Adding an armrest

Dave Greene · From: Bellevue, Washington, USA

Advice needed on adding an armrest to a Fender Artist Student model 3P+1KB. Should the top be mounted level with the strings, level with the fretboard or at some other level. Suggested width of arm rest would be appreciated also (4"....6")?

John Brock · From: Xenia, Ohio

Don Blood .sterling ,ill. Donblood.com i think
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John Brock · From: Xenia, Ohio

donblood.net...my apolgies....he does a fine job. I had one on my gfi..it was perfect..in form and function.

. Tthere us a pic of one. Hope that helps.
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Thomas Floyd · From: Gilchrist, Oregon, USA

I just ordered one from Don Blood. I haven't got it yet. But I'm having him build it level with the fret board.

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Peter Graham · From: Massachusetts, USA

Don't add one! You will get used to playing without one.

Jeff Mead · From: London, England

I know everyone calls it an armrest but are you guys actually resting your arm(s) on it wile you are playing?

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Only when you are approaching 80. Whoa!

Brian Henry · Posted 1 May 2017 10:26 am

Yes, do get one. It will prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Brian Henry · Posted 1 May 2017 10:31 am

Yes, do get one. It will prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Jeff Mead · From: London, England

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

One could play with the neck farther away simply by sitting farther back from it.

But I wonder: It's probably safe to say that the majority of D-10 players spend more time on E9 than on C6, and the majority have the E9 on the front neck. Curley Chalker reversed the usual placement of the tunings, putting his preferred C6 tuning on the front neck. It seems there might be something to the comfort factor in playing a front neck of two. But is it distance only, or do the many who play D-10s let their arm(s) rest on, or touch, the back neck when playing the front neck? I know I do. And, to reference Lloyd again, it's been quoted that he said (perhaps at least half facetiously) that one reason he substituted a pad for the C6 neck was because, with 98% of his playing being on the front neck, the C6 strings were fraying the sleeves of his jacket.
And if players of his caliber let their arm(s) rest on the back neck, what sense does it make to say if it's a pad instead of a strung neck it's a no-no?

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Here is the proper use of a loafer pad:

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Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Here is a detail from a recent photo of Mr. Green.

He may do this from time to time, but notice the arm and wrist are straight.
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Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

My impression is that Lloyd probably rests his right arm on the pad more than "from time to time". But be that as it may, see his quote below. Here's the picture I referenced (found in Scotty's book, 1980), and the quote I referenced:

"As a point of fact, and although no one has asked me, I do NOT rest my left hand on the pad, only the right.
This idea of a padded steel was my idea of a more expedient and comfortable way to do my job of cutting records and what that idea became from that point on was largely out of my control. The euphemistic "Loafer", which came years later was Ron Lashley's Emmons guitar version of the Sho-Bud LDG.
I never suggest any player use single, double or anything else. Everyone must find their own comfort zone with playing and it serves no good purpose that I can see to criticize those who don't follow others concepts of right or wrong playing. Ultimately, you have to play music on the thing.

Regards,
Lloyd Green"

Derrick Unger · From: Newark Ohio, USA

As most have said...Don Blood..made me one for a GFI..Supernice..mine was adjustable..so I could raise it or lower it to where I wanted..I think most of his are made that way..he asks for some measurements that gets you into the ballpark..but it is adjustable
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Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

I have put pads on two Steels. An MSA S10 and GFI S12.

With the long 12 key head on the old MSA I though why waste the space behind the key head. I carved out the wood and have a place I can lay my chrome bar and nylon DoBro bar end to end. The pad is a piece of wood covered with padding and Naga Hyde. It is attached to the guitar with Industrial Velcro. No Holes in the guitar.
On the GFI S12 with its small closer keys and longer bar could only get room for 1 bar and my picks.

Charley Bond · From: Inola, OK, USA

After I had an LDG S10 Sho~Bud, I was hooked on that style Guitar. I put one on a Dekley once, it was a nice addition. Then all my guitars were SD10s. My LAST Guitar is another Sierra, but it happens to be an S10, so it was time to put a Rest Pad on... Another great addition.

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Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

When I ordered my Zum Encore and Doug offered the arm-rest option I declined. I thought - 'No reason for that - I don't need it.' But I came to regret that decision and I had Doug send me the parts to fit it myself (I didn't actually do it - I have a pal who's adept with drills and screwdrivers!)

Now I couldn't be happier. I do benefit from lightly anchoring my right arm on the pad (or on the C-neck on my D-10s) but I can't imagine any advantage to resting my left arm; too restrictive.

All this may speak volumes about my flawed technique but if it's good enough for Mr G. then I'm not worried.

Don Blood's unit looks excellent.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Pat Chong · From: New Mexico, USA

I agree with Rodger about the "restrictive" comment. I have found the higher the armrest, the more it interferes with the sliding motion. Maybe Don could make just a right-arm-only rest.?????

..........Pat.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

For me the full-width arm-rest - just like the C neck on a D-10 - is just there. I don't rest my left arm but the rest isn't in the way.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, Quilter TT-12 & TT-15, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Thomas Floyd · From: Gilchrist, Oregon, USA

Charlie, it is my understanding that I will be able to adjust the hight, so I may want it lower than the fretboard and there will be a good distance away from the strings so I'm resting my forearm and not my wrist. Don Blood said he'll probably ship it next week, then I take pictures & post it here.
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Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Yes, that's what I'd understood about Don Blood's. They look like the solution. Cool.
Certainly, it's possible that the height requirements sorta would change over time, what's comfortable.
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