my first Jackson, but a little awkward

[uglijimus]

So after wanting a Jackson for a long time, I finally got one:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Jackson...tric-Guitar.gc

and I like it a lot, except I find that the neck is too heavy, or maybe the body is too light and when either playing it sitting down
or especially standing up, it tries to take a dive, head/neck first which means I have to use strength (to hold up the neck) when
I should be using that effort to play on the neck instead.

Is there something I'm doing wrong here or is there a weight I can attach to the body to keep it from "falling"?

[toejam]

Welcome to the forum. Some guitars are just more neck-heavy than others. You can try a wider leather/suede strap to help it grip better to your shoulder.

[uglijimus]

thanks. I am due for a new strap. any recommendations? so this is not common with all Jacksons heavy neck/light body?

[Mudlark]

The Strat shapes (Dinky and Soloist) aren't neck heavy, but the pointy shapes often are.
If you move the front strap button to the top front bolt that holds the neck on it should help.

Any wide leather strap with an unfinished side (non-smooth) will help, though I personally found that they just pull my shirt out of place.
I stick with Strat shapes because of this.

[freedom's door]

Comfort Strap:

https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Strap.../dp/B000V1S2X0

[Startingline]

I personally prefer Levy's straps, Specifically the M7GG https://smile.amazon.com/Levys-Leath...DWE3PFNQ4F0TK6

[toejam]

Levy's straps are pretty nice.

[uglijimus]

thanks guys, it seems that this is called "neck dive" and just by going on YT I found a myriad of possible solutions. I didn't know this was a phenomenon since I've played hundreds of guitars throughout my life and this is the first time encountering it. that Levy's strap does look comfortable but man that price...(!)

[pianoguyy]

Some strap material will hold your shit in place real good, which is good if you have a "top heavy" guitar or are a multi-instrumentalist who's hands need to quick swap back and forth. But it is bad, if it is like the strap that I have on my LP because I like to throw my shit around and that thing doesn't move.

I like the Levy straps too, but I use the nylon which lets them slide around. And they are only like $5.
I just happened to have had a color-matched fabric strap for that LP in storage... and I hate it.

[xenophobe]

I use a Levy's 1" leather strap that has a natural suede side... I find that it's thin enough to dig a bit into my shoulder and doesn't move around my t-shirt with neck heavy guitars. This is similar to the one I use, except mine is just plain leather and was much cheaper and I remove the movable pad.

http://www.levysleathers.com/shop/ge...trap-mg25-blk/

I have a thicker padded leather Levy strap that I use for my BCR Stealth because the 1" isn't enough for that one.

[Mudlark]

On the other end of the spectrum, I use leather straps with the shiny, slippery side on my shoulder.
I like the way I can easily slide it around as needed. Though, my Dinkys and Soloists are balanced perfectly.

[Startingline]

I posted the link to the 3" but i use the 2" which is a little bit cheaper and is really comfortable.

[helsinkirocks]

I won't use anything under 3" wide straps. Leather.
Anymore I tend to just straps custom made.

[uglijimus]

I just watched Phil Demmel's new video he uploaded to YT and it LOOKS like he has some of these Levy straps at a glance...