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Neck heavy Peavey

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by ChrisBowsman, Dec 16, 2007.

  1. Dec 16, 2007 #1
    ChrisBowsman

    ChrisBowsman

    Mar 5, 2006
    Yellow Springs, Ohio
    My Foundation is a bit neck heavy. Not as bad as a BC Rich, but enough that I'd like to fix it. I'm already using a rough leather strap, and it's not quite enough. It keeps it from really sliding, but you can still feel that it wants to.

    Would I be better off going with some of the ultra light tuners or a really heavy bridge (or both)? If both, I'm only going to be able to afford one at a time, so which would be the most effective?
     
  2. Dec 16, 2007 #2
    treebranch13

    treebranch13 Guest

    Oct 31, 2007
    tuners make a big difference in terms of leverage.
    you could also move the strap buttons.
     
  3. Dec 16, 2007 #3
    ChrisBowsman

    ChrisBowsman

    Mar 5, 2006
    Yellow Springs, Ohio
    Where would you recommend I put the buttons? They're currently located in the normal (rear button is centered, front is in the end of the top cutaway) locations.
     
  4. Dec 16, 2007 #4
    ChrisBowsman

    ChrisBowsman

    Mar 5, 2006
    Yellow Springs, Ohio
    I just looked up the Hipshot Ultralite tuners on ebay, and while I'm sure they're fantastic, I have an ethical problem with paying as much for tuners as I did for the whole bass :) Is there a more affordable version?
     
  5. Dec 16, 2007 #5
    BassicJohn

    BassicJohn Guest

    Apr 27, 2006
    Shalersville, Ohio
    I have a Foundation S and agree with you that it definitely has neck dive issues. It is not surprizing when you consider that the Shaller M4S tuners weigh 1/4 pound each!

    I use a 4 inch wide Italia strap and it eliminates the neck dive problem. I doubt that a heavier bridge would help much. Lighter tuners would likely balance the bass well and eliminate the neck dive -- at a price. A 4 inch wide strap costs a lot less.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2007 #6
    iamlowsound

    iamlowsound

    Nov 30, 2005
    Southern Ontario
    I have the same strap with the same bass. It balances quite well now. It had a bit of a neck dive issue with another strap, but it doesn't even pull with this one and it stays nicely at a 45 degree angle.

    lowsound
     
  7. Dec 16, 2007 #7
    ChrisBowsman

    ChrisBowsman

    Mar 5, 2006
    Yellow Springs, Ohio
    The strap made that much difference? The one I'm using now is a regular guitar strap.
     
  8. Dec 16, 2007 #8
    theshadow2001

    theshadow2001 Guest

    Jun 17, 2004
    Ireland
    a cheap alternative would be to secure some weight in the control cavity. If there's room
     
  9. Dec 16, 2007 #9
    ChrisBowsman

    ChrisBowsman

    Mar 5, 2006
    Yellow Springs, Ohio
    It's fairly tight. I bet I could make a decent looking leather sleeve that matches the strap, fill it with lead weights (maybe fishing sinkers) and attack it to the skinny end of the strap.

    I like your "wear earplugs" sig. I recently developed a bit of tinnitus in my left ear, and wish that I'd taken that advice about 15 years ago, when I started playing and going to concerts.
     
  10. Dec 16, 2007 #10
    BassicJohn

    BassicJohn Guest

    Apr 27, 2006
    Shalersville, Ohio
    The strap really does make the difference. It is really a diver with a standard strap. :eek: It tends to dive with a 2 1/2 inch strap. :mad: With the 4 inch Italia strap it stays put. :D
     
  11. Dec 16, 2007 #11
    theshadow2001

    theshadow2001 Guest

    Jun 17, 2004
    Ireland
    Yeah a little pocket on the strap wouldn't be a bad idea. Maybe you could experiment with weights until you find the right amount (stick some on to the strap with electrical tape or something) once you've found the right amount and position you can make it a permanent attachment to the strap much cheaper than buying new bridges and tuners.

    Alas people never take the advice until it's too late. Start wearing them now and prevent any further damage to yourself.
     
  12. Dec 16, 2007 #12
    iamlowsound

    iamlowsound

    Nov 30, 2005
    Southern Ontario
    It makes that much difference. You can buy an italia strap on ebay for $35ish, you just have to wait a while for it to get there. You will also want to use some straplocks with it, as it is quite thick and might cause regular strap pins to loosen. But you should be using straplocks anyway.
    http://cgi.ebay.com/4-inch-wide-Cus...ryZ64421QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
    There is an italia strap right now, the reserve is around $20 I think.

    lowsound