Custom Guitar Question

[jabes416]

I've been playing guitar for about a year and a half now on a normal sized dreadnought guitar. I do have one problem..i have short arms... whereas most people strum by the sound hole, i strum right around the 14th fret (where the fretboard and the body meet). It's annoying but if I try to strum by the soundhole, it feels really awkward and i cant do any barre chords.

I want to buy a new acoustic/electric dreadnought guitar within the next 6-8 months (when i get the money). I need one that has a shorter fret board, but I don't want it to have a smaller body (like a3/4 guitar does) or a skinnier fretboard. What guitars can you recommended? I was looking at the Taylor Big Baby, but that's not acoustic/electric. I could buy a pickup, but id rather just get the acoustic electric. I also want a cutaway body, but that doenst matter to me as long as it feels comfortable..

Any suggestions?

[VanHorneDog]

i dont get your problem, take a picture or something. i dont see how your arm can be too short and you only feel comforatable struming on the neck. if anything if you arms are too short you should be strumming by the bridge.

anyway, if you want a small scale guitar you really dont have much choice in the matter especially since you want an acoustic/electric. your best bet is to buy a guitar that feels right (since you seem to have trouble doing so right now) then make it an acoustic/electric.

my next question is why do you want an acoustic/electric?

[tdowe99]

I'd look at a Taylor 312ce. It's short scale and a small body. If it's too expensive, save up.

[VanHorneDog]

oh, and one more question, do you sit and play? stand and play? and which leg do you use? (ok more than one question)

[jabes416]

i like to mix it up... mostly sit and play but i stand at times...

what do u mean by leg? i usually have the body on my right leg since im a righty


http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/919/modja8.jpg

theres kindof an explaination on how i play...idk y its just more comfortable and i can make the barre notes...i know it doesnt affect the sound but it looks awkward

i strum in the area of the yellow circle and my arm is kinda represented by the green outline...i dont really plan on changing my bad habit tho cuz ive came so far this way...and also i cant barre the first 6 frets if i play it in the normal posture...

u all prolly think im some deformed person...im not, i just play wierd..idk why

[jabes416]

i also want an acoustc/elec so i can plug it into an amp if i want but i also want it to be dreadnaught so i can play acoustically as well..

[VanHorneDog]

i like to mix it up... mostly sit and play but i stand at times...

what do u mean by leg? i usually have the body on my right leg since im a righty


http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/919/modja8.jpg

theres kindof an explaination on how i play...idk y its just more comfortable and i can make the barre notes...i know it doesnt affect the sound but it looks awkward

i strum in the area of the yellow circle and my arm is kinda represented by the green outline...i dont really plan on changing my bad habit tho cuz ive came so far this way...and also i cant barre the first 6 frets if i play it in the normal posture...

u all prolly think im some deformed person...im not, i just play wierd..idk why

yeah, you are actually holding the guitar wrong. well i mean, there is no "right" way. but for better access to frets and position you should keep the guitar on your left leg with it raised (like put your foot on a stool) above the right.

like the first picture here

http://www.sergiopuccini.com/videoy.htm

that will def move your right hand to the right position, it may feel weird at first, but that is how you are supposed to play the guitar (even the guys who play at their knees pull the guitar up for solos, think Zach Wylde here). its how i was taught when i took lessons.

now, you say you dont want to change, but since you have short arms a 3/4 guitar in the right position is probably a good idea. also maybe not a full bodied acoustic to bring the neck closer to your body. you can find plenty of non-full bodied acoustics that can project well.

now, your issue with barre chords. is it becuase you cannot hold them down or becuase you cannot reach? it may just be a technique thing/strength. with the right technique and practice you can probably do them.

[jabes416]

thanks for the tips...yeah i will prolly go into guitar center or something and find a guitar style that will suit me...using the left leg does make it a little easier but i dont play classical guitar..ill try moving my gutiar around a lil bit and see if that helps

[tdowe99]

Don't buy the guitar from Guitar Center. Give Jim @ Guitar Rodeo a call.
He'll beat the GC price any day of the week.

[VanHorneDog]

thanks for the tips...yeah i will prolly go into guitar center or something and find a guitar style that will suit me...using the left leg does make it a little easier but i dont play classical guitar..ill try moving my gutiar around a lil bit and see if that helps

i dont play classical either, its the same idea though, you want the guitar more central on your body.

[AJF_41]

Don't buy the guitar from Guitar Center. Give Jim @ Guitar Rodeo a call.
He'll beat the GC price any day of the week.

just bought my 714ce from him! :thumbsup