ead Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 I was having an idle conversation today with a friend and ended up talking about basses. Somehow drifted onto the topic of how people wear a bass whilst playing and then on the mechanics of balance etc. This person then asked what influenced the placement of strap buttons and why they were often in the same places. Has anybody added a strap button "above" the supplied position to help with this issue - making the rash assumption here that most basses come with a button in line with the centre of the strings.? If it does work, and how far above the centre line seems to be best, and does changing the way a bass hangs affect playbility? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 I had a thumb bass. The top horn on a Thumb bass is short, and therefore the strap button is in a position roughly parallel with the 15th fret. This has a couple of negative effects. The balance of the bass is shifted forward and the result is neck dive. This is a commonly acknowledged problem with Thumb basses (although some players claim to be immune to the condition). The other problem that this causes is that it makes the lower frets feel far away. Playing around that area of the neck for a period of time is rather fatigue inducing (carpel tunnel on a plate). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 My Aria SB is the most perfectly balanced bass that I've played. The strap button is roughly parallel to the 12th fret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted November 17, 2013 Author Share Posted November 17, 2013 tbh I was thinking more about the one at the bridge end of the bass. The one on the top horn is pretty much predetermined I guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 I bought a 2nd hand Epi Thunderbird and moved the strap button at both ends. Bridge end higher and neck one moved to where neck joins. Made a huge difference. Not a bass I play very often but its fun now and again. I have noted my Thumb bass issues but generally have gotten used to it over the years however I do use a strap with a fabric that grips my clothes and that helps. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Opposite to what Fionn said I'd say my thumb bass is the best balancing bass I've used! Although it isnt the heavier bubinga ones so that may have something to do with it? Worst balancing bass I've used was the Spectorcore 5 string. Probably would have added a new strap button to it but I got rid of it before I had the chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 statuses(usii) usually have two buttons - i use the one nearest the floor and it still doesnt neck dive - tried the other one but as i like my bass quite high up it doesnt leave much room for getting in and out the lighter weight of my two j's has the standard postiion buttons and no neck dive and the TRB has a long neck but the body is so heavy there is still no neck dive with the buttons in usual butt and horn position is this problem limited to only specific guitar designs (tbirds v's explorers etc) as ive never come across it with any of my boring standard shape basses tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 My Epi Tbird had a strap button on back which solved problem. Never had to move the bridge button. Worst was my EpiphoneEB3 which I moved on for purely that reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 GB Rumours have two - only ever needed the top one - not really sure why the second one is there TBH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Spectors have the bridge end button more towards the upper bout. The Ibanez Gary Willis models have 2 either side of the usual position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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