Resolving neck dive issues?

The instrument in question is a Höfner-style violin bass (the fretless Harley Benton version), one of my favourite instruments that I often use live. However, it has a severe case of neck dive (which is especially a problem during live performances). I've somewhat managed to reduce this by adjusting the strap so the guitar is higher up against my body, but there is still some neck dive.

The obvious solution seems to be to add more weight to the body, as none of my heavier guitars have this issue. However, I am not sure where I can buy heavier hardware for a Höfner style bass to weigh down the body. Any suggestions?

I hate to say this but adding weight somehow will theoretically change the sound of an instrument. Being hollow a violin bass will be more susceptible than a solid body.

Some designs just dive. It took me forever to find a decent sounding SG that didn't :(

Oh thanks! Yeah I won't do it then if it drastically changes the sound... I've resolved part of the issue by having it high up against my chest (like the Beatles did), somehow the neck dive is only half as bad as it used to be. A shame as it's possibly my most used instrument at the moment, especially for live performances, I can put up with the neck dive if there's no other solution.

I do have another short scale hollow bass (a Jolana Kolorbas) that can have a roughly similar sound with the right EQ, and it has very minimal neck dive (the body is shaped more like a 335), the difference being that it's not fretless. Though I am quite partial to the sort of "upright" sound of a fretless, the Jolana does quite a good job of that too since I added flats to it! I tend to alternate between the two really

Also I've heard that about SGs, my electric guitars are a Strat, a Tele, and a Les Paul, luckily none of those have this issue! Congrats on finding an SG that doesn't!

Center of gravity. No guitars neck drive when worn 50s style. It doesn't make immediate sense but it has something to fo with strap length and body contact...

Once you go flat wound on bass you never go back.

I actually now have 2 SGs that don't neck dive even at Jimmy page crotch position ;) The silver one was dumb luck though. I was buying it on general principle no matter what.

Remember, you have nothing to fear but something-something...

Oh yeah true! Well I tried '50s style, with the strap connecting to the headstock rather than the body, it works well on an acoustic guitars but just feels weird on a bass because of the longer neck length... I could try it again though, maybe I'll get used to it

Definitely :D apart from my acoustic bass (which needs rounds for the extra volume), they all have flats! I'm quite partial to the Höfner contemporary flats, and the Rotosound nylon tapes

Oh wow nice! Never played an SG, I wonder how they compare to Les Pauls? As far as I know the main difference is body weight (the SG is lighter, Les Paul is heavier, I'm guessing this also makes the SG have more attack, but the Les Paul have more sustain?)

I'm in my 40s. I can play an SG for hours without hurting my back. Lighter than a tele

Les Paul's? Not exactly

Sound difference is primarily that you don't hear me shout 'fuck my back!' While playing and SG but 'fuck myback!' Is a quintessential part of my les Paul tone.

Have you considered going wireless? The pack hanging on your strap might help prevent your not-a-hofner from diving... the line6 stuff with the cable simulation is pretty tolerable.

Oh haha, yeah I can imagine! My Les Paul is quite heavy, I'm pretty used to it by now though (I'm in my late '20s, and have had it for over 10 years, it's a Cort and I got it second hand for a pretty good price)... I am thinking of replacing the Bigsby (I installed a Bigsby on it a few years back) to a lighter Duesenberg les trem though

My Strat is so light in comparison though! And my Tele/Jazzmaster hybrid (which I use the most these days) is somewhere between the two

Seems like no one's mentioned this so far, but often neck dive can be alleviated by just getting a different strap.

If you're using a nylon or seatbelt material strap, those are super slick and will easily allow a top-heavy guitar or bass to slide down on your shoulder. On the other end of the spectrum, a suede strap basically won't allow any sliding or movement at all.

Some people find suede straps to be too restrictive (and then other people like that about them), so personal preference comes into play, etc.

I've got a few straps I bought from a local company in Nashville that have a textured cloth backing, and I've found it to be a great in-between. They have some grip and don't slide around freely on my shoulder, but it's not so grippy that I can't intentionally adjust the guitar's position if I want to. The company's called Original Fuzz, the straps are all handmade and kinda pricey (I was willing to pay more to support a local shop), but you may be able to find something cheaper somewhere. I'm sure there are some mass-produced cloth-material straps out there.

Thanks! Yeah I've tried a variety of straps, from textiles to leather-like materials, though it doesn't seem to make a huge difference. I don't have a suede strap though, so that may be worth considering too! I don't want to spend too much just on a strap, but yeah I'm sure theere must be some cheap cloth straps similar to the one you mentioned (or suede straps) locally!