Neck-heavy Victor Baker 15

[Tjazz321]

Greetings, I sadly have to move my Victor Baker 15 on to someone else after only a year. I finally figured out why it's been so uncomfortable. The neck is significantly heavy and affects my playing posture.

Unlike my other guitars, which are weighted evenly and will balance across my leg, the peg head on the VB wants to pitch down. That combined with a 25" scale and an elevated fretboard make it a challenge, especially since I have left shoulder arthritis that constricts my outward rotation.

Anyone else have to deal with neck heavy guitars?

[GuyBoden]

If possible a thin lead sheet under the tailpiece.

There are other ways, see below by Jeff Hale.

"Jeff can do an optional modification to a stock El Rey or one of his custom El Reys to balance the guitar. I don't remember the exact details of the mod, but I think Jeff mentioned that they use a bolt-type piece of metal with a threaded hole on one end. The threaded hole on the end gets screwed into the back strap pin inside the body. Nuts of various sizes/weights are on the bolt and changed out/moved back and forth to find the right balance adjustment for each specific El Rey. He stated that the added weight was very little, but when properly placed makes a big difference."

[Hammertone]

Victor is on the list of guitar designers who put really stupid oversized headstocks on light, small-bodied, guitars. Eastman and Höfner also come to mind.

[jads57]

Perhaps try some different fishing weights attached to a guitar strap to the bottom of the body,to see what it needs? Then you can figure out a modification from there

[george4908]

Victor is on the list of guitar designers who put really stupid oversized headstocks on light, small-bodied, guitars. Eastman and Höfner also come to mind.

Yes, that's why I would never use an oversize headstock on my builds. (Hey, Stephen, shoot me an email if you still have my address.)

[jazzgtrl4]

Thats interesting i have 2017 model 15 that isn't neck heavy at all. Ive put 100s of hours on it. I had a Steve Andersen Little Archie that had neck dive, i dumped it.

[Sam Sherry]

Anyone else have to deal with neck heavy guitars?

A few suggestions:
1) Light tuners -- Waverly or Grover open-back
b) Play with a strap all the time -- using a rough cotton strap decreases slippage
iii) Go for broke -- a Bigsby tailpiece will set you right!

[Cunamara]

You can get a wireless transmitter pouch to put on the strap and try various weights there, although ultimately adding weight to the guitar is more efficient and should need less weight.

I have a couple of light-bodied neck-heavy guitars, and about a week ago I noticed that I contribute to the problem by resting my thumb on the neck and unconsciously applying downward pressure. I am partially supporting my hand by hanging it from my thumb over the neck. If I can inhibit that habit, the guitar feels much less neck heavy! With my heavier guitars, the effect is not as noticeable because they offer some counterbalance.

I've probably been doing this for the 47 years I've played guitar and just noticed now. I probably developed that left hand habit because I started with a dreadnought guitar in my lap and never played standing until I got my first electric guitar four years later.