Advice on an ergonomic guitar

chrisoldroyd

Hello,

I have been playing for a year and a half now and have had an Epiphone G400 Pro for the last 8 months and I am finding it really uncomfortable to play for more than half an hour. Open chords are a long stretch for my left arm due to the way he SG is configured but worse is the horrendous neck dive when playing standing up. I always seem to have neck and shoulder pain.

So I have decided to treat myself to a new guitar and wanted to hear your views and experiences please.

I don't have a huge budget, looking to spend no more than £700. My initial thoughts were a Strat or maybe an Ibanez but not sure which would be better.

If you can share your wisdom it would be appreciated

Thanks
Chris

ToneControl

Do you know what is wrong with your shoulder(s)?
Are you aware that Subacromial compression is one of the commonest problems people have (causes shoulder pain)

The lightest guitars are hollowbodies and Steinbergers, also Forshage has a dedicated ergonomic guitar, the expert on these is @octatonic ;

Grumpyrocker

If you want something really light that's fabulously easy to play I can really recommend the Ibanez S521.

It's incredibly thin and light and my go-to guitar when my shoulder is aching.

https://www.ibanez.com/na/products/detail/s521_03.html

Kittyfrisk

Hi Chris.
Have you thought about trying some different styles & models in the toon, say at Windows or Guitar Guitar?
Personally I hate trying out in public, but it might give you a chance to find something new.

meltedbuzzbox

Don't you play a SG slighty over your hip to help with ergonomics. I seem to recall @stickyfiddle said something along those lines (I could be massively wrong)

chrisoldroyd

Kittyfrisk said:

Hi Chris.
Have you thought about trying some different styles & models in the toon, say at Windows or Guitar Guitar?
Personally I hate trying out in public, but it might give you a chance to find something new.

As a learner, I’m not confident doing that. I probably should but it wouldn’t be easy.

HAL9000

SGs can be prone to neck dive - unfortunately  it's the nature of the beast.

I'm guessing that 'uncomfortable to play' is nothing to do with weight but everything to do with the geometry and balance of the instrument?

If you're finding open chords a long stretch,  have  you tried shortening the strap? Also, how about something  like a Jaguar or Mustang. Both comfortable, well-balanced, and 24" scale? No long stretches with either.

Danielsguitars

I didn't like the way sg's play but since i made my dc junior i found playing it more round the side standing up makes it much easier and I'm guessing it would be the same for an sg now

ICBM

I agree with your assessment - having recently had one 'passing through' briefly, the G400 is horrendously unergonomic, worse than most SGs I can remember - I don't really know why, but it's even more neck-heavy and awkward than usual.

Do you want another two-humbucker guitar? If so, a PRS SE Custom 22 is very well-balanced and just about within your budget new. (Personally I don't like the Custom 24, the neck is an inch 'further to the left'.)

Lebarque

Strat. Most comfortable guitar out there. Get one with humbuggies if you don't want single coils.

Kittyfrisk

What did you play prior to the SG? 

Jack_

Strandberg's are the best thing ever.

chrisoldroyd

Grumpyrocker said:

If you want something really light that's fabulously easy to play I can really recommend the Ibanez S521.

It's incredibly thin and light and my go-to guitar when my shoulder is aching.

https://www.ibanez.com/na/products/detail/s521_03.html

That seems to tick all the right boxes, looks perfect. Thanks for the heads up

Kittyfrisk

Glad that you seem to be on track to a solution.
I was going to suggest that I could could easily let you try any of my guitars to see how they feel (I travel past Newcastle a lot).
Then I realised that most of my guitars are not easily purchasable, so I might be sending you on another wild guitar chase.
Try out some current brands like @Grumpyrocker suggests, Ibanez or maybe Squier Classic Vibes.
You'll get there 

chrisoldroyd

Kittyfrisk said:

Glad that you seem to be on track to a solution.
I was going to suggest that I could could easily let you try any of my guitars to see how they feel (I travel past Newcastle a lot).
Then I realised that most of my guitars are not easily purchasable, so I might be sending you on another wild guitar chase.
Try out some current brands like @Grumpyrocker suggests, Ibanez or maybe Squier Classic Vibes.
You'll get there 

Thanks, appreciate it 

Kittyfrisk

If you want to try any of the guitar styles/types that I have (most types covered), just drop me a pm or post here & I'll see what we can sort out.
It's no problem, I'm happy to help out if possible.
If not, I hope you find your perfect guitar for you.

notanon

If you want a very light guitar with lots of tones, try a FretKing similar to the one I bought and then sold here:

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/140767/sold-pending-fret-king-country-squire-semitone-a-bargain-price#latest

Any of the thinline Telecasters are usually quite light.

stickyfiddle

meltedbuzzbox said:

Don't you play a SG slighty over your hip to help with ergonomics. I seem to recall @stickyfiddle said something along those lines (I could be massively wrong)

Yeah, this is something you get used to with SG - if you try and have the body centred against your own body everything this very “left shifted” which feels weird. 

That said. Epi SGs tend to be worse for some reason, and almost always have worse neck dive than almost all Gibson SGs - I guess they use denser wood for the necks?

Anyway, a Strat or Jazzmaster or Jaguar is a much more ergonomic guitar than pretty much any Gibson style.

ESBlonde

Steinberger

They look nothing like a traditional guitar, but everything is included for a lightweight small guitar.

KrisGee

Axis super sport / Axis would be a cure for ya. Size wise most ergonomic guitar I've ever played.

Bennyboy-UK

KrisGee said:

Axis super sport / Axis would be a cure for ya. Size wise most ergonomic guitar I've ever played.

The first guitars I thought of were Music Man guitars - I've owned a few late 80s and early 90's Silhouettes, including currently an oldish 5 bolt Floyd Rose Equipped HSH guitar, and to be fair, its sooooo comfortable to play compact and just great all round. If you look carefully, you might find one for around £700 used if you can wait a bit.

I'm not so keen on the more recent Silhouettes or Specials based on the fact I want these to have heavy birdseye figured necks and fingerboards, and nicely grained ash or alder bodies, but thats me.

Music Man Guitars - great!