Struggling with my S6

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Permalink Reply by Phil Manuel on July 22, 2012 at 10:40am

Well, I have a J-200 (Jumbo), HD-28 (Dread), Seagull Grand Artist (Parlor), and a Godin 5th Ave (???).  I can say from my experience, the parlor size is the most comfortable for me (5'7" w/ smallish hands).  The J-200 I love the sound, but is a bit big to play comfortably - I do play it, but I prefer the parlor for fingerstyle.  Lately, the HD-28 I've been playing fingerstyle w/ fingerpicks, and w/o fingerpicks.   The HD-28 size is a bit smaller than the J-200 and is more comfortable to play.  The 5th Avenue is a bit awkward too, though I like it for Western Swing, Gypsy Swing, and playing jazz standards.

Overall, finding that 'right' position is a personal journey.  I'm not playing out very much, and usually use a metal folding chair when I do, with the guitar resting on my right leg.  I don't use straps.  I found that I have some pretty strange playing positions when 'couching' it.  Again, when on the couch, the parlor is the best fit for me, with the dread size next. 

Just keep working with it, but I found the S6 a bit too wide and big for my hands, so I didn't get one though I loved the tone of those I tried.

Permalink Reply by lauren on July 22, 2012 at 11:08am

Hi Bluesy,

Just got back from Frets and Refrains Music camp (A-MAZ-ING Fun!!)...recuperating and acclimating to reality ; )...

But ..i'm 5'4" and I have NEVER been able to play in a normal chair EVER. I either use a high bar style stool (for a little gig) sturdy enough so i can put my left foot up on one of the cross members with the other leg/foot almost in a standing position - so i'm almost leaning or I have a small stool.

When i say small i mean about 17" high with a little cushion for butt bones. Another thing i use is a cushion meant for the leg (Dynarest )that holds the guitar up so you either don't need a strap at all or if you are using one you don't feel any of the weight on your neck/shoulder.

I started out on a classical ...doing all those things with the foot stool etc. but i find that puts an uneven stress on my back that i don't like. 

A chair is an appropriate high for you when your feet are firmly planted and most of the weight is on the butt not the back of the thighs ...if you can't plant your feet or at least one foot you're pitched forward and putting too much stress on lower
back and neck as you have your arms about the guitar....very bad.. especially as we get older and even worse if you have weak stomach muscles...

I'd try a small stool first just to see if your chair height is the main issue before doing anything drastic!

Permalink Reply by Lennie Schoonover on July 22, 2012 at 11:41am

I see you have tried many things.  I too have similar issues with being uncomfortable playing.  My remedy was an old piano stool.  It is adjustable for sitting height by turning the thing around and around, and goes low enough to get my feet on the floor.  No back support but I'm alway leaning a little forward anyway.  You might find one at an antique store.

Hope this helps,

Lennie

Permalink Reply by Sharon Peterson on July 22, 2012 at 1:02pm

Classical players often use a small pillow to cushion the guitar on their left leg.  Special, wedge-shaped pillows are made for that, but perhaps a folded towel would stop the sliding and cushion your leg -- without adding too much height?

That metal folding chair sounds like a good idea, too.  I'm no fan of the clanging about, but I'm thinking of pulling one out of the garage.

On guitar/body size in general, I begin to suspect that a player's body proportions, flexibility and positioning can be far more important than their hand size or height in finding a good guitar fit.  Of course, I'm sort of new to all this.  Perhaps I'm way off the mark?

Permalink Reply by Ray on July 22, 2012 at 3:03pm

I am 6' 2" and I also have a problem with my S6, although I'd probably have it with any guitar of that size.  My problem is that I have a persistent pain in my right upper back, and it always seems to get worse when I've played that guitar.  A few years ago I had an unrelated medical problem and I couldn't play guitar for a couple months and the pain went away.  As soon as I got better and started playing it came right back.

I often sit in a comfortable chair with no arms and play guitar, and this seems to give me the most problems.  Sitting in a hard backed chair is better.  I now play a semi-hollow body guitar which is thinner, and that doesn't cause me much of a problem.

Other things I've tried are chiropractic adjustments, stretching and massage, which also helps.

Permalink Reply by Sharon Peterson on July 22, 2012 at 3:48pm

I'm 5'7".  Short torso, small hands -- but very long limbs.  Stretchy arms and lots of lap space.  While I love the look of an antique parlor guitar, I find that size crampy to the point of pain.

In some ways, my classical, with its wide, flat fretboard, is more of a challenge than my dread.  I also tend to hunch over too much, even though it's full-size.  But I love the string spacing on both.  Maybe they're my equivalents of the fat crayons pre-schoolers start with?

Right now, I use a small wooden folding chair.  But I think it's too low, plus it hits me in all the wrong places if I don't pad it.

For warm-up, I find full-body stretches every bit as important as finger and wrist stretches.

Permalink Reply by Paul H on July 22, 2012 at 4:54pm

Sounds like you could try one of those "guitarest" devices, that allows you to adjust the guitar's position in your lap. I've never used one, but know folks who swear by them.  Here's an illustration: http://www.deoromusic.com/deoromusic/guitar_support_placement.html

(no affiliation with the dealer or manufacturer)

Permalink Reply by CaliGull on July 22, 2012 at 10:47pm

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies.  I checked out some of the guitar rest, neck up, etc devices online but they utilize plastic suction cups that may not adhere to a finish such as is on the S6 (not sure about this).  I'd have to get something called Kling On plastic to use with it as well since the finish is not high gloss.  Also not sure if it is safe for the finish on the guitar (maybe someone can speak to this).  

Tonight I got out my folding chair and also got a terry bath towel to put on my lap and this configuration made a big improvement.  The towel kept the guitar from sliding around and/or cutting into my leg.  But I had to fuss around with the towel a bit to get it right.  I may look around for a lighter (i.e., plastic) folding chair/card table chair for inside the house as my metal one is a bit of a move about.  

Permalink Reply by CaliGull on July 23, 2012 at 6:40pm

Update: I just ordered one of these: http://www.neckup.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_...

I'm hoping it will provide the same kind of support as the towel but more consistent. :)

Permalink Reply by DJ on July 30, 2012 at 1:35pm

Well?  Did it work?  I am hoping it did, I have a friend who is 4 foot 11 and has the same issues you described.  I had never seen the "Neckup" before.

Permalink Reply by CaliGull on July 30, 2012 at 4:51pm

@DJ:  It actually works pretty well once you get the angle adjusted where you want it.  It keeps the guitar elevated just enough so you don't have to make adjustments while you play.  My only concern is I have to leave the adhesive strip on the bottom of my Gull in order for the suction cup to adhere to the satin finish. 

Permalink Reply by DJ on July 31, 2012 at 11:42am

Is the strip like sticky adhesive or more like post-it sticky?

The suction cups would stick HG finish without the strip, yes?

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