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July 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Nr. Portland, OR | Hi all,
I received my first Ovation yesterday -- a 12-string Standard Baladeer (6751 I think). Having a blast --love it. Nicest guitar I've ever owned. The only thing I'm struggling with a bit is balance -- when I put a strap on the two buttons it is VERY neck-heavy, which makes it more difficult to play. What do you guys do, should I (a) attach a strap behind the nut (like I do on other guitars) or does that put stress on the neck, or (b) are there more 'grippy' straps that would help?
Thanks,
'veg |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I am familiar with your tale of woe (veg tale?).
Wear your instrument at 10 and 4 and reverse the strap, ie put the fat end toward the neck. If the strap is too thin or slick then get another one that will stick.
My 12 is currently sporting a strap made to my dimensions by dave.capps on Ebay ($20). It is a 3" with a taper in the last 16" at both ends.
My 12 and strap |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | thats a fine looking strap you got there woody,mines not any where as nice,mines just 2in leather with bound tabs,i got it at a fair in west virginia. |
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July 2006
Posts: 149
Location: gods country..west virginia | my pc has issues,im trying to fix it..sorry for all the duplicate posts |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Try replacing the tuner buttons with Pearloid buttons. There's a lot of weight in those 12 metal buttons. John <>{ |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Or just cut holes in them!
Right John? |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Hi, 'veg--
Planet Waves makes a little quick-release thingie (@ $3.99 at Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, etc.). You loop one end through the peg hole on your strap at the shoulder end; the other end goes around the headstock just above the nut. You clip them together and "voila!"-- no more balance problems. Very comfortable. I got an Ibanez AE18TVS a few years ago as a back-up guitar. It doesn't have a strap button at the neck end of the bout, so I got this gadget for it. I liked it so much I got some for my Ovations, and they really balance nicely.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-Quick-ReleaseGu... |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | BTW, I loop the cord UNDER the strings on the headstock, not over them the way they show in the picture. |
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January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | Head and butt on end for me. I always use at least 8" to a foot of boot lace under the strings, at the nut as having a wide strap (I like wide ones) up at the nut can interfere with your frettin' hand. Cost: $1.19 (free if you have an old pair of boots just layin' around)
Here's a pick of a couple cats. The picker has a headstock strap I've seen before, but can't say where. MusiciansFriend or Music123 maybe.
A shiny new pick for the first one of you cats that identifies these two cats. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Originally posted by TommyK:
Here's a pick of a couple cats. The picker has a headstock strap I've seen before, but can't say where.
Great old photo -- is that Paul and Art? Do you know?
____
gh1 |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Yeah, it is.(but I believe at the time, they were billing themseves as "Tom&Jerry"). |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Actually, back then I think they called themselves "Tom & Jerry." Definitely Paul & Art. |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Damn, Cliff-- beat me to it again! |
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January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | Seems as though you're all correct.
From left to right Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon and his Vega guit tar. At the time performing as a duo called "Tom and Jerry". I got it from a Paul Simon song book published shortly after he and Art split up. About a hunnert songs Paul had written or arranged up to that point, but not all of them as he did not care for some of them. Which ones, I don't know. It's got some great photos too. There's an even earlier pic of Paul holdin' a flat top box with screw on PG. I think he was about 13 at the time. Got the whole shebang in a 3 ring binder for a buck!
You all have earned the right to go to your local guit tar shop and purchase yourself a shiny new pick!
The last time I saw him on Jay Leno's show he was strappin' his guitar the same way. |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | I have a wide leather strap that is smooth black on the outside and kind of a grey suede on the inside. The suede side grips my shoulder well so the strap doesn't slide. I bought it at GC, I don't recall the brand, but it does the job for me. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I have only owned 1 guitar strap. I've been using it for over 35 years.
However...In a few weeks I'll have an offical OFC strap! I'm hopeful that I will somehow be able to adjust to such a drastic change. |
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June 2006
Posts: 29
Location: Reading, Pa. | Hey Veg,
I'm going to assume that you upper strap button is located on the bowl on the far side of the neck. Relocate the upper strap button on the back of the heel of the neck. You will be surprised how much more comfortable and balanced it is. I have a bit of a belly and I don't get any of the famous guitar roll anymore with my strap on the back of the heel. |
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July 2006
Posts: 12
Location: Nr. Portland, OR | Hi guys,
Thanks for all of the suggestions.
I've picked up one of those Planet Waves quick releases, and will try that. I'm assuming that there's no issue with the extra pressure on the neck?
Also, Larry, I have a belly too ;) and will look into re-locating the button. Do you have any wisdom on where to do it befor I get the drill out :o
Thanks again, 'veg |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | The picker has a headstock strap I've seen before, but can't say where. MusiciansFriend or Music123 maybe. Right you are Tommy ... MF has one like this here: Strap Button . I got one of these so I wouldn't have to drill a button into the heel of my Martin, but I found that I can't get my strap long enough (I tend to sling my guitars fairly low). So the old boot lace method is where I ended up. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 29
Location: Reading, Pa. | Hey Veg,
Locate the button on the heel of the neck. If you want to check your model with John up at Ovation . He will tell you if there is anything you should be careful of. After you drill a small pilot hole for the small wood screw , put a wood glue on the threads of the screw and screw it into the heel of the neck of your guitar.
John supplied me with the small wood screw for the job. All my other guitars are done the same way. Works good, no more neck pain and good balance on the guitar. Good luck! |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | Originally posted by fatveg:
... and will look into re-locating the button. Do you have any wisdom on where to do it befor I get the drill out :o
Thanks again, 'veg Be extremely careful doing the woodworking operation. A pilot hole is a must and even then you may split the hardwood heel. I've seen factory installed buttons on the bottom of the heel cause a split. :eek: Also, the button may end up supporting the weight of the guitar in it's case. Make sure that isn't going to be an issue. Place the button or a proxy button (a dice) in the case where the heel lands. See if there is clearance. :confused:
I'd recommend keeping the button where it is. But if you feel you must move it, then move it you must. You've been forewarned. ;) |
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Straps and balance -- NewbyQ
