Bass neck dive

[pirate]

For any that have built, or own, a bass with a chambered body, or even a light, relatively speaking, body, was neck dive a concern? I'd really like to keep the overall weight as light as I can, and considering a chambered, light body, P or P/J bass, short scale (likely 32") with a roasted maple neck.

Based on what I've discussed with Cagey concerning my tele he is working on, I'm thinking no, since that body is a chambered tele, that Warmoth listed at 2 lb 15 oz. I imagine a light chambered short scale bass body under 3 1/2 pounds with a roasted maple neck for 32" scale would not cause an issue?

 

[Michaelga]

I had a bass with neck dive issues. It was a Hamer Blitz bass (Gibson Explorer style body). You shouldn't have an issue with any body that has a long upper horn. It looks as though the G4 body would have the best balance, but a precision or jazz body should work. If you get an ebony neck, that might cause some neck dive because of the weight. I would stick to maple.

Michael

 

[AirCap]

Using lightweight Hipshot tuners will save quite a bit.

 

[amon]

Install your rear strap button in this location and you will have no neck dive.

 

[Rick]

Excellent idea

 

[hndyman]

Last year I built a Warmoth short scale JBass (32" Warhead neck), chambered Alder-on-Alder body gloss finish, roasted maple neck/rosewood fretboard, Gotoh 201 bridge, Schaller BM Lite tuners, and Lindy Fralin pickups. It weighs in at 7.9 lb, which is probably light for a JBass but still a bit heavier than I had hoped for. However, it is perfectly balanced -- absolutely no neck dive and it sounds like a JBass should. I probably should have asked for the lightweight search option, but didn't. My next build (goal is under 7lb) will be a single pickup bass with either a swamp ash (maybe roasted) or basswood body. A number of decisions to be made as to body wood and type (P or G4) or if I will go with chambered (not an option for the G4 body).

 

[Strat Avenger]

Install your rear strap button in this location and you will have no neck dive.

Interesting.

 

[pirate]

Last year I built a Warmoth short scale JBass (32" Warhead neck), chambered Alder-on-Alder body gloss finish, roasted maple neck/rosewood fretboard, Gotoh 201 bridge, Schaller BM Lite tuners, and Lindy Fralin pickups. It weighs in at 7.9 lb, which is probably light for a JBass but still a bit heavier than I had hoped for. However, it is perfectly balanced -- absolutely no neck dive and it sounds like a JBass should. I probably should have asked for the lightweight search option, but didn't. My next build (goal is under 7lb) will be a single pickup bass with either a swamp ash (maybe roasted) or basswood body. A number of decisions to be made as to body wood and type (P or G4) or if I will go with chambered (not an option for the G4 body).

Any idea what the body weight was of your build? I'm thinking of asking for them to pick out a lightweight piece to start with. I see short scale P bass bodies under 4lb, so with it being chambered, a body approaching 3 lb seems quite realistic, as the site claim chambering can reduce weight by as much as 25%. My chambered tele body came out at 2 lb 15 oz and the finished tele was 6.5 lb, so I'm hoping for something similar in my short scale p bass build. I have a roasted maple neck short scale Warmoth on the way, and just got my Gotoh Res-O-Lite 2+2 tuners. I have neck plate from a previous build, and will be getting the body and PU ordered soon hopefully. Then it's just the controls.

 

[hndyman]

Unfortunately I didn't weigh it (kicking myself right now) before putting it together, but I suspect it is a bit over 4lb. Those tuners should help. 4.4oz for 4 is super light.

What body wood, finish, and pickup(s) are you considering? From what I've gleaned from various postings, swamp ash is generally lighter than Alder, but there are always going to be exceptions. Roasted swamp ash should be lighter still. Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

 

[pirate]

I'm considering both ash and alder, both roasted and not. Likely I will call and pay the $40 for them to select a lightweight piece between all and see where we are, the get it chambered and go from there. As for finish, still thinking lake placid blue in a satin finish, white pearl pickguard.

When I weighed the tuners on my scale they read 0.30 lb, so I'm happy there. I'll weigh the neck when I get it too. Going to have a list of weights for each part, then a total.

 

[hndyman]

Good deal if they search multiple wood types for $40. Didn't know they would do that.  Since the short scale necks don't have the extra steel rods, that will also help.