SOLVED - SJ / Custom Concert guitar - playing position for tall musician

[AH Acoustic]

Hi all,

I am considering a custom SJ or small concert, however am 6'1", with a long torso -- and have a question about the playing position and comfort of the guitar...

I have found larger bodies more comfortable so far, simply due to the elevation of the playing position higher on my body.

I have played with a strap before also, which I don't mind - however I'd love to learn about the seated position options.

So, particularly for a tall musician, what is your experience with a smaller guitar?


I have seen what appears to be a footrest approach (elevated leg, classical style) -- this video was deleted from YouTube



Or, do I need to use a device as shown below? If so -- what is the device?





Thanks all,

a.h.

update: I have found the strap to be most effective and comfortable. Back to basics.

[Rudy4]

AH,
I'm not that tall, but I play seated and using a strap at the same time on my size 0. I find it's quite comfortable, and the playing position is the same as when I stand.

[AH Acoustic]

Thanks Rudy4,

I have used a strap in the past, and will consider it again.

For some reason, my comfortable standing guitar position with the strap doesn't really accommodate very well for me when seated.

Regarding the guitar brace supports -- I see they attach with suction cups, and I am wary of damaging the guitar finish with something along those lines.

Will default back to either a strap or foot stool I think...

Thanks again,

a.h.

[warfrat73]

I'm also 6'1" with a long torso... I've spent a fair amount of time playing everything from about 00 to SJ/MJ... and have never had any particular problem with any of them.

If anything, I sometimes find the lower bout on my MJ to feel a bit too big and it does makes me sit with better posture and be a bit more deliberate in my approach. A couple of years ago I started drifting more towards OMs and away from dreads, though, for the past few months I've been drifting back.

Taking some cues from classical technique can certainly help... guitar on left leg, neck elevated, maybe a footrest.

But, I find it depends a lot on what I'm playing... just strumming cowboy chords and noodling, it doesn't much matter, trying to play more complicated things that require a decent left hand approach is a different story, but that's true regardless of what guitar I'm playing.

Plenty of folks taller than us manage just fine. In short...I don't think it should be an issue either way.

[Guitars44me]

Be careful using an elevated left leg. Numerous folks including me have had back and hip issues from too much sitting off kilter while playing.

I like a strap, so that I can get up and move around, if the spirit moves me, so to speak…

Guitar needs to be raised up fairly high, so don’t try and look like a heavy-metal player! Hahahaha

Experiment and see what works for you

Don’t forget to have fun

Paul

[AH Acoustic]

Thanks everyone --

I have found great success with a strap in the past... although vast majority of YouTube guitar playing samples from talented guitarists do not show using one, I feel like the ergonomic advice from experienced others here outweighs the dominant paradigm...

I picked up another strap today, and am happily playing in great comfort.

Very much appreciated all,

a.h.

[AH Acoustic]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

I like a strap, so that I can get up and move around, if the spirit moves me, so to speak…

Don’t forget to have fun

Paul

Paul - great points! I concur!

-a.h.

[AH Acoustic]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

[T]he playing position is the same as when I stand.

Rudy4 --

I was able to dial in this experience today. What a revelation.

I actually found that using a strap is (again) a liberating experience, and lets me explore how the guitar sounds in different rooms in the house, different times of day, different lighting...

Love it.

Thanks again,

-a.h.

[Guitars44me]

Great! Have fun.

When standing I like how I can adjust the neck angle up and down as well as back to front, and both at the same time.

But I can’t do my former drummer fancy footwork on my kick box and tambourine. If you move around more you can usually play longer with less repetitive motion stress.

Feel free to roam…

Cheers

Paul

[Larry Pattis]

I use the GuitaRest from De Oro Music, http://www.deoromusic.com/

I've used two of his different models, the Classica (with "martini" frame), and the Mini-Traveler.

Completely adaptable to any guitar, any neck-angle required, and any human body size.

[AH Acoustic]

Thank you Larry for the recommendation of the De Oro support.

I will give that some consideration as well.

Much appreciated!

-a.h.