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wagnerite

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Jul 21, 2007
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95
Hi all, haven't posted in a long time--- because i've been doing some actual playing instead of my usual noodling around on the internet.

anyway, I have a few observations i like to make regarding how the guitar is placed, rather, where the guitar is relative to your body.

coming from classical guitar background, i usually rest the guitar on my left leg while my left foot is on a foot stool. it looks really odd, but i play the electric guitar this way as well. to make matters worse, my previous electric guitar was a V shaped guitar. since it doesn't have upper horn (or lower horn for that matter), the strap bolt is actually on the back of the guitar as in the pic below

V.jpg


as if that wasn't bad enough, i am one of those geeks that play the guitar with a very short strap... which cause the guitar to sit really high. I know its not cool, but for some reason, my wrist is more flat. If i play with the guitar in the "low slung" position, i really have to bend my wrist. i just dont see how some of you guys do it, albeit it looks really cool compared to my Urkle style. :D

however strange the location of the strap bolt is, the main advantages, to me, is that it shifts the entire guitar to the left, which means the upper register to the player's left. since the bolt is to the right (compared to the bolt being on the tip of the upper horn). this makes accessing the upper register really easy.

i'm getting to the EBMM jp-6 part of this dilemma ....

since i've been playing in this unusual position, it has been pretty much impossible for me to play any strat-shaped electric guitars. i know the strat shape is essentially the same as the classical guitar except it has the upper and lower cut aways... but with classical guitar, 15th fret and above is hardly accessed, so where the upper register is located is hardly an issue.

during the last few months, while trying to adjust to the jp6, i've had to make some pretty strange (to me) wrist positions in order to reach the top register. to my body, it seems the entire guitar is not too far to my right. I've been trying to adjust to it, but i am having a very difficult time (can't teach old dogs new tricks).

so i've come up with a "brilliant" idea (brilliant as in Tim the Toolman Taylor) of installing the strap bolt in pretty much the same place as my V. I haven't drilled yet :eek: the strap bolt is simply placed where i want to put it.

drill.jpg


is it safe to drill here? how long/short of a screw should i use? can i just use the same size thats on the upper horn? i have the NON-PIEZO version of the jp6, so there's no piezo pup switch or piezo routing on my guitar.

ps i just like to say that the jp6 is a great instrument. its obviously well built. all the discomfort i'm experiencing are all due to my personal history with odd shaped guitars and weird playing position... there's nothing wrong with the jp6.
 

geektard

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Jul 4, 2006
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Boston, MA
Looks like the guitar's gonna nose dive if you put it there... Just make sure you don't mind the "head heaviness" (I hate that).
 

colinboy

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Apr 15, 2007
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you would be crazy to start drilling holes in your JP my friend.it will ruin your guitar.i often use the footstool aswell.why dont you experiment with different seats/stools etc to suit you height body shape etc.
 

Pablo

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Sep 21, 2006
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Galten, Denmark
You'll ruin the ballance of the guitar completely if you put the strap button there... I'd simply try to adapt to the normal strap pin placement - they're placed where they are for a reason, you know. If all else fails, find a guitar better suited for your appearently unorthodox style.

Cheers

Eske
 

greenwizard

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Mar 24, 2007
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New Haven, CT
Wagnerite,
I also started on the classical guitar. When I play electric my style is completely different. I personally recommend that you think of the classical guitar and the electric guitar as two entirely different instruments. Just as you should change your playing style when switching between a trumpet and a tuba, you should develop a new style more suited to electric guitar.
That's just my advice.
If you do decide to drill, the worst that could happen is that you drill the hole and then find out it didn't help. I highly recommend you figure out a way of making sure you put the hole in the right spot. Since your proposed position is quite close to the neck plate, maybe you could loosen one of the bolts (the top right one in your picture) and briefly attach the strap there and test for balance (make sure you don't drop the guitar!!!!!!!!).
Good luck! I personally hope you don't drill but it's your guitar!
Cheers,
greenwizard
 

ruso

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Feb 1, 2008
Messages
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Wheeling, WV
Before you take a drill to your JP6, I'd suggest going out and picking up a roll of blue painter's tape, taping the end of your strap to the area that you are thinking of drilling and trying it out. At least this method is completely reversible.
 

RocketRalf

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Dec 10, 2007
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Everything you said seems to match exactly with what John Petrucci does. He doesn't seem to have a problem with the strap on the horn. Mybe you should try a different strap? One that may hold to yourself and keep the guitar at your desired position. Or maybe put something on the back of your guitar that will give it texture and make it stick to your shirt or something like that. But don't drill it, you'll make a mess and if you don't like it afterwards you'll have a hard time selling that guitar.
 

Larry

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Nov 6, 2005
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Just remember that it will completely kill your re-sale value... Also if your "modification" doesn't provide the desired effect you are left with a hole in the back...
 

Lou

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Jan 23, 2003
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You should have no issues drilling in that location. Looks like you are clear of the pickups and internal wiring since you have no piezo. I agree that you might wind up with headstock dive unless you use a rough backed strap.

Another thing you can try is using the footrest type of thing that JP uses. You've probably seen him do it. He rests the guitar on his left leg much like you do to feel comfortable. Try this and you don't need to drill holes. This of course won't work if you ike to move around while playing.
 

ruso

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Feb 1, 2008
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Wheeling, WV
Before you take a drill to your JP6, I'd suggest going out and picking up a roll of blue painter's tape, taping the end of your strap to the area that you are thinking of drilling and trying it out. At least this method is completely reversible.

In addition, if you end up liking that position better and insist on drilling, order a spare neck plate from Ernie Ball and have someone weld an extension to it to attach the strap button on. That way it can be completely reversible if you ever decide to sell it.

neckplate.jpg


Sorry, it's just the engineer in me thinking out loud. :D
 
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Multiversal

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Jul 31, 2007
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Everything you said seems to match exactly with what John Petrucci does. He doesn't seem to have a problem with the strap on the horn. Mybe you should try a different strap? One that may hold to yourself and keep the guitar at your desired position. Or maybe put something on the back of your guitar that will give it texture and make it stick to your shirt or something like that. But don't drill it, you'll make a mess and if you don't like it afterwards you'll have a hard time selling that guitar.

John Petrucci uses "glorified foot rests" to put his guitar on one leg in the classical position during solos.
 

wagnerite

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Jul 21, 2007
Messages
95
AWESOMNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!






In addition, if you end up liking that position better and insist on drilling, order a spare neck plate from Ernie Ball and have someone weld an extension to it to attach the strap button on. That way it can be completely reversible if you ever decide to sell it.

neckplate.jpg


Sorry, it's just the engineer in me thinking out loud. :D
 

ruso

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Feb 1, 2008
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Better yet, just unscrew the upper right screw on the neckplate and screw it back in but with a strap button under it. ;) Sometimes the most simple things are the best solutions. :rolleyes:
 

GuitaRasmus

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Jan 30, 2008
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If you think it'll make YOUR guitar better playing to YOU, then do it. Guitars are meant to be played, loved, spanked, caressed and make music - not to retain the highest possible resale value.
 

Pablo

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Galten, Denmark
If you think it'll make YOUR guitar better playing to YOU, then do it. Guitars are meant to be played, loved, spanked, caressed and make music - not to retain the highest possible resale value.
You won't get an argument from me on that one...
 

guitarman23

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Aug 22, 2007
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652
Its Fine If You Are Used To Your Guitar With A Short Strap, Don't compromise the way you play just cause It Seems its cooler to play With The Guitar Low, Choose What Is More comfortable! You Won't Believe How Low I Play But It More comfortable For Me..... if thats what i understand, Are You Having Problems Going Past The 15 Frets? If I'm Correct, How Low Do You Play?




And Leave The Drilling To An Expert, Don't Do It If Your Not 100% Sure!! You Can Never Turn Back!
 
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ruso

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Like my father used to say (about 15 years ago when I would be too concerned with gear), "just play the damn thing!" :D
 

MusicManJP6

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Jan 31, 2007
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Greenville, SC
Better yet, just unscrew the upper right screw on the neckplate and screw it back in but with a strap button under it. ;) Sometimes the most simple things are the best solutions. :rolleyes:

+1 . I would just do this if you are going to do anything at all!!!!!!!
 
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