best guitar body style for seated playing

[LewisWu]

Originally Posted by eligit

cool that somebody is carrying on this body shape....it certainly sits very comfortably.

for me the FEEL of headless instruments is a little weird. something about the tension for bends in the first position especially. not sure i can put my finger on it exactly. in the end even tho the klein was so comfy and the neck was perfect as far as i could tell.....it just did not "do it for me".

fris is also one of my biggest influences. i have to go out of my way to avoid copping his stuff. saw him running a dual amp rig with his tele last year....best live guitar sound i have ever heard. period. has the clarity of the klein tone....but less sterile....more vibe.

really incredible. the man is the most important electric guitar player since jimi. ok....that is kind of an outrageous statement....but it is kind of true.

I have to agree that headless instruments are a little strange, and getting used to the different tension takes a while, but not having a headstock is great when you're moving around, and space is an issue. and like the parkers, they resonate differently. either way.. i love the body, and the absense of an upper horn doesn't bother me one bit. and there's nothing wrong with unbolting a warped neck, and replacing it... i mean, at that level of custom intruments, changing necks shouldn't be a problem.

[henryrobinett]

I think the Gibson 335 semi-hollow bodies are great for sitting down and playing. As a matter of fact I don't like to stand and plat any more.

Of course the fat, full bodied jazz guitars are ideal for sitting. Hard to stand and play those things.

The acoustics in general, nylon or steel strings, are all good for sitting and playing. Nylons are difficult to play standing up.

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by octatonic

Chris' guitars are slightly different- the upper bout is more pronounced- it is EVEN MORE balanced than a Klein.



Good. I want to be the only one copping his style. :-)



Right there with you.

Nothing beats the tone of a tele.
Why anyone would build a different style gtr
is beyond my comprehension.

[bafonso]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

I think the Gibson 335 semi-hollow bodies are great for sitting down and playing. As a matter of fact I don't like to stand and plat any more.

Of course the fat, full bodied jazz guitars are ideal for sitting. Hard to stand and play those things.

The acoustics in general, nylon or steel strings, are all good for sitting and playing. Nylons are difficult to play standing up.

Well, if you are buying a guitar based on how well it plays while sitting, I wonder if you are after a certain sound at all :-)

yes, jazz guitars are a pain to stand and play but it's doable! there's also semi-hollows... they're pretty cool. You need to get used to it. Last time I jammed with some friends my shoulder didn't like it :) but nothing sounds like one... :)

scofield plays standing as well as metheny and so many others using semi-hollows. I like Fris a lot too but not sure about the best guitar player since jimmy :)

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by allencollins

Nothing beats the tone of a tele.
Why anyone would build a different style gtr
is beyond my comprehension.

Yes, whatever.

Why did you lie about using Andi Gisler's photo and claiming that it was you?
Nothing you say here can be trusted.

You've lost all credibility (what little you had) so much that you need to pretend to be someone else?
When you get caught at it, you take MY avatar (very funny btw- very mature), avoid explaining your increasingly bizarre actions and take the coward's way out.
Keep up the good work.

[LewisWu]

Originally Posted by octatonic

Yes, whatever.

Why did you lie about using Andi Gisler's photo and claiming that it was you?
Nothing you say here can be trusted.

You've lost all credibility (what little you had) so much that you need to pretend to be someone else?
When you get caught at it, you take MY avatar (very funny btw- very mature), avoid explaining your increasingly bizarre actions and take the coward's way out.
Keep up the good work.

bring back the eye hand...

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by octatonic

Yes, whatever.

Why did you lie about using Andi Gisler's photo and claiming that it was you?
Nothing you say here can be trusted.

You've lost all credibility (what little you had) so much that you need to pretend to be someone else?
When you get caught at it, you take MY avatar (very funny btw- very mature), avoid explaining your increasingly bizarre actions and take the coward's way out.
Keep up the good work.

Easy killer it was A JOKE!!!! He was talking shit to me. lighten up and no need to be defensive AND insulting.
Also it has nothing to do with you. Just behave. Sit back and listen to people who know more than you. You have a one track mind. Your answer to everything is a Tele Tele Tele. It's pathetic. They are 1 dimensional 1 sound. Yet with you it's the answer to everything in the world of guitars. People like you are dangerous. Those guitars have weakened rock music. It's a good thing they are used only 5% of the time if that.

You say your a studio musician? but you play a tele? And your not in Nashville? Very weird
There are some gullible people out there Some sucker may actually believe you that a tele is versatile
gtr. You wonder why no legitmate rock players have ever played a stock tele.

I bet 50% of all teles tip when you are sitting and you take your hands off. Yeah that makes for a great sitting gtr

I don't want to flame but misinformation pisses me off.

unbelievable

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by LewisWu

bring back the eye hand...

LOL
I must be tired.
I had to read that several times to understand what you were getting it.
I thought the next word was going to be 'co-ordination' as in 'bring back the eye/hand co-ordination'- which wouldn't make sense.

I'm off to bed now- I'll try to find the pic in the morning.
It is a great pic- I didn't draw it, of course.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by allencollins

easy killer it was A JOKE!!!! He was talking shit to me.
lighten up and no need to be defensive AND insulting
No coward here. Just behave.

Yeah... sure he was.
I know Andi- he's the nicest guy in the world and you're... well... you.

You're a pathological liar and can't kept your story straight from one minute to the next.
You make all these claims about who you've worked with, or gear you've worked on, post music which I highly doubt you had even a small part in producing.
For all we know you stole if from myspace or similar and post it as your own work.

You have zero credibility.
Get a life.

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by octatonic

Yeah... sure he was.
I know Andi- he's the nicest guy in the world and you're... well... you.

You're a pathological liar and can't kept your story straight from one minute to the next.
You make all these claims about who you've worked with, or gear you've worked on, post music which I highly doubt you had even a small part in producing.
For all we know you stole if from myspace or similar and post it as your own work.

You have zero credibility.
Get a life.

So are you saying the music I've posted is actually good? I doubt you thought that.
Trust me bro I'm nothing, just like you. I'm glad I'm a novice this way I can keep chasing the dream
I've worked with a couple so so big names but it was totally by chance and nothing more than having some perks at the right place at the right time. Nothing to do with my ability. I'm sure even less talented that you.

You need to loosen up bro. Don't be so serious. If you really are that intense Then be prepared to be challenged. Not everyone thinks the way you do. Accept that there are alternate views.

Asked your boy Andi about Jeff bucllkley and he had nothing better to do
than to insult me for spelling the name wrong. Up until yesterday I had no idea
who Andi was. Now that I know Buckley played a tele Im burning my CD's

mellow out.

[eligit]

Originally Posted by bafonso

Well, if you are buying a guitar based on how well it plays while sitting, I wonder if you are after a certain sound at all :-)

yes, jazz guitars are a pain to stand and play but it's doable! there's also semi-hollows... they're pretty cool. You need to get used to it. Last time I jammed with some friends my shoulder didn't like it :) but nothing sounds like one... :)

scofield plays standing as well as metheny and so many others using semi-hollows. I like Fris a lot too but not sure about the best guitar player since jimmy :)

for me personally the 335 is really comfy standing with a strap....less so seated.

for me there IS no "best" player since there are so many great ones....but as far as a guitar player doing something 1)so musical AND 2)innovative AND 3)simple + complex simultaneously...both retro + modern AAAAND 4)accessible to a large audience (with instrumental music).....fris has got to be on the top of some lists.

almost forgot....unlike 99 percent of guitar greats he is UNFAILINGLY tasteful, musical, and restrained at all times. He is unable to play a bad sounding phrase or note and his tunes are always over before you get a chance to get sick of what he is playing. he has single handedly reinvented what a "guitar environment" is.....he creates this room filling textured space that i have never heard from anyone else...and all while SEEMING to play insanely simple things. his flavor of "modern" will never sound dated.

ok......i'll stop.

[henryrobinett]

Originally Posted by bafonso

Well, if you are buying a guitar based on how well it plays while sitting, I wonder if you are after a certain sound at all :-)

yes, jazz guitars are a pain to stand and play but it's doable! there's also semi-hollows... they're pretty cool. You need to get used to it. Last time I jammed with some friends my shoulder didn't like it :) but nothing sounds like one... :)

scofield plays standing as well as metheny and so many others using semi-hollows. I like Fris a lot too but not sure about the best guitar player since jimmy :)

Well first of all I don't really know what you're talking about. I thought the question was what guitar body style is best for seated playing.

Now I happen to like playing sitting down these days. That's just what I do. I don't always sit. I recently did a gig where I had to stand, with no breaks, for 6 hours. That was a PITA.

But I personally like to sit and play, this might because I'm kind of old, or it might be because I've spent about 2-3 hours a day practicing while sitting for about 37 years, so I've gotten used to the posture. It's much more comfortable to me than standing. I tend to hug the guitar with my shoulder, which is easier to do while sitting.

I don't care what Sco or Metheny or anybody does, you know? I'm not them. I'm me and I really like it that way!

[Master Tang]

This is a funny ass thread.

BUT to be on topic, almost any guitar can be played comfortably sitting down. Just wear a strap choked up a bit, close to chest high.

As far as guitars played comfortably sans strap, gimme a strat, or tele style guitar any day. LPs wanna slide off ass end first, Vs are HORRIBLE, and I didn't have much better luck with an Explorer.

[LewisWu]

with a v shaped guitar, you have to tuck one of the v wings between your legs.. then it rests nicely.. and with no upper horn to gouge you in the chest, they make a comfortable playing axe... i think the randy rhodes v style is better than the gibson flying v for this application, as its lower wing is smaller than the upper wing.

explorers are too heavy for my tastes.. and any guitar that retians too much of the plank of wood look is just uncomfortable.. i love me some curves.. ^_^

[Unclenny]

A lot depends on what you are sitting on. I can't play comfortably on a regular straight-backed chair.

I play on a tall stool a lot with electrics strapped and just resting on somewhat outstretched legs.....always have the electrics strapped.

For acoustics I can rest my feet on the bottom rung of the stool and rest the guit on a knee. I like a small body acoustic these days.

[FFTT]

I'm in agreement with Henry on the thinner body 335 types for sit down playing.

While they're wide, when sitting they have a nice easy comfort zone for
playing position.

I have my Ibanez AF105NT which has a thicker jazz body, but it's still comfortable
to play it sitting. The stock strap button actually tilts the guitar away from you when you're standing. ( Gotta fix this )

The new ES-339s might be another alternative, slightly smaller towards the LP
range.

Tele's are better in newer designs with the contoured back.
Anderson Guitars Cobra Special is a perfect example of a balanced Tele
with a good countoured back.

The standard Fender cut is still OK and loved by many, but you have to
watch the balance between the neck and the body.

So when you select a guitar, not only should you be looking for one that plays
effortlessly, but also one that hangs naturally in proper playing position.

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by Master Tang

I didn't have much better luck with an Explorer.

I'm sure if someone else but me recommended it I think you would.

[FFTT]

It's good to have people that like to stir things up a bit and keep things interesting,
but sometimes when certain comments are made, the intent is to get a reaction rather than add to the content.

Telling someone that their favorite gear sucks is reactionary and deliberate.

It's better in my book to make suggestions on how someone can improve what they
have and maybe add to it, if it's affordable.

I enjoy these forums and appreciate input from all levels, but sometimes I have to keep my mouth shut, rather than get into a pissing match that has no solution.

end of my discussion on this

[Blindside]

Originally Posted by allencollins

Now that I know Buckley played a tele Im burning my CD's

What, you couldn't tell by the sound of poor craftsmanship and the blend of sub-par woods, components and electronics and the imperfect scale length?

Shame on your ears.

[LewisWu]

Originally Posted by Blindside

What, you couldn't tell by the sound of poor craftsmanship and the blend of sub-par woods, components and electronics and the imperfect scale length?

Shame on your ears.

lol

[bafonso]

Originally Posted by eligit

almost forgot....unlike 99 percent of guitar greats he is UNFAILINGLY tasteful, musical, and restrained at all times. He is unable to play a bad sounding phrase or note and his tunes are always over before you get a chance to get sick of what he is playing. he has single handedly reinvented what a "guitar environment" is.....he creates this room filling textured space that i have never heard from anyone else...and all while SEEMING to play insanely simple things. his flavor of "modern" will never sound dated.

ok......i'll stop.

He's definitely something. I saw him in a really cool ensemble at berklee and I digged it. It was definitely different than most traditional stuff and it was flowing very nicely.

I agree that he's creating new textures in sound and you gotta love that!

peace

[bafonso]

Originally Posted by henryrobinett

Well first of all I don't really know what you're talking about. I thought the question was what guitar body style is best for seated playing.

Now I happen to like playing sitting down these days. That's just what I do. I don't always sit. I recently did a gig where I had to stand, with no breaks, for 6 hours. That was a PITA.

But I personally like to sit and play, this might because I'm kind of old, or it might be because I've spent about 2-3 hours a day practicing while sitting for about 37 years, so I've gotten used to the posture. It's much more comfortable to me than standing. I tend to hug the guitar with my shoulder, which is easier to do while sitting.

I don't care what Sco or Metheny or anybody does, you know? I'm not them. I'm me and I really like it that way!

Hi Henry,

I don't know what got to you to reply that way. I just found weird anyone choosing a guitar based on it being able to play sitting. I'd value more its sound. I just quoted you because you mentioned the big fat guitars.

And btw, I'm young and I like more playing sitting :-)

peace

[Master Tang]

Originally Posted by allencollins

I'm sure if someone else but me recommended it I think you would.

Or MAYBE... Just maybe, I don't like playing an Explorer.

[allencollins]

Originally Posted by Master Tang

Or MAYBE... Just maybe, I don't like playing an Explorer.

Yeah they suck.