"Best" guitars for back and/or shoulder pain - headless? light? both? neither?

[lefty73]

After 30 years of playing, bad posture, improper technique, lingering aches from few snowboarding accidents from back in the day, and general wear and tear on the ol' joints, it's becoming more difficult to enjoy playing my Fender Standard Telecaster for long-ish periods of time.

For those that have similar issues, did you make the leap to a different brand to make yourself more comfortable and playing less painful?

If you did, which one(s)? A caveat - I'm left-handed, so... that's always been "interesting". I'm not a purist, so headless guitars and lesser-known brands are very much in the conversation. I'm not worried about resale value as I rarely flip guitars.

My search so far as led me to some interesting headless options from Kiesel, which I'm very familiar with as my very first "real" electric guitar was a Carvin DC127; Carvin transformed into Kiesel a few years ago. Carvin/Kiesel is, as far as I know, one of the few companies to not charge a premium for making a left-handed version of nearly any of its models.

It may also be as simple as getting a guitar that has a "tummy cut" so it fits better against me. That opens up a lot more options, even if I have to pay more to get a lefty version.

It may also be as even more simple as getting a different strap, so even though this is a guitar forum, I'd also appreciate any strap recommendations.

I don't want to stop playing, obviously. I'm getting my shoulder issues addressed once this COVID crisis settles down. Until then, and likely after that, it's getting to a point where it's getting difficult to play my No. 1 Tele due to its weight and, quite honestly, where it sits so I'm comfortable playing it.

Thanks all!

 

[burtf51]

Just sit

 

[fattboyzz]

Thinline CV neck with Affinity Alder body..


<-------------- This Tele weighs 6.5 lbs







I also have an Epiphone Les Paul Jr. That weighs under 6lbs.

 

[Toadtele]

I’d at least try to find a thinline before you go headless. Never weighed mine but it’s ridiculously light.
I spent an hour or so with my Les Paul strapped on yesterday. Ugh
Feeling it today.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Asmith]

And if all else fails

An old friend had one, it played well sure the emgs aren't for everyone but nothing to stop you from putting whatever in there. I'd also recommend changing the nut end to something locking so you can stick your preferred brand of strings on rather than the double ended ones required stock.

But thinline first, if you can find one made with light wood 6lbs or less is feasible.

 

[hemingway]

Just sit

Actually I find sitting the least comfy way of playing guitar. Everyone's bones is diffrunt.

 

[TX_Slinger]

Just sit

I'm all beat up, sitting screws with the bad right shoulder. I use a very wide strap, a vintage Silver Eagle 4" woven cotton with leather ends. It has to be 35 years old and still looks new. Also, i prop on a stool, not a chair, so the guitar is lower than regular sitting position and i can go from standing to stool as needed.

Got rid of my 10 lb Schecter anvil (I'll miss it as it was really a well put together instrument) and now stick to around 7.5 lbs. I found that an Ibanez ARX with fairly lightweight mahogany body gives me what i was getting out of the Schecter mahogany/walnut neck thru as far as keeping a lid on high output pickups.

 

[brookdalebill]

Parker Fly.
They sound great, play beautifully, stay in tune beautifully, and are extremely light.
They just look like the spawn of a boomerang and a preying mantis.
I love em’, and will own one, someday.

 

[kbold]

May be time to review your ergonomics (or someone who can) and your playing technique (we all tend to develop bad habits that can cause pain/strain).
Simple things like adjusting angle and height of the guitar can take strain off the wrist, arms and shoulders.
Tensing up or using excessive fretting pressure may be another factor.

In other words - it may be you rather than the guitar that needs changing.

 

[KC]

my MIM thinline comes in at 6 lbs on the nose. 2001, I think, part of the car color series.

and I just sold an Epiphone Olympic that was even lighter and twice as funny-looking. Like this one:

https://www.creamcitymusic.com/vintage-1968-epiphone-olympic-double-cherry/

 

[Blue Bill]

Air guitar?

 

[tbp0701]

I've not weighed it, but my lightest and most comfortable guitar is a PRS Mira. Mine's a 2008, so I don't know how it compares to the S2 or SE versions. (Here's a photo if interested). I don't know about left-hand availability.

Also, if it helps with research Sweetwater's site will let you sort guitars by weight.

And ditto on trying a thinline.

 

[jayyj]

I went through this a few years ago. I think it probably started with a bike injury, a car clipped my front wheel and sent me flying, got away with a sprained shoulder and waist but I noticed I was struggling with guitar after that and it didn't go away. I've been through periods of not playing standing up at all to give it a change to heal but I never really got ahead of it. Asked my doctor and he basically said welcome to your 40s! Oh well, I had a good run.

Up until then I mainly played ES335 type guitars which which actually tend to be pretty heavy - my lightest is 8lb and one of them is 9 1/2 - so I started using my ES330 instead and actually I can play pretty much anything I used to on a 335 on the 330. It's quite liberating as well, no messing about wondering what guitar to play, if it's a rehearsal or a gig the 330 comes out.

 

[olaftheholy]

similar problems here.
been looking into the Harlem Headless
by gear4music

retails for €229,-

 

[Jimclarke100]

My latest acquisition is a thin bodied Gordon Smith GS1. That thing is incredibly light. Also, I bough my daughter a Gretsch Streamliner Jr which is also surprisingly light. After spending time with either my Tele feels like an anvil round my neck...

 

[DADGAD]

My Tele with an Allparts sugar pine body is my lightest Tele. Another light weight guitar is the Epiphone Casino. Perhaps some other fully hollow electric?

 

[Engine Swap]

Strength training and yoga can help.

If that doesn't work, try an SG.

 

[FenderLover]

Isn't there a strap that bears the weight of a guitar on both shoulders? Should there be? Just typin' out loud...

 

[johnnylaw]

Light really helps.
Dig a comfy strap too.
Gig standing; sit sometimes playing at home.

 

[VintageSG]

Isn't there a strap that bears the weight of a guitar on both shoulders? Should there be? Just typin' out loud...

There is. There's also a guitar support product ( I hesitate to call it a strap ) that resembles an 'X' brace. Danged if I can find it though.

My lightest guitar is my Danelectro. It's also the most comfortable, in ways I can't put in to words. I use fat, soft leather ( or padded leather ) straps and have paid much attention to posts advising finding working ergonomics to ensure relatively pain free playing. This may mean affixing the guitar higher than looks cool. I don't care, I'm fat, grey, ageing and ugly anyway

My Strat and Teles come a close second ( shared place ) to the Danelectro, with the SG and archtop just behind. The SG has the neck somewhere to the west of Ireland, and the archtop is a bit tubby ( Pot/kettle ).

Strap, ergonomics and posture play a larger role to me than the actual make/model/design/weight of the guitar.