Neck dive...

[Stewie]

I'd never heard of, or noticed, neck dive 'til I started reading this forum. I guess some would say that both of my Fenders dive, but it didn't ever come to mind. Also, a lot of the time I like to play with the neck nearly upright. This requires the neck to be lifted. The other one I don't understand is "dead spots". I can't seem to find them on either of my electrics. maybe I'm just lucky.

 

[xnewyorka]

I bought a very nice high end bass online in 1998 for about $1,400.
It had severe neck dive.
I played it for about 2 minutes and promptly put it back in the case.
I contemplated drilling a new strap button hole, but was afraid of putting it in the wrong spot, and afraid of devaluing the instrument.
19 years later, I opened the case for the second time, to photograph the bass and sell it.
I still feel guilty for offloading it on some poor unsuspecting stranger, and I still feel sorry for him for owning it.

 

[InhumanResource]

I'll probably get hell for this (again) but I've never experienced this phenomenon and yes, I have played a variety of basses over the years. They always stay put. I think it has to do with the height that I hang them at, which I would describe as a reasonable location and somewhere between my lower jaw and my knee.

 

[40Hz]

There was a kid in the fifth grade at my school.

He played a bass with neck dive once.

And he died.

---------------

(They're doing a whole episode in this season's American Horror Story about neck dive.)

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I like to have an instrument that is a joy to play. If I'm having to hold up the neck while I play, that joy fades.
Right now I have exactly what I want, a lightweight bass with a comfortable neck & zero neck dive.

A handful of times I've ditched a nice bass for either weight or neck dive & I don't regret it in the slightest, because now I can play longer & not have to recover from it afterwards.

 

[MattZilla]

I don't buy pants that I need to hold on to while walking. Why buy a bass guitar that you need to hold onto when over half of them don't require it?

They don't charge extra for correctly balanced basses, nor is there a discount for the swans.

I wish there were a good burrito shop in my village.

 

[glocke1]

Really?

Honestly... how much of a big deal is it TRUTHFULLY?

Half of the time spent on "here", could be spent exercising, and practicing. Would this not make it a moot point?


Just curious.

Its an issue. I didn't realize how much of an issue until i swapped out my Alembic SCSD for a jazz bass a year ago.

I recently went back to the SCSD and am really struggling with it. Standing or seated, that neck just goes down. Than there is the difference in scale length.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Really?

Honestly... how much of a big deal is it TRUTHFULLY?

Half of the time spent on "here", could be spent exercising, and practicing. Would this not make it a moot point?


Just curious.

It’s a huge deal for me. Maybe it isn’t for you?

 

[Stranger Danger]

I guess if you like holding neck up while playing then it’s ok. I don’t want to do that

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have a G&L L2000. Is it well balanced? I think so, but I don't know. I don't have another bass to compare it to.
It may sound ridiculous, but I have found that whatever shirt I have on at the time affects neck dive a lot.
Most dress shirts cause neck dive, but cotton tee shirts seem to stop it entirely or at least slow it way down.

I found that a good coarse woven fabric 4” wide strap will eliminate neck dive. Anything smooth, like leather, no such luck.

As for the OP... geese, give me a break.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It is an issue.
Many will compensate by lifting the neck unconsciously.And don't know there was a problem until neck dive is resolved.

The fretting is subject to extra forearm muscle stress when one has to fret and hold up the neck at the same time.
It's like the difference between holding a small dumbbell and wiggling your fingers.And wiggling your fingers without the dumbbell.

On my Tune TWB the upper horn ends at the 14th "fret'
It had neck dive.
Of course.
It's a sixer.

Put on Hipshot Ultralites and was made fretless.
Still had some.
I like my basses to hang at about 45 degrees.

My Brice's upper horn ends at the 12th fret.
It also had some dive.

Now I use a Comfort Strapp on both my basses.
Cancels any neck dive.

As for dead spots:My basses have none.
I've checked them both.
Might have something to do with the fact that they're sixers.
More neck mass.
Or something.

 

[Nev375]

Really?

Honestly... how much of a big deal is it TRUTHFULLY?

Half of the time spent on "here", could be spent exercising, and practicing. Would this not make it a moot point?


Just curious.

1. Yep.
2. Huge.
3. Nope.

Cheers! I look forward to seeing half as many posts from you from here on out.

 

[dennis james]

I'd never heard of, or noticed, neck dive 'til I started reading this forum. I guess some would say that both of my Fenders dive, but it didn't ever come to mind. Also, a lot of the time I like to play with the neck nearly upright. This requires the neck to be lifted. The other one I don't understand is "dead spots". I can't seem to find them on either of my electrics. maybe I'm just lucky.

I'm another one that's always been confused about that whole "dead spots" thing. It seems to be associated with bolt neck basses, particularly Fender style basses, but I've owned plenty of those through the years and never noticed it. At least now I know I'm not the only one.

 

[NOVAX]

It's annoying.

 

[Nebula24]

Got an epi eb0

Usually rest part of plucking arm on bass and it keeps it place. Never an issue unless i totally let go of neck. Doesnt tire my arm or anything. Not noticeable unless its dangling arm free aka not playing.

In the end i dont mind. Love its neck.

 

[MEKer]

It is an issue.
Many will compensate by lifting the neck unconsciously.And don't know there was a problem until neck dive is resolved.

The fretting is subject to extra forearm muscle stress when one has to fret and hold up the neck at the same time.
It's like the difference between holding a small dumbbell and wiggling your fingers.And wiggling your fingers without the dumbbell.

On my Tune TWB the upper horn ends at the 14th "fret'
It had neck dive.
Of course.
It's a sixer.

Put on Hipshot Ultralites and was made fretless.
Still had some.
I like my basses to hang at about 45 degrees.


View attachment 3157314
My Brice's upper horn ends at the 12th fret.
It also had some dive.
View attachment 3157315

Now I use a Comfort Strapp on both my basses.
Cancels any neck dive.

Heya gebass6! Nice looking basses. And always good to read your posts but I must remark...............boy, you sure can stand at attention with a bass!
And yes, neck dive is a sin...let me say a SIN.

 

[InhumanResource]

It is an issue.
Many will compensate by lifting the neck unconsciously.And don't know there was a problem until neck dive is resolved.

The fretting is subject to extra forearm muscle stress when one has to fret and hold up the neck at the same time.
It's like the difference between holding a small dumbbell and wiggling your fingers.And wiggling your fingers without the dumbbell.

On my Tune TWB the upper horn ends at the 14th "fret'
It had neck dive.
Of course.
It's a sixer.

Put on Hipshot Ultralites and was made fretless.
Still had some.
I like my basses to hang at about 45 degrees.


View attachment 3157314
My Brice's upper horn ends at the 12th fret.
It also had some dive.
View attachment 3157315

Now I use a Comfort Strapp on both my basses.
Cancels any neck dive.

What's special about the strap?

 

[Marc DLarosa]

to me, neck dive is a pretty big issue. neck dive slows down my playing as i have to use my left hand to hold up the neck, and it also causes me to have hand cramping and pain if my wrist if i do have to hold up the neck for more than 15 or 20 minutes.

First guy to make sense. Thank You.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

All things being equal, it is simply more fun and more comfortable playing a balanced bass than an unbalanced one.

Agreed

 

[31HZ]

I bought a very nice high end bass online in 1998 for about $1,400.
It had severe neck dive.
I played it for about 2 minutes and promptly put it back in the case.
I contemplated drilling a new strap button hole, but was afraid of putting it in the wrong spot, and afraid of devaluing the instrument.
19 years later, I opened the case for the second time, to photograph the bass and sell it.
I still feel guilty for offloading it on some poor unsuspecting stranger, and I still feel sorry for him for owning it.

I bought a Warwick FNA-5 in 1998, and it was super neck-heavy. I didn't know enough to realize it at the time of purchase, though, and I wound up putting thousands of hours in on that bass. At some point I realized how hard it was to play, and I drilled several new strap-holes in it in an attempt to remedy the dive. It didn't help.

These days I can't play it at a gig/with a strap. It sees practice duty at my office.