Only if you're bass weighs 25 lbs.
I use a "grippy" strap and it works fine on basses that otherwise neck-dive.
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I use a "grippy" strap and it works fine on basses that otherwise neck-dive.
That might be fine with a little neck dive, but with a lot instead of "resting" it'll be more like "pushing" down with my forearm. It would also limit my right hand mobility. I like to have both arms free to adjust my technique as I go. I play with fingers, pick, thumb, and palm mute depending on the song.
Yeah, also the location of the COG. If you have a big fat neck with a big headstock with a lighter/smaller body the COG will be so far forward tuners won’t help! Maybe a lead pickguard !! Or tort!!
Had to play a Thunderbird last year on tour as a bit (guitar players played matching Firebirds on one song) and I did not enjoy it. It's not just the dive down but also AWAY: I always felt like my fretting arm was fully extended to reach the lower frets.
Yep- bridge placed way too far from the back of the body (strap button).
Another design flaw I've no tolerance for (Spector).
That was the point I was about to make: the things that cause injury (such as repetitive stress injuries like tendonitis) don't cause a problem - until they do. And once you have a repetitive stress injury, you'll really wish you changed the ergonomics of whatever it was. I don't know how likely it is that neck dive will cause an injury, I also don't want to find out (having had many forms of tendinitis over the years).
That said, I love the aesthetics of many neck diving basses, such as both of mine. And so, I'll be investing in Hipshot and/or Gotoh this year...
FINALLY, SOMEONE STEPS FOWARD AND TELLS THE KINGS ABOUT THEIR ATTIRE.
I'm sure everyone who has experienced neck dive issues that are not eliminated with a strap will appreciate you yelling at them that it is all in their head.
Neck dive and/or excessive weight wasn't a problem in my teens, 20's, 30's, 40's, or 50's. Now - yeah that stuff can make a 4 hour gig feel like a lifetime... Just my 2 cents.
A lot of people kinda shuffled past it, but with respect to back health, maybe I’m not going to slip a disk if I play a thunderbird for a gig, but I would without question suggest against playing a poorly balanced instrument night after night for decades. Maybe you’re someone that would have no effect on, but you won’t know until way down the road, and if it had an effect you’re pretty much stuck with whatever effect that had on your body.
Like a lot of you, I’d have no problem playing a gig on a cool bass that’s a little neck heavy- in fact, one thing a lot of people ignore is that for a lot of us / a lot of playing styles, your right arm is applying more than enough counter force.. but the more technical and varied your playing is, the more the problems pop up and bug you.. I think the earlier analogy of a vehicle with poorly-aligned steering is very, very apt. Another comparison is fighting a very full Walmart cart with a horrible steer.
I would never build a bass with an awful neck dive, and comparing two otherwise similar basses, I’d greatly prefer one without that handicap… looking at you warmoth..
Like a lot of you, I’d have no problem playing a gig on a cool bass that’s a little neck heavy- in fact, one thing a lot of people ignore is that for a lot of us / a lot of playing styles, your right arm is applying more than enough counter force.. but the more technical and varied your playing is, the more the problems pop up and bug you.. I think the earlier analogy of a vehicle with poorly-aligned steering is very, very apt. Another comparison is fighting a very full Walmart cart with a horrible steer.
I would never build a bass with an awful neck dive, and comparing two otherwise similar basses, I’d greatly prefer one without that handicap… looking at you warmoth..
My solution to that is to use the rear wing as an armrest. It tends to shift the entire bass to the right and it counters the neck dive, so the position of the neck is both comfortable for my left hand, and stable. I have a BC Rich Mockingbird, and I do the same thing with it when I play it.
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Steinbergers do worse: they flip forward.
I got a steel flat and made a strap button extension that puts it at about where a.Precision would be
Even with wide grippy straps, the Warwick and Spector I used to own balanced too horizontally for my tastes and first position always felt a mile away.
I like the way Soundgear basses balance. Minimal to no neck dive and my hand doesn't get fatigued after a long set or rehearsal. Too bad their necks are pencil thin.
Ergonomically, my LTD D-5 is lovely. When strapped on, regardless of strap, the neck does not dive and it's a joy to play... though the bass is somewhat heavy so I use a wider strap on it. But it's far more comfortable to play than this featherweight Hofner I once tried, where I felt like I was holding the neck up the whole time.
I like the way Soundgear basses balance. Minimal to no neck dive and my hand doesn't get fatigued after a long set or rehearsal. Too bad their necks are pencil thin.
Ergonomically, my LTD D-5 is lovely. When strapped on, regardless of strap, the neck does not dive and it's a joy to play... though the bass is somewhat heavy so I use a wider strap on it. But it's far more comfortable to play than this featherweight Hofner I once tried, where I felt like I was holding the neck up the whole time.
Because you have to hold the heavy side with your fretting hand? You can’t see how that’s a problem?
It doesn’t. It’s just something people repeat without seeing it in practice.
I use a grippy strap and prefer basses with minimal neck dive.
Right now I'm playing a Fender Mustang Bass, which has a minor neck dive issue. I took a lot of weight off the headstock by replacing the 70's Fender tuners with Schaller lightweights. It plays a lot better now. But if I ever buy a new bass, I won't mess with anything that isn't well balanced. The twisted hand position of the electric bass is already awkward enough. I don't need multiple basses badly enough to put up with ones that don't fit my body.
Right now I'm playing a Fender Mustang Bass, which has a minor neck dive issue. I took a lot of weight off the headstock by replacing the 70's Fender tuners with Schaller lightweights. It plays a lot better now. But if I ever buy a new bass, I won't mess with anything that isn't well balanced. The twisted hand position of the electric bass is already awkward enough. I don't need multiple basses badly enough to put up with ones that don't fit my body.
JeezyMcNuggles
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It pulls downward at your shoulder. A bass that doesn't do that, is a world of a difference in comfort, ease of playing, and soreness. If you've gotten used to it, then awesome.
If you've never had a bass that dove, and then you get one, it's un playable. You're constantly fighting it, and then your shoulder starts hurting. It makes you never want to bring it to a gig.
