The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

When I got my Vantage Entertainar some years ago and restored her, I was a happy dude! Wonderful guitar, and very beautiful to boot.
I did post at that time about the fact that she was, unfortunately, quite neck heavy which made stand up playing a challenge.

I recently picked up another Vantage, a VP710 this time. Again, a fantastic guitar, and also beautiful. But again, she's neck heavy, something I didn't realize until I finally put a strap on her.

So, the question to the choir is, "what do you do?" Is this a question of changing the strap pin location, something I'd prefer not to do since it means drilling more holes, especially in the VP since it's a set neck. Other than swinging a counter weight off the bottom pin or using a bass strap (ugh!), has anyone got a remedy for nose diving guitars?

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You could fill the control cavity with water. . .

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday

Funny you should say that.
One of the lads on the Westone forum offered this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOsjORziFoc

Lawd, have mercy!

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Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
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I may have found a solution.

This bass player seems to have hit on an idea that could work. Mind you he's dealing in much heavier weights than would likely be required for guitars, but the approach is a good one methinks.

The video is perhaps easier to follow than the text explanation, dude has a tendency to ramble on a bit at the start though. He gets into the "how to" at about the 4:40 mark. And there are some closeup shots of the final product at the end.

http://www.whoisjaylamm.com/2013/05/21/make-your-own-guitar-counterweight-for-neck-heavy-instruments-a-special-how-to/

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Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Since Jorg didn't say it, you could send them to me. I don't mind bass straps.

Man I'm slippin. . .

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Quality service since 3:00 last Tuesday

OK. I know this is an old thread.

I posted this solution a long time ago on another [much older] thread. I've refined it a bit since (no more Crown bags).

I'm surprised Barry doesn't remember this, because he claimed co-credit.

(1) Tri-fold Velcro wallet

(2) Cheap zinc trem/vibrato block or two in the center fold (you can use brass, tungsten, or steel, but too expensive for the purpose; any cheap metal hunk will do--maybe try an iron or brass [door] lock plate or two, or large metal machine pins [like a small hitch pin])

(3) Fold it around the body end of the strap (duct tape over the fold if you want).

A more expensive solution: Go wireless and let the transmitter be a counterbalance.

Hey Slo, I do remember the thread but not taking co-credit...old age I guess.

I actually did pick up a cheapie zippered camera case which has a belt loop. The plan was to fill the thing with something appropriate, thread it through the strap, and hang it at the bottom end. I put it on the shelf and promptly forgot about it!

This new idea sounds like a plan that should work, and look OK too. I'll have look when next I'm in the local "Dollar Store". There's bound to be some cheap Chinese junk that will do the job!

Cheers.

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Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com