Considering the F20 due to shoulder woes....

[F312]

The F20 can really sound blusy in the right hands and if your hands aren't right, it has a way of making them right, by putting some time into them and then knowing how to handle them.

Ralph

 

[bobouz]

Interesting, so Bob your contention is the narrow waist of say an F47 would be better on shoulder than a dread as though the lower bouts are similar if not same, the middle section being slimmer would provide comfort?

Well, it all depends on the exact nature of your shoulder issue, but the narrower waist brings the guitar’s lower bout down (when seated), so your arm doesn’t need to be cranked up so high in the air. Depending on the source of irritation from the shoulder, the lower arm angle might be enough to provide adequate relief.

An even smaller body could possibly provde more comfort, but if a 16” F-body does the trick, I think you stand the best chance of being in the same tonal ballpark compared to your current 16” D-body.

Hope you find a good solution!

 

[Guildedagain]

Big difference between playing with guitar over right leg vs the classical way with with the guitar on your left leg, and way easier on the right shoulder. I alternate between both. The guitar sounds different from spot to spot, I actually prefer the fullness of over the left leg, it's more centered to your body, soundhole more centered between your ears.

Playing a big guitar over the right knee is not comfortable for your shoulder.

 

[bobouz]

Thoughts on this one? I know it ain’t pretty but none of my Guilds have ever been accused of that.

Guild F-30 Aragon 1954 - 1973 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

I really like the small-jumbo F-30 body. Richard had a nice one listed a short while ago, and at a similar price (see pics in For Sale section). If I didn’t already have a ‘73 F-30R, I’d have been seriously tempted.

They are definitely super comfortable guitars to hold when seated, like you could just swallow them up up in your arms!

 

[mavuser]

an F-20 would be a great guitar to compliment the dread, if u were going to play both. but the F-20 is a true small bodied guitar. i would go all in for an F-30 if u are looking to move away from the dread.

 

[Westerly Wood]

an F-20 would be a great guitar to compliment the dread, if u were going to play both. but the F-20 is a true small bodied guitar. i would go all in for an F-30 if u are looking to move away from the dread.

thanks Eric, and this seems to be the way to go based on everyone's thoughts on the matter. my wife prefers the F20 shape, i was showing her the differences on reverb, a couple examples on there. and she plays too, so an F20 would be good for the family too. now i am thinking to doing both

 

[mike1100]

..... and their narrow waists make all the difference!

Interesting. If a guitar with a narrow waist is what helped you (bobouz), I wonder if it is a result of lowering the upward angle of your arm. I've read others say a thinner bodied guitar helped them and that makes me wonder if it is because it brings the arm closer to the torso. I believe shoulder issues can be complex and doubt there is a one-size-fits-all solution. Certainly torso length, or abdomen size (lol), can drastically change the angles involved.

Without understanding the why, I'd try many different shaped guitars before pulling the trigger on one. If you are able to find such a person, I'd also consider seeking out someone that understands ergonomics and the long term challenges of guitarists.

 

[davismanLV]

Woody check this one out. I didn't look closely but only 10 years old and the price isn't bad!

https://reverb.com/p/guild-f-30-aragon-natural

 

[walrus]

Thoughts on this one? I know it ain’t pretty but none of my Guilds have ever been accused of that.

Guild F-30 Aragon 1954 - 1973 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

I like it, and of course the price, especially with a Make Offer. Let's call it "mojo"!

walrus

 

[walrus]

Woody check this one out. I didn't look closely but only 10 years old and the price isn't bad!

https://reverb.com/p/guild-f-30-aragon-natural

Oh, that's a great price for a NH!

walrus

 

[Westerly Wood]

I like it, and of course the price, especially with a Make Offer. Let's call it "mojo"!

walrus

my wife and i were looking more closely at that one and the saddle is super low. i do like the look however

 

[HeyMikey]

Woody check this one out. I didn't look closely but only 10 years old and the price isn't bad!

https://reverb.com/p/guild-f-30-aragon-natural

Link comes up as an F30 Standard. Good price

Guild USA F-30 Aragon | Reverb

Initially released with a Maple body, the orchestra-sized F-30 Aragon was a popular Guild flattop during the folk movement of the '50s and '60s. The modern F-30 uses mahogany and is made with either a natural or sunburst finish.This model (from 2007 forward) is the third iteration of the F-30.&nb...

reverb.com

 

[bobouz]

.....and she plays too, so an F20 would be good for the family too. now i am thinking to doing both

Ah yes, the proper LTG problem-solving mindset!

 

[tommym]

It's no that bad, really, but I think I might be nearing the point of looking at a smaller Guild acoustic body shape...
I know Walrus suggested to me the F30 so I would not lose so much tone and volume that I am accustomed to with the D25 and 35....

But what about the F20?

thanks!

Is nut width and string spacing at the bridge critical to you? If not, you might want to also consider the new M series from Guild with its wider nut and string spacing.

As far as the F30 goes, I love my New Hartford F30 Standard and F30R Standard with their wider 1 3/4" nut and string spacing at the bridge. My 1973 Westerly F30 has since fallen to the wayside since. The 1973 Westerly F30's "mini jumbo" body is noticeably deeper in depth than the more typical "OM" body shape, and is no longer comfortable for my aging shoulder. The narrower nut and string spacing is no longer comfortable for the aging finger joints and wrists.

Tommy

 

[Br1ck]

You might also first consider getting a bar stool and using a strap. The position change might in itself be enough.My M 36, being the depth of an OM, had a less reach over the top. Really, it had everything but bluegrass power. I replaced it with a D 35 custom.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I tried liking smaller body guitars to help with my shoulders. I just didn't like the tone of a small body guitar.
Too many years of playing Dreds, I guess.

My solution which has helped a lot is to play with a strap when sitting.
Be sure the strap supports the guitar.
Now I also drop the tuning down 1/2 step.
Why?
This gives me a shorter scale and the guitar feels more like a 12 fret when I capo at the first fret and play in standard tuning.

Give this a try on one of your Dred sized guitars and see if it helps.

 

[markus]

I had troubles with my arm/shoulder a year ago and physiotherapy helped a lot.
Playing my dreads is ok again.
(Nevertheless I'm looking for a nice F30R like this …)

markus

 

[mavuser]

WW- Bonneville88 is selling two F-30's over in the FS section. a 1980 sunburst jumbo/westerly shaped arch back; and a 1998 rosewood orch/Hoboken shaped flat back. both look super creamy and are very reasonably priced. not sure how serious u are on another acquisition, but i'd be taking a hard look at those offerings. keep us posted!

 

[Westerly Wood]

WW- Bonneville88 is selling two F-30's over in the FS section. a 1980 sunburst jumbo/westerly shaped arch back; and a 1998 rosewood orch/Hoboken shaped flat back. both look super creamy and are very reasonably priced. not sure how serious u are on another acquisition, but i'd be taking a hard look at those offerings. keep us posted!

Oh yeah. Seth and I been chatting.

 

[Americanelli]

Hey everyone, first post here. So glad I came across the forum! I have a Guild D-20 that I love the sound of, but I am also finding that the body depth and size is a little much for me when sitting on the couch or just picking up for a quick play. Consequently, I've also been investigating the F-20/F-30 shapes to see if I can find a guitar that suits me better. I know I prefer the smaller nut-width of typical dreads, so unfortunately that puts the new M-20/M-40s out of contention. I see that some of you mentioned the F-30s varied in depth throughout the years - which years had the slimmer body depth? I've found that to be a huge factor in comfort for me.

Thanks!