What basses have the worse "neck dive" issues

[jd56hawk]

I'm always a little confused abt "neck dive". I've played for 30 years and honestly the most I can say is that I've sensed a bass may be a little headstock heavy but it has never been an issue for me. I always figured "it's a bass, the headstock is a long way from the body creating fulcrum/balance issues, deal with it". Seriously I never give it much of a passing thought, although I will say some basses are just too heavy but I have often wondered if they were designed that way to balance a heavy neck. Also my thought is that once I grip the neck the weight of my hand and arm are going to throw off any balance concerns making any bass neck dive unless I counteract with right hand/forearm pressure.

So time to teach an old dog new tricks. Tell me IYO some brands, models/year that have the worse neck dive and some makes that are the most balanced. I'd like to make a conscious comparison.

Since neck dive is easily solved, it's not an issue to me. At least not with my Thunderbirds.

 

[hintz]

the thunderbird I used to 10 years ago was reeeeealllly neck heavy, like to the floor, sounded great though, moved the strap buttons, and that helped alittle. I currently own a 1981 TJ mockingbird which surprisingly well balanced, actually as much as any fender I owned. I think how high you wear the bass and a good leather strap make a real difference, but most balance issues are issues with the design, mainly where the front strap button is located.if you have any bass down to your knees, it'll create balance issues, too high isn't good either though, I found a happy medium, not "geek height" or "rocker", my right hand is about at belly button height with no problems

 

[hintz]

"Some of the early Alembic designs with itty-bitty upper horns were horrible neck divers. Incredible instruments, but horrible neck divers"


also look at how his right arm rested on his bass, he was/is constantly balancing with his forearm, which I also do for my mockingbird, but it is comfy for me, so to each their own

 

[AciDBatH666]

I have a B.C. Rich Warbeast, and it's got BAD BAD neckdive. There's a reason people have that "B.C. Rich" stance with the right leg propped out to let the bottom point of the body rest inside your thigh.

 

[Scheherez]

^^^^^THIS!^^^^^

My Warlock Platinum does this too, and I have to hold the neck up to play! Of course, this means I can't play properly.

If I play low, my left leg shoots out to counterbalance EVERYTHING! Oy....

 

[PortlandBass77]

Every unbranded Chinese bass I have ever played have had terrible neck dive. Also as stated Thunderbirds can have bad neck dive

 

[hintz]

that's weird, I had 83 NJ warlock and that balanced perfectly,I could take both hands off and it wouldn't drive one bit

 

[MrTaff]

Thunderbird & Thumb I found are the worst but I guess I'm more picky that some because I can't deal with neck dive at all so these days I only buy basses that are properly balanced.

 

[hintz]

interestingside note, early fender basses end up neck heavy overtime due to the paint they used on the body wearing down, which eventually can cause the wood to dry out in the body, but not the neck, causing balance issues

 

[DodgeSpiritRT]

A person saying that they don't understand "neck dive" is analogous to saying that they don't understand the concept of gravity and why their feet stay "grounded" to floor when they stand up.

 

[p12bassnut]

I think there are many variables involved and everyone's actual perception of neck dive differs for the most part BUT in my experience, Warwick Thumb was the worst among the offenders.

 

[Afc70]

In my 35 years or so of playing countless 4, 5 & 6 string basses, I’ve never experienced neck dive. I do wear my bass fairly high tho, so I’m thinking that may be why I’ve never experienced it.