Official Luthiers Forum!

People have commented that my guitar is top (neck) heavy. It's a 14 fret(to the body) 25.4" mahogony neck, normal size headstock, Gotoh tuners, no CF,just a normal truss rod, normal widths on the neck. I built the body (OM) fairly light, but other than adding a counter weight to the end block, how do I make it more balanced? I'm starting #2 and I'm stumped on what to change. I would like it to be a bit more balanced.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Clinton

Clinton,

I don't know which Gotoh tuners you have used but if they are the Schaller type with the gold buttons, switching to the ebony buttons saves a lot of weight and they look/feel so much more natural too. LMI stocks them.Dave White38963.7038078704

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Clinton, i remember seeing your guitar but can't remember if the neck was laminated or not, if so, it would mean that the center strip is quite heavy compared to the mahogany or if not, you simply have more meat to remove from that neck. I know my neck on my no 2 is quite heavy and i have to remove a bit more wood.

I scarfed the headstock and have one block glued on for the heel,no laminates. The neck is contoured a tad heavier than say a Taylor, but it's quiet comfortable. That's what got me stumped...you would think to lighten up the neck...but how?? Clinton

Clinton, do you have a spokeshave? if not, 60-80 grit sandpaper and the scraper would do the job IMHO.

Dumb question-what'a IIRC?? Clinton

My first is somewhat neck heavy as well, but I like it. I don't play standing up so it really isn't enough to be a problem, and it really adds to the sustain.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Good suggestion there Todd, yes the tuners can and do add lots of weight!

Clinton, IIRC is an abreviation for If i remember correctly!

Serge-thanks. Sometimes I have to go get one of my kids to "update" me on abbrevations. I found open back Grovers priced within my budget, I'll try them. Thanks for all the help.
Clinton

ditto on other comments

I would think that once you get your B&S ready to brace, your top ready to brace, braces made, end and neck blocks ready and sides bent, bridge done and rosette materials before you assemble everything weigh it all. Then do the same with your carved neck, tuners, truss rod selection, fingerboard, fretting material and weigh it all up. The only thing missing on both is glue and finish. See where you are. I don't have a clue what you do with this data or if there is any data to compare where you are vs. where you should be to have better handling balance. Someone may know

Mike
White Oak, Texas

I have used Grover open back tuners on several guitars, and they are not bad, however the ones with the butterbean knobs seem to be built better. I like the Schallers even more.

Al

Here's a tip I learned from Bruce D. If you are installing the Grover open back that are gold check the screws in the middle of the gears. If the screw slots look messed up don't use them, send them back. When they were trying to use different parts they apparently had trouble getting the screws in and messed up the screw slots on the questionable tuners. If the screw slots look good you are probably okay using them.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Clinton, have you looked closely at the fretboard? The first one I built had a somewhat "beefy" ebony fretboard, and this definitely increased the weight, even though the overall thickness of the neck/fretboard together was pretty close to normal.drwhite38964.8183333333

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

That's it! My ebony fretboard is slightly thicker on my guitar than say my Larivee. When I say slightly, I mean about 1/16 to 3/32" thicker. I was following Kinkeads drawings and they call for a 9/32" fretboard. I'll shoot for something thinner, I don't know, 7/32"? Thanks.
Clinton