coffee_king Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Hey Guys Just picked up a 2001 BC Rich Mockingbird Korean bass. The problem with it is that the headstock always falls towards the floor when you let go of the neck. I know that its no doubt the sh*te way it was built and is a problem with BC Rich's in general, but it is essential that I play it without having to constantly support the neck. Any ideas how to sort this problem? Thanks Shippo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 What sort of strap have you got? does the strap slip when you wear the bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 I cured the neck dive on my thunderbird by relocating the front strap button to the neck heel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 In general for a bass to balance well the strap peg has to be more or less over the 12th fret. So .. Sticky strap is one option or wear it very, very low. The latter seems to be the way most players do it. As Michael has suggested, relocating the strap button may work as it does seem to work for T-birds. [url="http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/"]http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/[/url] Other than that the main cure for a dippy neck on this shape of bass is to sell it and get a different shaped bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Wide strap helps - partic one with cloth backing, or scuffy side of leather. Moving the [i]rear [/i]strap button might be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 The wider the strap the better, and others have mentioned, a rough side to grip your clothes helps. Maybe a change of tuners to ultr-lite versions might be an option too if cost is reasonable. Other than that your only real option is to change the bass. Bad bass balance can cause so many playing and physical problems that the effort of playing it outweighs the basses long term usefulness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_king Posted November 16, 2009 Author Share Posted November 16, 2009 Cheers for the advise. I'm gonna see about relocating the rear strap peg. I'll give it a go using some sturdy tape first until I get it right, then I'll tap the hole. Also I've got a guitar techy mate coming over later who says he has some ideas, so I'll post the response and solution here later. Big wide fat leather strap with suede type finish on rear sounds like a good idea too. Anyone know of any decent UK websites that sell wide straps cheaply as some are coming up at about £70+ which is just plain stupid money! thanks Shippo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysbass Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 [quote name='shippo' post='655673' date='Nov 16 2009, 08:57 AM']Big wide fat leather strap with suede type finish on rear sounds like a good idea too. Anyone know of any decent UK websites that sell wide straps cheaply as some are coming up at about £70+ which is just plain stupid money! thanks Shippo[/quote] "Leathergraft" make a 4" wide leather strap with suede backing - I bought one a couple of years back for around £15 I think. Has cured my bass's neck dive and since it's fairly heavy, has made it much more comfortable to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Some good suggestions, but.... don't let go!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Mockingbird are by far the worst basses i have owned for neck dive ( I have owned 2 myself) If its a bolt on, reposition the button onto the neck plate and get a very grippy strap and ultra light tuners. But honestly it will never be as good a balance as a traditionally shaped bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 I can attest that moving the strap button to the neck heel does work quite well. Now I'm getting back into bass I quite miss the old "mission control" mocking bird that passed through the hands of a few of us here! I dont miss my old banana necked NJ one quite as much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Find the strap button closest to the bridge, tie a piece of string round it, make sure you have about 18" of string dangling free. Replace the strap so the string is wedged firmly in place. Tie a brick to the other end of the string. Job done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 [quote name='Wil' post='655911' date='Nov 16 2009, 01:07 PM']I can attest that moving the strap button to the neck heel does work quite well. Now I'm getting back into bass I quite miss the old "mission control" mocking bird that passed through the hands of a few of us here! I dont miss my old banana necked NJ one quite as much...[/quote] Join the club! I am first in line for it if Oli lets go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 [quote name='shippo' post='655214' date='Nov 15 2009, 03:09 PM']Hey Guys Just picked up a 2001 BC Rich Mockingbird Korean bass. The problem with it is that the headstock always falls towards the floor when you let go of the neck. I know that its no doubt the sh*te way it was built and is a problem with BC Rich's in general, but it is essential that I play it without having to constantly support the neck. Any ideas how to sort this problem? Thanks Shippo[/quote] Strongly worded,Sh*te way it was built? Maybe sh*te way it was designed,but If you want a kickass shape,you've gotta learn how to tame the beast As someone else here pointed out,neckdive is a problem with basses where the front strap button is away from the 12th fret First off,Straplocks are a must,then get the widest leather strap you can find BEFORE moving the strap buttons With a Mockingbird,players have learnt to use their right forearm to always rest on the rear top of the bass and you think you've got problems! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassix Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I've got one of the new Epi Thunderbird Pro's, as its throughbody would it still be possible to move the strap button to the back? Or would it be better to look at getting a thicker strap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killstarz Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 (edited) [quote name='bassix' post='665142' date='Nov 25 2009, 02:44 PM']I've got one of the new Epi Thunderbird Pro's, as its throughbody would it still be possible to move the strap button to the back? Or would it be better to look at getting a thicker strap?[/quote] i personally wouldnt be happy drilling into a part of the bass which is effectively the neck. have a look on the gibson Tbirds, see where they have theirs? Edited November 25, 2009 by Killstarz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Moving the strap button is a recommended solution on Gibson TBirds, which are through necks, so it shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassix Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I just popped down to see Bernie Goodfellow who lives not five minutes from my house to discuss the problem of the neck-dive on the Epiphone's. I advised him of what had been said round these parts on how to correct the problem. He didn't think it would work but offered to do it for free just to give it a go. 30 seconds later and the problem has been greatly reduced, thanks BCers! Also thanks to Bernie for having the time to stand around and chat to someone as unknowledgable as myself whilst doing it for free, a true gent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickH Posted November 29, 2009 Share Posted November 29, 2009 [quote]Bass guitar unbalanced - Headstock falls towards floor when I let go of the neck[/quote] Having resolved that issue, there's now this burning problem... Bass guitarist unbalanced - head falls towards floor when I'm let go to neck lots of booze Please nobody recommend drilling new holes in me, the piercer has already done that quite enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 [quote name='Lorne' post='656430' date='Nov 16 2009, 09:19 PM']and you think you've got problems! LOL [/quote] Now I can't believe THAT suffers from neck dive - not with a Kahler! Bet it does the "Explorer Flop" though. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 [quote name='Bloodaxe' post='672949' date='Dec 3 2009, 10:44 AM']Now I can't believe THAT suffers from neck dive - not with a Kahler! Bet it does the "Explorer Flop" though. P.[/quote] It may have a Kahler,but have you seen what's at the other end?,Schaller Titans (Soon to be Grover Titans),they ain't light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 [quote name='Shockwave' post='655927' date='Nov 16 2009, 01:21 PM']Join the club! I am first in line for it if Oli lets go![/quote] Everyone on this thread is talking about the same bass. ha. I find it balances fine, and I wear it fairly high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerboy Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I cure neck dive by holding onto my bass. Radical, I know ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Another good reason to buy a headless bass. That simply does not happen with them. Unfortunately BC Rich don't make headless basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 [quote name='BassBus' post='673454' date='Dec 3 2009, 05:40 PM']Another good reason to buy a headless bass. That simply does not happen with them. Unfortunately BC Rich don't make headless basses.[/quote] Erm,not quite true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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