Issues with V shaped guitars

doc-phil

I wanna know if anybody else out there has the same problem as me... I bought a Jackson Randy Rhoads about a year ago and iv pretty much given up on it. The huge problem I'm having is the way the guitar planes out. i.e. if I let go of the neck the headstock slides down, resulting in the headstock pointing at abt a 45 degree angle to the floor. Because of this I spend more time concentrating on holding up the neck than what I'm playing on!! Is there any fix for this, and does a similar thing happen to other models of V shaped guitar, or is my guitar just hectically unbalanced??

deanBailey

Yeah It's quite a common thing to happen with V shaped guitars.

I think it's because the balance is off with the body being a counter weight to the neck, and the strap buttons being in non balance point.

I have a King V and I just wrap the strap around the front of the top horn not around the back. Which not only holds the guitar at an angle that goes bottom out so I can see the front easier, it's also easier to hold the neck up than it would be without. I also rest the lower horn on my hip so it's sorta in place all the time.

Example:

doc-phil

That sorted it out!! Thanks man i really appreciate that tip it been troubling me for ages.

Since you also have a Jackson, maybe you could recommend some good pickups for me? I'm looking to get some new ones because the ones that came with the guitar ('duncan-designed' or whatever) don't suit my style of playing. I see you have EMG's in yours.. would it be worth it to buy new pickups? or would it be more worth my while to simply buy a whole new axe?

deanBailey

Well it depends on the wood your guitar is made from (imo). What series is your RR from?

If it's Alder and you want EMG's, I'd suggest getting an EMG 85 over the 81 in the bridge and EMG 60 (or another 85's if you really like it) in the neck. The EMG 85 fattens it up a little bit more than than the 81, which makes it sounds too harsh in the upper mid range in my opinion.
If you want high output Passives, I'd say check out the SD Invaders which are known to be fattening or SD full shreds (which I'll probably get for my next V).
Dimarzio's make awesome pickups too but until it gets in the country (or until you really want it lol) I don't see the point in missing these SD pups.

If your Guitar is from the JS series with that "Indian cedro wood" I'd suggest it would be better getting a whole new guitar hehe.

doc-phil

haha i knew you would say that.. yes indeed, it is the JS series with that indian cedro wood..

I've been trying to sell the guitar for ages on numerous websites, but no takers yet unfortunately. I really want an ibanez, but until i can sell this bad boy im kinda stuck. thanks for the advice tho il keep it in mind for later purchases.