I see it as more helpful to look up the adjectiv ergonomic, than the noun ergonomics. That way we don't get hung up on the term scientific. One of the definitions of ergonomic I found: relating to or designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.

John Browning (1855-1926) made his most famous ergonomic designs by providing examples and asking a large group of people what felt best and what worked for them.

Thank you to have spoken faster than before.

Chris great video! Your videos are always thought provoking! I really appreciate the content!

Great video! I usually just try to think of things I don't like on guitars that I've played, and correct or adjust them on the ones I build. So far, its worked well for me.

Great ideas

I have become increasingly aware of the position of the jack. As a "chair" player, I find most guitars are poorly suited to playing in a chair. The typical spot with the cable coming out the lower corner ends up poking me in the leg. I'm 6'3" so it probably bothers me more than others. The guitars that allow you to play horizontal or resting on your leg (classical style) are very interesting to me.

Looking forward

Thank you for the explanation and detail. Another fine episode.

The neck profile is the main thing. It must fit your hand and playing style. Also low weight, good balance, forearm contour and belly cut improve ergonomics. Using a strap when playing seated was a huge improvement for me. Without a strap your picking hand is bend in a weird position which creates a huge amount of tension in your shoulder area. You play better without all that unnecessary tension.

One more important factor would be what I like to call the "leg hook". That's the lower horn bent in a way that the guitar does not slide off your lap when you play it sitting down. A friend of mine built a bass without the leg hook, it was the most annoying thing, you needed a belt even when you played it sitting down.

Scalloped fretboard also part of ergonomic, as for me ) And Belly Cut I prefer same because of rib cage comfort 👍🏻 I don't have belly at all )

Nice one Chris, Charles Kaman was way ahead of his time with this concept and his Ovation Breadwinner design way back in the early 70’s.

I’d say all guitars have varying degrees of ergonomics. E.g., while the Les Paul doesn’t have an arm bevel or belly cut, I find it balances very well on a strap while standing, and the neck-to-body angle and carved top makes for a comfortable playing experience. I also find jumbo/tall frets to be ergonomic, as opposed to vintage-style frets.

Having learned on a Spanish guitar, anything seems comfortable to me, as long as the fretboard is dark. Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts.

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Great video and interesting topic. My most ergonomic guitar is my Steinberger bass. It is so comfortable. I'd like to see the FTC's stance on the term ergonomic. I think the word has become so overused in common use that it's meaningless. I doubt the definition is enforceable. Great work for the community.

Hello Mr.Chris I came across your luthier short video and I needed some advice… I’m currently a 18 yr old highschool student graduating next month in July and was planning to go to art university for graphic design but long story short im no longer pursuing an art degree anymore due to the concerning development of Ai. I did my A levels in Art, design technology and business. I picked up a guitar two years ago and fell in love with it, and now got the idea of wanting to become a luthier or a guitar tech. Do you think this dream is realistic for me? I just started playing at 16(which i think was very late) still a beginner with little experience, do you think this goal is achievable? Or should i just give up and go to university for design technology or become an electrician… I’m very scared and concerned about my future. I want to be able to do what i love but still able to pay my bills…

@moshashishman

Ай бұрын

иполни свою мечту!,а учиться никогда не поздно!!!

@daschwarjazz

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A field you can get into that’s applicable to guitar-making is CNC machine operation. You can either get an associates degree or certificate. Really, any field related to fabrication could potentially be beneficial. You can also go to a school for luthierie, and afterwards. work for a larger guitar manufacturer to get your foot in the door. Solid lutherie skills can also get you work as a tech for a touring band, but that lifestyle isn’t for everyone.

I've been thinking about this as well but rather than "ergonomic", I'm going for more comfortable. I wouldn't be surprised if Fender marketed the Strat as "comfortable". I've found that I don't like playing my Les Paul or SG while sitting down because the waist pushes the lower bout too far to the right and I end up strumming over the neck or I have to twist my shoulder into an uncomfortable position. I don't have any offset guitars, but I imagine they'd be more comfortable FOR ME so I can strum over the pickups more comfortably while sitting down.

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Shape makes a bigger difference when playing seated, without a strap. When you are standing the 2 biggest impacts are weight and balance. I don't care about your belly cuts or forearm cuts if the guitar has neck dive and/or is too heavy. All the other stuff counts but weight and balance is king.

@HighlineGuitars

Ай бұрын

These were explained in my two previous Tuesday videos. I felt they should be treated individually and separate from ergonomics.

@donald-parker

Ай бұрын

@@HighlineGuitars Ergonomics is about making products that are comfortable, efficient and effective for their intended use. The whole shape thing is largely cosmetic, and to the extent it impacts ergonomics, it is a distant secondary factor.

@HighlineGuitars

Ай бұрын

@@donald-parker The shape of a guitar is driven by the player’s need for ergonomic comfort and efficiency.

What makes the Ernie ball guitar stay in tune? Seems to be the pitch I hear.

One thing I learned from studying classical guitar in college is that one person’s concept of “ergonomic” is another person’s cause of lower back pain.

My Tele's are ergonomic enough for me! But I suck as a player. (I make up for lack of skill and technique, with volume.)

I'm amazed that so many very popular guitars are so poorly designed in terms of comfort, for example Les Paul and Telecaster.

Very interesting. I think tailoring a guitar for a specific individual is probably the closest to an ergonomic design as one can hope to get or possibly having a design that can be adjusted to suit a range of players.

"Reach" is important to me. How far away is the lowest fret? Are the highest frets near my body center, or off to the side? The reach of a Gibson SG or a 335 are very different from a Strat or Tele. Persons with long or short arms might prefer different reach.

@HighlineGuitars

Ай бұрын

Good point!

To me, ergonomy=comfort means light weight and balance, nothing to do with the body shape, neck contour, or heel joint.

@HighlineGuitars

Ай бұрын

That's backwards.

@kdakan

Ай бұрын

@@HighlineGuitars Meaning? I don't feel uncomfortable switching between different shape guitars, but when a guitar is heavy, it gives me pain

@HighlineGuitars

Ай бұрын

@@kdakan I understand. However, I have separated weight and balance from ergonomics because you can have a super light weight, perfectly balance guitars that has an uncomfortable shape to play.

Great video. I'm a stand-up player. One of the most un-ergonomic traits of a poorly designed guitar is neck dive. Completely destroys the playing experience.