Neck Plate / Shirt Ripping.....Any ideas?

[Richie]

I apologize if this question has been touched upon in the past, but I couldn't find anything previously posted.

I have 2 SUB basses. I play out every weekend night, and the bottom of my t-shirts always get ripped up a bit from the neck plates. I don't move the bass around that much, but they still seem to do a number on the shirts. I found myself last night consciously angling the neck away from me, but I really don't want to have to alter the way I play if there's a simple solution out there. I had just bought a cool Ampeg shirt last week on eBay, and sure enough I put a hole in it the first time I wore it.

Has anybody else who's had the same problem come up with any fixes for this? I'm going to start experimenting with different materials to stick over the plate, but of course I'm concerned with the possibility of lifting the paint off the SUB's textured finish with anything too sticky. Maybe some type of pad for the plate...anything like that. I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks,
Richie

 

[Psycho Ward]

Who wears shirts?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Fred E.]

I apologize if this question has been touched upon in the past, but I couldn't find anything previously posted....the bottom of my t-shirts always get ripped up a bit from the neck plates

Tell you what--if you could have found this question previously posted, then I for one would be up for contributing toward buying you a year's supply of tee shirts.

 

[silverburst]

Damn it. How about a warning on those pics?

 

[MrMusashi]

hehe.. it has been said before: any post with pictures and psycho ward in em might scar you mentally

id check if there are any sharp edges on the bolts. if someone has tried to tighten them and used the wrong tools it might have slipped and created sharp edges..
other than that, a piece of gaffa covering the metal could work too

MrM

 

[Spudmurphy]

Masking tape will be fine - it won't lift the paint.

 

[jongitarz]

It is probably the neck plate screws. Very easy fix. Call CS.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Yeah, I was gonna say neck plate screws too. Run you fingers over the screw heads to see if they feel sharp.

 

[Bill]

Yup, it's the screws doing the tearing. EB customer service should be able to fix you right up with some nice, non-sharp screws.

 

[Richie]

I don't believe it's the screws. It's happening with both of my SUB's. The screws feel fine, except that I can certainly feel the X cutout in each screw. But they're as smooth as you'd expect. I believe it's the corners of the plate, probably the bottom left corner. Nothing feels particularly sharp, but the corners must be what's poking through the material. I play in rock cover bands, so it's 3 hours per night of rocking back and forth, lightly, but continuously.

Psycho Ward...that picture is going to keep me up at night. And not in the good way. I think that could've been a real keeper, and maybe a picture for the EB catalog if you had been in a public place, there was no hint of your underwear showing, you had a real aggressive look on your face, and there had been people behind you looking horrified. THAT would've elevated it to office email status.

Spudmurphy...I'll give masking tape a try. I have a feeling it won't be sticky enough to remain on there for long, but I won't know until I try it. Thanks.

 

[mynan]

I used to have a similar thing happen once in a while...always the favorite shirt...a small hole. For me, it was the shirt getting between the neck plate and my belt buckle.

 

[tommyindelaware]

+1
they get sharp burrs if a phillips driver that is even slightly too small is used . & if u use electric drill driver bits u have to be extra careful. cause if u slip with them.....it comprimises the phillips head very quickly. always do at least the first 25% of the screw by hand. after that its easy to not slip. ( if yer driver is the proper size).

It is probably the neck plate screws. Very easy fix. Call CS.

 

[Fred E.]

Here's what causes holes in all of my tee shirts:

 

[bovinehost]

Those are such great birds, Fred.

 

[Fred E.]

Those are such great birds, Fred.

Thanks Jack--that is Avis, he is 13 years old & he's been with me since he was an egg. He was the very first chick to hatch from his mom's, Frank, first clutch. I am responsible for every defect in Avis's warped little personality.

 

[n!k]

I'm more jealous of the Space Echo!

 

[mike not fat]

I found a way to avoid my belt buckle to scratch the back of my basses (just turn the belt so the buckle is on your side), but the only way to avoid your shirts getting ripped is to play as Chuck (PsychoWard) does !
Maybe, if you still feel comfortable to play, lower the bass, so the neck plate touches your belt or pants, which shouldn't be as "fragile" as a shirt.

MNF

 

[Jim_F]

I think the possibility of sharp neck plate screws would scare me off 'playing commando' like Chuck !!!

I don't mind rippin a t-shirt ... the alternative does not bear thinking about ...

 

[Fred E.]

I'm more jealous of the Space Echo!

Which has never once put a hole in any of my tee shirts.