Bevel? How beneficial?

[Merlemantel]

I have an intermittently symptomatic R ulnar neuropathy. I am wondering how much benefit I might get from a bevel?

[random works]

It won't hurt and possibly could help. I have 3 guitars which all have bevels. I had shoulder pain from playing and for sure, a bevel helped me.

I have a friend with nerve related pain in his forearm and he is considering a guitar with a bevel.

Do you have an opportunity to play a guitar with a bevel for any length of time before you purchase one?

[Ryan51]

There are cushioned arm rests and padded sleeves for guitarists that might be worth a try. Cushioned arm rests fit over the top of most types of guitar and are non-stick. There are several lengths of padded sleeves available some specifically for guitarists and others designed for sports that may help with discomfort.
I avoid playing in short sleeved shirts because I find it uncomfortable and it can damage the finish over time. In hot weather I sometimes put a towel over the top edge of the guitar when practicing in short sleeves.

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by random works

It won't hurt and possibly could help. I have 3 guitars which all have bevels. I had shoulder pain from playing and for sure, a bevel helped me.

I have a friend with nerve related pain in his forearm and he is considering a guitar with a bevel.

Do you have an opportunity to play a guitar with a bevel for any length of time before you purchase one?

I can probably find one somewhere. Was planning to have a short scale with a bevel commissioned.

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by Ryan51

There are cushioned arm rests and padded sleeves for guitarists that might be worth a try. Cushioned arm rests fit over the top of most types of guitar and are non-stick. There are several lengths of padded sleeves available some specifically for guitarists and others designed for sports that may help with discomfort.
I avoid playing in short sleeved shirts because I find it uncomfortable and it can damage the finish over time. In hot weather I sometimes put a towel over the top edge of the guitar when practicing in short sleeves.

I'll give these options a try. Thank you.

[dcn]

Hi Merle,

As someone who's had extensive experience with ulnar neuropathy - two surgeries on L side and "wait-and-see" intermittence on the R - my experience has been that lower bout width and playing position will make much more of a difference than a bevel.

Put another way, no bevel will offset a big lower bout with significant depth or playing in a position where you're bending the R side far beyond 90 degrees.

Best of luck to you!

Diogo

[LAPlayer]

Originally Posted by dcn

Hi Merle,

As someone who's had extensive experience with ulnar neuropathy - two surgeries on L side and "wait-and-see" intermittence on the R - my experience has been that lower bout width and playing position will make much more of a difference than a bevel.

Put another way, no bevel will offset a big lower bout with significant depth or playing in a position where you're bending the R side far beyond 90 degrees.

Best of luck to you!

Diogo

Ditto this and even a slightly shallower lower bout as well.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by Merlemantel

I can probably find one somewhere. Was planning to have a short scale with a bevel commissioned.

After a pulverized collarbone I switched to smaller bodied guitars, plus a body bevel. I LOVE the combination and it's substantially increased my playing comfort.

If you're going to have one built here's details and a full construction plan for my beveled body size 0:

Small body 14 fret 24-3/4" Scale Size 0

[Dogma]

In my experience a wedge (eg Manzer) type of body construction would help more than a bevel.

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

After a pulverized collarbone I switched to smaller bodied guitars, plus a body bevel. I LOVE the combination and it's substantially increased my playing comfort.

If you're going to have one built here's details and a full construction plan for my beveled body size 0:

Small body 14 fret 24-3/4" Scale Size 0

Thank you Rudy

[Merlemantel]

Originally Posted by Dogma

In my experience a wedge (eg Manzer) type of body construction would help more than a bevel.

That seems to be the consensus. Thank you