A balance hole 6 3/4" down the line 45 degrees to the PAP to pin line (into the positive thumb quadrant) should raise the bowtie enough to get the track off the MF hole. This is similar to the balance hole used in the Rico layout, so read some of the posts on Rico. You should have enough thumb weight to allow a fairly good sized hole. But I'm not sure that will cure your problem with the ball losing its reaction. That sounds like it's rolling out just as it flares into the finger hole. I would try sanding to a higher grit and/or polishing the ball before I drilled the balance hole. -- JohnP
