Best guitar leg support for flamenco and Strap for standing

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JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

Best guitar leg support for flamenco...

Hey folks!!

1) I was wondering if you had good suggestions for a leg support that rises the guitar to a position that most resembles the guitar when it sits on the right leg and crossing it over.
Or one that works best for Flamenco players.

2) Also, I would love to be able to practice standing up when my back hurts. Is there a strap that you have found will help you do this?
I recently ordered one from amazon, but issue is that the neck moves and your left hand isn't as mobile.
The strap needs to have a way to lock the guitar in place just as if you were sitting. May be too much to ask, but I've seen a few cumbersome systems on youtube and wondered maybe the foro flamenco community has found a better way or a go to product!

I'd appreciate any input..

Thanks a lot

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 21:19:53

akatune

Posts: 188
Joined: Mar. 28 2008

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

http://www.stringsbymail.com/store/gitano-classical-guitar-support-1170.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 22:16:47

JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to akatune)

thanks.. do you use it on the right leg? I couldn't find one pictures on google with this working for a flamenco player, only classical style positions. I might give it a shot.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 22:37:14

timoteo

Posts: 219
Joined: Jun. 22 2012
From: Seattle, USA

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

You can try the search feature of this web site. For example:

http://www.foroflamenco.com/searchpro.asp?topicreply=both&message=both&timeframe=%3E&timefilter=0&top=300&criteria=AND&minRank=10&language=single&phrase=guitar+support

this yields three pages of discussions ...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 23:12:34

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

I've not tried one on a flamenco or classical, but I found this product to be excellent - Neckup.com

I should note that I attached one side to an endpin, which made it very stable. Not sure how it would work with just the suction cups on a typical flamenco with no pins or pickup jacks. What kind of guitar do you have, and what type of finish does it have?

_____________________________

Ryan

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 26 2014 23:41:29

HolyEvil

Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

Ive tried a guitar with a gitano support and its really comfy..

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 0:06:01

rombsix

Posts: 7808
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to timoteo)

quote:

You can try the search feature of this web site. For example:

http://www.foroflamenco.com/searchpro.asp?topicreply=both&message=both&timeframe=%3E&timefilter=0&top=300&criteria=AND&minRank=10&language=single&phrase=guitar+support

this yields three pages of discussions ...

Yes, check out deoromusic.com & ask for the "flamenco version" of the guitar support.

_____________________________

Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 2:02:26

JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to rombsix)

quote:

Yes, check out deoromusic.com & ask for the "flamenco version" of the guitar support.

Hey Rombsix, I did check him out and also a video you posted about a custom made one you got from him. Looks like what I need. I take it you are still using it.
Can't believe you are in Nashville. I lived there for 12 yrs until just a couple months ago that I moved to Florida. Never met anyone who played flamenco there. It's all about country, blues and some pop. Nashville is nice though with friendly people. I will miss it.

By the way, thanks for all the comments!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 2:38:59

rombsix

Posts: 7808
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

quote:

Hey Rombsix, I did check him out and also a video you posted about a custom made one you got from him. Looks like what I need. I take it you are still using it.
Can't believe you are in Nashville. I lived there for 12 yrs until just a couple months ago that I moved to Florida. Never met anyone who played flamenco there. It's all about country, blues and some pop. Nashville is nice though with friendly people. I will miss it.

Yup, I still use his products. They totally saved my back. Indeed, I haven't found any flamenco here.

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Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 3:20:21

Blondie#2

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

Also check out the Ergoplay:

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 8:58:30

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

For ergonomical playing you don´t want fixation of the guitar. In the opposite, with the guitar being flexible you will learn to play without false crutches and make advance through safe technique.

Also, round about flexibility will introduce further safety for your back and shoulders. Like seamless going up and down the neck without strain on your shoulder, through swaping much of the level form vertical to horizontal.

Trust me, there is nothing as ergonomically fitting like a guitar suspended single point on hight of your solar plexus. Once you discovered how it functions you will love it, and your body, your rhythm feeling and your music will thank you.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/fb.asp?m=174473&key=harness

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 9:28:54

tele

Posts: 1464
Joined: Aug. 17 2012

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to Ruphus)

one item is this, made in finland: http://www.classical-guitars-plus.co.uk/productfamily.php/family__1167__Liikanen+Classical+Guitar+Knee+Support+-+Tukeva

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 16:58:55

guido

Posts: 52
Joined: Feb. 27 2006

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

For me and many guitar players I know the "Gitano"-Support works properly. I use it sometimes for classical pieces. In Flamenco I don't need it normally for traditional position, but u can get a more relaxed feeling with it. It's easy to handle and can be fixed at the guitar in most cases. Look at Paco Pena: he uses the "Gitano"-Support.

http://www.npr.org/event/music/321681133/eliot-fisk-and-paco-pe-a-tiny-desk-concert?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social

The only negative about it is the price: too expensive i.m.o. I sell them in our store and have been looking at the increase in price for about 15 years. Hardly any difference in development of the product but twice the price...

slainte
guido

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 27 2014 21:43:36

JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to guido)

quote:

ORIGINAL: guido
The only negative about it is the price: too expensive i.m.o. I sell them in our store and have been looking at the increase in price for about 15 years. Hardly any difference in development of the product but twice the price...

slainte
guido

Hi Guido, thanks for the link for Paco Pena.

I found a support that could replace the Gitano as it is the same concept and size, but better built and has 4 suction cups. It is the Tenuto Guitar Support.
Here is the link Tenuto support Link

On the other hand, I find that the Guitarest from De Oro looks like it is more adjustable.
Take a look at this video showing how it could work for different neck angles.
(could you change the neck angle on the gitano by just placing it higher or lower on the guitar lower bout?

The Ergoplay can adjust the neck as well, but it seems to me that the Guitarest is more flexible.

Might end up buying both the Tenuto and the Guitarest to find the best for me.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 4:45:47

JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to Ruphus)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ruphus

For ergonomical playing you don´t want fixation of the guitar. In the opposite, with the guitar being flexible you will learn to play without false crutches and make advance through safe technique.

http://www.foroflamenco.com/fb.asp?m=174473&key=harness

Ruphus

Thanks for the link Ruphus, I actually bought Neotech Simple Sling that has a cross chest type of strap and has the hook for the sound hole.
I find it awkward since the neck is not supported.
This is the one supposed to be for guitar, but also ukeleles.

I might find it works better for me to use the typical electric guitar strap setup for a steady neck.

If anyone has a strap that works well for you while standing please let me know!

Thanks a lot

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 4:53:14

Blondie#2

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JdeMaria

The Ergoplay can adjust the neck as well, but it seems to me that the Guitarest is more flexible.

In some orientations, yes, in others, no. For example there is no height adjustment on the metal part that attaches to the upper bout whereas there is on the Ergo play. The guitar rest flamenco version lifts the upper bout much higher, which is fine if you are going for an old school position like Ramzi, but you specifically asked for one that puts the guitar in a position the same as if you were crossed legged i.e. a support that will add a little height off your lap but keep the guitar fairly horizontal.

I have a Gitano and Ergoplay Troster too. The gitano is the most limited of all mentioned but also the most discrete.

If you want to stand up here's a harness made for guitar:
http://www.mundomusicgear.co.uk/product/mundo-guitar-strap/

I tried that too.

I spent ages fiddling about with supports for flamenco, and ended up not using one. Ruphus makes a good point about dynamic positioning.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 7:10:59

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

If you want to get the best out of yourself, it will help to find out about the least awkward of playing / ergonomical technique.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JdeMaria

I find it awkward since the neck is not supported.

That is because your approach is the wrapping oneself around the instrument. It is whhy you seek for fixation of the guitar, so that you may able to more reliably attach yourself to it.

However, seamless playing goes the opposte way around. The guitar must accomodate to you so to say / be your slave.
You whistle and she comes running, ya know.

The way you hold it the guitars neck will drop, that is why you like a strap to keep the neck up.
Ergonomically the guitar should be "clamped" between your RH ellbow and the pull of your LH, with your chest being the bearing of a swing. That way if there be any tendency for the neck, it will rather tend to go upwards than drop.

In fact you end up holding it that way like in the classical sitting flamenco posture ( Sabicas, Pena) with the neck showing rather steeply upwards.
- When you are on the lower frets. When longing for the upper ones your guitar comes back down somewhat ( accomodating your LH which, as mentioned before, will be freed from efforts in changing position vertically).

When cool with it, the guitar swings around you. Unlike you trying to rush around it with all kinds of sprain in all your upper bodys joints.

If that sling manages to keep your hook somewhat centered, dig that thing out and try again.
There is a reason why flamencos never went with silly straps, and traditionally use a soundhole hook.
Learn from the daily gigging virtuosos.

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 11:57:02

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

i use an efel and an oasis. the efel is very good and releases easily. the oasis is basically a gitano with some extra features--most prominently a spring that pulls cup and base to each other thus adding a lot more grip. i think the supports assist in holding the guitar in a more "traditional" position. interestingly, paco pena has been using a guitar support for some years now.

i do not know about the sling but standing with one foot slightly elevated is a lot better than sitting--back wise that is. sitting is very hard on the back--especially in a 90 degree position. research has shown that moving towards 135 degrees is better but it is difficult to play in that position. standing is much easier on the spine--there is plethora of research out there supporting this. additionally, there is research that sitting too much can actually pose risks for dying before one's time. human beings were not designed to sit 8 hours a day or more.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 12:22:43

rojarosguitar

Posts: 243
Joined: Dec. 8 2010

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

I'm using De Oro support on my Mundo Flamenco guitar which has some sort of PU lacquer and takes suction cups well.

Where this is not he case (shellack polished rosewood tends to dislike suction cups) I have the best experience with Kris Barnett support which is held in place with the help of strong magnets glued inside of the guitar with some putty.

Both supports work on left and on right leg.

Google these two names and you will find it easily.

_____________________________

Music is a big continent with different lascapes and corners. Some of them I do visit frequently, some from time to time and some I know from hearsay only ...

A good musical instrument is one that inspires one to express as free as possible

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 28 2014 16:12:42

Ricardo

Posts: 14801
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Best guitar leg support for flam... (in reply to JdeMaria)

best leg support is YOUR OTHER LEG. (where is doitsujin when you need him

).

Best strap deal is to drill a hole in the bottom of the heel and install strap lock there and then attach the other end of strap to the 1/4'' jack with plug inserted. If you are playing standing, you should darn well better be using an acoustic/electric anyway.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 1 2014 3:28:28