Worst Neckdive You've Experienced

[Hammerfield]

The EPI thunderbird active 5 string. Oh boy, what uncomfortable bass And horrible neckdive, its the reason i'm afraid off trying any 5 string...

 

[EdO.]

Where would one get that Steinberger part?

Got the two I have from Sam Ash but it's very hit and miss (mostly miss) as to whether they have any available or not. Ask for Steinberger Strap Hook Part # SSH-101. I had several copies made by a metal worker friend just in case I ever need another one. Heard a while back that Gibson was making/importing Steinberger Spirits again so MAYBE they have strap hooks available again too. But Gibson being Gibson I seriously doubt it.

The EPI thunderbird active 5 string. Oh boy, what uncomfortable bass And horrible neckdive, its the reason i'm afraid off trying any 5 string...

I have the Epi Pro 5 five string you're talking about and yes, it's heavy and neck dives horribly. But by adding the strap hook to it it magically made a well balanced player out of it. Perfectly balanced, weight distribution on my shoulder is fine and it's comfortable to play now (still heavy as hell though). Without it, almost impossible to play.

FWIW I got a Cort A5 fiver recently to add to the herd and it's no heavier than my Precision, so I'd say shop around and try a few. The A5 is a laminated neck through like the Pro 5 but not near as heavy.

 

[mesaplayer83]

Got the two I have from Sam Ash but it's very hit and miss (mostly miss) as to whether they have any available or not. Ask for Steinberger Strap Hook Part # SSH-101. I had several copies made by a metal worker friend just in case I ever need another one. Heard a while back that Gibson was making/importing Steinberger Spirits again so MAYBE they have strap hooks available again too. But Gibson being Gibson I seriously doubt it.

Thanks for the tip - I ask because I just bought an XT-25...

 

[Dave Siff]

Warwick Thumb (too bad, because it has tone like nothing else) and G&L ASAT.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I think neck dive is one of those things that for sure exists, but because of internet lore, has become a bit exaggerated. I think it may have more to do with the strap one uses along with how they actually wear the instrument/position they like to play in and how the geometry of the bass works with or against the players preferences. Again, not saying it isn't a legit thing, but seems like people tend to get a little out of control with it, maybe using it as an excuse to get rid of an instrument, justify to themselves why they should get another bass, etc. Ive played Gibson SG guitars for years and have owned quite a few. If you look on the internet there are endless threads about them all having issues with neck dive. Maybe Im lucky, because I've never owned one that did that. It's funny though how some players didn't even know it was a "thing" until they read about it, then all of a sudden all their instruments have the issue!

 

[Hammerfield]

I have the Epi Pro 5 five string you're talking about and yes, it's heavy and neck dives horribly. But by adding the strap hook to it it magically made a well balanced player out of it. Perfectly balanced, weight distribution on my shoulder is fine and it's comfortable to play now (still heavy as hell though). Without it, almost impossible to play.
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FWIW I got a Cort A5 fiver recently to add to the herd and it's no heavier than my Precision, so I'd say shop around and try a few. The A5 is a laminated neck through like the Pro 5 but not near as heavy.

Thats a really good advice, just by the photo it seems more comfortable! Im gonna try it.
I tried the A4 before, a very nice bass, seems logical to play the 5 string version.

 

[daveman50]

No contest: the Yamaha SBV-500 "Flying Samurai" Bass.
Other than the neck dive, I liked the bass. (I was looking for a lefty to flip over, that would have been a nice looking bass!)

 

[somebrains]

I think that people need to go strap on a Broadneck Thumb 5 for an hour before they think neck dive is an exaggerated phenomenon blown out of proportion by forums.

 

[bassdude51]

Love the bass and it's probably not the worst neck diver but for me, it was the worst neck diver I ever experienced.

 

[2saddleslab]

Love the bass and it's probably not the worst neck diver but for me, it was the worst neck diver I ever experienced.

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I've got fix for you, my friend. Simply install a strap button below the neck pocket, like my 6072. It requires a longer strap but shifts the bass to the right, and hangs much better.

 

[Lesfunk]

Alembic 20th anniversary bass

 

[hypercarrots]

34” scale semi hollow with a 22 fret neck attached at the end of the body and strap button placement on the back of the body where the neck attaches. It goes completely south...

 

[Swingin]

The worst was a Frankenbass made from a Squier body I’d gotten off Reverb. The bass was super light but it still hurt my back and shoulder from how all of the weight seemed to be in the neck. I sent it back and didn’t get a full refund because the seller said it was damaged in shipping. I used his packaging as requested. It wasn’t a good day for me.

An 80s Yamaha BB I used to have wasn’t too good about it either.

 

[SoulReflection]

The worst was a Frankenbass made from a Squier body I’d gotten off Reverb. The bass was super light but it still hurt my back and shoulder from how all of the weight seemed to be in the neck. I sent it back and didn’t get a full refund because the seller said it was damaged in shipping. I used his packaging as requested. It wasn’t a good day for me.

An 80s Yamaha BB I used to have wasn’t too good about it either.

Did you ever find out how the bricks got into the neck in shipment?

 

[Swingin]

Did you ever find out how the bricks got into the neck in shipment?

Hah! No. But I did learn that a lighter bass isn’t always better. Balance is the most important part, within reason.

 

[mcclurer16]

My hollowbodies with solid necks and laminated bodies all have neck dive. Without any alterations of the instrument itself, you can eliminate it. Loop the lower end of your strap under your belt or through your back belt loop. End of problem

 

[seansbrew]

Warwick thumb bass NT