to hold them at a 45% (or so) angle and find that it helps. YMMV.
I've found it useful on a couple of basses to rotate the neck a bit more vertical, not to counter dive but because I find a more vertical hang means better wrist angles for me when playing.
Try it with tape and see if it helps. You can use flush mount strap locks or even a Grolsch bottle seal as a strap lock.
Try it with tape and see if it helps. You can use flush mount strap locks or even a Grolsch bottle seal as a strap lock.
As mentioned, moving the strap button (I would go a couple of inches closer to the original location) would cause the bottom of the body to touch the floor.
The upside would mean you can finally set a jazz bass up against your amp (or...) with out it falling over.
YMMV
The upside would mean you can finally set a jazz bass up against your amp (or...) with out it falling over.
YMMV
If you have a modern poly finish you can easily test this by taping the strap to the body there just to see if you like it.
I wouldn't do it to a lacquer or (even) 90s and older poly.
I wouldn't do it to a lacquer or (even) 90s and older poly.
Use a shoestring looped through the strap hole to test it.
I've moved one of mine like this (P not J) to bring the neck a bit higher.
I've moved one of mine like this (P not J) to bring the neck a bit higher.
