Headstock heavy bass

wounded horse · Newbie Alert Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 1 Location: UK

I have a Yamaha BB1100s which I like apart from one thing. It has a great liking for diving to the floor when i take my left hand off the neck. Very Headstock heavy.

Any ideas? Is this common on other basses. I don't really want to get rid of it

bassmaniac50 · Rattlesnake Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 430 Location: Ohio

I had a bass that did that myself.
I just hooked up the strap like an acoustic guitar and hooked one end to the headstock.
I bought a longer strap and a headstock strap pin. Worked for me.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=030228172506065031048185951535/search/g=guitar/detail/base_id/41618[url][/url]

I know it looks different,but it keeps the neck from dropping down.

gibson_thunder · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2003 5:38 pm Post subject: head dive

I play a Gibson EB-0...nosedive queen! I play barechested with a leather strap...sweat makes the strap stick to my shoulder so the strap dont slip...
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Beowulf · Growing Lion Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 876

Good method! I cover my body in glue before I go on.... usually does the trick.

jk. All jokes aside, how low do you have your axe slung? That can make a lot of difference. People always laugh at me for having mine nice and low (punk rock style) but I never have the nosedive problem. I have the body resting comfortably on my right thigh with the neck tilting upward gently.

People who play with it way up on their stomach not only look like total dorks Wink

they have the disadvantage of having the bass completely horizontal.

Don't have it around your nuts like Fieldy....and don't have it around your nipples like Buddy Holly. Just find a nice comfortable level and your headstock won't dip.

Rufio · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2003 3:27 am Post subject:

Yup... that glue always works for me! lol.

Dark Lord Vigo · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:35 pm Post subject:

Totally agree B. I've had instructional videos that tell you to keep the basss "nice and high" for access, but screw them, it makes you look like a spaz! Twisted Evil

I generally play so that my pickups are just below my belly button an rotate the bass round on to my right hip for difficult/fast parts. I've never found nosdive an issue in this position nomatter what bass I play.

So your technique won't be the same as the instructer who wants you to wear you bass like a necklace, but who cares baby?! Cool

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MustangDave · Tadpole Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 16

Theres a couple things you can do.

1. Relocate the upper strap button
2. Get a padded strap that dosen't slide around (Thats what I did with my P and J style basses)
3. Find some lighter weight tuners, which will help slightly
4. You'll think I'm nuts, but if you're handy with wood and finishing, add some lead weights to the body, all the way at the end. I've heard of this working wonders, but you'll have to be good for it to not look ugly.

Dark Lord Vigo · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 5:36 am Post subject:

Or....I've seen this thing on ebay called "The Bass Balancer". I don't know if it's any good but it claims to stop nosedive. I reckon this will just be a weight that fits onto the peg before the stap so same thing really, but if it's not too bulky or crap looking you may not have to hack your guitar.

Hey Ho.
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Rufio · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 5:40 am Post subject:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2570345741&category=4713#ebayphotohosting

Tor DEEEEEE!!!
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MustangDave · Tadpole Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 16

Thats a cool idea. My only reserve about it it how much extra stress it would be putting on the screw holding it in due to its length. After a while, on a heavy bass with somone who moves around a lot, I could see the hole stripping out over time. Hell, my 1st bass did it on its own, the top button pulled right out of the body one day.