Viper -- weight support question

[m1ke]

I recently got a ESP Viper 1000.. the sound is amazing altho I'm finding it very hard to play..

Because of the shape and position of the strap-bolt, the guitar is constantly pulling down -- if left untouched it falls so the neck is virtually in line with my hips. I'm finding this a serious problem -- particularly as I suffer from RSI. To pull the neck further towards my chest, my hand has to take the weight of the guitar and pull it as well as fretting. Already on day 1 I'm feeling it..

Is there anything I can do to keep the neck up and stop it falling down?

Thanks a lot
Mike

[smorgdonkey]

Put the strap button on the horn if it is at the neck heel.

[darkalone]

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o251/project_dc1/Guitars/viper-button.jpg

[m1ke]

Ok, thanks guys.. I guess I'll have to look into getting it serviced and have it placed there.. guess that means drilling a hole in the guitar.. eek..

[therapist]

If you dont want to drill another hole you could get a leather strap. I have the Viper 500S and had the same problem. I didnt want to drill my new guitar so I bought a Levy's 3 1/2" leather strap. It helped alot since the leather grips better than a regular strap. The ideal thing would be to move it to the horn like in the pic dark posted. But I am happy with the way my new leather strap holds my guitar in place. Just something to think about.

[Mr Pigwalk]

I've said it a million times.

Not EVERY Viper will balance with the strap button on the same place. Don't go drilling until you find out exactly where to balance at.

[metalhobo]

It's a wood-screw... you shouldn't need to drill anything. Just drive the screw (although you probably do want to make a pilot-hole)

[ESPVIPERCAMO]

put it behind the heel in the middle

get a suede strap

put it on the horn

bolt ons you can put where top right screw was

[ESPKH4Builder]

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o251/project_dc1/Guitars/viper-button.jpg

+1....

i have a Viper from 01' and thats where the button is and i have no issues, move ur strap lock, dont use the buttons get locks...

[Armitage]

It's a wood-screw... you shouldn't need to drill anything. Just drive the screw (although you probably do want to make a pilot-hole)

You should ALWAYS drill a pilot hole first.

[D-EJ915]

You should ALWAYS drill a pilot hole first.
+1 definitely always do that. Drill a hole the same size as the screw, that is, without the threads. Then screw the screw in and it should stay really tightly.

[Mr Pigwalk]

i have a Viper from 01' and thats where the button is and i have no issues, move ur strap lock, dont use the buttons get locks...

I have a 02 Viper with the button there. No prob. Have a 03 with the button originally there. Neck dives like hell. DA's is a 7 string, yours is a Baritone, they might be the same, more than likely they won't.

[flimz]

I had the same issue. I noticed in the store that a few epiphone sg's with bolt on necks had the strap button located in the top right neck bolt location. Since my viper is a bolt on neck too, I moved the strap lock to this position, and bingo! Perfect balance!!

[jlove053169]

Here's what I would do.If your not happy with the location of the strap button its fairly simple if your patient.I did this with a explorer that had a funky location.true youll have to drill a smaller hole so you can thread ur strap screw in.With the existing strap button hole try this.Get 2 toothpics and push them in the hole so basicly there used as dowells.Snip them off with a pair of scissors and get a gummy eraser and sand with 400 grit till level with the horn.Be careful not to sand through or reshape the horn.Get some nail hole filler at Wal-mart(basicly wood putty filler)again sand level and smooth with the horn.Get an acrylic lacquer paint pen and slowly touch up till the wood putty is unoticable.I did it exactly like that and it looks like it never was there.

[m1ke]

Thanks a lot for all the replies guys :) I've ordered a 3 inch leather strap and plan to move the strap button closer to the horn as well.. thanks

[Jin]

+1 definitely always do that. Drill a hole the same size as the screw, that is, without the threads. Then screw the screw in and it should stay really tightly.

Actually, that's a bad idea. If you want the screw to remain tight, you drill a pilot hole one size too small so that when the screw goes in, it's hugged by the inner walls. If you drill it the same size, it'll strip out the walls possibly. It'll just be more secure if the screw actually screws in some and screads the hole. The pilot is just to guide the screw along it's path.