Adding weight to a Thinline

okies · July 6th, 2008, 10:54 AM

Boys, I need to add some weight to a Thinline copy, very neck heavy. I really like the guitar and I am working on doing a 72 Thinline build with WRHB in it but I need some weight in that body for counterbalalnce, any suggestions?

jwells393 · July 6th, 2008, 11:21 AM

Get yourself a wide strap.

crowden · July 6th, 2008, 12:12 PM

If it doesn't have them already, replace the pegs with kluson style tuners. That should remove some dead weight.

Frontier9 · July 6th, 2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

Get yourself a wide strap.

Yup. Wide strap + suede = problem solved

bug music · July 6th, 2008, 12:31 PM

Hmm... Someone say Bigsby ?

- Jay

woodman · July 6th, 2008, 12:42 PM

once, long ago and far away in a state of stupidity, i filled the F-hole cavity of a Thinline with polyester resin (the kind they build boats with). it was never neck-heavy again. however, it was heavy for all time! i doubt if this would be your choice of solutions.

jwells393 · July 6th, 2008, 12:50 PM

Hmmm.......... I've converted a solid body guitar to a semi-hollow but going the other way ............. that's different.

boris bubbanov · July 6th, 2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

once, long ago and far away in a state of stupidity, i filled the F-hole cavity of a Thinline with polyester resin (the kind they build boats with). it was never neck-heavy again. however, it was heavy for all time! i doubt if this would be your choice of solutions.

I'll bet Bill K. did not know that, when he invited you to share the stage with him the other night!

Shhhh.. about things like this. People are listening!

+1 on the Gotoh "klusons", and if that ain't enough, the wide suede strap, okies.

Tdot · July 6th, 2008, 03:42 PM

Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but you could just hang my wife's 3 pound key chain on the bottom strap button.

okies · July 6th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Actually, I do use a pretty wide strap, not enough help tho. I was actually thinking along the lines of Woodmans idea, just not sure what kind of filler to use. Would need to be carefull and not use to much filler. I need about a pound of weight. The guitar (Xaviere Tele) would still be well under 8 pounds.

I routed the pickup holes out to fit the big Wide Range humbuckers and wound up having to route into the body cavity to get big enough. I wired it up yesterday just to do a tone check and wow, great heavenly Albert Collins, but very microphonic, even with moderate distortion. I figure there is too much empty space in the body now for sure and a little filler might just back the feedback off enough to make this one a real keeper.

Tim Armstrong · July 6th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Howsabout a nice little mojo bag full of lead shot, hanging off your strap button. That way, if a bar fight breaks out, you have another weapon!

Cheers, Tim

TELE_BLUES · July 6th, 2008, 04:15 PM

I'm going with the wide strap idea as the best solution.I have a nice wide one for my 8 string bass.Adding weight to the guitar is probably not a good idea.although i saw one guy he got a longer screw for the rear stap button and aded a bunch of large washers as i remeber he was using one of those skinny 50's style straps.It kinda looked like he had one of those short cans of beer on there.There is some merit to TIM'S idea you could use it as a blackjack if a fightbreaks out.Pleasee check local laws reguarding the use of the devices.lol

crowden · July 6th, 2008, 07:11 PM

I don't know if they still make them (I'm not a roofer) but roofers use something called lead "boots" to go around the plumbing pipes that stick up through the roof (you can't have a vacuum without a vent). They're made up of about 1/8" or thinner lead sheeting and you can cut them up pretty easily with a pair of heavy scissors. By lining the bottom of your pickup and control cavities with it, it should add the weight you need.

You could try it out first by just using some rubber cement to hold it in and then use a more permanent method later. The advantage to this idea is that is reversible where as the resin would not be.

You can probably still get the boots at a roofing supply store but... lead, along with all metals, have gone way up in price so don't be shocked to much at the price...

woodman · July 6th, 2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

Howsabout a nice little mojo bag full of lead shot, hanging off your strap button. That way, if a bar fight breaks out, you have another weapon!

now there's an idea! back in the day, i played many bars where having a blackjack at the standing ready would have created a more warm, secure feeling.

okies · July 7th, 2008, 02:11 AM

Hey, never thought about the roofing boots, great idea, I'll check it out, reversible is good. Thanks for the help everyone.

sean79 · July 7th, 2008, 03:53 AM

Hang a pair of these from the back strap button. I think they come in other colors.

(thanks to e-merlin for posting this picture on another thread)

boneyguy · July 7th, 2008, 04:36 AM

pengipete · July 7th, 2008, 06:50 AM

You could train a canary to perch on the headstock and flap it's wings really hard or you could tie a piece of string around your leg and fasten it to the strap button.

Gary in Boston · July 7th, 2008, 09:25 AM

Or you could put a stacked bridge pick up in?

Gary

jwells393 · July 7th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Simple solution: Sell the guitar and get yourself a heavy solid-body.

I really don't see how a light weight Thinline with a wide suede strap is going to be neck heavy.

Another solution: Apply velcro to your strap and the shoulder of your shirt.

Another solution: Get some of this non-slip SUPERPAD II® and glue it to your strap.

......

sean79 · July 7th, 2008, 10:37 AM

Is "neck heaviness" a common problem with Thinlines? Does okies' have an exceptionally light body, or an exceptionally heavy headstock end? I don't think I've ever played one.

andrewb · July 17th, 2008, 01:04 PM

simple....
take your pickgaurd off.. and put a weight in the space behind your controls....sand bag or something.....
no one would ever know.. and it is not noticable.... easilly removed....
:)

July 6th, 2008, 10:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
okies TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 47	Adding weight to a Thinline Boys, I need to add some weight to a Thinline copy, very neck heavy. I really like the guitar and I am working on doing a 72 Thinline build with WRHB in it but I need some weight in that body for counterbalalnce, any suggestions?

July 6th, 2008, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	Get yourself a wide strap. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

July 6th, 2008, 12:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
bug music Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2004 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 745 3 Photos	Hmm... Someone say Bigsby ? - Jay __________________ "When I die they're gonna say He couldn't play sh*t, but he sure made it sound good" - Hound Dog Taylor

July 6th, 2008, 12:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,968	once, long ago and far away in a state of stupidity, i filled the F-hole cavity of a Thinline with polyester resin (the kind they build boats with). it was never neck-heavy again. however, it was heavy for all time! i doubt if this would be your choice of solutions. __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

July 6th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	Hmmm.......... I've converted a solid body guitar to a semi-hollow but going the other way ............. that's different. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

July 6th, 2008, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
crowden Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Age: 58 Posts: 170	If it doesn't have them already, replace the pegs with kluson style tuners. That should remove some dead weight.

July 6th, 2008, 03:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,725 55 Photos	Maybe I'm oversimplifying, but you could just hang my wife's 3 pound key chain on the bottom strap button. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

July 6th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
okies TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 47	Actually, I do use a pretty wide strap, not enough help tho. I was actually thinking along the lines of Woodmans idea, just not sure what kind of filler to use. Would need to be carefull and not use to much filler. I need about a pound of weight. The guitar (Xaviere Tele) would still be well under 8 pounds. I routed the pickup holes out to fit the big Wide Range humbuckers and wound up having to route into the body cavity to get big enough. I wired it up yesterday just to do a tone check and wow, great heavenly Albert Collins, but very microphonic, even with moderate distortion. I figure there is too much empty space in the body now for sure and a little filler might just back the feedback off enough to make this one a real keeper.

July 6th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,725	Howsabout a nice little mojo bag full of lead shot, hanging off your strap button. That way, if a bar fight breaks out, you have another weapon! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

July 6th, 2008, 04:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
TELE_BLUES Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ROCKCHESTER,NEW YORK Posts: 465 34 Photos	I'm going with the wide strap idea as the best solution.I have a nice wide one for my 8 string bass.Adding weight to the guitar is probably not a good idea.although i saw one guy he got a longer screw for the rear stap button and aded a bunch of large washers as i remeber he was using one of those skinny 50's style straps.It kinda looked like he had one of those short cans of beer on there.There is some merit to TIM'S idea you could use it as a blackjack if a fightbreaks out.Pleasee check local laws reguarding the use of the devices.lol

July 6th, 2008, 07:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
crowden Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Age: 58 Posts: 170	I don't know if they still make them (I'm not a roofer) but roofers use something called lead "boots" to go around the plumbing pipes that stick up through the roof (you can't have a vacuum without a vent). They're made up of about 1/8" or thinner lead sheeting and you can cut them up pretty easily with a pair of heavy scissors. By lining the bottom of your pickup and control cavities with it, it should add the weight you need. You could try it out first by just using some rubber cement to hold it in and then use a more permanent method later. The advantage to this idea is that is reversible where as the resin would not be. You can probably still get the boots at a roofing supply store but... lead, along with all metals, have gone way up in price so don't be shocked to much at the price...

July 7th, 2008, 02:11 AM	#15 (permalink)
okies TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 47	Hey, never thought about the roofing boots, great idea, I'll check it out, reversible is good. Thanks for the help everyone.

July 7th, 2008, 03:53 AM	#16 (permalink)
sean79 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: northcentral/western Pennsylvania Posts: 1,909 9 Photos	Hang a pair of these from the back strap button. I think they come in other colors. (thanks to e-merlin for posting this picture on another thread) __________________ Every now and then I know it's kind of hard to tell, but I'm still alive and well.

July 7th, 2008, 04:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
boneyguy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: victoria b.c. Age: 50 Posts: 2,958	__________________ "Shut up n' play yer guitar"

July 7th, 2008, 06:50 AM	#18 (permalink)
pengipete Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gloucester U.K. Age: 47 Posts: 1,584	You could train a canary to perch on the headstock and flap it's wings really hard or you could tie a piece of string around your leg and fasten it to the strap button.

July 7th, 2008, 09:25 AM	#19 (permalink)
Gary in Boston Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 543	Weight Or you could put a stacked bridge pick up in? Gary

July 7th, 2008, 10:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	Simple solution: Sell the guitar and get yourself a heavy solid-body. I really don't see how a light weight Thinline with a wide suede strap is going to be neck heavy. Another solution: Apply velcro to your strap and the shoulder of your shirt. Another solution: Get some of this non-slip SUPERPAD II® and glue it to your strap. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

July 7th, 2008, 10:37 AM	#21 (permalink)
sean79 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: northcentral/western Pennsylvania Posts: 1,909 9 Photos	Is "neck heaviness" a common problem with Thinlines? Does okies' have an exceptionally light body, or an exceptionally heavy headstock end? I don't think I've ever played one. __________________ Every now and then I know it's kind of hard to tell, but I'm still alive and well.

July 17th, 2008, 01:04 PM	#22 (permalink)
andrewb Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: sydney Posts: 293	simple.... take your pickgaurd off.. and put a weight in the space behind your controls....sand bag or something..... no one would ever know.. and it is not noticable.... easilly removed.... :)