How serious is the neck dive in an SB400?

[ilan]

Looking at an SB400 I assume it has some neck dive... am I right? How serious is it?

[Chris P.]

I can't tell, but I think the problem of neck dive has as much to do with the player as with the bass. As a Tbird player and being quite a simple rock player I'm used to and can handle a bit of dive. Some people can't handle a bit of dive, while I hardly notice it. Some people like rougher straps which 'stick' on your clotes, and help against neck dive, while I prefer the sliding ones.

The thing I have problems with more is the tendency of basses leanin forwards, when a strap button is on the heel. Especially with a small bodied Höfner.

[slinkp]

If it is, swapping tuners might help?  Although the original ones in photos I've seen don't look super gigantic.
Just a thought... I completely cured neck dive on my Greco bird by putting in a set of Hipshot ultralights.

Another option if you don't mind replacing hardware:  Find a heavier bridge?

[Dave W]

All I can tell you is that my slothead EB-0L from the same era had moderate neck dive. Nothing I couldn't handle. That was all mahogany though.

[bobyoung]

I bought a 3" wide strap for my EB-3, works pretty well to minimize the sensation and you get used to it anyway, at least I do.

[uwe]

Not so much neck dive as unstable, the small light alder body against the heavy long scale maple neck ...  And the SG shape isn't the most stable body shape to begin with. But it's not like the neck pulls down like a boat anchor per se,



more that you wish that the body was a little heavier and/or larger. You can play an SB 400 all night in a series of short sets and it won't tire you, but it won't "sit" against your gut like, say, a Jazz Bass would.  It'll always move a little while you play, but neck weight really isn't the cause of that. Unless you are obsessive with a bass being ergonomic (and how can you, if you are the Ric moderator?  ), you'll make the adjustment easily.

[ilan]

Unless you are obsessive with a bass being ergonomic (and how can you, if you are the Ric moderator?  ), you'll make the adjustment easily.

I find Rics extremely comfortable. Perfect balance on a strap due to the elongated top horn, and the thin body feels great. The binding never bothered me. I liked them from the first time I ever tried a Ric.

I was looking at this one because the price ($725) seems reasonable. But I think I'll wait for an SB300. It's the scale, the possible neck dive, and a long scale neck on an SG body looks a bit weird.

They used the same body for the 300 and 400 with the pickups at the same locations... I don't know if it's good or bad, intentional or just cost effective.

[uwe]

I find Rics extremely comfortable. Perfect balance on a strap due to the elongated top horn, and the thin body feels great. The binding never bothered me. I liked them from the first time I ever tried a Ric.

I was looking at this one because the price ($725) seems reasonable. But I think I'll wait for an SB300. It's the scale, the possible neck dive, and a long scale neck on an SG body looks a bit weird.

They used the same body for the 300 and 400 with the pickups at the same locations... I don't know if it's good or bad, intentional or just cost effective.

Don't wait. Buy it. It's the best combo of the four SB variations (300, 400, 350 and 450). The pups and the way they are placed on both scale versions (good, but unintentional, just cost effective, this is Gibson, ok?) sound great on the long scale and while the SB 300 isn't in any way bad (the rear pup is still a long way from the bridge) it's just not as astoundingly good as the SB 400 which has the characteristic of a good 60ies Jazz Bass. The SB 350 is the worst of the SBs because of the rear pup sounding all brittle due to the proximity to the bridge on a short scale. SB 400 are also more rare than SB 300.

Here's how an unaltered SB 300 can sound (with a famous Ozzy Osbourne imposter!):





Bradley's bassist uses it all the time. An SB 400 would sound as warm and full, but more distinct.

Finally, Ilan, you're tall and lanky, an SB 300 would look like a toy on you! 

In comparison to the - in some quarters: much, yet utterly unjustly derided, you know who you are out there! - SB 300, an EB-0 in Charles Bradley's music becomes basically inaudible.

[Dave W]

Huh? Nothing inaudible about that EB-0.

YT videos of different songs recorded at different times and under different conditions don't give you a valid comparison anyway.

[uwe]

It thumps, but it is hard to hear a note. Especially if you are not a bassist, but Joe Blow from the audience.

[ilan]

you're tall and lanky, an SB 300 would look like a toy on you! 

I can pull off a Tele  It can't be smaller than a Tele, right? 

[uwe]

I rest my case! All I wanted to do was prevent shame and embarrassment ... 

Nothing wrong with an Israeli Ukulele Orchestra of course ...

[Dave W]

It thumps, but it is hard to hear a note. Especially if you are not a bassist, but Joe Blow from the audience.

I can hear it without any problem.

The non-bassist audience is irrelevant. 

[ilan]

Okay Uwe now I have GAS for a resonator uke.

[uwe]