Armrest question

[bo1142]

I've been toying with the idea of a BTO for some time now.  I've got my specifics down as far as material, I'm wondering about the armrest option.  Does anyone here have a Taylor, or any guitar for that matter, with the armrest?  I would be extremely interested to see if it delivers any extra comfort while playing. 

A few years back, I  was in a pretty serious motorcycle accident, and suffered serious damage to my right arm/shoulder.  I only have about 80% movement, and it would be great if the armrest added comfort while playing.

Thanks guys

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

The armrest on a Taylor makes a huge difference. A Grand Auditorium with the armrest will feel as comfortable, if not more comfortable than a GC without one.  I have built and sold a lot of BTO's with armrests and everyone so far agrees it's worth the expense. I plan on ordering a fully loaded GC BTO in January with an armrest just to see how it feels.

[bo1142]

Thanks, Ted.  I've been researching them alot, and it seems that it might help me play a little longer everyday, which would be worth the cost by itself.

[michaelw]

hi Ted,
in addition to comfort, i'm just wondering if have you found that a BTO with armrest has an effect on tone,
since, by design, the player's forearm would not be resting directly on the top, but rather on the side 'bevel' ?

i wonder if a DN with an armrest might make enough of a difference to one who might not, otherwise, be able to
play a dread body for an extended period, due to discomfort, that the armrest might allow them to be able to do so

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Hi Michael,

I have played identical Taylors with and without the armrest and found no difference in tone, at least none that I could detect, however someone who tends to rest their arm against the sound board more than me might notice a slight improvement in tone.

As to your question about the DN, yes, an armrest could make the difference between being able to play a larger guitar or not. I would have loved to have an armrest option on my D-45V, there is no doubt I would play it more often if it were more comfortable to play. It's something I plan to discuss with Martin at NAMM. Hopefully they wont kick me out of their booth for suggesting it. 

[DennisG]

My own feeling is that people willing to shell out a thousand bucks on an armrest will most likely have pre-determined that they very much want it, so it doesn't surprise me that the vast majority of them report that they are happy with it post-purchase.

Before I had my BTO built, I went and test drove a couple of guitars with armrests, and it struck me as just about the most innocuous addition you could make on a guitar.  But that's just me.  Other people seem to swear by them.

As with so many other things people consider in these guitar forums, the best advice is to go to a shop that carries a guitar (Taylor or not) with an armrest, and spend some time with it.  Switch back and forth between that guitar and the identical body size without an armrest.  Maybe an armrest will feel like nirvana ... maybe it will feel like a thousand bucks better spent elsewhere.

[Edward]

I played what was a seriously gorgeous 35-Anniv Ltd at the Taylor F&F that was both stunning and beautiful sounding ...not to mention had a Florentine which I love!  Apart from its numerous attributes, it had an armrest and I can tell you I dug it immediately.  Very comfortable; period.  I could never see myself shelling out the 1K extra to add the option, but were the price right I'd see it as a very welcome attribute.  Talk about my having to make the tough choice of putting that one down (and yes, it was tough to put it down!)

Edward

[not darth]

It's very cool looking, and certainly comfy, but at that price point, it's more of a gee-whiz option in my opinion.
Not worth the several hundred dollars that it ends up adding.  At least to me anyway, YMMV.
But yeah, looks awesome!
-K

[michaelw]

i've found a way around $ for the armrest option !
& the solution is ... (wait for it)






just spring for a PS
there is no upcharge for the armrest, as it is already included

ok, well ... maybe not (i tried)

[bo1142]

What I'm really looking for is not if the price is reasonable, is it more comfortable and will it allow my to play longer.  I only have about 80% movement in my right arm, so if I play for an extended amount of time, I have a good bit of pain.  I don't care how much it cost if it can give me more joy while playing.

[cjd-player]

Guitar Galleria in Chattenooga typically has a large selection of Taylors in stock, and often some with armrests.

They currently have a custom GA with an armrest:
http://www.guitargalleria.com/1111020072_Taylor_Custom_GA.html

Might be worth the drive to check out the Taylor armrests.

[bo1142]

Thanks!  I have seen them around, but never made the trek down.  I figured I would have to head to Nashville to play one.  Appreciate the info.

[Edward]

What I'm really looking for is not if the price is reasonable, is it more comfortable and will it allow my to play longer.  I only have about 80% movement in my right arm, so if I play for an extended amount of time, I have a good bit of pain.  I don't care how much it cost if it can give me more joy while playing.

Hi Boone,

Hard one to determine, but I'd guess yes, the arm rest together with a smaller body will provide the comfort to allow you to play longer and enjoy the guitar better.  It's kind of tough for you if you don't have one to sample, but I was playing a GS and it that arm rest almost "shrank" the body in terms of playing it.

Edward

[bo1142]

Thanks Edward.  I'm usually the guy that says "you need to try it for yourself" but no dealer within an hour has one.  I'll be headed to Florida at Christmas, and I'm going to see if there is a dealer there that might have one.  If not, I might stop through Atlanta on the way back.

[coldshot]

My 35th anniversary Cocobolo GS has the armrest, to be honest i still would have bought it if it didn't just for the tone, but it does make the guitar more comfortable to play.