Ergonomic Guitar

Guys I'm really struggling. Something I've been noticing for a while, but others have started mentioning it now.

My solid body guitars don't fit me while playing seated. I've got a strat, a tele, and a parker singlecut. I've also got a travel guitar I take on trips. Pretty much all of them sit too far down on my leg. so I have to hunch over to play them comfortably. I'm 6'4" and have a long torso compared to my arms. I like to play traditionally but also in a more classical upright position. When standing I have the guitar almost in my armpit, which is the most comfortable to me.

Some of the fretboards are a bit narrow as well. I'm thinking about going much wider at the nut to give me some more room to maneurver. I can reach five frets without moving my hand, and even an open G chord is somewhat cramped at times.

Been looking at strandbergs, toone's, kleins, and koll's. They all make a similar style of body. Also considering fanned frets as well.

Anyone have any other ideas? Someone said get an ES, which would move it up my body some while seated. I'm willing to spend what I need to spend to play comfortably, but a production instrument that I could play prior to buying would be preferred.

Have you tried a classical guitar foot-rest?

I've tried a foot rest. It helps with the position of the body, but the neck angle is still an issue.

Played a PRS and an ES at lunch. ES body about right, didn't like the neck. PRS neck was great, small body.

This is what I was leaning towards, but price will probably approach a used Honda.
http://www.ricktoone.com/orca/
or
http://strandbergguitars.com/17-tosin-abasi/

If you have a long torso, can you play while seated but simply use a guitar strap?

If you have a long torso, can you play while seated but simply use a guitar strap?

It's been done. and here's where I depart logic. It looks funny, feels funny,

It also doesn't really allow me to shift to a more classical orientation with the headstock closer to 45 degree angle. Ok, so I worked a valid reason in there, I feel better now.

Hey, it's all about how comfortable you are!

And I'm glad you feel better :cool:

Flattop dreads are a bit tough on my shoulder played sitting as I age so I stand up.

Can't you do that? Or get a high stool to come close?

Flattop dreads are a bit tough on my shoulder played sitting as I age so I stand up.

Can't you do that? Or get a high stool to come close?

The height of the stool/chair or whatever doesn't really change it for me. it's the distance from my shoulder to the strings that is causing me issues. Which also drops the neck down to a level that makes it hard for my fretting hand and wrist as well.

Funny you mention the dread. Seated acoustics are very comfy for me to play. especially narrower waisted ones like SJ and 000's since I can get the neck higher up in the air easier.

I don't like playing electric sitting down at the best of times. Even my bedroom practices are done standing.

Play bass.

you might look at Klein Guitars, they have their neck set at an angle. I've saw Adrian Legg a couple of times and he used one and mentioned it was a very easy guitar to hold and play. I took that cue when I built my first CBG and have followed it ever since. Essentiall I just clamped the neck to the body until I found my most comfortable position and then tightened the clamp down and started sawing:lol: When I finished it I really liked the way it felt to play and have kept that angle ever since.YMMV. Here's a pic or two of a couple of them. These are part of a project series of 6 I'm doing with scale lengths ranging from 14.1" (mandolin) to 29.5" (bass) with 22.75"/23.5"/24"/24.75" in between. The one thats all amber is a 25.5" scale length and was the fore-runner of this generation of builds.

oops this is the solid amber one at 25.5"er. The red one is 24", the Gretsch Orange/white one is 23.5", the 'camo green one is 14.1" and the amber and green one is 22.75"

I got on the list for a toone production version. Delivery in 1q13, now for the waiting. I'll post the pics back here when it's close to completion.

I like the cigar boxes.