Dearmond S-73 question

[Norrissey]

Just picked up a minty year 2000 Dearmond S-73 and I really love it. However, when I play it standing up the headstock end of the guitar tends to dip. It's like the balance of the guitar is off. Is there a trick to fixing this? Perhaps I need to move the location of the strap button? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know there are some S-73 lovers out there : )
ps. apologies to the purists - I put vintage HB-1s on it - sounds amazing

 

[GAD]

That is the nature of SGs and their ilk in my experience, and for me the answer was to use a strap that doesn't' slide, though depending on what I'm wearing that can be its own problem.

S100s have the strap button in the middle. I'm not a fan of moving strap buttons because it leaves a big ugly hole or a big ugly patch where the hole was, but I've seen lots of moved strap buttons in my day. I'm not sure it would solve the problem so I'd be wary of trying it.

 

[Norrissey]

That is the nature of SGs and their ilk in my experience, and for me the answer was to use a strap that doesn't' slide, though depending on what I'm wearing that can be its own problem.

Thanks for your reply Gary. Yeah, the strap I'm using now is a seatbelt style strap and definitely a little slippery, I'll try a "stickier" strap, hopefully that will solve the problem. I've probably just got to get used to the different balance of the guitar as well.

 

[matsickma]

The S73-12 is a bear to keep from "head dipping"! I had thought of adding a brass plate to the bottom half of the back of the body. However I don't play it enough to justify the mod but it is tough to keep in position!
M

 

[GAD]

Thanks for your reply Gary. Yeah, the strap I'm using now is a seatbelt style strap and definitely a little slippery, I'll try a "stickier" strap, hopefully that will solve the problem. I've probably just got to get used to the different balance of the guitar as well.

I have a very nice leather El Dorado strap that I adore but it’s so smooth that I can’t use it with certain guitars.

 

[DrumBob]

A 3" suede strap will stop neck dive.

 

[Norrissey]

A 3" suede strap will stop neck dive.

Thanks! I'll order one!

 

[DrumBob]

Thanks! I'll order one!

Good luck with it.

 

[Norrissey]

A 3" suede strap will stop neck dive.

Got the 3" suede strap yesterday - works a charm - thanks for the suggestion

 

[Groundwire]

My S100 stays pretty well balanced, but my SG definitely has neck dive. At one point I put a Bigsby on it, just to make it balance nicer, but the Bigsby was always out of tune so I scrapped it. I found that the lightweight Grover I35 tuners are a common retrofit on SGs. I got some, and they definitely lightened the headstock and helped with the balance. It’s not perfect, but way better than it was before.

 

[DrumBob]

Got the 3" suede strap yesterday - works a charm - thanks for the suggestion

Glad it worked. A wide suede strap always works, IMO.

 

[S100]

I do not care for the placement of that S73 strap button.

 

[Norrissey]

Yeah, I have a feeling the S-100 location is better. Hopefully one day I'll get myself an S-100 and the problem will be solved and then some!
The S-73 is a pretty great substitute for now. Just curious @S100 - what pedals to you like to use with your S-100s? I ask because I'm finding the HB-1s that I put on my S-73 respond to my overdrive and distortion pedals very differently to my Starfire with Gibson Humbuckers and my Tele TC72 which has a Fender Humbucker on it. The Gibson and Fender humbuckers sound warm and growly while the HB-1s go super bright and tinny. I actually prefer the HB-1s just by themselves.

 

[F44:876]

My experience with sg style guitars is that the strap button needs to be centered behind the neck as close towards the headstock that the body can handle - in order to mitigate neck dive. That said I actually like a little bit of neck dive for the guitars I use live. I tend to let go of the neck on some vocal parts and I think it just looks cool when your guitar is swinging around dangerously lol. Very unhinged.

 

[S100]

I’m using a EH Big Muff Pumpkin Pi or a Keeley Loomer at the moment. I think they’re pretty similar.

 

[S100]

I’d also add that I rarely have the tone knobs 10’d.

 

[Norrissey]

I’m using a EH Big Muff Pumpkin Pi or a Keeley Loomer at the moment. I think they’re pretty similar.

Thanks! Will check those out!