S10 versus SD10 comfort

Tom Kaminski · Post by **Tom Kaminski** » 28 Jul 2016 10:38 am

Although I think I know what the answer will be ("it depends"), I have to ask: isn't having the wrist pad on an SD much more comfortable than trying to play an S10 with nowhere to rest your wrists? ... or for most players it's really no big deal or strictly a personal preference?

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 28 Jul 2016 10:50 am

Tom to me the arm rest make all the difference in the world.
A person has to have a different right hand placement to play a S~10 as opposed to playing a SD~10 with somewhere to plant your wrist.
Thus your attack is different as well.
If I play a S~10, at the end of the song my arms weigh 40 lbs. a piece.

Mileage may very.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 28 Jul 2016 10:50 am

I personally think that having something to support your forearm - whether it's a pad or a neck - is beneficial to your right hand technique.
I played a Sgl 10 for many years before going to a D10, and that's JMHO...
I should also mention that a full size pad does a better job of supporting your forearm than a half pad does.
Again, JMHO...

Allan Kirby · Post by **Allan Kirby** » 28 Jul 2016 11:22 am

I own and play three S-10s, with no pads. I owned two SD-10s, with pads, in the past, but sold them. I was never comfortable with the pad, I found it awkward to play reaching across the pad, which in warm conditions, would rub and stick to my forearms. I feel I am a better player with the neck closer to me and no pad.

I currently play two to three gigs a week and my arms are not tired. Besides, I like the weight and portability of the smaller S-10 guitars.

This is just my preference and I would not suggest that it is for everybody. We are all different and need to find our own comfort zone.

Dean Holman · Post by **Dean Holman** » 28 Jul 2016 11:36 am

As someone who is tall, I am more bunched up under an S-10 as opposed to a SD-10 or D-10. I'm way more comfortable to play those guitars as opposed to the S-10.

Norbert Dengler · Post by **Norbert Dengler** » 28 Jul 2016 11:58 am

i`m with alan on that one, never felt the need of a cushion on my guitar.
remember it was basically an improvised solution to cover lloyds guitar when he took away the jazz-neck.
i prefer the smaller size and simpler concept of the S 10.
never had any arm issues either.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 28 Jul 2016 1:01 pm

"It depends", obviously the correct answer, lol. I do prefer a double neck, or an SD-10, but the vinyl pad can get sticky, as Allan mentioned. I've seen guys fashion makeshift pads that clamp on the legs of a single, that seems like a good idea to me. Make the pad removable, maybe with velcro, and design of a washable fabric instead of vinyl which sticks to your skin easily.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 28 Jul 2016 1:17 pm

Here is my solution. I have arthritis in my right wrist...so I made a partial pad. My left hand is free to move unhampered by a full pad:

Ken Pippus · Post by **Ken Pippus** » 28 Jul 2016 1:39 pm

Since I can play my C neck without a pad or a problem, it always seemed to me I could manage to do the same on an E9 single.

We haven't seen a whole bunch of double necks on triple bodies addressing the issue.

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 28 Jul 2016 3:01 pm

Arm rest for me please.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 28 Jul 2016 3:23 pm

I think an SD10 is a bit more ergonomic underneath the cabinet as well - with more room to place Knee levers in a more comfortable position.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 28 Jul 2016 3:45 pm

Back in the 70â€™s I always thought I wanted an LDG, though Iâ€™ve always had a D-10... Well my Dad ended up getting an LDG, and kept it in a box for years... But now when I go to visit him, so that I donâ€™t have to pack my D-10 up, he keeps his set up for me to play when I get there... But when I sit down to play it, unless its like 50 above in there, my forearms sweat like crazy, and I feel like Buddy Emmons in the video with him and Hal Rugg playing... Iâ€™m miserable... Someday for giggles and grins, Iâ€™d like to try an SD-10 without a pad or perhaps a 3/4 S-10, to see if that would be more to my liking.

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 28 Jul 2016 4:49 pm

Ken Pippus wrote:Since I can play my C neck without a pad or a problem, it always seemed to me I could manage to do the same on an E9 single.

We haven't seen a whole bunch of double necks on triple bodies addressing the issue.

Word

I've never sat behind a double width guitar, so I wouldn't know

I don't like the look of big vinyl pads on a guitar, they appear a bit ... remedial to me

I quite like the look of double or 3/4 width guitars without a pad

I totally get that long-time D10 players might struggle with knee lever placement, proximity of the neck itself, and I imagine I would struggle with the proximity of the floor pedals if I was used to them being further away, which I am not

For that matter, I think I would suffer sore shoulders and considerable all-round discomfort if I had to play my guitar sitting 6 inches further away from it

Dave Stroud · Post by **Dave Stroud** » 28 Jul 2016 5:40 pm

I'm with Dean, I'm tall and love a D10 or SD10. I bet average sized people who have never gotten serious with a D10 prefer an S10. Those of us who learn on a D10 probably prefer an SD10.

And then there are those who learned on a D10 and have a light-weight S10, but secretly wish it were an SD10.

Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 28 Jul 2016 6:08 pm

I like the SD10 but I prefer to take the pad off and have a solid piece of birch plywood or something like that covered and screw it back to the neck. Easy to keep your tuner, drink and things on a flat surface. Just feels better to me.

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 28 Jul 2016 6:39 pm

Fred and Dean summed it up perfect for me. An SD10 just feels so much better to me, and a larger sized person, the extra room underneath makes it easier for me on the pedals and knee levers.

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 28 Jul 2016 6:41 pm

My Buddy Clem Foust has built the Only custom pedal bar extension that I have ever heard of. He has a S10 Bolt on (aluminum neck) Push pull. Notice the custom work in the pedal area. Also built a platform for his left foot to keep both feet on an even plane.
It looks pretty sweet and also gives you the benefits of a D10 or SD10 with a s10 body. More room.

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 28 Jul 2016 8:32 pm

Jeremy Threlfall wrote:I imagine I would struggle with the proximity of the floor pedals if I was used to them being further away

yeah, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 28 Jul 2016 10:11 pm

So much depends on your posture and how you address the guitar. I can't stand SD10s! But I adjust my guitars so that I can sit up straight, and have my elbow just touching my side, and my arm straight out to the guitar. You know I wish I had asked Lloyd about this. Did he really need an armrest pad? Or was it just put there as a cover for all the stuff that had been removed from the C6th neck? Anyway, I don't need one, and don't like 'em! Why have to reach out across extra unused real estate? Adjust your seat, your guitar, and your posture to address the guitar correctly. No good reason to have to rest your wrist on something, unless you have a physical problem. Just my opinion. And as for room for levers? Ricky put 6 on my '74 Shobud S-10. No problem, and very easy to use!

Jeremy Threlfall · Post by **Jeremy Threlfall** » 28 Jul 2016 11:50 pm

I can imagine that if you have your arms extended to reach a neck that is 8-10 inches away from you, then you may well need to rest your forearms on something. If your upper arms are hanging straight down to play a neck right in front of you, then you might need that support to a lesser extent. C6 players could probably confirm this. As per Ken's note above

Ben Edmonds · Post by **Ben Edmonds** » 29 Jul 2016 3:27 am

I agree with John. I don't know why I'd even want to rest my wrist except between tunes. Even playing a D10 I don't rest my wrist and I've always thought the big pad looks goofy. Just my opinion though

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 Jul 2016 4:04 am

I think Lloyd liked the loafer for his elbows, between tunes.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 29 Jul 2016 5:11 am

I usually play a D10 but bring my S10 on fly dates. Or if it is ready to go out the door and I'm feeling lazy. I have found no difference between them as far as comfort goes.

The C neck on a D10 doesn't have a wrist pad and it works fine.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 29 Jul 2016 7:25 am

S-10. Do not like the pad or extra deck.

It's a moot point for me though, as I always play a D-10

The Steel Guitar Forum

S10 versus SD10 comfort

S10 versus SD10 comfort

Clem's Setup