new dreadnought jr and rotator cuff issue

[Bill_Brown]

Hi @Dirk_R , I can only speak of my experience. The 1st acoustic that I bought was a D10EJr and I loved it – it became the only guitar that I played. When I joined TAC and started playing every day, I started to notice that I was having pain in my picking side shoulder. I couldn’t hardly throw anything overhand, just underhand. I thought it was because of my posture while playing. I started doing the TAC stretches and working on my playing posture, but it wasn’t really working. My son-in-law is a PT and gave me several exercises to do. I still had pain in that shoulder – assumed it was caused by arthritis and just thought I’d have to live with it.

One day last January, I decided I wanted to upgrade my guitar. Went to the local music shop and was looking at the new Gibson G45 model and a Martin D15m (both dreadnoughts – solid wood – US made). The sales person also showed me the 00015m. I noticed right away when I was playing the 000 that I had less pain in my shoulder. It’s amazing that those couple of inches made that much difference – changing the angle of my upper arm and releasing the tension (and pain) in my shoulder. So I bought the 000 and have been playing it since, and hardly experiencing any shoulder pain what so ever. And I can throw overhand once again.

YMMV

BB

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by  Bill_Brown.

[Dirk_R]

So Bill what do you do with your dreadnought jr now. Of course I just bought mine.

[Bill_Brown]

@Dirk_R , I traded it in on the 000, in hindsight, perhaps I should have kept it because they only gave me about 50% value for the trade. Maybe you can still return yours, if you want, for full price? Most of those places have a decent return policy, around 30 days.

[That_Guy]

Its hard to play a dread sitting on the edge of my couch so i use a parlor single 0 for that scenario aka “couch guitar”. In the basement music room i have a computer desk roller chair type that has no arms which is great for the larger dread guitar.

Also check out a seat called Ergo Ergo which isnt for guitar specifically but works great

When i first got an acoustic (dreadnaught) it used to leave a red crease in my chest from leaning against it to long while trying to look around the corner at what im doing. Lol

[Carol-3M-Stillhand]

@Dirk_R one thing to try if you are having shoulder issues, and are stuck with a large dreadnaught guitar, is to try playing “classical style” with the guitar resting on your left knee instead of your right. The lower bout will automatically be less intrusive onto your right shoulder and so much more comfortable to play if you are having rotator cuff issues.

[N-lightMike]

I am sorry to hear this as this guitar is new to you @Dirk_R . I know that the Martin Dread Jr is a little smaller than a full size dread, but you are correct about the thickness.

I sold the dread I bought. All my guitars are either smaller bodied or thinner or both. I won’t buy or play large guitars and I don’t even have back or shoulder issues. But I am older and simply don’t care for the large guitars as they are so uncomfortable and limit my playing so badly.

Advice? Get another guitar. If you can make a trade, that would be great. You bought your guitar from Sweetwater and there is no one better at trying to make you happy with your gear. They are a great company. If you are still under the money back time frame, jump on it quickly.

If you have to keep that guitar, remember this; you love this guitar. If you had another guitar, you wouldn’t have to play this all the time. You could change things up. You can get a nice guitar for $300 – $500 brand new. Only 3 of all my guitars, 10 I own and another 6 that I have sold, cost over $500. And only 1 cost over $1000 new, but I bought that one used (yes, it’s one of the 3). And then you have used and open box options. And time pay options.

Do the whole “I need advice on what guitar to buy” thread again, but this time include your shoulder issues.

That’s my 2 cents. I hope it helps. I sincerely wish you good luck. It’s so much fun seeing someone get into guitar and learn and have fun. You have been a wonderful participant in our VOMs. I hope that your guitar journey can continue to provide you with fun.

MG 😀

[Cadgirl]

Sorry to hear about your issues, but I know where you are coming from. I upgraded to a Martin D28 about 10 months ago. I didn’t realize at the time how big it was. No, I think the world is huge. I have to wrap myself around it to be able to pick and the fretting is also tough. I bought a Taylor GS mini and I swear, I will never buy a full size guitar again. It’s so much easier to fret and strum. I have already talked to a guitar store about trading it in.
In the meantime take some ibuprofen and check out Tony’s exercises. You might find that the strengthening exercises he recommends helps out. Someone posted a cheat sheet for the exercises. I thought I had it but can’t find it. I’m going to put up a post for it and see if that could help you out.