Guitar Ergonomics

Guitar Ergonomics (Full Version)

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konradk -> Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 26 2010 3:28:53)
Does anyone know of a Luthier that takes into account the following considerations of the Guitar Player when when designing/building a guitar ... Body type .. thin, medium, heavy Shoulder width .. narrow, average, broad Arms .. long, medium short Hand width .. narrow, average, broad Finger length .. short, average, long I'm sure there may also be other things I've forgotten But I believe that if you are going to get a custom made guitar and spend $$$$$$$ it might as well be designed/built for you since if you buy a "standard" guitar and happen to be a midget or a giant you will surely injure yourself trying to rip rasgueos You'll end up having to see therapists and doctors if you insist on playing an instrument that does not match your body type ... But then again, perhaps chronic pain is necessary to evoke duende and explete a perfect jaleo .. :)

Anders Eliasson -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 26 2010 8:37:17)
The things you can change without loosing control over sound and feel are scale, nut and stringspacing at the bridge. Just some millimeters change in body size makes a different guitar. Some builders may use 2 different body sizes. I dont, because I find it to be enough to control one size and because I fel that its the right size. The flamenco guitar is a very higly specialized and fine tuned instrument and if you are not very small or very big, you should be able to find a comfortable sitting position.

estebanana -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 26 2010 13:52:19)
You can't put much on the luthier, we can change the body size and scale. It's the players job to learn to play with optimum relaxation and learn his or her own body to prevent injury. Chuscales said "The guitar is a torture device from Mars." I think he meant a combination of physical uncomfortableness and the ability of the guitar to frustrate. It's important to take responsibility for playing in a way that suits your body. Things you can do are stretching; learn some light yoga that is focused on reverse stretching the muscles and nerves you tense up while playing. Stopping during your practice to breath and stretch and loosen up. Don't sit in a vegetative state mindlessly grinding away at your playing. Keep your mind bright and stay focused for short periods of time and then change your posture. Drink water while you practice. Muscle dehydration causes stresses which lead to pulled muscles. Back right off when you feel fatigue or like you've worked your hands or elbow, whatever in a way it's not ready for. Eat correctly and don't swim and practice guitar until you wait an hour to go back into the flamenco pool. How you like them apples?

at_leo_87 -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 26 2010 14:15:41)
it's better to adapt than to be picky. otherwise, you end up like this guy. in case you don't understand what is going on, he's got two non-slip pads, two footstools, a cello stick thing that probably extends into his arse, his guitar is resting on a resonance box, sitting on top of yet another resonance box. i recommend this position for pregnant woman, not guitarists. thanks for the tip about water, stephen. it's such common sense, but totally important and easily overlooked. Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

estebanana -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 26 2010 15:23:35)
Do you think he needs a midwife to help him play that way? Seriously, have you ever seen Paul Galbraith play in person? He is a fantastic musician. That guitar he is playing is an 8 string made by David Rubio.

at_leo_87 -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 26 2010 15:29:11)
quote: Seriously, have you ever seen Paul Galbraith play in person? He is a fantastic musician. That guitar he is playing is an 8 string made by David Rubio. i've heard recordings of him. he is indeed a great musician, so no offense to him, just his weird sitting position. i wonder what you lutheirs think of his resonance box?

HemeolaMan -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 27 2010 4:30:43)
well...props for getting the most ergonomical position. I think you'll find that neck profile is one of the single deal breaking factors in a guitar. Anders talks about pulsation, which I have only recently come to understand, but I think that in 13 years of playing guitar, one of the make or break factors has also been the neck. Too skinny= hand cramps. I have rather long slender fingers and need something substantial to grip too fat and it feels like driving a boat. That said, pulsation is also the one big thing i look for even in electric guitars. too floppy and loose and i have no use!

Estevan -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 27 2010 6:46:27)
quote: Seriously, have you ever seen Paul Galbraith play in person? Yes, a few months ago, it was horrible (I left at half-time). Must have been an off night.[&:]

Anders Eliasson -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 27 2010 9:19:00)
quote: That said, pulsation is also the one big thing i look for even in electric guitars. too floppy and loose and i have no use! Exactly. It has to kick back when you spank it. But not knock you down. Flamenco guitars are the same.

Ron.M -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 27 2010 10:22:31)
quote: a cello stick thing that probably extends into his arse, [:D][:D][:D][:D] The folk on this Forum totally crack me up...[:D][:D] The wit over the last couple of days has been worthy of The Nobel Prize for Humour IMO..[:D] cheers, Ron

Estevan -> RE: Guitar Ergonomics (Jan. 27 2010 11:10:38)
quote: It has to kick back when you spank it. But not knock you down. Excuse me, Anders...but doesn't this belong in Florian's "kinky German orgy" thread...?

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