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P Bass Sound minus the headstock dive

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by ii7-V7, Jul 14, 2013.

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  1. Jul 14, 2013 #1
    ii7-V7

    ii7-V7

    Aug 4, 2002
    Baltimore, MD
    I'm getting back into playing after not having played for several years. I'm in the market for a new bass but I'm no longer familiar with what is out there. I don't have a fortune to spend....say $500 max. I love the sound of a P bass, but hate the headstock dive. I can't stand having to fight the instrument in order to play it. I used to have a Warwick thumb that I loved, but got rid of it for that very reason.

    So, what a decent bass that has that P bass sound, but is more playable?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jul 14, 2013 #2
    jamersonburton

    jamersonburton

    Jul 22, 2011
    Maybe a shortscale pbass by sx if you can find one used? I'd say buy a used shortscale bass such as an ibanez mikro (p/j), and give it a setup/shielding job/ and pickup replacement if needed.
     
  3. Jul 14, 2013 #3
    ii7-V7

    ii7-V7

    Aug 4, 2002
    Baltimore, MD
    I'm curious as to why you say a short scale bass? I like short scale 6 string guitars, but haven't tried a short scale bass. In the past I actually preferred longer scale basses. But, I'd be willing to give a shorter scale instrument a shot.

    I'm sure that there are some guitars out there that have P bass electronics in a different style body....I'm just not sure which ones. I've even thought of just getting a P bass, putting on lighter tuners and shaving down the headstock....but I don't know what I'm doing and would surely destroy the guitar in the process.
     
  4. Jul 14, 2013 #4
    klaus486

    klaus486

    Jun 27, 2009
    portland or
    sales geek Portland Music co.
    The simple addition of Dunlop Dual Design strap locks alleviate the vast majority of neck dive issues. They do this by placing the strap attachment point 1 inch further out from the body AND they keep your strap firmly anchored to the bass.
     
  5. Jul 14, 2013 #5
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    Neither of my P basses neck dive and one is extremely light weight. You may want to invest in a different strap.
     
  6. Jul 14, 2013 #6
    ii7-V7

    ii7-V7

    Aug 4, 2002
    Baltimore, MD
    Maybe I just need to play a few more. The few that I've played were bitches to deal with. But, perhaps they were just lighter bodies with heavy necks, and crappy straps?
     
  7. Jul 14, 2013 #7
    DigitalMan

    DigitalMan Bring Back Edit/Delete

    Nov 30, 2011
    Bay Area, CA
    Second vote for no neck dive. Big plus one to a good bass strap. Levy's are my choice, and there are a few others that fit the bill. Wide and sturdy, slightly padded leather. Good stuff.
     
  8. Jul 14, 2013 #8
    MoeTown1986

    MoeTown1986

    Sep 14, 2010
    SoMD (Mechanicsville)
    Definitely try a few more. I've owned a handful of P's and played a ton more and never have felt neck dive on any of them.
     
  9. Jul 14, 2013 #9
    marantz10

    marantz10 Rickenbacker enthusiast and collector Supporting Member

    Oct 21, 2008
    Shawnee, KS
    I don't even know what neck dive is, and I own a P Bass.
     
  10. Jul 14, 2013 #10
    FourBanger

    FourBanger

    Sep 2, 2012
    SE Como
    I have never head of neck dive being an inherent issue for the Precision bass.
     
  11. Jul 14, 2013 #11
    M.R. Ogle

    M.R. Ogle Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 5, 2004
    Mount Vernon, Illinois
    Backstage Guitar Lab owner
    Sorry, but I agree, the Precision is not generally prone to neck dive, it's one of the better-balanced "classic" designs out there.

    Don't miss out on the iconic sound because you might be overly-inflating a minor concern.
     
  12. Jul 14, 2013 #12
    Dave W

    Dave W Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2007
    Westchester, NY
    Ive got 4 P's and none of them dive
     
  13. Jul 14, 2013 #13
    ii7-V7

    ii7-V7

    Aug 4, 2002
    Baltimore, MD
    Did I mention that I haven't played for years.....;)

    Seriously, thanks for the help. One of my buddies has a P Bass that sounds like heaven but dives like a bird. After playing his, I hadn't even tried many others. Sounds like it was just his guitar that does that.

    This makes my decision much easier.
     
  14. Jul 14, 2013 #14
    Nobody

    Nobody Inactive

    Jul 14, 2004
    gravel
    If you find a flaw with a P bass the logical conclusion is that it is not a P bass.
     
  15. Jul 14, 2013 #15
    FrednBass

    FrednBass

    Feb 24, 2012
    When I saw this thread earlier and there were no responses, I thought "P-Bass with neck dive? That is strange... or maybe I'm nuts".
    Glad to know that I'm not losing my marbles.
     
  16. Jul 14, 2013 #16
    ii7-V7

    ii7-V7

    Aug 4, 2002
    Baltimore, MD
    Ha! Where's the like button?
     
  17. Jul 14, 2013 #17
    Nobody

    Nobody Inactive

    Jul 14, 2004
    gravel
    Yep, P basses are magic.
     
  18. Jul 14, 2013 #18
    taurus1

    taurus1

    Sep 13, 2006
    Vancouver B.C.
    I have 8 P basses, none have neck dive.I did however buy a basswood P body that was light and that bass did in fact have pretty severe neck dive.
     
  19. Jul 14, 2013 #19
    swrbass5

    swrbass5 Gold Supporting Member

    Jul 18, 2002
    Coastal NC / SC
    I have to agree with Hopkins
    I use Stingray 5's and G&L 2k's. (basically the same weight/design as P's) The Strap is the answer. Almost ALL basses will do that to you if you have the wrong strap. I use a Comfort Strapp and a 4" Suede padded strap. The Comfort Strapp is the best I've ever used. Been wanting to try a MONO, but haven't picked one up yet. Those are easier to find, and I imagine they'll help you out with that too.
     
  20. Jul 14, 2013 #20
    Bongolation

    Bongolation

    Nov 9, 2001
    California
    No Bogus Endorsements
    Neither have I (in the case of real Fender Precisions) and I've worked on them for over forty years.
     
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