I'm so glad you did this video. I have been trying to learn to play guitar for years and am terrible at it, so I put this to the test. ALL my guitars have "neck dive" henceforth making them "unplayable". I now know that it's not me and it has been the guitars all along! I have decided to take up drums now, but ALL the drumsticks I have purchased have "stick dive" and my drum set is now "unplayable"! I’m starting to think about baking muffins...
No one has ever said a guitar is “unplayable” because of neck dive, only less comfortable, less ergonomic. With simple adjustments guitars with neck dive caused by hardware, material density, shape, or overall design can becomes more comfortable to play once a better fulcrum adjustment is made. I’ve been playing professionally for 35 years. The internet didn’t create neck dive: manufacturing or design inconsistencies or slips in quality control did. Don’t be a smart ass and make fun of players, especially young or new ones, who experience some discomfort from certain guitars. Educate yourself before you mock.
Yeah…unfortunately my humor in doing this video didn’t go over very well with XX….I thought your reply was hilarious 🤣 How’s the muffin baking coming along…😎
@@JimmyStewart1 The muffin baking didn’t work out either since every wooden spoon I tried to mix the batter with suffered from “spoon dive”! I just can’t seem to find a hobby since you made this video 😂
In your first “jump test” the neck is diving while you move around and jump because you literally have to lift it back up at least three times. And this is the problem people are referring to. Especially for shredders or fast players, if you are having to hold the neck up in playing position, then the hand is not free to move up and down the neck quickly. If you are a rhythm player, play mostly chords or rarely play past the 12th fret it will not be as noticeable.
Thanks for watching and commenting Guyce...hopefully you realize this was done a bit “tongue in cheek” and I was trying to make the neck dive! It’s the “chicken or the egg” question for all guitarists and my point was that over the years, it’s been over blown in my opinion, and surely, my opinion is right, right? 😎 Stay safe....👍
I do not want to disagree, nor to agree. Coming from a Spanish heritage and having learned to play the guitar in a classical position, with the neck at a 45-degree angle, the thumb on the back of the neck, and the palm on a "U" shape, I can tell you, neck dive is real for me. I hate to play with guitars that go horizontal like your example. So I believe this is subjective. Regards
I can totally understand from your playing style! This was done more in a humorous “tongue-in-cheek” perspective as it is like the age old debate for guitarists like the “chicken or the egg” question. Thanks so much for watching and commenting and appreciate your perspective! Stay safe! 👍
I was going to include it in the video, but it was up in the house (playing it) and I was to lazy to go get it! 😎 Figured I had plenty of examples in the studio to get my point(less) opinion across! Thanks....stay safe! 👍
Exactly....this is what Edgar Winter wanted to do on stage, but got voted down cause Derringer was afraid no one would be able to see him any longer. Thanks for watching and commenting! 😎👍
Hi ReadySetMoses..thanks for stopping in. Hopefully, you caught some of the intended humor…Though not a problem for me, many continue to have issues. I just believe that the issue has continued to be a bit overblown over the years. Appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing…🎸👍
Thanks Dennis...the issue with trying to post humor, especially on TH-cam about music related subjects, is having your audience actually “get it”. Most don’t and then you have to try and explain the humor...which becomes tedious at best. Yet, I still continue to try for some reason! Glutton for punishment I guess, but really it’s because I enjoy trying, and it gives “ME” a smile! If you haven’t already, take a look at my “Jimmy Teaches A Song” vid....it was my fav and very few actually watched it....
At 1:30 I squeezed out a tear holding back guffaw (it's late, don't want to wake the house). But I always read comments first or as the tape rolls (that last means a lot of rewinding) but I enjoy the comments as much as the content. Thanx for the channel.
@@JimmyStewart1 yep I remember it Jimmy! Was good to view it again...I missed some of the “lines” the first time ‘round!😂 like your finger names and your chart drawing! Hilarious! But IT WORKS!😊 Been 7 months- so now it’s time to see if I can fingerpick it-the song, that is! especially since I’ve mastered the C7 chord!🤣
@@JimmyStewart1 I will look for the video. Something tells me that it could come from the same factory as the Harley Benton model comes. I was looking for a short scale guitar, see if my small hands and short fingers would feel more comfortable, and would like to learn a bit about them before buying one. Thank you!
It is more of an issue on some basses. My Spector Rex 5 Holoflash has a really heavy neck that goes straight towards the ground when I am playing open notes if not supported. I just keep my left hand on it for muting anyhow. 🤷♂️ (bassists are weird, we mostly use fingers on right and mute with our left LOL)
I only had two different basses....a Fender Jazz and a Fender Precision (which I still have). Never had a issue with either as like you said, your left hand/arm is usually cradling the body a bit anyway! Just having a bit of fun at the expense of those (hopefully) with a sense of humor... Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Yeah, the other 11 basses and all 17 guitars no issues. That bass is the only one that does that. When I forget and take my hand off it is like oh shiiiii... LOL I thought it was a pretty funny vid 😁
Jimmy very entertaining . And I agree with you completely on just about every six string guitar I have. But there is an exception to neck dive. I have a very light basswood telecaster style body which is a 12 string and the neck on that is akin to a baseball bat and with the 12 machine heads on it it is quite heavy on the neck side. Now does it make it unplayable because of that nope it's unplayable because I can't keep the neck straight with the truss rod hahah a.
Ha..ha..I hear you Mike!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍 Snowing here...hope your hanging in there up in the north tundra! 😎
@@JimmyStewart1 we've had minimal snow here the last two days. Less than 2 in. Today is bright and sunny but cooler. It might start melting a little bit in the sun this afternoon for a couple of hours. I'm doing basement finishing at my neighbor's house next door mudding and taping so I'm hiding from the cold
@@2bikemikesguitartopics145 Good for you Mike....I will be installing a new ceiling fan here in the next few days...just trying to build up the “courage” to spend a couple hours hunched over in the attic....😎
Jimmy, neck dive is on page #203 of the Kama Sutra. It's quite enjoyable if you can find a willing partner, but don't let anyone know where you got this information. 🤫🤞...
i know my friends that set the strap low (level with the groin) they experience neck dive more than us who put the strap high (at the belly) . only reason people like it low is cause it makes them look like a rockstar
Hey OBSG…thanks for watching and commenting! Yeah, even when I was younger I could not play effectively with the “low slung” look. I guess it’s what your use to and comfortable, but it just looks VERY uncomfortable to me..😎 Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍
Actually, "Neck Dive" is anytime the headstock doesn't stay pointed up at an angle (somewhere between 40-60 degrees) whilst unsupported with your fretting hand or picking arm.
Hi Cletus…thanks for watching and commenting. This was a “tongue in cheek” look at the issue, as over the years I just thought that the subject of neck dive had taken on a “mythical” status. Have you ever been to a gig where the guitarist complained that he couldn’t play that guitar because of the neck dive? I haven’t…. Many of us played SG’s for years (the infamous neck dive Gibson King) with no issues. Angus, Pete, Carlos…to name a few seemed to do alright…With the coming of age and the internet, some have come to the conclusion that a lot of guitars are simply unplayable now. The scale is too long…the scale is too short…the neck is too wide, the neck is too thin…the radius is too flat…the radius is too round…😎 Player’s have preferences…I get it…but I think it better’s us all as players to experience all that the instrument has to offer…warts and all! Appreciate your stopping into the channel. Sometimes a 😎 is good for the soul….🙏👍
I will add that I recently built a semi-hollow body out of .6mm plywood and cardboard... you may have seen the video on faceboob Jimmy. The neck dive was so severe I gave it to my daughter to learn on so she wouldn't be spoiled by "good" guitars. She has yet to experience neck dive.
What a nice gesture...building something for her that she can remember for life!! I did a rocking horse for my granddaughter...does that count? I don’t think she has experienced any neck dive with it.
Earth is not flat, but neck dive is real. I am not great player for 20 years. Was always bothered. Especially playing my Strat which indeed dives and slides down if i place it on lap (like my nylon Cordoba, which I play more than electric). I am slow, so just learned how its called :) and its an issue for me, which I can also put a full blame on now, for not playing better in two decades LOL
Ha!! Yep, you can now blame it on neck dive!! Thanks for watching and commenting!! It helps to have a sense of humor, especially these days! Stay safe....😎👍
The neck dive is real. I have an Epiphone sg and it dives like a tart on a job. The cheap encore was and is well balanced with great tuners. The tuners on the sg are rubbish but the finish and pick-ups are excellent. I think the guitar was made to sit into a standing body position and it plays better standing up but I cannot do that. - bad back.
I hear ya….all humor aside, I understand that there “could be” guitars out there that “could” have a bit of “dive” 🤣 Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Appreciate you stopping in to the channel! 👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Yes the the sg epiphone is a pain the hand to play as the head stock is too heavy, the body is super light. Effectively making the guitar unplayable.
@@Mulberry2000 I hear ya….I had a 72 Gibson SG back in the day that was my main guitar. I don’t ever recall having any issues with it, but mine did have the trem, so perhaps that helped! 👍
I have owned many guitars from les pauls to tele's to ESP eclipse and I never had a problem till I got a Gresch 5222 holly heck it had crazy head stock dive. when playing it was like holding a childs baseball bat due to the very unballanced weight in the guitar. I ended up filling the cavity with weight because it was unpleasant to play. Now its real heavy but at least its comfortable to play.
Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts Bad Lord Boris…glad to hear you were able to correct the situation and just not “give up” on the Gretsch! Of course you realize this was done more or less as a “tongue in cheek” style video, and I realize that some players and guitars face real issues with this, but I also think that many take the whole “neck dive” theory to the extreme. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 👍🎸
On this subject, I have to disagree with you. Try reducing the force of friction around your collared jacket. A lot depends on your body shape and what you're wearing. Try a tshirt. I solved with by using high-friction padded straps. I also wear my guitar similarly to you. One of the main reasons I got rid of my FFTH is because of neck dive. I respect your opinion, but neck neck dive is real in my experience.
Justin, you do realize this was done as a tongue-in-cheek answer to the “chicken or the egg” question for guitar players, right? If you watched, you will notice that the “demo” Jimmy changes his opinion throughout the video, and the “insert” Jimmy thinks it’s ridiculous. I have played my FFTH’s with T-shirt’s in the past, and didn’t notice any issue with them (seriously). I do agree with you on body size, cloths, strap type, etc and I cover these issues (again with a bit of humor) in the video. Thanks so much for watching and commenting, even though we agree to disagree! Stay safe....😎👍
LOL!!!!!!! If I were a cartoonist, I’d sum this video up with a cartoon titled “Tale of Two Modern Guitar Players.” It would go like this: GP #1: “This guitar is unplayable! I read somewhere on the Internet that it has really bad neck dive!” GP #2: “Really?!? Oh my gosh!!!! I’ve been playing this SG here for over 30 years, because I honestly didn’t know it was unplayable! I now pray the Internet will forgive me for my sin, playing an unplayable guitar all this time!” On some more serious scientific notes: 1) The Gibson SG and Explorer are probably the best known examples of guitars with Neck Dive(tm). The Explorer is an unusual case due to its unconventional body design. In the case of the SG, it’s simply because the neck ends up being heavier than the body, and longer in relation to the body than on most other guitars. NOT all SGs are the same though, and as I understand it, some Epiphone SGs have heavier bodies that are actually better balanced. 2) The lightweight, unbalanced SG body design was undoubtedly Gibson over-reacting to complaints about the Les Paul being too heavy. Let’s not forget that at the time, the Les Paul was NOT selling well, and it wasn’t the immortal, best selling classic it is today, so Gibson was just desperate to correct the perceived shortcomings of the Les Paul in their desperate attempt to survive next to Fender. 3) Right up there with neck dive seems to be concerns about the guitar’s weight! The neck is always going to be THE limiting factor in terms of making a guitar lighter vs balancing the center of gravity, UNLESS someone wants to spend millions ditching wood altogether and inventing a new guitar neck made out of titanium or some other ultra-modern “Space Age” material. But THEN you’d have people complaining about the guitars not being traditional enough and lacking “character!” 4) Seriously, to this very day, the Stratocaster is probably the best balanced guitar out there. It’s the ONLY one with contours making it comfortable to play sitting AND standing, with an anchor point right over the 12th fret of the neck for a perfect center of balance. The Telecaster DOES also have some neck dive, but nowhere NEAR as bad as the Gibson SG or Explorer. 5) Many, MANY famous guitar players have played these supposedly “unplayable” guitars though, so really, while a balanced, ergonomic guitar is nice, don’t let ANYTHING deter you if you just plain LIKE the damn thing!!! If you bond with it and can make music with it, that’s ALL that matters in the end!!!!!! It’s pretty easy to solve the problem by simply using a wider strap with a higher co-efficient of friction, so go enjoy playing music with your “unplayable” guitar!
Great summary!! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your well thought out opinions on this age old guitarist nightmare that in my opinion (and obviously I am certainly right) does not exist!! 🤣🤣 Enjoyed the read….👍😎
Well, Jimmy, I think you've nailed it... it has to be my beer belly! I have four thinlines, and they all have it to varying degrees. Even the Firefly, if I try to use a nylon strap. And I have a Douglas that's absolutely unplayable without using a 3" suede strap! So should I give up beer or guitar???
Ha...ha...🤣🤣 That’s great man! Get yourself a 3” leather and all will be good! 😎 Don’t give up either your playing...or your beer!! Or, you can switch from beer to JD like I did 👀🤣👍 Thanks for watching and commenting... much appreciated! Stay safe...👍
If you have 1 strap pin on the upper bout/horn, and 1 pin on the tail end of the guitar, you need the following conditions to have a balanced (non-divy instrument). 1) If your guitar body is thinner, you need a longer upper horn. Like a Stratocaster. PRS Santanas dive. Ibanez RGs don't. 2) If you don't have a longer upper bout/horn, your guitar body needs to be thicker/heavier (full fat) like a Les Paul. ESP Eclipses dive. Gibson Les Paul customs don't. You cannot for instance, put a strap pin on the upper horn of a SG or Gretsch hollowbody, and expect the neck to stay pointed up. The "upper" pin needs to be behind the guitar at the neck joint. You cannot put the "upper" pin on an acoustic guitar anywhere except screwed up into the heel joint. Alternatively, you can wrap a strap loop behind the nut at the headstock (country-style). If you play metal, and want a metal shape, ie. V or Z, that pin needs to be behind the neck joint, though the neck may still dive, depending on wood density. Examples: 1) Fender Thinline Tele: Does it have a long horn? No. Does it have a heavy body? No. NECKDIVE. 2) Jackson Warrior: Does it have a heavy body? No. Does it have a long upper horn? Kind of. Where is the upper strap pin? Screwed underneath the upper horn, which is past the heel joint. No neck dive. 3) BC Rich Stealth: Does it have a heavy body? No. Does it have a long upper bout/horn? No. NECKDIVE.
Yes…I get the physics….I guess that’s why I mainly used my LP JR and Steinberger for stage guitars after having that damn 70 SG stolen all those years ago. Seriously though…thanks and please see my other response to your comment. Appreciate it man…😎👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Yes the Les Paul Jr (Singlecut) is one of those anomaly guitars that manages to be dive-free. A nice suede-backed leather strap, like a Levy's helps keep those necks up. You should check out a Reverend Sensei or Sensei Jr. They manage to be lightweight and also stay "afloat" better than chambered/thinbody Les Pauls. Pickups need immediate swap though. Cheers.
You Sir, are a genius! I have just discovered neck dive which is absolutely real with a new telecaster thinline. I looked at all the other 'so called' answers to the problem and just tried yours with the acoustic strap tied at the nut. It works so well and actually moves the guitar body back a bit which works for me as well. Thanks for sharing. ..Mike.
In my 57 years, I've never had cancer. I hear people talking about it all the time. Is it real or just imagined? I've never experienced it - just sayin'...
@@knowwhey7559 Hmmm…ok…fair enough…but comparing neck dive to cancer is a bit of a stretch don’t you think? This was just my way of taking a humorous look at the way some guitar players react to “unplayable guitars” that perhaps they should have not bought to begin with Again…humor 😎
Hey....🤣🤣 Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Appreciate you coming aboard! Hope to see you around the channel, so try not being a stranger, ok?
“You have meddled with the primal forces of nature (Mr. Stewart). Is that clear? You think you’ve merely stopped (neck dive)? That is not the case....It is ebb and flow. Tidal gravity. It is ecological balance.” Arthur Jensen of “Network” (with some liberties taken).
Haven’t watched that film n years... Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍 I have confidence in the years I spent in research on this subject, that my findings are for the most part, not for the “weak” of heart.... I stand accused...🤣
Like you, I have also been playing for 50+ years, and although I do experience "neck dive", I never knew (until just now) that it had a name, and furthermore I NEVER would have considered not playing a particular guitar because of it. Now, I ASSUME you were joking about it all and you do experience it as well, but if you really don't then consider yourself somewhat lucky! EVERY time I have on a 335 type guitar and let go of the neck it drops like a ROCK. It never bothered me, I just learned to be extra careful.
Ha! 🤣🤣 Yes, this was done with a bit of “tongue and cheek”! I did it because you hear so much these days that “man...I can’t play this thing...the neck dive is terrible” and I can honestly say that I have never played a guitar that I found the neck dive so bad that it was “unplayable”. Is it something I have experienced, well yes of course, but not to any extreme. Some are worse than others, but really, even with my Gibson Flying V, my Gibson SG, my Fender P Bass, my Gibson 335 it was never a issue live on stage or otherwise. I wanted to put a little fun and humor into the age old guitarist conundrum...to me it’s the guitarists “chicken or the egg” discussion that has got out of hand over the years. (Pun intended) 😎 Thanks for watching...👍
Teles and fender styles are no prone to neckdive. Get an epiphone sg ot a yamaha art series. No to mention weird models. You can check any video showing how to mitigate neck dive and you will see tons of dives
Sometimes, my humor does not quite translate, especially when talking about a age old guitarist issue such as this. I even give solutions to mitigate this perceived condition...🤣 Thanks for watching and commenting Chris...smile...😎...life is short..👍
I loved the video cuz its a good point and digging the sense of humor. In my own experience I have got rid of intruments cuz of that negative feature. Keep them videos! Loving them teles
I have never had an issue, maybe I’m weird 🤷🏼♂️ I have some guitars that naturally center them selves lower than I normally play... but never one that plunges down to the ground.
I can’t believe I have to explain this… Neck dive is an issue of mental distraction. If you have to support the weight of the neck dive while you’re playing it becomes an issue. My SG neck dives like crazy. 2017 SG standard T. If you put it in a strap the headstock will head to the floor if you don’t support it. Yes you play with 2 hands, but your fret hand shouldn’t be distracted. And I can play… My solution that worked the best was to put a 3 pack of amazon “guitar gummies” on my strap, and it fixed the neck dive issue about 95%. Guitar is a brain-centric activity. If you are disctracted by trying to hold the neck up while playing- it becomes an annoying issue. It’s not gonna make it so that I can’t play- but it’s a distraction. Pick up a 7lb SG With locking grovers and you’ll learn about neck dive real quick
Thanks for stopping in…appreciate the “explanation” but perhaps you may have missed the intent of the video which was “humor”….😎 On behalf of all of us “mentally distracted” players….thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🎸👍
Thanks for watching and commenting! My Gibby SG was a 71. No issues...wonder what Gibson has done in recent years to have so many players complain about this?
@@rburns6979 Hmmm....I bought mine new in 71. Was a lot less back then...😎 Are they chambering the body, or using basswood or something? Makes no sense to me....sounds like a “use two hands” solution!
I played an SG from mid 80s to mid 90s, a 60s Special with P90s. Never noticed any neck dive. But I also played a hollow-body Coronado before that, probably even lighter in the body, and never had an issue. I use wide leather straps, smooth side in usually. Don't like it hanging on my shirt.
Yes it did…I don’t think I would have ever been able to play it back then without it….🤣 Thanks for watching and commenting….hope it gave you a smile…👍🎸
The SG you had in the '70s is maybe around a 1974 SG? I had the exact same model too with the Bigsby. It didn't neck dive, because the body was heavy. Later, I bought a Gibson SG 1961 reissue and it did that term I just learned, neck dive. It drove me nuts and I traded it off. Sure, you hold the guitar with both hands but you move your left hand around. You don't want to fight gravity when playing, at least I don't. Also, that guitar you are testing out has neck dive. You keep having to grab the neck up. So now you've experienced it, but it must not bother you. ;) Neck dive is simply an unbalanced guitar, it doesn't have to literally dive to the floor and smash into pieces. (note: I do see the tongue-in-cheek) luckily for the internet, I know what it is now. If a new guitar has it, I will send it back. No need to wrestle a guitar. Playing is already hard enough.
The SG was a 71/72 as I recall. Great guitar till it got stolen…☹️ I just don’t think it’s as big as “I can’t play this cause of the dive” scenario that seems to be the norm these days. But yeah, I certainly know it can exist and this was a bit of “tongue and cheek” look at the issue/myth…😎 Thanks so much for watching and commenting, appreciate your stopping in! 👍🎸
@@JimmyStewart1 That's crazy! Mine was stolen too and supposedly thrown into the river. Two other guitars were stolen along with the SG and I got them back. I got really lucky, I called around and asked guitar shops if they happened to buy any used guitars lately, well one had bought my Strat Plus and Les Paul Standard. The store owner collected SGs, I have a feeling a deal was made with the dudes who sold them to him. Anyhoo Insurance paid for a replacement the 1961 Gibson SG reissue. I really liked that '74 SG but I had it re-fretted before it was stolen and it was never the same again. Beyond neck dive I recently learned I don't like medium frets. It's a whole different topic you can make a video on ;) The more you know.
@@atomlow Wow…crazy!! To this day (knock on wood) it’s been the only guitar stolen that I never got back. I had my 85 Steinberger stolen off the stage during a break, but hotel security recovered it the next day in a dumpster wrapped in sheets…the SG was new, and it was stolen at UMass after a gig at the Student Union Ballroom in 73, so pretty sure it was a 71/72. It’s the reason I mostly play/gig knockoffs these days…my other guitars I have “semi-retired” to studio use only. They stay in cases under surveillance these days…😎
@@JimmyStewart1 That's cool you bought your SG new. I bought mine used for $500 in 1997, they've gone up in price a little since then. I really liked the tone of it, it really growled and sounded a bit more like a Les Paul than an SG. Weird they would wrap your Steinberger in sheets and place it in the dumpster. Glad you got it back.
@@atomlow I traded a 66 Rickenbacker 300 and $125 for the SG new w/case. I paid $160 for the Rick, so I think I did pretty good. Don’t remember what they were selling for then…they thought the Steinberger theft was a “inside” job…employee of the hotel or something. Wrapped it up to take out of the hotel when it was safe to do so. We were doing a 4 night stint (later became the house band there) and luckily I was bringing a few guitars with me. Finished the night with my 54 Les Paul JR….
I have found over the years that most “neck dive” will come from a bass guitar. I have a Fender P bass that is actually quite balanced, but yeah....never played a Guild bass. Thanks for watching and commenting, and hope it gave you a smile! 😎👍
Not familiar with that guitar... I can only assume that you still play the guitar and somehow have overcome the neck dive issue. What remedy have you come up with, or does the neck dive issue make it unplayable for you?
Come back to us when you have shoulder and elbow problems from applying extra weight trying to counteract the neck dive. That's what makes it unplayable. Best part, you do it unconsciously
The “New & Improved” Bionic/AI version of me will be more than happy to! 😎…just hoping that in our future utopia, SOMEONE will have a sense of humor! Appreciate your stopping in, but I need to get back to filing my law-suit against Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker, Ibanez, etc…guitarist’s have rights too!! 🎸🙏
@@JimmyStewart1 It's astonishing that in the 2 years since this was video was posted, folks have suddenly emerged with no sense of the spirit that this is an obviously humorous take on a non-issue (of course you should get a guitar that is comfortable for you, what a concept!). Modern times indeed. By the by, I will join you in that lawsuit in order to make it a class action in an effort to restore a sense of humor to humanity. P.S. I know a great Bionic surgeon I can refer you to, he did the work on the 6 Million Dollar Man (although I think his rates have gone up substantially since the 1970's)
@@noobnoobington0001 Thanks for the referral…🤣 There is NO humor anymore..shame as I still like to laugh from time to time… Appreciate your stopping in…and getting it…😎👍
Well, I guess it could be worse, right? 😎 This is all I have heard now for a number of years, and most recently in abundance. My in depth research is so factually conclusive and beyond reproach that I think this highly debated phenomenon can finally be put to bed (though surely with a never ending hangover) 🤣 Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
I think my dad said it best many years ago..."If you can't make a good sound come out of that...it's not the guitar..."😁 Words of wisdom to live by...I really enjoyed your humor in this video! Take care Jimmy
@@JimmyStewart1 Yea it was good, it really is "suck it up buttercup" you gotta desire to play enough that your transcend any physical challenge of playing an instrument. No instrument is easy to play besides maybe a Kazoo. But yes I would never suggest An SG Bass to a new player.
@@freedomlow-fi5193 I agree!! If the desire is there then, nothing else matters. I think everyone should play a SG Bass, then talk about neck dive on a thin line Tele….🤣
Well you just proved none of your guitars neck dive. Wasted my time watching this when I am looking at a fix (most likely relocating the strap studs) on my new Epiphone Coronet, which neck dives deluxe. Had an EBO bass for a while and oh what a diver it was. (been playing 50 years BTW)
This was a “tongue-in-cheek” look at the myth of neck dive…😎 though I do actually give some remedies Using a wider strap…relocating strap, wearing different shirt materials, etc..etc… I have been playing for 55 years myself, and honestly never really thought about neck dive for the majority of those years (playing bass as well) Thanks for watching and commenting…appreciate your stopping in and input! 👍🎸
No one has ever said a guitar is “unplayable” because of neck dive, only less comfortable, less ergonomic. With simple adjustments guitars with neck dive caused by hardware, material density, shape, or overall design can becomes more comfortable to play once a better fulcrum adjustment is made. I’ve been playing professionally for 35 years. The internet didn’t create neck dive: manufacturing or design inconsistencies or slips in quality control did. Don’t be a smart ass and make fun of players, especially young or new ones, who experience some discomfort from certain guitars.
Your guitar models don’t have those issues. “Attitude” has nothing to do with. Don’t be ignorant by saying that since you haven’t experienced something then it doesn’t exist. That’s something that negates your “older, experienced” guy perspective (i’m older and experienced, too). It has nothing to do with “two hands” either. Fast players who move quickly up and down the neck don’t “grasp” the guitar with their left hand. Your style must obviously be pentatonic and barre chord based, where your fret hand is more anchored. Out of the 20 or so guitars I’ve owned in my life, one had severe neck dive requiring me to change strap button location for a more balanced fulcrum. After that, everything was fine. It wasn’t in my head: just a simple matter of weight, material density, shape, and hardwire. It’s science. Different guitars, even those that are the same model, can be very different. Don’t diminish other people’s experiences or be condescending because your experience has been different. How many strats do you think Clapton owns? Do you think he thinks they’re all the same?
Evidently I “struck a chord” with you on this topic…(pun intended) This was humor…some people still have a sense of it. Sorry you didn’t see it. Appreciate your stopping in..
My SG Prophecy has severe neck dive issues. And it isn't when I'm playing it with "both hands" - It's when I'm sitting at my desk playing along with a track - let go of the guitar to change the tune and wham - the headstock heads straight for the floor. You're very condescending in your calling us "loony" and that the issue isn't real. It is real...I too have had over 70 great guitars in my life and rarely have i experienced anything like this. It's real!!! The guitars are playable but much more care has to be done to be sure the head doesn't hit anything when you let go of it. I sure didn't like your approach to this. Very narrow!
Hi Rocky…thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts! This of course was done as a “tongue & cheek” response to the age old guitarists dilemma of “neck dive”. Sorry you didn’t see the humor in it. Just trying to bring a smile to those who don’t seem to want to smile anymore…appreciate your stopping in! 👍🎸
Has absolutely no effect on playing. If people wanna whine so much they should just stick to heavy solid body guitars and then cry about their back pain. It is impossible for the neck to dive while actually playing the thing...
I'm so glad you did this video. I have been trying to learn to play guitar for years and am terrible at it, so I put this to the test. ALL my guitars have "neck dive" henceforth making them "unplayable". I now know that it's not me and it has been the guitars all along! I have decided to take up drums now, but ALL the drumsticks I have purchased have "stick dive" and my drum set is now "unplayable"! I’m starting to think about baking muffins...
That’s the very reason I don’t play drums...🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting! Stay safe out there!! 👍
No one has ever said a guitar is “unplayable” because of neck dive, only less comfortable, less ergonomic. With simple adjustments guitars with neck dive caused by hardware, material density, shape, or overall design can becomes more comfortable to play once a better fulcrum adjustment is made. I’ve been playing professionally for 35 years. The internet didn’t create neck dive: manufacturing or design inconsistencies or slips in quality control did. Don’t be a smart ass and make fun of players, especially young or new ones, who experience some discomfort from certain guitars. Educate yourself before you mock.
@@XXjg_lighten up friend, if anything I was “mocking” myself in the spirit of the video.
Yeah…unfortunately my humor in doing this video didn’t go over very well with XX….I thought your reply was hilarious 🤣
How’s the muffin baking coming along…😎
@@JimmyStewart1 The muffin baking didn’t work out either since every wooden spoon I tried to mix the batter with suffered from “spoon dive”! I just can’t seem to find a hobby since you made this video 😂
In your first “jump test” the neck is diving while you move around and jump because you literally have to lift it back up at least three times. And this is the problem people are referring to. Especially for shredders or fast players, if you are having to hold the neck up in playing position, then the hand is not free to move up and down the neck quickly. If you are a rhythm player, play mostly chords or rarely play past the 12th fret it will not be as noticeable.
Thanks for watching and commenting Guyce...hopefully you realize this was done a bit “tongue in cheek” and I was trying to make the neck dive! It’s the “chicken or the egg” question for all guitarists and my point was that over the years, it’s been over blown in my opinion, and surely, my opinion is right, right? 😎
Stay safe....👍
I do not want to disagree, nor to agree. Coming from a Spanish heritage and having learned to play the guitar in a classical position, with the neck at a 45-degree angle, the thumb on the back of the neck, and the palm on a "U" shape, I can tell you, neck dive is real for me. I hate to play with guitars that go horizontal like your example. So I believe this is subjective. Regards
I can totally understand from your playing style! This was done more in a humorous “tongue-in-cheek” perspective as it is like the age old debate for guitarists like the “chicken or the egg” question. Thanks so much for watching and commenting and appreciate your perspective! Stay safe! 👍
AGREED
I just checked my IYV-300 Tele-and NO NECK DIVE! And I Feel Fine!
I was going to include it in the video, but it was up in the house (playing it) and I was to lazy to go get it! 😎
Figured I had plenty of examples in the studio to get my point(less) opinion across!
Thanks....stay safe! 👍
Man, you gotta have neck dive.
I tried this with an upright piano....perfectly balanced.
Exactly....this is what Edgar Winter wanted to do on stage, but got voted down cause Derringer was afraid no one would be able to see him any longer.
Thanks for watching and commenting! 😎👍
LMAO
@@jamescogley1637
Glad you enjoyed..... thanks for stopping in! 👍
"its never been a problem for me, how could it be a problem for anyone?!?"
Hi ReadySetMoses..thanks for stopping in. Hopefully, you caught some of the intended humor…Though not a problem for me, many continue to have issues. I just believe that the issue has continued to be a bit overblown over the years. Appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing…🎸👍
5:43- That's your problem, you have your strap on backwards.
Damn!! You mean there’s a top and bottom to guitar straps??
Only a complete psycho would have the adjustable end up front!
@@geezerbliz
🤣👍
I saw this and was like “well maybe that’s why I suck?!?!” My strap will be backwards from now on, THIS IS THE WAY.
@@Adrenalsky2
And you have probably been holding your pick wrong for years as well....🤣
I’m only 4:30 minutes in and IM DYING!!!😂🤣
🤣👍
Thanks Dennis...the issue with trying to post humor, especially on TH-cam about music related subjects, is having your audience actually “get it”. Most don’t and then you have to try and explain the humor...which becomes tedious at best. Yet, I still continue to try for some reason! Glutton for punishment I guess, but really it’s because I enjoy trying, and it gives “ME” a smile!
If you haven’t already, take a look at my “Jimmy Teaches A Song” vid....it was my fav and very few actually watched it....
At 1:30 I squeezed out a tear holding back guffaw (it's late, don't want to wake the house). But I always read comments first or as the tape rolls (that last means a lot of rewinding) but I enjoy the comments as much as the content. Thanx for the channel.
@@JimmyStewart1 yep I remember it Jimmy! Was good to view it again...I missed some of the “lines” the first time ‘round!😂 like your finger names and your chart drawing! Hilarious! But IT WORKS!😊
Been 7 months- so now it’s time to see if I can fingerpick it-the song, that is! especially since I’ve mastered the C7 chord!🤣
@@dennismullin3052
The C7 is good for your sole....🎸👍
I have more of a problem with fretboard glare myself. So bright...I gotta wear shades.
Ha!! Love it...that fretboard glare will definitely get ya!!
Thanks for watching and commenting!! 😎
This reminds me of O.J. struggling to put the glove on in court.
Ha...ha...🤣🤣
That’s great!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Stay safe! 👍
Jimmy, what's the white Mustang guitar? Harley Benton MS60? Will you review it in the future? Thanks!
Thanks for watching and commenting Pablo....
That is a IYV Mustang Hybrid and the review/demo of that guitar is right here on the channel! 👍
@@JimmyStewart1 I will look for the video. Something tells me that it could come from the same factory as the Harley Benton model comes. I was looking for a short scale guitar, see if my small hands and short fingers would feel more comfortable, and would like to learn a bit about them before buying one. Thank you!
@@pablo963
IYV makes a lot of the Thomman HB models, so it would not surprise me. I hope you enjoy it!
It is more of an issue on some basses. My Spector Rex 5 Holoflash has a really heavy neck that goes straight towards the ground when I am playing open notes if not supported. I just keep my left hand on it for muting anyhow. 🤷♂️ (bassists are weird, we mostly use fingers on right and mute with our left LOL)
I only had two different basses....a Fender Jazz and a Fender Precision (which I still have). Never had a issue with either as like you said, your left hand/arm is usually cradling the body a bit anyway! Just having a bit of fun at the expense of those (hopefully) with a sense of humor...
Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Yeah, the other 11 basses and all 17 guitars no issues. That bass is the only one that does that. When I forget and take my hand off it is like oh shiiiii... LOL I thought it was a pretty funny vid 😁
@@boomerbassmeme
Thanks again for watching and glad you enjoyed!
Jimmy very entertaining . And I agree with you completely on just about every six string guitar I have. But there is an exception to neck dive. I have a very light basswood telecaster style body which is a 12 string and the neck on that is akin to a baseball bat and with the 12 machine heads on it it is quite heavy on the neck side. Now does it make it unplayable because of that nope it's unplayable because I can't keep the neck straight with the truss rod hahah a.
Ha..ha..I hear you Mike!!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Snowing here...hope your hanging in there up in the north tundra! 😎
@@JimmyStewart1 we've had minimal snow here the last two days. Less than 2 in. Today is bright and sunny but cooler. It might start melting a little bit in the sun this afternoon for a couple of hours. I'm doing basement finishing at my neighbor's house next door mudding and taping so I'm hiding from the cold
@@2bikemikesguitartopics145
Good for you Mike....I will be installing a new ceiling fan here in the next few days...just trying to build up the “courage” to spend a couple hours hunched over in the attic....😎
Jimmy, neck dive is on page #203 of the Kama Sutra. It's quite enjoyable if you can find a willing partner, but don't let anyone know where you got this information. 🤫🤞...
🤣🤣
😆👍
Ha
@@glenclarkchidley3637
I will assume you watched and well….I will assume you watched….🤣
i know my friends that set the strap low (level with the groin) they experience neck dive more than us who put the strap high (at the belly) . only reason people like it low is cause it makes them look like a rockstar
Hey OBSG…thanks for watching and commenting! Yeah, even when I was younger I could not play effectively with the “low slung” look. I guess it’s what your use to and comfortable, but it just looks VERY uncomfortable to me..😎
Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍
Actually, "Neck Dive" is anytime the headstock doesn't stay pointed up at an angle (somewhere between 40-60 degrees) whilst unsupported with your fretting hand or picking arm.
Hi Cletus…thanks for watching and commenting. This was a “tongue in cheek” look at the issue, as over the years I just thought that the subject of neck dive had taken on a “mythical” status. Have you ever been to a gig where the guitarist complained that he couldn’t play that guitar because of the neck dive? I haven’t….
Many of us played SG’s for years (the infamous neck dive Gibson King) with no issues. Angus, Pete, Carlos…to name a few seemed to do alright…With the coming of age and the internet, some have come to the conclusion that a lot of guitars are simply unplayable now. The scale is too long…the scale is too short…the neck is too wide, the neck is too thin…the radius is too flat…the radius is too round…😎
Player’s have preferences…I get it…but I think it better’s us all as players to experience all that the instrument has to offer…warts and all! Appreciate your stopping into the channel. Sometimes a 😎 is good for the soul….🙏👍
I will add that I recently built a semi-hollow body out of .6mm plywood and cardboard... you may have seen the video on faceboob Jimmy.
The neck dive was so severe I gave it to my daughter to learn on so she wouldn't be spoiled by "good" guitars. She has yet to experience neck dive.
What a nice gesture...building something for her that she can remember for life!! I did a rocking horse for my granddaughter...does that count?
I don’t think she has experienced any neck dive with it.
Earth is not flat, but neck dive is real. I am not great player for 20 years. Was always bothered. Especially playing my Strat which indeed dives and slides down if i place it on lap (like my nylon Cordoba, which I play more than electric). I am slow, so just learned how its called :) and its an issue for me, which I can also put a full blame on now, for not playing better in two decades LOL
Ha!! Yep, you can now blame it on neck dive!!
Thanks for watching and commenting!!
It helps to have a sense of humor, especially these days! Stay safe....😎👍
The neck dive is real. I have an Epiphone sg and it dives like a tart on a job. The cheap encore was and is well balanced with great tuners. The tuners on the sg are rubbish but the finish and pick-ups are excellent. I think the guitar was made to sit into a standing body position and it plays better standing up but I cannot do that. - bad back.
I hear ya….all humor aside, I understand that there “could be” guitars out there that “could” have a bit of “dive” 🤣
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Appreciate you stopping in to the channel! 👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Yes the the sg epiphone is a pain the hand to play as the head stock is too heavy, the body is super light. Effectively making the guitar unplayable.
@@Mulberry2000
I hear ya….I had a 72 Gibson SG back in the day that was my main guitar. I don’t ever recall having any issues with it, but mine did have the trem, so perhaps that helped! 👍
I have owned many guitars from les pauls to tele's to ESP eclipse and I never had a problem till I got a Gresch 5222 holly heck it had crazy head stock dive. when playing it was like holding a childs baseball bat due to the very unballanced weight in the guitar. I ended up filling the cavity with weight because it was unpleasant to play. Now its real heavy but at least its comfortable to play.
Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts Bad Lord Boris…glad to hear you were able to correct the situation and just not “give up” on the Gretsch! Of course you realize this was done more or less as a “tongue in cheek” style video, and I realize that some players and guitars face real issues with this, but I also think that many take the whole “neck dive” theory to the extreme. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 👍🎸
On this subject, I have to disagree with you. Try reducing the force of friction around your collared jacket. A lot depends on your body shape and what you're wearing. Try a tshirt. I solved with by using high-friction padded straps. I also wear my guitar similarly to you. One of the main reasons I got rid of my FFTH is because of neck dive. I respect your opinion, but neck neck dive is real in my experience.
Justin, you do realize this was done as a tongue-in-cheek answer to the “chicken or the egg” question for guitar players, right? If you watched, you will notice that the “demo” Jimmy changes his opinion throughout the video, and the “insert” Jimmy thinks it’s ridiculous. I have played my FFTH’s with T-shirt’s in the past, and didn’t notice any issue with them (seriously). I do agree with you on body size, cloths, strap type, etc and I cover these issues (again with a bit of humor) in the video.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting, even though we agree to disagree! Stay safe....😎👍
LOL!!!!!!! If I were a cartoonist, I’d sum this video up with a cartoon titled “Tale of Two Modern Guitar Players.” It would go like this:
GP #1: “This guitar is unplayable! I read somewhere on the Internet that it has really bad neck dive!”
GP #2: “Really?!? Oh my gosh!!!! I’ve been playing this SG here for over 30 years, because I honestly didn’t know it was unplayable! I now pray the Internet will forgive me for my sin, playing an unplayable guitar all this time!”
On some more serious scientific notes:
1) The Gibson SG and Explorer are probably the best known examples of guitars with Neck Dive(tm). The Explorer is an unusual case due to its unconventional body design. In the case of the SG, it’s simply because the neck ends up being heavier than the body, and longer in relation to the body than on most other guitars. NOT all SGs are the same though, and as I understand it, some Epiphone SGs have heavier bodies that are actually better balanced.
2) The lightweight, unbalanced SG body design was undoubtedly Gibson over-reacting to complaints about the Les Paul being too heavy. Let’s not forget that at the time, the Les Paul was NOT selling well, and it wasn’t the immortal, best selling classic it is today, so Gibson was just desperate to correct the perceived shortcomings of the Les Paul in their desperate attempt to survive next to Fender.
3) Right up there with neck dive seems to be concerns about the guitar’s weight! The neck is always going to be THE limiting factor in terms of making a guitar lighter vs balancing the center of gravity, UNLESS someone wants to spend millions ditching wood altogether and inventing a new guitar neck made out of titanium or some other ultra-modern “Space Age” material. But THEN you’d have people complaining about the guitars not being traditional enough and lacking “character!”
4) Seriously, to this very day, the Stratocaster is probably the best balanced guitar out there. It’s the ONLY one with contours making it comfortable to play sitting AND standing, with an anchor point right over the 12th fret of the neck for a perfect center of balance. The Telecaster DOES also have some neck dive, but nowhere NEAR as bad as the Gibson SG or Explorer.
5) Many, MANY famous guitar players have played these supposedly “unplayable” guitars though, so really, while a balanced, ergonomic guitar is nice, don’t let ANYTHING deter you if you just plain LIKE the damn thing!!! If you bond with it and can make music with it, that’s ALL that matters in the end!!!!!! It’s pretty easy to solve the problem by simply using a wider strap with a higher co-efficient of friction, so go enjoy playing music with your “unplayable” guitar!
Great summary!! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your well thought out opinions on this age old guitarist nightmare that in my opinion (and obviously I am certainly right) does not exist!! 🤣🤣
Enjoyed the read….👍😎
Well, Jimmy, I think you've nailed it... it has to be my beer belly!
I have four thinlines, and they all have it to varying degrees. Even the Firefly, if I try to use a nylon strap. And I have a Douglas that's absolutely unplayable without using a 3" suede strap!
So should I give up beer or guitar???
Ha...ha...🤣🤣
That’s great man! Get yourself a 3” leather and all will be good! 😎
Don’t give up either your playing...or your beer!! Or, you can switch from beer to JD like I did 👀🤣👍
Thanks for watching and commenting... much appreciated! Stay safe...👍
Get one of those guitars with the finely sculpted half-inch shaved off placebo corner for the higher frets, to balance the neck dive.
Hmmm....🤣
If you have 1 strap pin on the upper bout/horn, and 1 pin on the tail end of the guitar, you need the following conditions to have a balanced (non-divy instrument).
1) If your guitar body is thinner, you need a longer upper horn. Like a Stratocaster. PRS Santanas dive. Ibanez RGs don't.
2) If you don't have a longer upper bout/horn, your guitar body needs to be thicker/heavier (full fat) like a Les Paul. ESP Eclipses dive. Gibson Les Paul customs don't.
You cannot for instance, put a strap pin on the upper horn of a SG or Gretsch hollowbody, and expect the neck to stay pointed up. The "upper" pin needs to be behind the guitar at the neck joint.
You cannot put the "upper" pin on an acoustic guitar anywhere except screwed up into the heel joint. Alternatively, you can wrap a strap loop behind the nut at the headstock (country-style).
If you play metal, and want a metal shape, ie. V or Z, that pin needs to be behind the neck joint, though the neck may still dive, depending on wood density.
Examples:
1) Fender Thinline Tele: Does it have a long horn? No. Does it have a heavy body? No. NECKDIVE.
2) Jackson Warrior: Does it have a heavy body? No. Does it have a long upper horn? Kind of. Where is the upper strap pin? Screwed underneath the upper horn, which is past the heel joint. No neck dive.
3) BC Rich Stealth: Does it have a heavy body? No. Does it have a long upper bout/horn? No. NECKDIVE.
Yes…I get the physics….I guess that’s why I mainly used my LP JR and Steinberger for stage guitars after having that damn 70 SG stolen all those years ago.
Seriously though…thanks and please see my other response to your comment. Appreciate it man…😎👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Yes the Les Paul Jr (Singlecut) is one of those anomaly guitars that manages to be dive-free. A nice suede-backed leather strap, like a Levy's helps keep those necks up. You should check out a Reverend Sensei or Sensei Jr. They manage to be lightweight and also stay "afloat" better than chambered/thinbody Les Pauls. Pickups need immediate swap though. Cheers.
@@9unslin9er
I will check them out…keep pickin’…🎸👍
Neck dive is "imaginary, and therefore real".
Agreed....🤣👍
IT'S NOT IMAGINARY,IT DEPENDS ON THE GUITAR.CERTAIN GUITARS ARE NECK HEAVY
@@TheVINMAN531
Agreed!
Just use an acoustic strap and tie it around the nut. Problem solved.
Agreed!!
Thanks for watching and commenting!! 👍
You Sir, are a genius! I have just discovered neck dive which is absolutely real with a new telecaster thinline. I looked at all the other 'so called' answers to the problem and just tried yours with the acoustic strap tied at the nut. It works so well and actually moves the guitar body back a bit which works for me as well. Thanks for sharing. ..Mike.
It's definitely real to me. I play at an angle like classical style and I don't like guitars that tend to go 90⁰ on me
I hear ya Rom!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Hope it gave you a smile! 😎
@@JimmyStewart1
Of course. Keep rocking sir Jimmy!
@@sonofromel
Thanks so much….🙏
In my 57 years, I've never had cancer. I hear people talking about it all the time. Is it real or just imagined?
I've never experienced it - just sayin'...
Sorry you didn’t see the humor in this..
Appreciate your stopping in…😎
@@JimmyStewart1 We were both trying to be funny.
It doesn't usually work when you minimize something that's very real to someone else.
@@knowwhey7559
Hmmm…ok…fair enough…but comparing neck dive to cancer is a bit of a stretch don’t you think? This was just my way of taking a humorous look at the way some guitar players react to “unplayable guitars” that perhaps they should have not bought to begin with
Again…humor 😎
Fun video. I almost fell out of my chair a couple of times. Just had to sub this time.
Hey....🤣🤣
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Appreciate you coming aboard! Hope to see you around the channel, so try not being a stranger, ok?
“You have meddled with the primal forces of nature (Mr. Stewart). Is that clear? You think you’ve merely stopped (neck dive)? That is not the case....It is ebb and flow. Tidal gravity. It is ecological balance.” Arthur Jensen of “Network” (with some liberties taken).
Haven’t watched that film n years...
Thanks for watching and commenting! 👍
I have confidence in the years I spent in research on this subject, that my findings are for the most part, not for the “weak” of heart....
I stand accused...🤣
Like you, I have also been playing for 50+ years, and although I do experience "neck dive", I never knew (until just now) that it had a name, and furthermore I NEVER would have considered not playing a particular guitar because of it. Now, I ASSUME you were joking about it all and you do experience it as well, but if you really don't then consider yourself somewhat lucky! EVERY time I have on a 335 type guitar and let go of the neck it drops like a ROCK. It never bothered me, I just learned to be extra careful.
Ha! 🤣🤣
Yes, this was done with a bit of “tongue and cheek”! I did it because you hear so much these days that “man...I can’t play this thing...the neck dive is terrible” and I can honestly say that I have never played a guitar that I found the neck dive so bad that it was “unplayable”. Is it something I have experienced, well yes of course, but not to any extreme. Some are worse than others, but really, even with my Gibson Flying V, my Gibson SG, my Fender P Bass, my Gibson 335 it was never a issue live on stage or otherwise. I wanted to put a little fun and humor into the age old guitarist conundrum...to me it’s the guitarists “chicken or the egg” discussion that has got out of hand over the years. (Pun intended) 😎
Thanks for watching...👍
The internet has brought out a lot of stupidity.
Ha!! 🤣
Thanks for watching! 👍
It is very real and a pain in the ass
Teles and fender styles are no prone to neckdive. Get an epiphone sg ot a yamaha art series. No to mention weird models. You can check any video showing how to mitigate neck dive and you will see tons of dives
Sometimes, my humor does not quite translate, especially when talking about a age old guitarist issue such as this. I even give solutions to mitigate this perceived condition...🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting Chris...smile...😎...life is short..👍
I loved the video cuz its a good point and digging the sense of humor. In my own experience I have got rid of intruments cuz of that negative feature. Keep them videos! Loving them teles
@@xriswolf78
Well, thanks man!! Appreciate that.....hope to see you around the channel! 😎👍
@@JimmyStewart1 for sure!!!
I have never had an issue, maybe I’m weird 🤷🏼♂️ I have some guitars that naturally center them selves lower than I normally play... but never one that plunges down to the ground.
Thanks for watching and commenting! We are all weird! 👍
The center of gravity is cosmic....I just lean a bit to compensate 😎
I can’t believe I have to explain this…
Neck dive is an issue of mental distraction. If you have to support the weight of the neck dive while you’re playing it becomes an issue.
My SG neck dives like crazy. 2017 SG standard T. If you put it in a strap the headstock will head to the floor if you don’t support it. Yes you play with 2 hands, but your fret hand shouldn’t be distracted.
And I can play…
My solution that worked the best was to put a 3 pack of amazon “guitar gummies” on my strap, and it fixed the neck dive issue about 95%.
Guitar is a brain-centric activity. If you are disctracted by trying to hold the neck up while playing- it becomes an annoying issue. It’s not gonna make it so that I can’t play- but it’s a distraction. Pick up a 7lb SG With locking grovers and you’ll learn about neck dive real quick
Thanks for stopping in…appreciate the “explanation” but perhaps you may have missed the intent of the video which was “humor”….😎
On behalf of all of us “mentally distracted” players….thanks so much for watching and commenting! 🎸👍
I had a 2001 Gibson SG. If you were not holding on to the neck when strapped on, it would dive....fast.
Thanks for watching and commenting! My Gibby SG was a 71. No issues...wonder what Gibson has done in recent years to have so many players complain about this?
@@JimmyStewart1 Not sure. Mine was a $1200 Gibson Standard. I had to sell it because the neck dive was annoyingly.
@@rburns6979
Hmmm....I bought mine new in 71. Was a lot less back then...😎
Are they chambering the body, or using basswood or something? Makes no sense to me....sounds like a “use two hands” solution!
I played an SG from mid 80s to mid 90s, a 60s Special with P90s. Never noticed any neck dive. But I also played a hollow-body Coronado before that, probably even lighter in the body, and never had an issue. I use wide leather straps, smooth side in usually. Don't like it hanging on my shirt.
@@camilo1455
I rest my case....😎
your SG in the 70s pic had a Bigsby on it - duh
Yes it did…I don’t think I would have ever been able to play it back then without it….🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting….hope it gave you a smile…👍🎸
The SG you had in the '70s is maybe around a 1974 SG? I had the exact same model too with the Bigsby. It didn't neck dive, because the body was heavy. Later, I bought a Gibson SG 1961 reissue and it did that term I just learned, neck dive. It drove me nuts and I traded it off. Sure, you hold the guitar with both hands but you move your left hand around. You don't want to fight gravity when playing, at least I don't. Also, that guitar you are testing out has neck dive. You keep having to grab the neck up. So now you've experienced it, but it must not bother you. ;) Neck dive is simply an unbalanced guitar, it doesn't have to literally dive to the floor and smash into pieces. (note: I do see the tongue-in-cheek) luckily for the internet, I know what it is now. If a new guitar has it, I will send it back. No need to wrestle a guitar. Playing is already hard enough.
The SG was a 71/72 as I recall. Great guitar till it got stolen…☹️
I just don’t think it’s as big as “I can’t play this cause of the dive” scenario that seems to be the norm these days. But yeah, I certainly know it can exist and this was a bit of “tongue and cheek” look at the issue/myth…😎
Thanks so much for watching and commenting, appreciate your stopping in! 👍🎸
@@JimmyStewart1 That's crazy! Mine was stolen too and supposedly thrown into the river. Two other guitars were stolen along with the SG and I got them back. I got really lucky, I called around and asked guitar shops if they happened to buy any used guitars lately, well one had bought my Strat Plus and Les Paul Standard. The store owner collected SGs, I have a feeling a deal was made with the dudes who sold them to him. Anyhoo Insurance paid for a replacement the 1961 Gibson SG reissue. I really liked that '74 SG but I had it re-fretted before it was stolen and it was never the same again. Beyond neck dive I recently learned I don't like medium frets. It's a whole different topic you can make a video on ;) The more you know.
@@atomlow
Wow…crazy!! To this day (knock on wood) it’s been the only guitar stolen that I never got back. I had my 85 Steinberger stolen off the stage during a break, but hotel security recovered it the next day in a dumpster wrapped in sheets…the SG was new, and it was stolen at UMass after a gig at the Student Union Ballroom in 73, so pretty sure it was a 71/72.
It’s the reason I mostly play/gig knockoffs these days…my other guitars I have “semi-retired” to studio use only. They stay in cases under surveillance these days…😎
@@JimmyStewart1 That's cool you bought your SG new. I bought mine used for $500 in 1997, they've gone up in price a little since then. I really liked the tone of it, it really growled and sounded a bit more like a Les Paul than an SG. Weird they would wrap your Steinberger in sheets and place it in the dumpster. Glad you got it back.
@@atomlow
I traded a 66 Rickenbacker 300 and $125 for the SG new w/case. I paid $160 for the Rick, so I think I did pretty good. Don’t remember what they were selling for then…they thought the Steinberger theft was a “inside” job…employee of the hotel or something. Wrapped it up to take out of the hotel when it was safe to do so.
We were doing a 4 night stint (later became the house band there) and luckily I was bringing a few guitars with me. Finished the night with my 54 Les Paul JR….
My Fender Stratocaster has no neck dive. My Guild bass definitely does.
I have found over the years that most “neck dive” will come from a bass guitar. I have a Fender P bass that is actually quite balanced, but yeah....never played a Guild bass.
Thanks for watching and commenting, and hope it gave you a smile! 😎👍
@@JimmyStewart1 I ordered a pack of Guitar Gummies. The are applied to the back of the strap and, supposedly, hold it in place. We will see.
@@jamesbassett1484
Let me know how they work out you ya!
@@JimmyStewart1 Will do.
@@jamesbassett1484
👍👍
Hope to see you around the channel James....thanks!
They meant neck "jive"
@@Brandosway
Thanks so much for stopping in man…😎👍
I HAVE A JERRY JONES GUITARLIN AND IT HAS NECK DIVE,BIG TIME.
Not familiar with that guitar... I can only assume that you still play the guitar and somehow have overcome the neck dive issue. What remedy have you come up with, or does the neck dive issue make it unplayable for you?
Come back to us when you have shoulder and elbow problems from applying extra weight trying to counteract the neck dive. That's what makes it unplayable. Best part, you do it unconsciously
The “New & Improved” Bionic/AI version of me will be more than happy to! 😎…just hoping that in our future utopia, SOMEONE will have a sense of humor! Appreciate your stopping in, but I need to get back to filing my law-suit against Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker, Ibanez, etc…guitarist’s have rights too!! 🎸🙏
@@JimmyStewart1 It's astonishing that in the 2 years since this was video was posted, folks have suddenly emerged with no sense of the spirit that this is an obviously humorous take on a non-issue (of course you should get a guitar that is comfortable for you, what a concept!). Modern times indeed. By the by, I will join you in that lawsuit in order to make it a class action in an effort to restore a sense of humor to humanity. P.S. I know a great Bionic surgeon I can refer you to, he did the work on the 6 Million Dollar Man (although I think his rates have gone up substantially since the 1970's)
@@noobnoobington0001
Thanks for the referral…🤣
There is NO humor anymore..shame as I still like to laugh from time to time…
Appreciate your stopping in…and getting it…😎👍
Hey Jimmy! I guess we're just condemned to be "Neck dive" virgins. I'm in that 50 yr club too, and never heard of this before.
Well, I guess it could be worse, right? 😎
This is all I have heard now for a number of years, and most recently in abundance. My in depth research is so factually conclusive and beyond reproach that I think this highly debated phenomenon can finally be put to bed (though surely with a never ending hangover) 🤣
Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
I think my dad said it best many years ago..."If you can't make a good sound come out of that...it's not the guitar..."😁 Words of wisdom to live by...I really enjoyed your humor in this video! Take care Jimmy
@@Jockeylotforfun
Words of wisdom indeed!
Thanks so much...
Stay safe out there! 👍
Cool video. Play a jazzmaster for a week and you will accuse every guitar of having neck dive.
🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting Zack…I do play a Jazzmaster as well!! 👍
Morning jimmy
Good morning!! Thanks for stopping in! 👍
you are amazing in How the West Was Won
Ha! 😎
Appreciate your stopping into the channel…🎸👍
whats with all the stupid face close ups?
🤣
This was a attempt at a “tongue & cheek” look at the age old guitarist question…stupid face close ups are a prerequisite…😎
Thanks for stopping in…🎸👍
play a Gibson SG Bass that thing neck dives 100%
🤣🤣
Hey…I hear ya man!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 👍🎸
@@JimmyStewart1 Yea it was good, it really is "suck it up buttercup" you gotta desire to play enough that your transcend any physical challenge of playing an instrument. No instrument is easy to play besides maybe a Kazoo.
But yes I would never suggest An SG Bass to a new player.
@@freedomlow-fi5193
I agree!! If the desire is there then, nothing else matters. I think everyone should play a SG Bass, then talk about neck dive on a thin line Tele….🤣
Well you just proved none of your guitars neck dive. Wasted my time watching this when I am looking at a fix (most likely relocating the strap studs) on my new Epiphone Coronet, which neck dives deluxe. Had an EBO bass for a while and oh what a diver it was. (been playing 50 years BTW)
This was a “tongue-in-cheek” look at the myth of neck dive…😎 though I do actually give some remedies
Using a wider strap…relocating strap, wearing different shirt materials, etc..etc…
I have been playing for 55 years myself, and honestly never really thought about neck dive for the majority of those years (playing bass as well)
Thanks for watching and commenting…appreciate your stopping in and input! 👍🎸
No one has ever said a guitar is “unplayable” because of neck dive, only less comfortable, less ergonomic. With simple adjustments guitars with neck dive caused by hardware, material density, shape, or overall design can becomes more comfortable to play once a better fulcrum adjustment is made. I’ve been playing professionally for 35 years. The internet didn’t create neck dive: manufacturing or design inconsistencies or slips in quality control did. Don’t be a smart ass and make fun of players, especially young or new ones, who experience some discomfort from certain guitars.
Thanks for stopping in…the problem with humor on the internet is that everyone takes it seriously…
Your guitar models don’t have those issues. “Attitude” has nothing to do with. Don’t be ignorant by saying that since you haven’t experienced something then it doesn’t exist. That’s something that negates your “older, experienced” guy perspective (i’m older and experienced, too). It has nothing to do with “two hands” either. Fast players who move quickly up and down the neck don’t “grasp” the guitar with their left hand. Your style must obviously be pentatonic and barre chord based, where your fret hand is more anchored. Out of the 20 or so guitars I’ve owned in my life, one had severe neck dive requiring me to change strap button location for a more balanced fulcrum. After that, everything was fine. It wasn’t in my head: just a simple matter of weight, material density, shape, and hardwire. It’s science. Different guitars, even those that are the same model, can be very different. Don’t diminish other people’s experiences or be condescending because your experience has been different. How many strats do you think Clapton owns? Do you think he thinks they’re all the same?
Evidently I “struck a chord” with you on this topic…(pun intended)
This was humor…some people still have a sense of it. Sorry you didn’t see it. Appreciate your stopping in..
My SG Prophecy has severe neck dive issues. And it isn't when I'm playing it with "both hands" - It's when I'm sitting at my desk playing along with a track - let go of the guitar to change the tune and wham - the headstock heads straight for the floor. You're very condescending in your calling us "loony" and that the issue isn't real. It is real...I too have had over 70 great guitars in my life and rarely have i experienced anything like this. It's real!!! The guitars are playable but much more care has to be done to be sure the head doesn't hit anything when you let go of it. I sure didn't like your approach to this. Very narrow!
Hi Rocky…thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts! This of course was done as a “tongue & cheek” response to the age old guitarists dilemma of “neck dive”. Sorry you didn’t see the humor in it. Just trying to bring a smile to those who don’t seem to want to smile anymore…appreciate your stopping in! 👍🎸
Too much fluff and fill in your video. I got sick of hearing it and quit watching.
Sorry it was not to your liking…
Appreciate you stopping in….
Has absolutely no effect on playing. If people wanna whine so much they should just stick to heavy solid body guitars and then cry about their back pain. It is impossible for the neck to dive while actually playing the thing...
It would appear that you are in agreement with my highly researched and scientific conclusions...🤣
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 👍