arm rests

I PURCHASED AN ARM REST BUT HAVE NOT INSTALLED IT. BEFORE INSTALLATION I WANT TO NOW HOW TO UN-INSTALL IF I DECIDE IT DOESN'T SERVE MY NEEDS--HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED SUCH UNDOING? WILL A HAIR DRYER SOFTEN THE GLUE ENOUGH FOR EASY REMOVAL?

WELL? SOMEONE ON THIS FORUM MUST HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH ARM REST REMOVAL. UNLESS THE RESTS ARE SO GOOD THAT NO ONE REMOVES THEM??

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by EvanB

WELL? SOMEONE ON THIS FORUM MUST HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH ARM REST REMOVAL. UNLESS THE RESTS ARE SO GOOD THAT NO ONE REMOVES THEM??

Why are you shouting? It’s most out of character. Is it your evil twin?

Regardless of that, here’s a pertinent thread, with input from Wade Hampton Miller, who is probably the most knowledgeable person on the subject on the AGF.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=332705

Well, David, I wasn't getting the answer to the question so I thought a shout out might do the trick--and it did.

Thank you for the information. Mr. Miller's experience and recommendations are stellar.

So I purchased a nice ebony arm rest and have it on the Savoy--I like it.

I appreciate the Wade thread on removal of an arm rest. But you have to wonder what finger pickers would do?

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by EvanB

I appreciate the Wade thread on removal of an arm rest. But you have to wonder what finger pickers would do?

Hmm, a point I had not considered. A expired credit card and a pair of scissors might produce appropriate toolage.

But my credit cards aren't expired. And do I really want to get scissors near my linen?

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

Why are you shouting? It’s most out of character. Is it your evil twin?

Regardless of that, here’s a pertinent thread, with input from Wade Hampton Miller, who is probably the most knowledgeable person on the subject on the AGF.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=332705

Go 4 or 5 posts down from Wade in that thread and you will see my Guild D-4-12 that I removed an armrest from prior to selling it. I used fishing line. (apparently 6 pound test)

AZ;

Thank you. As a nylon stringer I have plenty of fishing line.

[btbliatout]

A bit late to the game, but I just ordered an Armadillo armrest. It's specifically for my Rainsong, which I enjoy the tone of, but the edge of the lower bout sure cuts into me.

It just uses suction cups, so I'm not worried about being able to take it off someday if I wanted to. I could also just pop it off and put it on another instrument if I felt like it too.

It may not look as nice as some of the others that are generally intended to be permanent installations, but it's relatively inexpensive ($40, including shipping, as of 7/28/21), and there's peace of mind knowing it's not going to require surgery to remove.

[mountainmaster]

That Armadillo seems nice and non-intrusive. My Rainsong has a satin finish though. I wonder if those suction cups will hold on its surface.

[btbliatout]

@mountainmaster

My Rainsong's body also has a satin (or matte?) finish (Concert Hybrid series). Make fun of me as you wish, but I play it in a classical guitar position, and I use a Guitar Lift to keep it in the 45 degree position. The suction cups on the Guitar Lift have no issue with sticking to the back of my instrument, so I figure the suction cups of the Armadillo armrest would likely also have no issue. I'll report back once it arrives.

[btbliatout]

Well that was fast. I got my Armadillo Armrest in 2 business days.

I'm glad to report it's exactly as advertised. And the suction cups have no issue sticking to the side of my RainSong (which has a satin finish).

It does feel a bit weird to have my forearm pushed outwards a bit more than I'm accustomed to, but I think that comes with any attachable arm rest, and it doesn't seem to affect playing at all. I'm pretty sure I'll get used to it quickly.

It's not going to win prizes for prettying up your instrument, but it should probably win prizes for being an affordable accessory for students who practice a lot. Especially because it can be swapped from instrument to instrument painlessly.

Hope this helps someone down the road!

Thank you Bt, your exploration is interesting and helpful.

The Armadillo is not as pretty as my ebony rest, but if I had known of it sooner I would probably have ordered the Armadillo--the ability to easily transfer the rest from one guitar to another is appealing.

[mountainmaster]

Thanks Bt. I am now seriously considering this for my Rainsong.

The other option I was looking at is the Andreas Abel armrest: https://abel-armauflage.com/en/

I am not sure though if that clamp will work with the beveled backside of a Rainsong.