Old man guitar problems

[laxu]

Well, a hollow body design might work, still Les Paul.
My friend has a 2013 Midtown , it’s like a 355 but smaller, If I couldn’t play my classic the midtown is a great guitar if you can find one.

Was about to suggest the same thing.

An ES-335 style guitar sits a bit higher so it might allow for better posture.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Maybe a solution is to do some workout/stretching and make your back stronger, more flexible?

Every bit this. And it doesn't even need *that* much time investment.
Something as little as 5 minute of back stretching exercises while brewing my morning coffee helped me to get rid of pretty much all back issues (which started to somewhat kick in rather early in my life, seems to be a genetic thing in our family).
Another one is trying to strengthen your gluteus maximus muscle. Super important when you're sitting for a long time. Myself, I'm swimming a lot, running here and there and drive my bicycle all the time.
Using a decent cushion isn't a bad idea, either.

 

[Jarick]

Time for a Strandberg?

More seriously, I've been dealing with some back pain on and off the last couple years including last week when I tweaked it. It's low back pain probably due to sitting at a desk all day. Found this video which has a couple good exercises:



In my case anyway, the pain stems from overuse and weakened muscles at the hip. So I've been doing these stretches/exercises on and off throughout the day. Basically just stand near a wall and put one hand on it for balance, then raise one knee way up and slowly move from one side to another. Then switch sides. Hurt like a mofo at first but now everything is feeling so much better.

I also got a foot rest to help take some strain off the low back while sitting but TBD if that helps at all. That Varier chair looks interesting but the stretches / exercises may be a quick and no cost solution.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Fwiw, I think you need to trey out a bunch of excersizes before finding some that actually help in your personal case. My wife has similar back problems but for her it's a pretty different set of (pretty small as well) things that seems to help best.

 

[hunter]

You can try all the chairs you want. But if you want to change the underlying issue, start yoga or pilates 3x a week. It’s hard to start and get the habit established, but … thank me later.

 

[metropolis_4]

I had the tailbone issue after knee replacement surgery. I finally found the solution was a really good drum throne. My drummer loaned me one of his Roc n Soc thrones and it was better. I found the Ahead Spinal G throne and it changed my life. I could play a 6 hour gig on this puppy. I wouldn't think a split would make that much difference but it does. Tailbone pain permanently gone. I still use it on acoustic shows and when I'm just a background fill-in guy. This throne is life changing. Best of luck to you!

Ahead Spinal G

View attachment 57747

I know a drummer who uses this and he swears by it!

I’ve been thinking of getting a drum throne to use for gigs anyway, I might have to try one. I wish they had it with a back rest

 

[Sascha Franck]

I wish they had it with a back rest

Many drum thrones allow you to add a back rest.

 

[metropolis_4]

Many drum thrones allow you to add a back rest.

I should have looked before typing, they do offer a back rest for that one

 

[dignlivn]

I'll second a drummers throne.

 

[Guitarwiz007]

I know a drummer who uses this and he swears by it!

I’ve been thinking of getting a drum throne to use for gigs anyway, I might have to try one. I wish they had it with a back rest

And here it is. 15% off if you use the code..

Ahead Spina -l G w/ back

 

[metropolis_4]

I got one of these today and I have to say… something about it seems nerdy as hell to me, but I can’t believe how comfortable it makes playing sitting down!!

The guitar balances perfectly, and it’s exactly the right height. Being on the tall side, I don’t think I ever realized before today what it’s like to play with the guitar at the right height. I couldn’t believe how much it helps my technique and how much easier certain things are to play! I’m sold.

My only concern is that it might move and possibly even fall off during a show, but we’ll see. I’ve got a long rehearsal on Sunday I’m going to field test it on.

 

[la szum]

Exercise is a good callout. The more walking I’m doing during runs of shows the less back problems I have. I’ve also discovered yogi is amazing at helping to get rid of back pain for me!

I Yoga first thing in the morning, every morning. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes and I do it while
making Coffee. I'll keep this practice for the rest of my existence.

Gravity is a constant force weighing down on us and tightening and stiffening our joints and
shortening our muscles. I consider some form of stretching an essential practice..... one that
grows more essential the longer you live. Shocking not everyone does it. Seriously.

I started in my mid 20s with the series of movements call the Surya Namskar (Sun Salute) that
are synchronized with our breathing. I dropped it when I became a Father due to time constraints.
Then some chronic back spasms in my 40s (where I once locked up in the yard and laid there
until I saw Vultures circling overhead! True story. I laughed.... and hurt when I laughed :lol ).

That's when I picked it back up again and have really limited any chronic or persistent issues since.

 

[Oddguitar]

Time for a Strandberg?

Strandberg or Klein will solve this problem for sure...I love mine and play 99% of the time sitting down.

 

[EOengineer]

I Yoga first thing in the morning, every morning. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes and I do it while
making Coffee. I'll keep this practice for the rest of my existence.

 

[la szum]

Come on man. It's to preserve my back. I swear!


Hilarious!!