#16
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I'm pleased to report that after spending another 10 or 15 hours with the Guild dreadnought, I'm finally starting to adjust. It still feels big and boxy, but I've modified my strumming technique and posture, and I'm no longer experiencing numbness in my strumming hand. The soreness in my strumming arm has also subsided. The moral of the story is that almost everything in guitar is physically challenging for at least a few weeks, so don't give up on something quickly just because it's uncomfortable.
This isn't to say a dreadnought will work for everyone, of course, but I think it might end up working out for me. |
#17
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That's good to hear 👍 Thanks for following up and I hope you have many years with your big ol' Guild!
__________________
2018 Larrivee D-40 SOLD 2020 Martin DJR-10 Sapele Gifted to son 2022 Breedlove Signature Concert Copper CE SOLD Guitarless |
#18
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Quote:
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#19
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Dreadnought is all I've ever known.
However I alternate between playing it on my right leg and my left leg (classical style) when playing seated which might help you. |
#20
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A better solution
I used to have similar problems with dreads. I’m 5’7” and now play dreads with no problems. Here’s my solution - hopefully it will work for you as well. If I play dreads seated with them resting on my right leg which is the ordinary position most people use, I have the typical problems everyone else describes. What I do instead is the use a strap when seated. Then I position the guitar so that is hangs lower the the typical position and I lean the upper edge of the lower hour inward towards my torso. What this does is to lower the right arm so that the shoulder is not raised as it would be in the usual position and leaning the top toward me and the treble side of the lower bout outwards decreases the forward reach so that my arm is not extended outward any more than a thinner guitar. For me this has solved the problem and I can play dreads as long as I want with no discomfort. Give it a try. I hope it helps you.
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#21
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Quote:
-Ray |
#22
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The edge of the guitar can compress the nerve in your upper arm, which is not humerus at all.
Try a pad where your arm contacts the guitar, perhaps? Try a OOO playing in the same position as usual and see if you get different results?
__________________
90s Martin D-28 (Algae guitar) 1979 Alvarez CY 115, #226 of 600 1977 Giannini Craviola 12 String 1997 Martin CEO-1R 1970s C.F. Mountain OOO-18 1968 Standel/Harptone E6-N 1969-70 Harptone Maple Lark L6-NC (Katrina guitar) Supreme A-12 Voyage-Air VAOM-06 Esteban Antonio Brown Model |
#23
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Loved the sound, but sold mine. Playing comfort's part of the deal; life's short.
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#24
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Have you tried putting an armrest on the guitar? These are made by a number of companies such as John Pearce and others and they affix to the top edge of the lower bout and provide a more rounded contour for your arm while lifting your arm off of the top to give the top a significantly greater ability to resonate and make nicer and louder tones. An alternative is to buy a dreadnaught with a built in bevel at that same spot. For example, Taylor (and a few other makers) offer guitars with that edge there beveled back by about an inch to make it easier for your arm to come over there. Here is an example of what Taylor offers on some of their guitars as either standard or as an upgrade option:
__________________
Member #12 Acoustics: 1995 Taylor 510 1997 Taylor Custom Shop 14 size 1998 Taylor K-65 12 string 1998 Larrivee C-10E with Mucha Lady IR/Sitka Electrics: 1999 PRS Custom 22 Artist Package - Whale Blue/Ebony 1995 Fender Custom Shop 1960 Strat - Dakota/Maple 1997 Fender California Series Fat Strat - CAR/Maple 1968 Teisco e-110 Sunburst/Maple |
#25
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Do you use foot stool to prop up your knee?
I am 5'9" and I have never had any issue with jumbo or dreads or any guitar size. I simply adjust the foot stool in a way that my right shoulder and elbow are just shy of being pretty much horizontal. Possibly where I feel that the hand is resting on the bout. Never let the shoulder raise even a tiny bit above the socket.
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Gibson Hummingbird, J45 Martin OM-21 Breedlove AJ250 - Spruce/Maple Guild D120 - All hog |
#26
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You might try a Jumbo...
I was a drednaught owner for ten years, a time when I rarely played guitar much. It was just too uncomfortable, for all the reasons mentioned. Then I tried a Jumbo -- specifically, a Mini Jumbo -- and I never looked back. This is a big-bodied guitar with a strong bass, but the narrower waist puts it lower in my lap and the slightly thinner body helps, too.
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- Tacoma ER22C - Tacoma CiC Chief - Tacoma EK36C (ancient cedar Little Jumbo, '01, #145/150) - Seagull SWS Maritime Mini Jumbo ('16) - Simon & Patrick Pro Folk Rosewood ('01) - Godin Montreal Premiere Supreme - Ibanez Mikro Bass |
#27
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This may, or may not, help.
Let me know :
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
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Tags |
d20, dreadnought, guild |
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