Ken, all you have said makes sense. I will talk with the bowmaker along those lines and schedule a rehair and tip weight removal.
We'll see about the grip - that's easy enough to take off. If the grip IS still dampening the stick, after the tip weight is removed, perhaps a grip other than the leather/wire would have a lesser effect. As you say, since one's hand is touching the stick at that point, concerns about the grip throwing of the balance point seem a bit misplaced (sic)...the grip/hand really is more the axis of rotation, not the balance point of an unheld bow, floating in space...
Frankly, it never bugged me not to have a grip on the bow. In having a grip installed, I was just trying to be a good steward for this precious object. Ah well
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Thanks again for sharing your experience. It was very helpful to me.