arn rests

[DaveyO]

Anyone use the armrest things,(not sure what they are called exactly)
The thing that is a strip of wood and goes on the upper part of the guitar
where you arm rests?
Suppose to make the top vibrate more and more comfortable for your arm.
Dave

[Denis]

Anyone use the armrest things,(not sure what they are called exactly)
The thing that is a strip of wood and goes on the upper part of the guitar
where you arm rests?
Suppose to make the top vibrate more and more comfortable for your arm.
Dave

Not really for comfort as much as for tone and to keep sweat off the top.  I've put them on a couple of guitars in the past, that I now longer own, and yes, I found it did help tone/volume/sustain as well as keeping much of the sweat from my arm from touching the top. 

[lw216316]

When I'm  ' just practicing ' at home I lay my cleaning rag under my arm  ( I play sitting down ).
It also reminds me to clean the guitar when I'm finished.

- Larry

[JohnM2001]

They  claim a boost to volume and better tone.  I use the John Pearse armrest.  To see how it will affect you guitar's sound, play as usual with arm touching the top.  Bang out a nice loud G chord, then  lift your arm off the guitar, you can hear the immediate increase in volume, that will be your sound with the armrest.  I find it more useful on smaller guitars like OM, but some dreads work better with it too, I have one on my D-02, I like it.
heres a pic with the Slimline version on an OM-03 and an LV-03.

[jeremy3220]

It doesn't make much difference to me, I guess it's the way I hold my arm.

[dcarey]

Use em all the time.
I like 'em!

Also helps to keem my acid sweat off of the guitar's finish in the sweaty months.




Dan

[JohnTully]

O.K. so I see that the pearse armrests are working out for people...I have been considering one and I guess it might be a big help. So, which size do I get for my L-03-12RE? ...and my Dread???

[jeremy3220]

Another thing to consider is that adhesives are great for ruining finishes. I don't know about the finish Larrivee uses but nitro will imprint like crazy. Also, It may keep some perperation off but if you actually have sweat running down then where do you think it's going to go after the armrest? To me it seems like the perfect solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

[Johnny M]

Never used one or really planning to use one in the future.  One less thing to worry about.  I don't really sweat on my guitar and I'm afraid of it ruining the finish if I ever take it off ... also, I heard that it will leave a "tan line" if it's been on for a while and taken off.

I don't know ... if you think it will help your playing and tone, go for it, but my guitars will stay nekkid.

John

[Michael T]

I got mine to keep from sticking to the top, & creasing my forarm. That it helps with the vibration is just an added plus (I do notice an increased sustain.



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[lw216316]

How long do these things last ? - 2 yrs,   5 yrs,  life of the guitar ?

If you have to replace one - is it easy to remove ? ...does it leave a residue that is a problem ?

If you decide you don't want it...is it going to leave a tan line just like removing a pick guard ?
What if you sell the guitar and the buyer does not want it on the guitar - seems like you would lose the sale -
because it would leave a tan line - and possibly some residue that might be a problem removing.


Do you have to get one that is specifically made to fit your guitar ?
...I can't imagine a one-size-fits-all would work .

- Larry

[Michael T]

They are beveled wood, I would imagine they would last as long as the guitar (certainly longer than me). They do come in different sizes and shapes, cut out the template and find the one that fits the guitar and that you think compliments it. I went with the slim line on my L05-12 to mirror the pick guard, but the roewood standard on the DV-09 to offest the cutaway (personal pref). Here's the link:

http://www.jpstrings.com/armrest.htm

They attach with double sided tape (very thin piece right on the edge). Most of the armrest does not sit on the guitar top, I would think there would be very little if any tan line after years, it is only attached at the edge maybe slightly wider than the purfling, but that is an assumption on my part.
I have conversed with several who have removed them and it is suggested to just take a piece of dental floss under it then clean up any residue with naphtha (lighter fluid).

There are other types out there that attach with clamps etc that seem to me could be a dent/scratch issue or worse if it were to catch on something and be pulled off. I do like mine, but again, that's a personal preference. 

[lw216316]

Thanks Michael 
I have considered getting one but had those questions.

So if I understand this correctly, no part of the guard actually touches the TOP of the guitar ?

- Larry

[ronmac]

I have used JP armrests on several different guitars and have had no problems with taking them off if I sold the guitar or had a change in heart. I find they really feel good, and free up the top, especially on smaller guitars.

One thing to keep in mind. If you put these on a brand new guitar the armrest will block UV rays from darkening that part of the body. This will definitely leave a tan line over a few months of use. Of course if you put it on an older guitar that has already tanned it won't be such a problem.

[Michael T]

Thanks Michael 
I have considered getting one but had those questions.

So if I understand this correctly, no part of the guard actually touches the TOP of the guitar ?

- Larry

The double sided tape rests on the purfling of the top, the gaurd arches up & over from there.

[JohnM2001]

For dread guitars, the full size model works best. For L-body, the full size or Slimline will work, Slimline for smaller guitars.

They will leave a tan line, especially on new, whiter top guitars, I've seen guitars on ebay that had VERY white spots where an armrest had been taken off before sale, my suggestion would be to leave it on. 

Although most folks say no problem the to finish when removing one, I had an 03 series finish pull off slightly when I removed a Pearse armrest, I did it carefully, inserting a pick at one end and working it under as I applied slight upward pressure, some of the finish pulled off.  This armrest had been on the guitar for over 3 years, so I suspect that the adhesive dries out over the years and bonds to the finish somewhat.  YMMV.

If this stuff bothers you, I'd recommend you not use a armrest.  For me, the comfort and added tone/volume are well worth it.