Neck Dive... oops

[Ahzidal Engineer]

I've been working on building a bass for a looongg long time and I'm finally just about done. But just the other day, I realized that when I'm sitting with the bass in my lap, the neck dive is awful. I know I can avoid that while standing by alternating the position of the strap buttons, but I don't know if there's any way to fix the sitting dive besides some ghetto "weigh-down-the-body" method. I haven't put in all my hardware and electronics yet, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to be enough weight to fix the dive. Is there anything I can do to fix this problem now so I don't have to put weights on my body, or am I doomed?

 

[Hopkins]

I've been working on building a bass for a looongg long time and I'm finally just about done. But just the other day, I realized that when I'm sitting with the bass in my lap, the neck dive is awful. I know I can avoid that while standing by alternating the position of the strap buttons, but I don't know if there's any way to fix the sitting dive besides some ghetto "weigh-down-the-body" method. I haven't put in all my hardware and electronics yet, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to be enough weight to fix the dive. Is there anything I can do to fix this problem now so I don't have to put weights on my body, or am I doomed?

Ultralite tuners are the obvious first step if you don't already have them on your bass.

 

[Ahzidal Engineer]

Ultralite tuners are the obvious first step if you don't already have them on your bass.

Already have them :/

 

[Rôckhewer]

You don't have the bridge on yet?

If that still isn't enough....you could route for, and install one of those brass "sustain blocks"
I realize that's typically a guitar- tremolo thing...
But Alembic uses them on basses....

It would increase the over all weight...but it will also put a bunch more weight right right at the ass end.

 

[Ahzidal Engineer]

You don't have the bridge on yet?

If that still isn't enough....you could route for, and install one of those brass "sustain blocks"
I realize that's typically a guitar- tremolo thing...
But Alembic uses them on basses....

It would increase the over all weight...but it will also put a bunch more weight right right at the ass end.

What is a sustain block?

 

[tbrannon]

What is a sustain block?

Here is a discussion on them as well as links to some pictures...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is a 70s Alembic bridge attached to the brass sustain block which gets routed into the body.

 

[Rôckhewer]

What is a sustain block?

Just a solid block of brass....as big as you wish.
Goes under the bridge -which is screwed into it.
Purported to increase sustain etc....
(But let's not start up THAT debate)
I just thought it would be a way to add some weight to fix your balance issue....(that wouldn't be "ghetto" as you put it)

If it happens to do anything for sustain/ tone...bonus!

 

[Hopkins]

A brass block drilled and tapped to fit your bridge and inset into the body where it wouldn't be visible would definitely add weight to help counter balance the neck dive. But I would expect the results to be minimal

 

[Will_White]

Here is a discussion on them as well as links to some pictures...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is a 70s Alembic bridge attached to the brass sustain block which gets routed into the body.

Is it just me or does that alembic bridge look kind of janky, not bad and I bet it's solid but it looks like something I'd build in my garage.

 

[ctmullins]

Is it just me or does that alembic bridge look kind of janky, not bad and I bet it's solid but it looks like something I'd build in my garage.

It's not just you. I've never understood how Alembic instruments can be so gorgeous, and their bridges look so amateurish.

 

[Stewie]

hang a strap on it and stand up. You're too young to sit while you play.

 

[The_Janitor]

I've had plenty of neck diving basses but I've never experienced one that dives while sitting. Sitting always cured the neck dive for me. Learn something new everyday.

 

[Dadagoboi]

It would be helpful to SEE what we're talking about. Picture of the bass, please.

Balance is designed into, not added to IMO

 

[Korladis]

"Sustain block" and get the heaviest bridge you can find. The brass Hipshot ones for Rickenbacker basses are quite heavy.

 

[JustForSport]

Position of the 'waist' on the lower side can cause neck dive while sitting if it is too far toward the bridge, and also cause a further reach to the lower notes.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I've had plenty of neck diving basses but I've never experienced one that dives while sitting. Sitting always cured the neck dive for me. Learn something new everyday.

If it neck dives while youre sitting then its really bad on a strap

 

[awilkie84]

If it neck dives while youre sitting then its really bad on a strap

not necessarily. Could be body shape.

 

[ofajen]

How about using a guitar foot stool? That should take care of it.

Otto

 

[Stranger Danger]

not necessarily. Could be body shape.

Thats a pastability

 

[JustForSport]

If it neck dives while youre sitting then its really bad on a strap

Sitting, it is likely on a leg at the waist (of the bass).
Standing, it hangs between the strap connections.
Two different weight centers.