Wattplower Strap Button Placement

[Orion1985]

I’ve got a favor to ask of anyone that has a Reverend Wattplower. Can someone post a picture showing the placement of the neck strap button placement?

I’ve got one of the last prototypes before production and the button is on the upper horn. The sister bass that Watt has has the button placed on the back at the base of the neck, but for some reason the other one they made has the button on the horn.

My bass (If you look close at the upper horn you can see the button):

Watt’s bass:

 

[jd56hawk]

 

[trismegistus]

Musicians Friend shows the strap button on the back.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bas...er-electric-bass?rNtt=reverend basses&index=1

 

[Axstar]

Watt must be very used to the feel of his Gibsons so wanted the button in the same place. Oddly Mark Knopfler did the same thing on one of his Strats.

 

[Orion1985]

Musicians Friend shows the strap button on the back.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/reverend-mike-watt-wattplower-electric-bass?rNtt=reverend basses&index=1

Cool, thank you both! I don’t know why I didn’t think to check the retailers. I looked at the Reverend site a while back but they didn’t have a straight on shot of the back as far as I remember.

I’ve never done surgery on any of my basses before, not even a minor one. I’d like to try the button on the back though.

 

[mongo2]

My favorite position for the upper strap button is on the back of the body or under a convenient neck screw instead of the horn.

 

[Plake]

I’ve never done surgery on any of my basses before, not even a minor one. I’d like to try the button on the back though.

If you are going to use a drill put a piece of tape on the bit leaving only the length of the strap button screw exposed(threaded part) to ensure you dont go to far.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Are you sure that’s where you want it? Sure, there are tons of people with Gibson’s and Epiphones who have instruments with it mounted on the center back, but I never warmed up to it. Seemed like the body always wanted to flop forwards on me. Before you commit, go to a GC, grab a Gibby or Epi that is like that, hook up a strap and see if it’s for you.

While I’ll admit yours is presently in a weird place, a better place may be on the body rear at the horn top seeing as there is no good place on the edge itself by the horn.

 

[Orion1985]

Are you sure that’s where you want it? Sure, there are tons of people with Gibson’s and Epiphones who have instruments with it mounted on the center back, but I never warmed up to it. Seemed like the body always wanted to flop forwards on me. Before you commit, go to a GC, grab a Gibby or Epi that is like that, hook up a strap and see if it’s for you.

While I’ll admit yours is presently in a weird place, a better place may be on the body rear at the horn top seeing as there is no good place on the edge itself by the horn.

I’m not completely decided whether I’m going to move it. The main effect that I anticipate is that it will increase the neck dive. There’s already some neck dive with the button on the horn, but the bass is so light I’m not really worried about it getting worse.

I’m more interested in the aesthetics rather than the comfort, it looks a bit strange where it is now.

 

[trismegistus]

How about back of the horn? That way it keeps the CG low which prevents the bass from flopping forward, you get to mount the strap on the horn which pulls the body towards the right which helps with neck dive and the strap is still in a familiar place without it being seen.

 

[Orion1985]

How about back of the horn? That way it keeps the CG low which prevents the bass from flopping forward, you get to mount the strap on the horn which pulls the body towards the right which helps with neck dive and the strap is still in a familiar place without it being seen.

That sounds like a better engineering choice. If I move it at all it’s just because I’d like it to be closer to the classic/production location.

 

[Orion1985]

I pulled the trigger and performed the surgery. I like it on back. I was really careful and I used masking tape to protect the finish and I marked the bit with tape, the drilling went fine. But when I started to drive the screw, a bit of the finish chipped off. It’s easily covered by the button so I’m not worried, I don’t plan to move it back to the horn or anything.

 

[watt]

bassslinger orion,

this is where I like the button - on the back. someone had tried to tell me it couldn't be there w/out being out of balance (nightmare 'neck dive' like w/my tbird!) but cuz of the smaller headstock w/lightweight tuners PLUS that brass shim under the bridge, it balances great and hangs real good on your body, that's my experience.

sometimes it gotta get beyond words and actually tried out before big decisions get made. this body ain't like a fender and that's on purpose though I love my fender ('56 pbass), I play it sitting down cuz I only record w/it. I use the wattplower for gigs.

thank you much for making the leap!


on bass, watt



mike watt's hoot page

I pulled the trigger and performed the surgery. I like it on back. I was really careful and I used masking tape to protect the finish and I marked the bit with tape, the drilling went fine. But when I started to drive the screw, a bit of the finish chipped off. It’s easily covered by the button so I’m not worried, I don’t plan to move it back to the horn or anything.

View attachment 3543990

 

[Orion1985]

bassslinger orion,

this is where I like the button - on the back. someone had tried to tell me it couldn't be there w/out being out of balance (nightmare 'neck dive' like w/my tbird!) but cuz of the smaller headstock w/lightweight tuners PLUS that brass shim under the bridge, it balances great and hangs real good on your body, that's my experience.

sometimes it gotta get beyond words and actually tried out before big decisions get made. this body ain't like a fender and that's on purpose though I love my fender ('56 pbass), I play it sitting down cuz I only record w/it. I use the wattplower for gigs.

thank you much for making the leap!


on bass, watt



mike watt's hoot page

Thanks for checking in! That’s the Wattplower you put the sticker at SF Bottom of the Hill on your 60th. It was good seeing you your last time through Sac. I saw you at Old I with Quinn and Harbor City Phil.

 

[gmarcus]

I wouldn't worry about neck dive. My Wattplower is very bottom heavy due to that big chunk of brass under the bridge