Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Wider strap helps. But most of all, work on your posture when playing too. Move around a little, don't stand still. If your just static, play sitting down.


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Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

When I woke up I was hurting so bad I had to go to the ER. After some X-rays and other tests they determined my shoulder is getting so inflamed. That it is putting pressure on the tendons and my rotator cuff. They are suggestion some physical therapy. And for me to not lift anything over 5 pounds until the end of the week. They gave me a spiffy sling to wear when I need it.
Afterwards I went to the shop to try some straps. And couldn't even lift the gold top out of its case. So after an hour of talking with the wife and my buddy that works there I just swapped for an SG. The lighter weight will work out better I think.
So here comes a NGD thread and a new pedal day thread. They gave me a real good deal since I had mentioned my shoulder issue to the sales guy. And he said to stop being b***h and deal with the pain. I believe he was joking since he's always been nice. He was just dumb and said it in front of the manager and other customers.
 
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Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Huge bummer about your shoulder... I sure hope it gets better for you soon!

Oh yeah, and congrats on the NGD!


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Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Thanks the earliest I can get in for PT is next Monday. So hopefully it eases up.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Wishing you the best hope you become pain free. Keep strummin those strings.;)
 
Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

It makes sense, the bursae is filling up and pushing on your tendons/rotator cuff. Its already bad enough to cause a (sub)luxation . Does your shoulder fully dislocate or partial only? Yikes, good thing you went in man, it could've been worse if you ignored it. Good luck with the PT. Make sure you do all your prescribed exercises.

Back to the LP, sucks you can't play a hefty LP. If you still crave or have the itch, you can possibly hunt down a chambered one. A chambered reissue if you have the coin and are patient for a killer deal. 336/356s can tap into the realm of a LP at a lighter weight. I think my 336 is about 6 pounds and some change. Congrats on the SG tho. Came across one recently that gave me GAS.

Edit: I just saw Securb's post. That's another option too.

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Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

I feel for you, and since my son has a big problem with rotator cuffs allowing his arms to occasionally pop out, I can tell you gear choices mean very little in the solution.

That problem gets worse the more it hsppens. Retensioning the rotator cuffs surgically is the actual solution.

It's also advisable to stick with lighweight guitars and wide straps.
 
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Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

They gave me a real good deal since I had mentioned my shoulder issue to the sales guy. And he said to stop being b***h and deal with the pain.

Ah, that is precisely the exquisite and erudite customer care we've come to know, love, and expect from our local dealers of fine luthery.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

you should try using a shoulder support band and some muscle balm, deep heat, tiger balm or any similar balm you can find cheap, and some stretching.
 
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Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Wow, that's bad! I am sorry. You should consider a light 'every day' guitar so you don't re-injure it when it heals.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

the sg is probably a much better choice for you, its still a great sounding and playing guitar and the few pounds you save will make a difference
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

The wider strap is not always the answer. Unless you are really broad-shouldered, you probably won't want to go wider than 3.5 inches. Straps at 4 will tend to cut into your neck. Also, the strap button position is usually a big factor in how the strap hangs and balances.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

4-inch leather strap can help. If none of the suggestions here works for you, I'd look for a lighter goldtop. Or the Custom Lite, as mentioned. I'd love to have one of those myself.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

I grabbed one of these for my Les Paul Custom and it helps a lot.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Fatboy-Leather-Strap-with-Memory-Foam-Pad.gc

A lighter guitar goes a lot further though. I love that Custom but when i play shows or go to band practice i use my SG, Les Paul Special, or ES-139 because they're so much lighter. No shame in playing something comfortable.

Absolutely. If prices didn't go up exponentially for lighter instruments (Parkers, Strandbergs), I would absolutely be using them. It is hard to rock out when you are in horrible pain.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

Get a fidget spinner and mod it for a belt buckle mounted bracket and roll like ZZ Top, no shoulder strap at all, and it'd be cool as $#!+ with a wireless.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

It's already been said but wide strap. Also, being a good showman helps too. Know why? Because you're moving the guitar around! Having it just rest static on your shoulder for a whole gig is really bad. Since we should all be maximizing our showmanship anyway, this is win-win.
 
Re: Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar?

" Best way to distribute the weight of a heavy guitar? "

Get someone else to hold it.
 
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