S10 versus SD10 comfort

Tom Kaminski · From: New Jersey, USA

Although I think I know what the answer will be ("it depends"), I have to ask: isn't having the wrist pad on an SD much more comfortable than trying to play an S10 with nowhere to rest your wrists? ... or for most players it's really no big deal or strictly a personal preference?

Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

Tom to me the arm rest make all the difference in the world.
A person has to have a different right hand placement to play a S~10 as opposed to playing a SD~10 with somewhere to plant your wrist.
Thus your attack is different as well.
If I play a S~10, at the end of the song my arms weigh 40 lbs. a piece. Laughing

Mileage may very.
_________________
Email: azpedalman@gmail.com
Phone: 480-235-8797

Skip Edwards · From: LA,CA

I personally think that having something to support your forearm - whether it's a pad or a neck - is beneficial to your right hand technique.
I played a Sgl 10 for many years before going to a D10, and that's JMHO...
I should also mention that a full size pad does a better job of supporting your forearm than a half pad does.
Again, JMHO...

Allan Kirby · From: Ontario, Canada

I own and play three S-10s, with no pads. I owned two SD-10s, with pads, in the past, but sold them. I was never comfortable with the pad, I found it awkward to play reaching across the pad, which in warm conditions, would rub and stick to my forearms. I feel I am a better player with the neck closer to me and no pad.

I currently play two to three gigs a week and my arms are not tired. Besides, I like the weight and portability of the smaller S-10 guitars.

This is just my preference and I would not suggest that it is for everybody. We are all different and need to find our own comfort zone.

Dean Holman · From: Branson MO

As someone who is tall, I am more bunched up under an S-10 as opposed to a SD-10 or D-10. I'm way more comfortable to play those guitars as opposed to the S-10.

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

i`m with alan on that one, never felt the need of a cushion on my guitar.
remember it was basically an improvised solution to cover lloyds guitar when he took away the jazz-neck.
i prefer the smaller size and simpler concept of the S 10.
never had any arm issues either.

Tim Russell · From: Pennsylvania, USA

"It depends", obviously the correct answer, lol. I do prefer a double neck, or an SD-10, but the vinyl pad can get sticky, as Allan mentioned. I've seen guys fashion makeshift pads that clamp on the legs of a single, that seems like a good idea to me. Make the pad removable, maybe with velcro, and design of a washable fabric instead of vinyl which sticks to your skin easily.
_________________
Sierra Crown D-10

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

Here is my solution. I have arthritis in my right wrist...so I made a partial pad. My left hand is free to move unhampered by a full pad:

Ken Pippus · From: Langford, BC, Canada

Since I can play my C neck without a pad or a problem, it always seemed to me I could manage to do the same on an E9 single.

We haven't seen a whole bunch of double necks on triple bodies addressing the issue.

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

Arm rest for me please.

_________________
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I think an SD10 is a bit more ergonomic underneath the cabinet as well - with more room to place Knee levers in a more comfortable position.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Dale Rottacker · From: Walla Walla Washington, USA

Back in the 70â€™s I always thought I wanted an LDG, though Iâ€™ve always had a D-10... Well my Dad ended up getting an LDG, and kept it in a box for years... But now when I go to visit him, so that I donâ€™t have to pack my D-10 up, he keeps his set up for me to play when I get there... But when I sit down to play it, unless its like 50 above in there, my forearms sweat like crazy, and I feel like Buddy Emmons in the video with him and Hal Rugg playing... Iâ€™m miserable... Someday for giggles and grins, Iâ€™d like to try an SD-10 without a pad or perhaps a 3/4 S-10, to see if that would be more to my liking.
_________________
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
https://www.youtube.com/@steelinatune
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

I'm with Dean, I'm tall and love a D10 or SD10. I bet average sized people who have never gotten serious with a D10 prefer an S10. Those of us who learn on a D10 probably prefer an SD10.

And then there are those who learned on a D10 and have a light-weight S10, but secretly wish it were an SD10.

Lyle Bradford · From: Gilbert WV USA (deceased)

I like the SD10 but I prefer to take the pad off and have a solid piece of birch plywood or something like that covered and screw it back to the neck. Easy to keep your tuner, drink and things on a flat surface. Just feels better to me.

Lem Smith · From: Long Beach, MS

Fred and Dean summed it up perfect for me. An SD10 just feels so much better to me, and a larger sized person, the extra room underneath makes it easier for me on the pedals and knee levers.

Jeff Metz Jr. · From: York, Pennsylvania, USA

My Buddy Clem Foust has built the Only custom pedal bar extension that I have ever heard of. He has a S10 Bolt on (aluminum neck) Push pull. Notice the custom work in the pedal area. Also built a platform for his left foot to keep both feet on an even plane.
It looks pretty sweet and also gives you the benefits of a D10 or SD10 with a s10 body. More room.

_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

So much depends on your posture and how you address the guitar. I can't stand SD10s! But I adjust my guitars so that I can sit up straight, and have my elbow just touching my side, and my arm straight out to the guitar. You know I wish I had asked Lloyd about this. Did he really need an armrest pad? Or was it just put there as a cover for all the stuff that had been removed from the C6th neck? Anyway, I don't need one, and don't like 'em! Why have to reach out across extra unused real estate? Adjust your seat, your guitar, and your posture to address the guitar correctly. No good reason to have to rest your wrist on something, unless you have a physical problem. Just my opinion. And as for room for levers? Ricky put 6 on my '74 Shobud S-10. No problem, and very easy to use!

_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

I can imagine that if you have your arms extended to reach a neck that is 8-10 inches away from you, then you may well need to rest your forearms on something. If your upper arms are hanging straight down to play a neck right in front of you, then you might need that support to a lesser extent. C6 players could probably confirm this. As per Ken's note above
_________________
Luke Drifter on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ralwaybell
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.j.threlfall
http://ralwaybell.bandcamp.com/

Ben Edmonds · From: Greenfield, Massachusetts, USA

I agree with John. I don't know why I'd even want to rest my wrist except between tunes. Even playing a D10 I don't rest my wrist and I've always thought the big pad looks goofy. Just my opinion though

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

I think Lloyd liked the loafer for his elbows, between tunes.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I usually play a D10 but bring my S10 on fly dates. Or if it is ready to go out the door and I'm feeling lazy. I have found no difference between them as far as comfort goes.

The C neck on a D10 doesn't have a wrist pad and it works fine.
_________________
Bob

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

S-10. Do not like the pad or extra deck.

It's a moot point for me though, as I always play a D-10

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

S10 or SD10 makes no difference, but I don't like pads that are so high that my wrist and forearm can touch it while I'm playing.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic