Balancing my Bass

[adamg67]

I tried someone else 6 string the other day and it made me realise that mine is a little bit neck heavy. Not by much, but it doesn't sit at a nice angle like this ACG did.

Any tips on how to shift the balance a bit?

[Twigman]

What bass is it?
Having the top horn extend as far as the 12th fret keeps most basses well enough balanced.
If the top strap button is any closer to you then getting the headstock as light as possible is key - (gotoh resolites/hipshot ultralites)

[Norris]

As Twigman says, your options are to move the strap button towards the head if possible, make the head lighter (lighter tuners), or make the bottom end heavier (undesirable)

[iiipopes]

Lighter tuners: USA Hipshot Ultra Lites are the most commonly used tuners to lighten the load on the headstock. I use them on all my electric basses that don't already have OEM lightweight tuners.

[adamg67]

It's an Ibanez BTB456 6 string, it has a pretty chunky neck & head and yeah, adding more weight to the body doesn't sound good. I could check out how much the tuners weigh.

If moving the neck end strap button helps, does moving the body end one towards the neck work? It'd have to be on the back of the body though.

Otherwise it's some way of extending tge horn which won't do much for the look of the thing.

[MoonBassAlpha]

Attach the strap at the head like they used to do with acoustic guitars?

[adamg67]

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1443623237' post='2876350']
Attach the strap at the head like they used to do with acoustic guitars?
[/quote]

Interesting, never seen that done on a bass.

From having a mess about, I think attaching the body end of the strap further towards the neck has the same effect, I'll experiment with the aid of cable ties and see what I can work out.

[ikay]

Apparently moving the bridge strap pin partway up the lower bout (as on a Spector - see pic below) helps to counteract neck dive

[MoonBassAlpha]

I'm sure I've seen strap buttons on the headstock of some older Precisions, but I've never seen one being utilized either.

[adamg67]

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1443684281' post='2876793']
Apparently moving the bridge strap pin partway up the lower bout (as on a Spector - see pic below) helps to counteract neck dive
[/quote]

That's interesting, I came to the conclusion that having a strap button on the back of the bass a bit further forward than that would do the trick on mine. At least if it's on the back it won't matter too much if it doesn't work out,

[ikay]

"... strap button on back of bass"

I've just found that Dingwall do this with a flush mounted Dunlop strap pin on the back of the body.

Edited October 4, 2015 by ikay

[Delberthot]

HIpshot Ultralites and a neoprene strap will help with balance

[fretmeister]

Take off 1 tuner (including the bushing) and weigh it.

Then you can compare with the Hipshot weights. Ibby tuners are quite light anyway, they may not be light enough to make a difference you want to pay for.

On a trad bass with big plate tuners swapping to Ultralites can save half a pound on a 5 string!

[adamg67]

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1443959391' post='2878946']
"... strap button on back of bass"

I've just found that Dingwall do this with a flush mounted Dunlop strap pin on the back of the body.
[/quote]

I found a spare strap button so as soon as I get chance I'll fit it to the back, but probably a little bit higher than that to stop it rubbing as it won't be flush. It's not a really expensive bass so a small hole on the back isn't a big deal if it doesn't work.

[Mottlefeeder]

A free alternative to check out is to tie a shoelace between the 'bridge-end' strap button and your trouser belt. If that stops your neck dive and doesn't affect your vocals, you could then make something easier to put on/take off.

David

[MrCrane]

Even simpler, run the strap behind your belt.

https://youtu.be/T9HTeCSEcko

[Chienmortbb]

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1444122336' post='2880394']
Take off 1 tuner (including the bushing) and weigh it.

Then you can compare with the Hipshot weights. Ibby tuners are quite light anyway, they may not be light enough to make a difference you want to pay for.

On a trad bass with big plate tuners swapping to Ultralites can save half a pound on a 5 string!
[/quote]Because of the lever effect the 1/2 pound is much heavier.

[brensabre79]

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1443684281' post='2876793']
Apparently moving the bridge strap pin partway up the lower bout (as on a Spector - see pic below) helps to counteract neck dive
[/quote]

I've modded a few neckdivers this way, keeping the existing strap button (usually at the centre) and adding one up here. Make sure the strap has holes for both buttons, I like to leave a little bit of slack between the two buttons on the strap to thread my lead through.