[WayneCustom7]

OK I need help and advice. Some of you may or may not know that I've been struggling with my Petrucci. My forearm tires quickly then begins to hurt. Now originally I thought this problem was exclusive to the Pet, due to its slim neck profile. I don't have this problem with any of my sixes, however all of my sixes have the exact same profile, since they are all the same guitar. Now last night I was playing my Wayne Custom, totally different profile than the Pet, very thick, almost baseball like...and dang my forearm ached like crazy...so now what, is this the end...


So what I want to know is who else plays several different neck profiles, and if you don't you can still offer up an opinion. Currently I am playing like 4 different neck profiles...

[Naren]

I currently play 3 different neck profiles and have no problems. I play a 7-string Ibanez (thin neck, but wide fretboard), a 6-string Gibson Les Paul Studio (thick neck but short fretboard), and a 6-string acoustic (medium-size neck and medium-size fretboard). And I used to play a 4-string bass and a mandolin... Have you considered that you might be developing something like carpal tanal (sp?) or tendonitis?

[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by Naren

I currently play 3 different neck profiles and have no problems. I play a 7-string Ibanez (thin neck, but wide fretboard), a 6-string Gibson Les Paul Studio (thick neck but short fretboard), and a 6-string acoustic (medium-size neck and medium-size fretboard). And I used to play a 4-string bass and a mandolin... Have you considered that you might be developing something like carpal tanal (sp?) or tendonitis?

I thought of that but why no pain while playing my six stringers? Perhaps the extra stretching involved wth the 7th string...

[Naren]

Hm... that is an interesting question... I have no answer...

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by WayneCustom7

I thought of that but why no pain while playing my six stringers? Perhaps the extra stretching involved wth the 7th string...

I suspect it does have something to do with the hand position when you're playing 7 string. Be especially careful about thumb placement - that was a problem for me when I first started on a 7.

[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

I suspect it does have something to do with the hand position when you're playing 7 string. Be especially careful about thumb placement - that was a problem for me when I first started on a 7.

OK so what postion do I watch out for?

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

I suspect it does have something to do with the hand position when you're playing 7 string. Be especially careful about thumb placement - that was a problem for me when I first started on a 7.

DISCLAIMER- Dammit Jim! I'm not a doctor!

That being said, I agree with this. PROBABLY what's haping is almost like a repetitive motion injury. Methinks your arm is getting stressed having to extend just that little bit extra when playing the 7. My advice? Take it easy on it for a little while. Watch trying to do the fancy shit (esp. on the 7), and give your arm/hand/wrist/forearm a break. Sometimes it's good to take a week or so off, give the ol' joints a break.

Also consider your playing position. Are you seated when this happens? I think many people make the mistake of playing too low when standing, so, if you're doing that, knock that shit off, dude! Make sure your guitar neck is elevated, at a confortable angle. You may even consider playing classical position style for a little bit (guitar between the legs).

Be very careful, though. Once these types of injuries start, they can take while to heal, and any prolongued repetition of the same movement that injured you in the first place can QUICKLY send you back down the lane of pain. I had a carpal tunnel-like problem years ago after I had been playing a few years. I didn't have a guitar for awhile after that, and only played intermittently for a year or so. I got completely better, but it would hurt if I played too long during that recuperation.

These issues usually develop with some combination of incorrect technique (from a health position, like guitar held wrong, etc.)/lack of warm-up/too long doing the same motion.

My generally worthless 2 cents. Hope you get better

[Leon]

i'll second taking a look at your form.

also, do you stretch before you play?

[LordOVchaoS]

The other guitarist in my old band had the same problem. The extra reach of a 7 was just too much for his little hands (he was damn near a midget, 5'3" I think). He now plays 6-strings on songs that he doesn't use the high E and 7's on the rest and his problem is solved. You wouldn't happen to be a little feller would you?

[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

DISCLAIMER- Dammit Jim! I'm not a doctor!

That being said, I agree with this. PROBABLY what's haping is almost like a repetitive motion injury. Methinks your arm is getting stressed having to extend just that little bit extra when playing the 7. My advice? Take it easy on it for a little while. Watch trying to do the fancy shit (esp. on the 7), and give your arm/hand/wrist/forearm a break. Sometimes it's good to take a week or so off, give the ol' joints a break.

Also consider your playing position. Are you seated when this happens? I think many people make the mistake of playing too low when standing, so, if you're doing that, knock that shit off, dude! Make sure your guitar neck is elevated, at a confortable angle. You may even consider playing classical position style for a little bit (guitar between the legs).

Be very careful, though. Once these types of injuries start, they can take while to heal, and any prolongued repetition of the same movement that injured you in the first place can QUICKLY send you back down the lane of pain. I had a carpal tunnel-like problem years ago after I had been playing a few years. I didn't have a guitar for awhile after that, and only played intermittently for a year or so. I got completely better, but it would hurt if I played too long during that recuperation.

These issues usually develop with some combination of incorrect technique (from a health position, like guitar held wrong, etc.)/lack of warm-up/too long doing the same motion.

My generally worthless 2 cents. Hope you get better

Again guys thanks (fuck my arm is aching just talking about it). Actually when I play standing, I wear my guitars quite high...but regardless, this hasn't happened before...and I've been playing the seven for almost 1 year now, and it never happens while playing my six strings...so I question whether this is habit or some other factor...it may also be the damp weather...

LordOVchaoS

The other guitarist in my old band had the same problem. The extra reach of a 7 was just too much for his little hands (he was damn near a midget, 5'3" I think). He now plays 6-strings on songs that he doesn't use the high E and 7's on the rest and his problem is solved. You wouldn't happen to be a little feller would you?

Well my hands aren't the largets but I'm more of an average guy height wise, but as I have stated before, this is happeneing all of the sudden (since I got the Petrucci)...fuck man could neck thicknesses fuck you up?