Official Luthiers Forum!

What can one do to make a Flying-V (or other oddly shaped guitar) balance properly? I don't have a problem with making it asymmetrical, if that would solve the problem.

Most of them are neck heavy, and it's kind of obnoxious. Granted, people seem to work around it, but still, it would be nice if the body balanced like a Strat.

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If you don't have to reach over your head to turn the knobs, your amp is too small.

As a player, not a builder, I'd offer these suggestions. Use the lightest tuners you can find. Also, the position of the strap button (especially the rear) can go a long way toward making a guitar feel more balanced during play. As someone who played an "oddly shaped guitar"(BC Rich Warlock) for several years, I've found that a wide leather strap with a rough or "suede" underside doesn't slide up and down on the shoulder like nylon or soft, garment leather straps do, which helps to balance the guitar in the position you want it in.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

One thing is to put the rear strap button on the upper bout closer to the bridge between the two points underneath . Usually they are on the upper bouts point end as on gibson V's. Here is an example on a this dean flying v.

One think i KNOW works, without having to change the design, is to just put the strap button on the back of the guitar, right behind the neck (at the heel) This has worked for all guitars of any shape for me. I have made pretty much EVERY shape there is, and it balances way better this way.