P Bass neck dive body weight

[GEC]

My Squier P Bass is the only instrument I have that neck-dives, and I can't stand it. I've been looking and asking around for solutions. Here are a few things I won't/can't do:

- get lighter tuners -- I don't think any after-market ones would be markedly lighter than the standard cheap tuners
- get a heavier bridge -- I don't know of any after-market bridges that would be drop-in replacements, and I don't want to do woodwork
- put a weight on the strap -- products for this are expensive and DIY solutions seem convoluted. Also I really would like for the bass itself to balance well.
- get a rough strap for more friction -- I would still like to be able to move the bass around and not have it take my shirt with it, lol.

I am using a wide strap, though, and that helps a fair bit. So I'm now looking at two solutions:

https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-0...automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1475888528&sr=1-1&th=1
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p..._TOOLS_TOOLS&gclid=CLf_-_DizM8CFYwvgQodQa8GZQ

Attaching wheel weights to the inside of the cavity and/or lining it with lead tape (the kind you would use to balance a tennis racket or golf club).

What do you all think? What should I do, and have I missed anything?

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I have owned a Squier p bass and my main current one is a Fender p bass. I do not have any neck dive issues with either of them. Have you tried adding strap locks? I have luck with weight disbursement that way.

 

[GEC]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I hadn't thought of that! On the one guitar that I have straplocks on, I feel like they tend to lessen the resistance of motion, but those are Dunlop straplocks. What kind do you use?
I think the neck dive is probably because it's an Affinity model, so the body is thinner than a standard P Bass's.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I use the Dunlops as well. I had an affinity one as well. I don't remember any neck dive, but I used the same strap locks as well.

 

[GEC]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

Huh. I guess mine just happens to have an unusually light body or a heavy neck.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

Possibly. Try the strap locks though. When I use a leather strap it can help as well. I mostly use it for the durability and it being wider than a nylon one, can disburse the weight on my shoulder better.

 

[dystrust]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

Another option would be to swap bodies since Fender & Squier use standard neck pocket specs. I don't know how tight money is, but loaded squier or MIM Fender bodies can be found pretty easily without breaking the bank. Yet another option would be to add a small sand bag or some lead weights in the control cavity.

 

[dg27]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I don't know of any after-market bridges that would be drop-in replacements, and I don't want to do woodwork

Gotoh 201B is great drop-in replacement. I have them on 3 of my basses. Here it is on my Squier Jazz.



Highly recommended by many people.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I need to get one for my Fender. That bridges are awesome indeed.

 

[dg27]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I've found the best prices are usually on Warmoth.

They come in black and gold too, but I prefer the chrome, which is also the cheapest.

Gotoh 201B

And I'm also a big fan of Schaller strap locks, btw.

Schaller Strap Locks

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

Good to know. I am putting a SPB-1 in it soon. Maybe I will upgrade the bridge too.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

It may be possible to fix the issue by relocating the front strap button so it's under the tip of the horn instead of straight into it, and maybe move the rear strap button so it's further along the bass side of the edge of the body, about halfway between the centerline and where the forearm bevel ends.

This will shift the balance points. However, if the issue lies with the body weight itself, your best bet is to simply get a better bass. Grippy straps only transfer the problem to your shoulder and do nothing to address the root-cause inherent design/construction flaw of the instrument itself.

 

[GEC]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I probably will go for some strap locks then! I don't want to get a new body cause I really like how it sounds now, and changing bodies or necks always seemed like taking out something essential to the instrument to me -- like it'd be a different bass if I switched. That, and I have yet to find a P Bass that I think sounds and plays as well as mine. I've heard of people putting sand or BB's in the control cavity, but that always seemed like it could bang up the wiring to me. So wheel weights seemed like a good compromise.

That's awesome about the Gotoh bridge, maybe I'll go for one! Looking at reviews, it looks like some people had trouble getting action low with them and had to shim their necks. Did you run into that? And did it make your bass heavier? Did it change the tone?

Relocating strap buttons would be a good last resort, I think. I want to avoid making new holes if I can help it, but if all else fails, I'll do it. I'm definitely not looking for grippy straps. But I'd like to fix this because even if I get a better bass, I'll still love this one, so I want it to be as good as it can, you know?

Also, here's the bass in question!

 

[Mincer]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I've used 1lb ankle weights velcro'd to the strat. They come in black and are invisible, and come right off. You don't notice the added weight because it is balanced.

 

[dg27]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

That's awesome about the Gotoh bridge, maybe I'll go for one! Looking at reviews, it looks like some people had trouble getting action low with them and had to shim their necks. Did you run into that? And did it make your bass heavier? Did it change the tone?

Have never had any issues getting low action and never had to shim the neck. Never noticed a difference in weight, but I do notice improved sustain.

 

[dystrust]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

I probably will go for some strap locks then! I don't want to get a new body cause I really like how it sounds now, and changing bodies or necks always seemed like taking out something essential to the instrument to me -- like it'd be a different bass if I switched. That, and I have yet to find a P Bass that I think sounds and plays as well as mine. I've heard of people putting sand or BB's in the control cavity, but that always seemed like it could bang up the wiring to me. So wheel weights seemed like a good compromise.

That's awesome about the Gotoh bridge, maybe I'll go for one! Looking at reviews, it looks like some people had trouble getting action low with them and had to shim their necks. Did you run into that? And did it make your bass heavier? Did it change the tone?

Relocating strap buttons would be a good last resort, I think. I want to avoid making new holes if I can help it, but if all else fails, I'll do it. I'm definitely not looking for grippy straps. But I'd like to fix this because even if I get a better bass, I'll still love this one, so I want it to be as good as it can, you know?

Also, here's the bass in question!

Another option would be to drill a few holes under the pickguard and hide the weights in there.

 

[dg27]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

Another option would be to drill a few holes under the pickguard and hide the weights in there.

That's a really good idea: Could probably use something like fishing weights. If I had to do this I would want it completely hidden.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

Another option would be to drill a few holes under the pickguard and hide the weights in there.

If he's adverse to drilling a new hole for the front strap pin, I can't see him digging wood out from under the pickguard. I mean, it is a Squier, after all :lol:

 

[GEC]

Re: P Bass neck dive body weight

If he's adverse to drilling a new hole for the front strap pin, I can't see him digging wood out from under the pickguard. I mean, it is a Squier, after all :lol:

Not a Squier, my Squier :lol: