Pad or no-pad for hand/wrist probs?

Dirk B · From: Harrisburg, MO, USA

I just wondered, for players with hand/wrist problems, if anyone has experience or thoughts about the pros and cons of guitars with or without pads. Maybe a pad on a guitar provides support, like the little bumpers they have on computer keyboards now.

What do you think -- do pads help? Any perspectives you have would be appreciated.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

I never touch the pad while playing and I think that any playing position that put hand or wrist in contact with the pad would do me more harm than good. But that's just me. I don't know how that compares with other players' technique. I have seen guitars with very high pads. That would totally be in my way but apparently that works for some people.

Ron ! · Posted 14 Feb 2007 2:49 pm

I think that people differ on this subject.The only advice that I can give you is give it a try and see if you gain anything with them.
On E-Bay you can buy pads that you can attache to your steel and try them out.I for one like a Pad on a steel body if I don't have a D-10 handy.My wrists sure do love them.

just my 2-cents.

Ron

Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

About the only time I lay my arms on my pad is between songs. I use the double body single 10 because of leg comfort underneath the guitar not for an arm rest. Very Happy

As Ron said, try it and see if you gain anything with it.

Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

David Doggett · Posted 14 Feb 2007 5:44 pm

I started on an S10 (Sho-Bud Maverick). I tried SD10s with pads, but felt the pad was in the way, especially for my bar arm. I also play keyboards and can't imagine a big pad in the way like that. However, in playing my S12 uni, I began to feel the need for something to rest my right wrist on sometimes - the way 6-stringers sometimes put their wrist against the pick guard. Most S12s have a narrow body shelf, but it is too low. I took a 3/4" piece of board (what is called "1 by" in lumber yards), which matches the 3/4" height of the aluminum neck. I cut a 1" strip and covered it with duct tape, and taped it right next to the neck. It works perfect for resting my right hand without getting in the way of my bar arm. It seems to help steady my picking hand while playing and blocking the low strings of an S12. Some day I will get a custom made 1" wide pad that can be attached with velcro for easy removal. I think such a narrow pad that matches the height of the neck is ideal, and should be standard for all S12s and S10s. I can get use to the insdie neck of a D10, because it is part of the instrument; but the wide pad of a SD10 just seems like too much junk in the way, and I don't need the extra weight.

I guess I don't understand the leg thing. The outer neck is the same postion above my legs, and the same distance from my body whether I play a D10, S12 or S10. The only difference is that I am not belly up to a single neck the way I am with a D10 or SD10.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

I used to play mostly on the C6 neck, with no problems. Recently I've been practising a lot on the E9 neck and I find my right arm ends up with deep stripes. There must be some solution other than throwing a rug over the back neck.

Jon Jaffe · From: Austin, Texas

I have never understood the pad. I am not certain that use of the pad while playing puts your picking hand in a functional position, but anatomy from person to person will vary. A quick look at the available peer reviewed literature revealed only increasing skin problems with computer wrist pads, but a benefit for the average inline skater (hmm).

I guess if it feels and looks and sounds good to the picker, do it.

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

The usual goal of rehab for a spine, knee or hip problem is to get you off the walker or cane and away from using added support by strengthening the supporting muscles. If your hand or wrist problem is from a lack of strength from a previous injury, I'm pretty sure a sports doctor or therapist would recommend some resistance training like wrist curls with a dumbell or those rubber band things - in that case using a pad might eventually lead to more problems due to more atrophy.

However, if the hand problems are a nerve injury that's not going to be improved by working the hand more, avoiding pain is about the best you can hope for. I have some nerve damage in my hands from some neck vertabrae that got all tilty and pinching - the neck's been fused, but I'm pretty lucky to be able to play at all and anything's fair game as far as pain is concerned. When my right hand gets painful (2 hrs in) I have a stuffed sock I rest it on, and even a cute little stuffed lion that lifts my wrist about 2" above the ledge. You can surely experiment cheaply first.

Asking a real sportsy, rehab-type doctor and/or isolating the specific type of injury and researching it is probably a good idea too, things like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis can be dramatically helped or worsened by what & how you exercise. The science of how to treat these things has evolved tremendously in the past few years.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

When I play, I don't notice if I rest my wrist or not, but I sure like the pad.

Forumite Don Blood makes the wrist pad that bolts on. The advantage appears to be that you can adjust the height to your liking.
Contact Don to make sure about that. Nice guy.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

That pad is not on there to rest you hands or wrists while you are playing, that is not a great habit to get into. Its there for you lean on & fall all over when you are not playing the backup & someone else is, matter of fact, most someone else's will appreciate your leaning on it when they are playing. get those hands up there!!

Ernie Laughing

Scott Swartz · From: St. Louis, MO

I have had carpal tunnel surgery and still have some tendonitits in right wrist (from CAD and other computer use).

For me I can play a D-10 or SD-10 for long periods with no pain, but an S-10/12 I very quickly feel strain/pain in my wrist, from the weight of my arm I think.

If your arm is not on the pad/back neck, IMO you have to engage muscles in your elbow and/or support the weight of your arm via a small area on the low strings. Neither of which are conducive to keeping your hand relaxed for the extremely precise picking required, for me anyway. I do mostly pick blocking which factors into this also I suspect.

My arm gently rest on the pad which for me allows my right hand to float with no pre stressing of muscles. I do move my arm around on the pad as required but between moves I do not have to use arm muscles.

I think similar to way golf instructors say a tight grip in your hands also tenses your arms shoulders etc, making it impossible to swing smoothly.

Just my theories and how the ergonomics work for me.
_________________
Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com

Max W. Thompson · From: Texas, USA

I'v had those hand/wrist/arm problems you are talking about, and was curious as to if a pad would help. I found an old computer keyboard wrist rest and laid it on my psg like this:

It seems to help. I have a little more stamina if I'm not straining too much. I've pretty much left it there for the last month and like it.

It's not the first time I've had to put something on an instrument to protect my hand. Years ago I put this little piece of leather:

on my mandolin to cover a sharp edge on the metal bridge saddle so that it wouldn't cut into my palm as I played. That also works great.
We only get one set of hands, and I'm trying to maximize the playing time I have left in them.

David Doggett · Posted 15 Feb 2007 10:00 pm

Ergonomically you want your wrists to be striaght and level when you play. Having a seat and a guitar of the right height help with that. I guess if a pad helps you get that, it would be good for your wrists. But at the same time, you don't want it to get in the way and slow down your playing.

Max W. Thompson · From: Texas, USA

I don't think it could get much slower...

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: