BeeBop Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 I have a question which I have been wanting to ask Do all Fender P Bass s have neck dive ... I recently went to my local guitar store to try out an American Fender P Bass ... the first thing that struck me was ooft that's some neck dive ...the sales guy was messing about with the amp as I sat .. I couldn't help myself and mentioned to the sales guy that the neck was diving ...he gave me one of the most disgusting looks ever ..it was as if I had plopped in his handbag look .. He then proceeds to tell me that all P Bass s have neck dive ...I tend not to believe a word these creatures tell me as its their job to sell sell sell ...(unless your lucky enough to have a wee independent store where your needs are what really matter) ... Cheers in advance ...probably a daft question but I simply don't know the answer ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 No, mine doesn’t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 My P bass has neck dive a plenty if you sit down and balance it on your knee(no suprise here as the knee cutout is nowhere near the center of gravity), but no neck dive when worn on a strap(which is much more important IMO). For a P bass to be affected by neck dive on a strap it would need to have a very lightweight body, and you could counteract that with a set of ultralight tuners easily enough. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 I`ve currently got 5 US Precisions, none have neck dive. I don`t have super-duper straps either, just regular 2" wide nylon-weave Jim Dunlop straps, still no neck-dive. One feels different to the others, seems to pull a bit on my left shoulder a bit more, but still no neck-dive. Sounds like a case of very lightweight body as mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 no neck dive on my p basses standing or seated. As mentioned above, must be a lightweight (body that is, not the salesman) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshy Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Nope not on any of the 8 I have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Neither of my P basses have neck dive, but Fender made so may variations of their basses that there might be some out there that do dive. IMO, get a good strap and that will tidy up most neck dive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Big plate tuners models (Vintage / Mex 50s & 60s etc often have neck dive. Modern ones with lightweight tunes have it less, and quite often none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerstodge Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 I’ve never known it and I’ve had 100s of P basses... well 4 or 5.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 None of my herd have neck dive either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Had a few and all have been fine on a strap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Slight neck dive on mine - but nothing of note at all. Certainly not noticeable when playing. Its got a pretty light body tho and big old 70s machineheads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobthedog Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 No neck dive on my American P, although I always wear a strap, even sitting down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Mine has a fat neck and big old Gotoh tuners and it’s stable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymondo Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Mine has neck dive. It's a 1990 MIJ '57 re-issue. Neck dives like a lemming off a cliff......It's never bothered me to be honest. I love the sound it makes! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christhammer666 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 I currently use an affinity precision which has a thinner lighter body and that doesn’t have neck dive. The mim ones I’ve had didn’t either . As said above it could possibly be the tuners if they are a chunkier heavier brand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 I have a 1999 Hot Rod Precision which is very light indeed - less than 8lb - no dive for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeBop Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 You guys are the best ...thanks for all the comments ..as suspected never trust a salesman I play a 94 MIJ 57 reissue (it bumps like a big bumpy thing... a sound to die for ) ..it has some neck dive hence why I wasn't 100% sure if all P Bass s were the same or similar .. .. Have a good weekend when it comes .... Cheers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Check out good quality straps. Mine are leather and suede and 3 1/2" wide. Neoprene straps would also be good in preventing any tenancy to dive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Some of the MIJs are made of basswood, which generally is lighter than alder or ash, and can account for the neck-dive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misdee Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 It depends what you mean by neck dive. A Fender -style bass will usually neck dive on your knee without a strap, but will balance fairly well on a strap. A common misconception is that neck dive is a result of a lightweight body and a heavier neck. It is far more to do with the balance points where the strap attaches. Lightweight tuners can help, but bass that neck dives will continue to do so regardless of how heavy the body is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 my MIA P with lightweight tuners has none, ever so slight neck dive on my Vintage V4, as @Misdee says it all about where the strap attaches, I think that's why Fenders have a big horn where the strap attaches to stop neck dive and it works. I've got a Yamaha acoustic which has neck dive, that attaches to the heel of the neck. Epiphone SG's have horrendous neck dive, mine was unplayable, which also attaches to the heel of the neck, why they put it there God alone knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 3 hours ago, PaulWarning said: my MIA P with lightweight tuners has none, ever so slight neck dive on my Vintage V4, as @Misdee says it all about where the strap attaches, I think that's why Fenders have a big horn where the strap attaches to stop neck dive and it works. I've got a Yamaha acoustic which has neck dive, that attaches to the heel of the neck. Epiphone SG's have horrendous neck dive, mine was unplayable, which also attaches to the heel of the neck, why they put it there God alone knows If you want real neck dive, try an Epi Jack Casady... it's an instrument and a left-arm workout all in one! Cool basses, but don't expect ergonomic balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 I don't see this proposed as a solution very often; is there a good reason ..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 48 minutes ago, Dad3353 said: I don't see this proposed as a solution very often; is there a good reason ..? It falls off very easily 😬 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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