John Pearse armrest on Rainsong Shorty

[ChunkyB]

I just got a John Pearse armrest for my Rainsong Shorty. I was not sure about how it would fit or what size I should get. I figured I'd post some pics on here in case anyone else was thinking of getting one. I got the standard sized one in ebony. I was able to find a sweet spot where it almost exactly matches the curvature of the body and sits right under my arm. I got the full length one just to make sure I'd have some wiggle room.

[fazool]

I love John Pearse armrests! I have one on every acoustic.

That looks great on your RS.

[AndyFrank]

Although they add some bulk to the body, JP rests do help keep your arm off the sundboard, if you have that problem. So hows it working for you CB?

[ChunkyB]

Originally Posted by AndyFrank

Although they add some bulk to the body, JP rests do help keep your arm off the sundboard, if you have that problem. So hows it working for you CB?

I'm liking it a lot. It's more comfortable for me, and it actually makes the guitar sound noticeably louder. I think I tend to kind of hug the guitar, so I'm not surprised that it's louder.

[ChunkyB]

I just noticed another bonus. It covers up the ding I put in the lower bout. It's a win-win

[Denny B]

I was trying out a really nice used Taylor with one of those armrests on it, and I was surprised at how comfortable it felt..

Then I started wondering about any problems removing one? I would assume it would be like removing a pickguard, and leave some difference in color or shading of the wood?

Any first hand accounts of removing one?

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by Denny B

I was trying out a really nice used Taylor with one of those armrests on it, and I was surprised at how comfortable it felt..

Then I started wondering about any problems removing one? I would assume it would be like removing a pickguard, and leave some difference in color or shading of the wood?

Any first hand accounts of removing one?

I had one on a Guild D-4-12 for about 17 years. No shading no discoloration.

[ac]

I had one on a wood acoustic with a similar sharp edge that I sold years ago and it made a big improvement in comfort for me. If placed just right, your arm won't really press on the sharp body edge.

You get a similar effect near to having a bevel there, so it's a good alternative--and you don't press and muffle the soundboard as much.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by ChunkyB

I'm liking it a lot. It's more comfortable for me, and it actually makes the guitar sound noticeably louder. I think I tend to kind of hug the guitar, so I'm not surprised that it's louder.

The Pearse armrest was made for that exact reason, to keeps the arm off the soundboard. Glad it's working for you.

[ChunkyB]

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

The Pearse armrest was made for that exact reason, to keeps the arm off the soundboard. Glad it's working for you.

Exactly. It's improved the comfort as well, but I'm really surprised at how much difference it made in tone/volume. There are lot of things that claim to affect tone that don't really, so I was a bit skeptical.

I guess it will keep sweat and stuff off the top too, but I'm guessing my arm will deteriorate before the finish ever does.

Another unexpected benefit is that the actual finish is a little more comfortable. Gloss finish guitars always kind of stick to my arm, and this is smoother and less sticky.

[SpruceTop]

I like what you did and it looks nice too!

Having an armrest on a RainSong, or any guitar, is a tone saver for those who rest their forearm on part of the top, like me. I'd like to see RainSong incorporate a sleek, molded-over, carbon-fiber cantilever armrest into the side-structure of their guitars. With a 1/8" or so space between the guitar's top and bottom of the cantilever, plus an armrest thickness of 3/32" or so, the armrest would add very little weight and extra height to the guitar.

[steelvibe]

To the OP:

The device moves in the pics, what position did you finally go with?

[ChunkyB]

The first pic where the guitar is hanging vertically shows the final position where I put the arm rest. I still have it on that guitar, and I still love it.