MM returnee surprised to discover neck dive - Ultralites?

[wraithwrider]

I've returned to the MM fold. I seriously missed my translucent orange Sterling from some years ago and have since moved to 5 strings.

I recently bought a 2nd hand but mint pearl white Sterling 5 from Germany and I'm very pleased with it but it does have a slight neck dive that I find detracts from playing an otherwise great bass (it sounds superb and looks quite stunning). I've tried varying the playing position but the only way I'm able to play it reasonably well is by using a Comfort Strapp with my right elbow applying pressure on the body. This isn't ideal though.

So I'm thinking of putting Hipshot Ultralites on it to transform the playability.

Can anyone help me with confirming that Ultralites will fit and of so what size/model I will need? I know they look bad in terms of the redundant screw holes on the rear of the headstock but I'm prepared to live with that.

Peter

 

[five7]

Looking forward to your impressions of the ultralite tuners. 1/2 the weight would work for me on the bongo.

 

[wraithwrider]

I've ordered a set of Hipshot Ultralites. Bill at Hipshot advised me on the correct ones and I'm going for the all chrome models.

I quite fancied the Gotoh Res-o-lites but I don't think they fit.

It a shame to have a really nice bass like this with a balance issue. I suspect that using a similar neck to the Ray 5 on a smaller body is the cause. Maybe lightweight tuners as standard would be the way ahead?

I'll update.

Peter

 

[Golem]

......... ....... ... .. .......
but it does have a slight neck dive that I find detracts
from playing an otherwise great bass ....... .... ..... ...
So I'm thinking of putting Hipshot Ultralites on it to
transform the playability.

.......... ...... .. .... .....

The least intrusive [and therefore cheapest] relief from
SLIGHT neck dive is to put a spacer [and longer screw]
between the top horn strap button and the top horn. An
extra advantage that results from this is that the lower
notes are now about 3/4" closer.

I used to think this might be just one of those "Wacko
Golem" mods, but I bought a used Boingo that already
had such a mod. Anywho, it's NOT really a mod cuz it's
fully reversible [no power tools, no new holes, etc].

If after adding such a spacer you STILL choose to instal
ultra light tuners, with both improvements working in
tandem you'll definitely have a sooper friendly package !


`

 

[wraithwrider]

Cheers Golem

What length is the spacer. If the Ultralites don't sort it completely I will look at that as an option.

Peter

 

[keko]

I just learned how to live with neck dive of my SL 5 HS!

At the other hand I got my RX 5 HH which has perfect balance, 'cause smaller head stock and baby MM tuners!

 

[Golem]

Cheers Golem

What length is the spacer. If the Ultralites don't sort it completely I will look at that as an option.

Peter

I usually go with 1/2" or 3/4". Usually a full inch makes it hard to
get the zipper on the gig bag to zip over the top horn. I spoze that
what is common in our USA hardware stores may not be the same
stuff as found in the UK, but things are more global these days as
it's all made in China anywaze ....

There are these nylon spacers about as big around as a pencil, sold
in various lengths. The walls are thick so the center bore is like the
zero character on your PC keyboard. I use a 2" or 1+3/4" screw, of
the typically American diameter of "#8" or "#10". I don't recall the
exact spec, but it's whatever fits cleanly into the bore of the spacer.

I use rubber faucet washers [whatever you Brits call them, they go
inside the thing that shoots water into your "basin"] between the tip
of the horn and the spacer. Some washers are conical and some are
not. I prefer the 'not' ... and of a rather firm compound.

Finally, the screw for this project doesn't fit thru the regular EBMM
strap button. It certainly doesn't fit thru the anchors for strap locks.
There are plenty of really good buttons with larger bores than EBMM
offers. I like the AllParts [brand] "Oversize Strap Button" [yup, thaz
its actual model name on the package] but as usual it's prolly called
something different 'over there'. There's also a button from "Planet
Waves" that really good.


`

 

[wraithwrider]

Many thanks Golem. We call 'em 'taps' btw

Peter

 

[five7]

Ordered the ultralites and installed them and guess what, no more neck heaviness!!! It is like having a brand new bass. I am loving it! I would have liked to put MM tuners on but after being told one thing by cs and another by you guys, I decided to go for it and not wait on MM releasing them.

 

[wraithwrider]

Good to hear. I'm waiting for mine to arrive. I'm using my Clover Expression 15.5 at the moment but look forward to getting the Sterling back into the action as soon as it's as playable as it should have been when made originally imo.