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Balancing the CBG in your lap...

Hey all,

Wanted some feedback here...

I am finding that in order to use my fret hand well (left hand), I CANNOT use that hand to "support" the guitar neck at all...doing that makes it real hard for me to move my left hand around quickly. Like Justin Johnson stated in his DVD, the CBG must be balanced in your lap so that your fret hand is free of having to hold the guitar up at all. The problem I have is I cannot balance my CBG on my right thigh...it's neck heavy and wants to fall downward at the head. So, I have to sit the CBG on my left thigh with the bottom outer corner straddled between my legs to make it balance. It balances perfectly this way and allows my fret hand to move freely (and fast) without supporting the CBG at all. But in that position, the jack/cord is sticking out the bottom side and jamming into my inner right thigh, so I have to spread my legs further apart a bit, which throws the balance off again. In hindsight, for me at least, it would have been much better to put the jack on the side up at the top (or maybe even coming out the bottom or even coming out the front), cause my hand/wrist/arm never goes anywhere near that area. Basically, I'm having issues trying to get the CBG balanced so I don't have to "hold it" with my fret hand.

Anyway, I bought a brand new strap, but just could not get it on (the leather is really stiff, LOL). I was really worried I was going to hurt the CBG trying to get it attached. It's not like the body is solid or anything. And I was worried if I put it on I'd never get it off, LOL. Seeing as how this balance issue has been something I'm still trying to figure out, I'm thinking a strap button at the head somewhere would have helped with the balance...maybe/maybe not.

Any balancing advice???

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 1, 2017 at 1:16am

There's another way to go here: get a small thick pillow, put it under the neck and across your lap...

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Permalink Reply by Alan Dillard on June 1, 2017 at 2:05am

I'm also a lefty and use a woven strap, button on end of box and the other end tied around the peg head above the nut. Works well. also have used an old belt with similar arrangement on another guitar ('cause who can stop with just one!)but with a short length of leather boot lace at the nut end.

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Permalink Reply by Jim_N on June 1, 2017 at 11:54am

For just 'supporting' a cbg, an cheap ukulele neck strap might work for you if your box has a typical, round sound hole, and if it isn't heavy. I bought a couple of 'em for under a buck, total, shipping included, and they work great on lightweight ukes. Search for “ukulele neck strap” on eBAY (and click on "lowest price first"). Don't let the stupidly cheap price put you off. I've seen similar neck straps on other sites for a lot more money.

As always, YMMV.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Quinney on June 3, 2017 at 1:02pm

A hunk of scrap metal in the box at the tail end for balance? :)

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on June 3, 2017 at 4:30pm

Perhaps a different approach. I support the CBG between my right forearm and thigh. With my arm resting on the edge of the box. This works great for a mid size squarish CBG I have.