Guitar digs into forearm

[Thundersteel]

First of all, I like my Hamers (Studio & Artist), but they both have an annoying problem. Where ever I lay my right arm across the guitar, the edge really digs into my forearm. Is it the guitar, or do I just have poor technique? Do I need to get a forearm band, or do I just live with it?

[David B]

Lower that baby & look like a rockstar!

[Guest pirateflynn]

I honestly considered shaving the edge down on my Newport to help me with that issue. I kept playing and after some time it became less annoying. I got used to it.

[Feynman]

Buy a Parker Fly, and the horn poking your ribs will take your mind off of your forearm.

[MCChris]

I honestly considered shaving the edge down on my Newport to help me with that issue. I kept playing and after some time it became less annoying. I got used to it.

Not that I'd ever recommend taking a plane or any other such device to a finished guitar, but you'd be better off adding a belly cut in back than shaving down the front. The belly cut allows the guitar to sit closer to your body, and thus eliminates the top from digging into your forearm. At least in my experience. I don't have the forearm issue with my Studio that has a belly cut, but I do with my SuperPro that does not have one.

[Guest pirateflynn]

I honestly considered shaving the edge down on my Newport to help me with that issue. I kept playing and after some time it became less annoying. I got used to it.

Not that I'd ever recommend taking a plane or any other such device to a finished guitar, but you'd be better off adding a belly cut in back than shaving down the front. The belly cut allows the guitar to sit closer to your body, and thus eliminates the top from digging into your forearm. At least in my experience. I don't have the forearm issue with my Studio that has a belly cut, but I do with my SuperPro that does not have one.

Right, I hear you but the Newport is hollow so there's no room for a belly cut. I just thought about shaving down the sharp edge of the binding.

[atquinn]

The solution is to:

MAN UP DAMMIT!!

Seriously, it's never bothered me, but the armband approach is what I'd use if it did. Just make sure you don't end up looking like this:

-Austin

[veatch]

If i thought it would help me *sound* like him, i'd try it...

[Caddie]

1) Get an Eclipse - belly cut AND forearm relief. Body edges are very nicely rounded off. There are no edges.

2) Get a Daytona - belly cut AND forearm relief

3) I assume that your Studio is not a Studio Custom? I'm sure there are exceptions but all the Studios I have fondled have a belly cut. As for the edge on the top, you can probably find a talented luthier who could round off that top edge all the way around the body. There will be issues where the body meets the neck. And issues with color matching. But you could probably get aomething acceptable

4) Wear a costume like Gene Simmons or the guys in GWAR. Then the gauntlets you will be wearing will take the abuse of that nasty old edge.

Would you like my opinion ? No? Well yer gettin' it anyway!

Go for the Eclipse. If you want a "Gibson scale" guitar the Eclipse is the best ergonomically friendly guitar you'll find. Light, inexpensive, (imho) simple elegant design.

Or go for the Fender long scale and get a Daytona

caddie

[silentman]

He's probably got a custom? Plain old studios have a more rounded edge without binding. Belly cuts only were standard in the 95 - 96 years and I've only seen those on non-customs.

If you have a custom, you can "downgrade" to a regular studio and lose some of the bling.

[3of5]

First of all, I like my Hamers (Studio & Artist), but they both have an annoying problem. Where ever I lay my right arm across the guitar, the edge really digs into my forearm. Is it the guitar, or do I just have poor technique? Do I need to get a forearm band, or do I just live with it?

I

share your pain. I only play while sitting. My Newport is my favorite sounding guitar of any I've played.. but I'm an old guy now and the crisply creased edge of the binding digs into my forearm after while. Altering this instrument is not an option for me. I have an Eclipse and that almost gets me there ergonomically; about like a Strat, but the stubby lower horn starts digging into my thigh (I am a total weeny and I miss the tremolo). I have finally found ergonomic (though not tone) nirvana. I bought a well used, cheap, Made in Korea, Sunburst and decided to test my woodbutchering skills. I've stripped the impossibly thick automotive grade poly finish and made a generous belly cut and forearm contour. I then sanded the clubby neck to the width and shape of my Casino neck and after that added a Stetsbar tremolo that just bolts onto the inserts for the stoptail and bridge.

[rooster69f]

Some really great replies and ideas here...

One interesting point... I've heard none of you mention how bad this is with an acoustic guitar. The thick body makes it MUCH worse. And they almost all have hard edges.

It is not just a hard edge, though. After awhile your arm starts to stick to the damn thing no matter how rounded off it is. And over time, it has to damage the finish.

Like 3 of 5, my biggest problem has been while sitting. What I usually do is I take a small towel and drape it over the top of the guitar and rest my arm on that. It works pretty well, except often falls off when you change position slightly or move your arm to do something else. Then it ends up on the strings, on the bridge, or (most often) on the floor.

Does the arm band thing work very well? It took me years to figure out why so many guitarists wear them. But the thing is, they are pretty small. Maybe two of them side by side would work better....

But I am thinking there is now way I am going to EVER be able to learn to pout like that!

[3of5]

Iverson has a really big arm band. You could get some body art to go with it.

[Thundersteel]

I assume that your Studio is not a Studio Custom?

Yes, it is the custom. You'd think I'd be used to the edge after owning a Les Paul for about 20 years! The edge on the Hamer seems to be a bit sharper. Too bad they don't round the binding edge at the factory. But maybe it'll gradually wear down with constant use.

Anybody know where they sell those arm band thingies?

[cmatthes]

Any sporting goods shop.

Guess you could always try Hot Topic or something like that if you want something a little, uh, edgier.

[landon w]

Yeah, same here, dosent bother me on stage, but when Im sitting it bugs the hell out of me. And its not just a poking feeling, it feels like its raw and burning.

Normally I use one of those arm sweat bands, but you need the forearm band. they are bigger and loger to accomadate our ENORMOUS guitar playing forearms.

That works pretty well, the funny ting is I was just thinking about this a cople of days ago, because I cant fid my arm band, and MY am has been killing me.

Guess the two of us might be classified as a couple of p#%%@!s.

But at least were man enough to admit where it hurts.

[Thundersteel]

Guess the two of us might be classified as a couple of p#%%@!s.

You know what they say--you are what you eat!

But I digress...

[veatch]

Guess the two of us might be classified as a couple of p#%%@!s.

Around these parts, that's only if you're concerned about intonation...

[anotherfreak]

I used a cut off tube sock for my forearm while playing classical. not for any discomfort, but just to make moving my picking hand more easily move-able.

[zorrow]

It's been a while already I decided no body binding on my guitars because of that.

I did try arm sweat bands, but I don't really like to wear too many things.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

I had the same problem on an SATF from Korea (Hamer + nothing else on headstock).

I got a newer SATF, XT series and it didn't hurt my forearm, so I sold the first one.

[JohnnyB]

Get an Eclipse.