thebrig Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) I play mainly P basses because they just fit perfectly with the music I play, but I do suffer from back and shoulder problems and have tried a few short scale basses over the years such as Mustangs, but although they were much lighter and easier to play because of their compact size, I just couldn't get on with the neck-dive and felt that I was holding the neck up all the time whilst playing. So my question is: If I stuck with them, would I eventually get used to them? Edited October 13, 2023 by thebrig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 A stool is generally cheaper than a new bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Being serious though, I've not tried any Fender-style short scales that didn't have a bit of neck dive. I'd probably look at swapping the tuners for lightweight ones to see if it helps balance things out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Jono Bolton said: Being serious though, I've not tried any Fender-style short scales that didn't have a bit of neck dive. I'd probably look at swapping the tuners for lightweight ones to see if it helps balance things out Yes that might might a difference because the tuners on a Mustang are full size heavy tuners. Edited October 13, 2023 by thebrig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 I’ve switched allegiances from Precisions to Mustangs this year and whilst there’s a bit of neck dive if I remove my left hand completely from the neck I don’t notice it otherwise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Only one of the many short scale basses I've owned has ever exhibited any neck dive and that was down to the body shape rather than the scale length. On the other hand none of them have been even vaguely Fender-like in design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 What kind of strap are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rexel Matador Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 No solutions from me I'm afraid but I'm curious - why do Mustangs have worse neck-dive than Precisions? They both seem to have the upper horn strap button roughly in line with the 12th fret and you would think that the shorter neck gave it less torque. Is it because the body is lighter providing less counter-weight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 53 minutes ago, neepheid said: What kind of strap are you using? I use a wide leather strap which I've used for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 35 minutes ago, Rexel Matador said: No solutions from me I'm afraid but I'm curious - why do Mustangs have worse neck-dive than Precisions? They both seem to have the upper horn strap button roughly in line with the 12th fret and you would think that the shorter neck gave it less torque. Is it because the body is lighter providing less counter-weight? I would imagine it's because the body of the Mustang is considerably shorter than that of a P bass, meaning it doesn't balance so well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 I've sort of given-up on perseverance with neck diving shorties. Some seem to be much worse than others (Alembic small-bodied shorties for example). I suspect the OP is right re: body dimensions with the Mustangs. I used to love Mustangs and learned on one as a much younger man - the dive didn't bother me then. If there's a chance, try a Wilcock or Spector Bantam/Shorty - I haven't experienced any dive with either. So in short, and to answer directly, I stuck with it, didn't get used to it, and made changes to non-diving alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 One would think that the Ibanez, headless shorty (EHB1000S) would be dive free, but I have no practical experience of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Sandberg Lionels don't neck dive. They already use super lightweight tuners. The body shape is slightly different from a usual Fender to make them lighter and have better balance. Replacing Mustang tuners with USA Hipshot Ultralites will knock off nearly 1/3 of a pound from the end of the neck - that makes a massive difference for balance. The Mustang shape just isn't great for balance otherwise. Grippy straps can be a help but really all they are doing is causing a weird forward pulling on your shoulder that causes its own problems. Having the bass designed properly in the first place is a far better option. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Isn't there another thread running currently with a "gadget " built by one of our members to offset the neckdive. I'll see if I can find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 I might just sort some Ultralites for the 2 Mustangs I use with my bands, I’m sure Hipshot will advise which ones I’d need for a JMJ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassist_lewis Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 I've never played a Mustang with neck dive. I'd say try a different one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 Try the "Shortscale Bass Comparison in Pictures" thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franticsmurf Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 4 hours ago, ezbass said: One would think that the Ibanez, headless shorty (EHB1000S) would be dive free, but I have no practical experience of it. I have an EHB1000s and there's no neck dive, as you correctly suspected. I used to play an Epiphone EB0 and that had bad neck dive. I got used to it when playing but between songs it would slip if I wasn't hanging on and that was annoying enough to eventually let it go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meterman Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 Every time I’ve had a a bass or guitar that has a bit of neck dive I’d use an old vintage strap that has a rough suede back to it. The grippiness of the strap would usually fix any neck dive issues. Except on my Hofner violin bass, which was one of the reasons I never kept it. But generally, a grippy strap worked well for me 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJJS Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Sire U5 ( which is 4 string ) Atelier ZPO 4 (if you can find one) If your budget runs to an ACG you won’t be disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycloud Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 On 14/10/2023 at 00:14, thebrig said: So my question is: If I stuck with them, would I eventually get used to them? I sold my Jag because of the stupid overlarge paddle of a headstock and heavy tuners, and kept my Samick SS with tiny headstock that otherwise looked similar, has perfect balance, sounded great and cost about 70 quid S/H mint. On 14/10/2023 at 00:22, Jono Bolton said: A stool is generally cheaper than a new bass Perfect description of the Jag. Why pay for and carry a seat and be limited in movement on stage due to foolish ergonomics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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