Members hardlock Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 I've got a theory. I only play seated w/o a strap and have a Gibson 335 clone, an LP clone and a couple Fender teles. All of them tend to cause my right arm to cramp up after prolonged playing. I end up wanting to move the guitar from my right leg to my left to allow the right arm to stretch out and relieve the pressure. Maybe it's just me getting old but it seems that the angle my forearm makes with my upper arm doesn't promote comfort in the long term. I find myself gradually moving my picking position closer to the neck causing arm mutes and other bad habits. After much study, it appears that this has been corrected in a few guitar models like the Firebird and Jaguar styles. Here's a real ergonomically correct model - the Lace Helix: http://www.harmony-central.com/Events/WNAMM99/AGI-Lace/Helix.html Even it doesn't mention that the lower waist cut-out is more rearward than a typical Strat or other style however for seated comfort. Anyone playing these types of guitars notice a difference in this regard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shredtilurded Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Strat styled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ArKay Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 I find the old Teisco Spectrum 5 body shape hard to beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members captainultimus Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 the middle one is a tele... and i would recommend just standing up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members shredtilurded Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 I've got a theory. I only play seated w/o a strap and have a Gibson 335 clone, an LP clone and a couple Fender teles. All of them tend to cause my right arm to cramp up after prolonged playing. I end up wanting to move the guitar from my right leg to my left to allow the right arm to stretch out and relieve the pressure.Maybe it's just me getting old but it seems that the angle my forearm makes with my upper arm doesn't promote comfort in the long term. I find myself gradually moving my picking position closer to the neck causing arm mutes and other bad habits.After much study, it appears that this has been corrected in a few guitar models like the Firebird and Jaguar styles. Here's a real ergonomically correct model - the Lace Helix:http://www.harmony-central.com/Events/WNAMM99/AGI-Lace/Helix.htmlEven it doesn't mention that the lower waist cut-out is more rearward than a typical Strat or other style however for seated comfort.Anyone playing these types of guitars notice a difference in this regard? I like that guitar in the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ExquisitDeadGuy Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 SG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hardlock Posted June 15, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Here's a couple more examples. I should explain the color code maybe. Based on my theory, the red is worst, yellow slightly better and green the best. As you can see, the Strat is about the same as all the rest. BTW, shredtilurded - nice avatar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Into Nation Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Get a strat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sharkfin Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 I'm interested in this topic as well. I practice seated exclusively, because my room is rather cramped (and I guess I'm just lazy). So far I only have regular Strat-shaped guitars. I've often wondered whether the off-set bodies like the Jazzmasters are actually better for seated practice. Looking forward to everyone's comments and experiences in this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor49 Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 I've got a theory. I only play seated w/o a strap and have a Gibson 335 clone, an LP clone and a couple Fender teles. All of them tend to cause my right arm to cramp up after prolonged playing. I end up wanting to move the guitar from my right leg to my left to allow the right arm to stretch out and relieve the pressure.Maybe it's just me getting old but it seems that the angle my forearm makes with my upper arm doesn't promote comfort in the long term. I find myself gradually moving my picking position closer to the neck causing arm mutes and other bad habits. Not really answering the question but try placing between your legs in a semi-classical position. I have an old body, a 335, a strat style body and a hollowbody pr esque, all of which are much better in that position than across the RIGHT leg. I find it is less stressful on the fretting wrist also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members odo Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Strat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hardlock Posted June 15, 2009 Author Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Here's a couple more. SG looks good in this regard. The Jazzmaster should be about the same offset as the Jag shown below I believe. Elvis here is holding a Jazzmaster as a good reference to arm angle for comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members A-20 Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Look guys and gals, the only way to go IS to switch to your left leg. The right arm falls naturally into line, you can bring the neck up a litte instead of straight and have good wrist angles, and your legs hold the guitar in place. You also don't have to lean over. Just one man's opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sharkfin Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 I find the old Teisco Spectrum 5 body shape hard to beat. Those Teisco and the Schecters really do share a remarkable similarity in body design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tidal Rhythm Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Oddly, it's the second time today I've posted this pic in a thread. Check out the comfy arm-cut away on the Cort Z 42: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Jazzmaster was made for sitting down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ArKay Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Those Teisco and the Schecters really do share a remarkable similarity in body design. Schecter has been using that body style on at least 2 models (Revenger & Avenger), and the Banshee headstock has obviously been inspired by Teisco as well. The other guitar next to my Avenger is a Teisco clone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sharkfin Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Someone at Schecter must be a fan of Teisco. They "metal'ed or pointy'ed" quite easily. It works well. I had Tempest (and a bit of Stargazer) GAS for the longest time, kind of let it pass. Now Revengers/Avengers ... I feel the urge to gawk at them bubbling up. How's the weight of yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kuroyume Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Look guys and gals, the only way to go IS to switch to your left leg. The right arm falls naturally into line, you can bring the neck up a litte instead of straight and have good wrist angles, and your legs hold the guitar in place. You also don't have to lean over.Just one man's opinion. And I agree but there is more to it! The reason the classical guitar sits on the left leg is that between that, putting the back of the body against your right leg, the top of the guitar against your body/chest, you have three points of stability (the MINIMUM for anybody who knows anything about engineering). Putting the guitar on your right leg creates hard-to-control rotation perpendicular to the length of the guitar (neck towards/away from your body) as well as rotation 'normally' off the top of the guitar. Not saying that it can't be done but it can get uncomfortable and you may spend more time trying to stabilize the guitar than playing it. There is strain there whether you realize it or not. Don't believe me. Do the classical setup (properly) and you can remove both hands completely from the guitar and the guitar sits there. Do the right-leg setup and watch the guitar sway or drop at the headstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Maess Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 cant really say as I used a strap all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaveAronow Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ArKay Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Someone at Schecter must be a fan of Teisco.They "metal'ed or pointy'ed" quite easily. It works well.I had Tempest (and a bit of Stargazer) GAS for the longest time, kind of let it pass. Now Revengers/Avengers ... I feel the urge to gawk at them bubbling up. How's the weight of yours? It's not a heavy guitar, probably similar to a strat, or even less. I'm on my way to work so I can't check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ak47dragunov Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 Jazzmaster, Jaguar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members axegrinder Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 This is my most comfy guitar played in my lap. I always thought the big body kept me from hunching. The protruding bass side bout gives my long arm better support as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tidal Rhythm Posted June 15, 2009 Members Share Posted June 15, 2009 This is my most comfy guitar played in my lap. I always thought the big body kept me from hunching. The protruding bass side bout gives my long arm better support as well. What is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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