It was a good run....but it's time to leave the dreadnaught behind...

Westerly Wood · Aug 2, 2021

Well, I knew this day was coming. I am not selling the Br, heck no, never gonna happen.
But after this weekend, I decided to hang it up for good and focus on smaller body Guilds. My F30r for now, but I bet there will be another one day too...
The right shoulder pain, when I don't play dreads, I don't have it. It's very simple realization and decision.

Still, for someone that grew up on dreads, played only dreads for decades, it's a tad sad. But still good!

Moving on. The Br will be played one day by one of my kids. My oldest is not interested in guitar. So it's down to one of the other 2...

here she hangs in all her glory.

chazmo · Aug 2, 2021

Good luck with the F-30R, Woody.

jedzep · Aug 2, 2021

I get it. I made that move too.

I have the perfect sister guitar for your F30.

Gibson L-00 1932 - 1945 | Reverb

The L-00 was a flattop produced by Gibson starting in the early '30s. Some of the earliest examples featured a white pickguard and a black finish, though a sunburst finish and tortoiseshell pickguard became the norm by the mid-'30s (the black version was phased out by 1938). The earliest examples...

reverb.com

I'll cut you an LTG deal...

geoguy · Aug 2, 2021

Would a change of position help, Wood?

If seated, classical style a la adorshki.

Or with a strap, if standing.

Westerly Wood · Aug 2, 2021

geoguy said:
Would a change of position help, Wood?

If seated, classical style a la adorshki.

Or with a strap, if standing.

I've tried that but it doesn't work for me, that position. Then I start to have left wrist issues....it's a snipe hunt.
I appreciate the suggestion and reminder Geo!
I am an old dog with very little new trick interest if you know what I mean lol

Westerly Wood · Aug 2, 2021

jedzep said:
I get it. I made that move too.

I have the perfect sister guitar for your F30.

Gibson L-00 1932 - 1945 | Reverb

The L-00 was a flattop produced by Gibson starting in the early '30s. Some of the earliest examples featured a white pickguard and a black finish, though a sunburst finish and tortoiseshell pickguard became the norm by the mid-'30s (the black version was phased out by 1938). The earliest examples...

reverb.com

I'll cut you an LTG deal...

that looks awesome Jed but out of my price range...

and I plan on sticking to Westerly RI made Guild acoustics.
So a regular F30 hog b/s would be next with the regular body depth of 4.5 or 5 inches (the F30r is 4 in). I could use more depth...wait, am I still talking guitars here?

and of course, an F20, but that one is way in the future. the 30 body shape is perfect. Love the necks too, not as skinny as the Br neck width.

if i was going to do the F30r purchase again from Bonneville, I would have bought that and the F30 he had for sale at the same time.

mike1100 · Aug 2, 2021

Woody - If you haven't already, and if you have the time and resources, might I suggest having your shoulder evaluated by a reputable orthopedic specialist.

Getting answers regarding what specifically is causing your pain (joint instability , muscle imbalance, pinched nerve, arthritis etc.) along with some therapeutic options may prove more helpful over the "just play a smaller guitar" option.

I say this having dealt with chronic shoulder issues in the past, although I don't believe my shoulder impingement was guitar related.

walrus · Aug 2, 2021

As you know, I've done the same thing, Woody!

So simple, yet it's night and day in regard to comfort while playing.

walrus

eljayski · Aug 2, 2021

This is the way things are trending for me, too . . . BUT, had to make an exception for the D-55. Have had about 2 weeks. Magnificent axe and super light for a RW dreadnaught. Rich, resonant, and a joy to play and look at!

Westerly Wood · Aug 2, 2021

walrus said:
As you know, I've done the same thing, Woody!

So simple, yet it's night and day in regard to comfort while playing.

walrus

And Jeff, the neck on the F30R is better. Wider, a bit fuller.

Taylor Martin Guild · Aug 2, 2021

I am having the same issues.
Less than a year ago, I owned 4 Dreadnaught sized guitars.

I'm now down to two .
My first real good guitar, a Martin D-35 and a very special custom made that a good friend built for me.

My two guitars that I use the most are now a GPC size Martin that is both smaller and narrower than a Dred,
and my Gold Tone Resonator that is kind of a 000 size.

The funny thing is that I still have a Jumbo size Guild 8 string baritone that I play a few songs at a time on.
If I don't over use it, I can alternate it with the smaller guitars and not have too much pain for an hour or so.
This is sure making playing in my band difficult.

ruedi · Aug 2, 2021

Some things, you just can't force them... And your memories can not be taken away. This wonderfull guitar will patiently wait untill your kids pick it up.

In such situations I always remember the serenity prayer (actually I'm not a religious person, but this is helpfull to me):

Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.

HeyMikey · Aug 2, 2021

I can manage about 20-30 minutes on a dread then I’m toast. What I find works very well is to only play it for 1-2 songs. Then move back to something smaller. Same with the 12 string. Couple songs then switch off. That way I can still play them regularly, enjoy the variety but keep my shoulder healthy.

richardp69 · Aug 2, 2021

I feel like I almost know that BR personally.

Taylor Martin Guild · Aug 2, 2021

I finally gave up on 12 string all together.
First time I have been without a 12 string sense about 1972.
I will miss the sound but not the playing.

Westerly Wood · Aug 2, 2021

richardp69 said:
I feel like I almost know that BR personally.

If it weren’t for eventually handing it down to one of my kids, or if my wife didn’t care about it, I’d have gifted it to an LTGer.

This is an old Guild dread Richard that just needs to be passed around.

Westerly Wood · Aug 2, 2021

Taylor Martin Guild said:
I finally gave up on 12 string all together.
First time I have been without a 12 string sense about 1972.
I will miss the sound but not the playing.

TMG, that’s a tough story. I know you dug those 12s over the years. Totally get it!

donnylang · Aug 3, 2021

What’s odd when I read these threads is that people play guitar for more than 20-30 minutes at a time! I rarely play longer than that, never have.

fronobulax · Aug 3, 2021

donnylang said:
What’s odd when I read these threads is that people play guitar for more than 20-30 minutes at a time! I rarely play longer than that, never have.

Depends on why. If I am explicitly practicing - to learn or improve a song or technique, for example - I will have a bass in hand for at least 30 minutes and sometimes as much as an hour. I have also found that when my goal is to improvise against a prerecorded track, I'll play for 10 to 15 minutes, easily. If the track is a "jam" the boredom induced from playing the same thing to the same progression forces me to break out of my comfort zone and try something I would not normally expect to try. When it works there is another tool in my tool box and when it doesn't my failure influences my next attempt. But the length is part of the practice and learning.

That said, most of the time it is one session a day for me. But I can easily imagine being driven by a creative muse and playing several times a day for 20 minutes at a time.

walrus · Aug 3, 2021

A few times a week, I'll play for several hours at a time - a few short breaks in there, of course. Otherwise, at least an hour a day if I can. It is my hobby, my stress relief, my enjoyment. It keeps me sane.

walrus

It was a good run....but it's time to leave the dreadnaught behind...

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