Right forearm callus ?

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

I have developing a callus on my right forearm from resting my arm on the bottom neck of a D-10 while I play the top neck. I tend to rest my forearm at about the point of the C-6th changer and pick-up. When it bothers me (as in mildly painful) I can shift my arm inward, which positions my arm off the C-6th pick-up and changer, and that is definitely more comfortable. But then I am picking on the E-9th neck further from the active pickup than I prefer for tone, and my right hand position seems to be a bit compromised as I am having to bend my wrist excessively.

I am aware of Jeff Newman's posture suggestions concerning holding the right forearm close to the body, and I have noted photos of top players doing exactly that. I don't think my right elbow is sticking out like a bird's wing, but it is certainly not tightly tucked against my truck, for the reasons mentioned in the last paragraph.

I've tried adjusting my steel and seat every way I can think to take the pressure off my forearm. Most significantly I lowered the rear legs of the steel until my thighs are now slightly touching the undercarriage. That helped some, but I can't lower it any more and the problem continues. The callus is not getting any smaller.

Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone else have a callus on their right forearm from playing a D-10?

Thanks. Paul

Rick Barnhart · From: Arizona, USA

Try laying a soft microfiber towel on the C6 neck. Tell people it's your steel guitar rag.
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.

Chuck Snider R.I.P. · From: West Virginia, USA - Morgantown, WV

I have seen several players at jams place a small towel across the C6 neck where they rest their right hand/arm. I don't think it needs to be "microfiber" as stated in previous response, but merely a clean dry cloth of some sort.

-Chuck
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GFI U-12 Ultra Keyless, Carter Black U-12, both with Alumitones, and a sweet '70 Sho-Bud Permanent D-10, NV400 in Rick Johnson cabs, NV112, '73 Vibrosonic in Rick Johnson cabs, Hilton pedal, Steeler's Choice seat, Bessdang Gizmos from Dale Hansen, and a few other widgets and doodads.
I may not sound good, I just don't wanna sound bad.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

When working outdoor venues, I wear a terrycloth wristband on my right wrist. This is done mostly to shield the back strings from exposure to perspiration, but may also help your problem as well.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Do you tilt the guitar forward? that would make problem like this most noticeable. For me, the ideal position is; forearms level and the top of the guitar level, or perhaps very slightly tilted back. If you are tall, you might try to raise your guitar, or maybe sit on a higher seat. You can probably make enough adjustments so that your arm will not contact the strings while playing.

Ryan Barwin · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Just wear long sleeves, if you can. It'll also make your C6th strings last longer.
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www.pedalsteel.ca

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

Bill: My guitar is tilted back towards my body. I am not tall; only 5'8", but my legs are proportionately long for my trunk and arms. Raising the body of the guitar doesn't seem to be the answer because I have another D-10 that has a thicker (or deeper) body and that sits slightly higher, and the problem is worse. Since I can't lower the rear of the guitar any further, I'll try raising my trunk a bit with a seat cushion of sorts.

Ryan: I wear holes in the forearms of long sleeve shirts.

Rick & Chuck: I haven't tried the towel idea but perhaps will soon. Kind of like the classical violinists.

Thanks to all. Paul

Richard Damron · From: Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Paul -

The idea I'm about to relate to you is not original with me but stolen from lord knows where!

I've fabricated an "outboard" pad which attaches with padded clamps to the back apron. Attaches and detaches in less than a minute. Mine is about 3 1/4" X 6". I've located it such that the center is approximately in line with the C6 changer. Made it out of 3/8" solid oak pieces with sponge padding and covered in some smooth material that my wife had handy. It serves the purpose in grand style. Drew up a set of engineering drawings and will have my local machine shop make up the parts out of aluminum which should reduce the bulk of it considerably -and when I can spring free the bucks for shop time!

Yes, I know - it alters the position of your right hand and arm - but not noticeably so. Like a lot of other things associated with PSG, you can get accustomed to it in short order.

Hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Richard

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

For me, that comes from the back neck, not dropped down nearly as much as was the case in the earlier pedal steels.

I might add, the width of the newer steels, aren't nearly as wide (in my case) by 1 3/4". That also came into play, since the shorter reach puts your arm at a lower position, which all add up to resting your arm on the back neck, when playing the front neck.

Last year when I finally decided to try out a more modern all pull, they were the first things that bothered me, after long hours of playing.

The answer (for me) was to raise the seat higher, than needed, for my other steel, and sit back a bit farther. That solved the problem.

Thanks to my Lil Brother's suggestion, that worked out great. Winking

Don

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

I first developed 'that callous' playing on my three neck Fender. In those days I played standing and rested my arm on either the inside or middle neck.

On my pedal guitar, I usually don't rest my arm on that same spot. The arm is held more up in the air and floats up and down the neck depending on the picking I'm doing.

Try not putting so much weight on that wrist.

Thanx,
Jim

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

Of late I've been placing a 3/4 inch garden knee pad to the seat of my Elite Seat. With no let up in the amount of playing time it does seem that my callus is starting to do down.

Thanks to all for helping me work through this minor problem. Paul

Jim Ives · From: Los Angeles, California, USA

I use a terry cloth wrist band like tennis players and ball players use. They are inexpensive and easily available. I also use one when on the computer because that same wrist gets mouse pad burn.
They come in lots of colors and 2 lengths.
Simple and easy.
-Jim

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