[westy]

Thanks Dreadgod - Gitano is exactly what I got and it works satisfactorily, though after several month's use the suction cups seem somewhat more inclined to slip n slide down within their brackets, but overall pretty satisfactory. The flamenco style guitar I am using now, I got cheaply on ebay and has a poor finish on the bottom side. right now I have two strips of clear plastic packaging tape on on the bottom side which seems to work reasonably for the suction cups, even if totally in-elegant lol. I may give those plastic strips a try. Do you think the would stick OK on a finish that is less than glassy smooth.

Thanks - Jim

[westy]

Originally Posted by arturo

Payul,

I took a look at the video and saw the pad. I went to his web page and sent him an email but I don't know if he will get it. If you are in contact with him could you please ask him about the pad? What it's made of. How it's attached to the guitar. What the size is. I was wondering why it extends forward from his elbow towards the waist of the guitar box. Does he still use it.

Gracias, Arturo

Thanks Arturo - I read the webpage with great interest and bookmarked it. I previously made a rough attempt to design my own cushion and it was a total failure. I used moderate firm rubber foam and tried 3 inches thick beyond the contour of the guitar anticipating it would compress at least by a third - it felt totally awkward and would not stay in place.

I suspect his attachment with velcro is probably a great idea. I do not understand the construction of the piece as one of the pictures shows a frame with no cushion inserted into it. Also, as you mentioned there is no information about what what kind of material the cushion is mode out of. I will be greatly interested if you get a reply on your email, and may well try to contact him myself. Of course will gladly post whatever feedback if I do contact him.

As to the cushion extending and tapering towards the waist of the guitar, I can only speculate. However, perhaps it does allow some added variability if less thickness is desired for a particular arm position, plus you do not have to be concerned of your arm disruptively slipping off the edge.

Appreciate your response. At the very least it confirms that it is not just me that has this problem.

Thanks - Jim

[westy]

Thanks arturo and dreadgod I currently have a gitano for playing classical and is probably a godsend since I have back trouble using a footstool, yet I am only marginally comfortable using it and yet consider it more of a "best of all evils" solution. I would be much happier finding a solution that would allow me a more traditional position for playing flamenco.

I have not yet contacted the owner of the website you mentioned arturo, but have been pondering a bit. It seems to me that perhaps crepe rubber could be an acceptable material. The biggest downside I can think of is that it is perhaps a bit heavy, but would need minimal finishing once cut to shape and would provide a secure grip on the guitar when clamped under your arm with no compression. I am very open to other ideas for materials and sources for purchase. As of now have not yet located a good source for crepe rubber of adequate dimensions for the device.

As mentioned, I have not yet contacted the owner of the site but have downloaded the photographs and hope to use these to create a drawing of the device scaled to full size using these drawings and measurements of my own flamenco guitar lower bout width and length. If I am able to render a drawing I consider acceptable I will gladly post it for your consideration.

If any of you have any ideas of a good material to use and/or a source of purchasing said materials, I am very interested.

Thank You - Jim

[westy]

Originally Posted by westy

As mentioned, I have not yet contacted the owner of the site but have downloaded the photographs and hope to use these to create a drawing of the device scaled to full size using these drawings and measurements of my own flamenco guitar lower bout width and length. If I am able to render a drawing I consider acceptable I will gladly post it for your consideration.

If any of you have any ideas of a good material to use and/or a source of purchasing said materials, I am very interested.

Thank You - Jim

I have uploaded scaled pictures of the device, such as they are . These are not great pics due to the limitations of the pics from the original site, software limitations, and upload limits on file size.

I filled the front profile of the device in as white to make it easier to trace, and created grid lines scaled to one inch based on the guitar being 13 7/8 wide at the lower bout, which is the width of my flamenco guitar. Based on the author's statement that the overall length of the device is approximately 7 inches, I think the grid lines are pretty close to the one inch scale. I included two images, one has the inches subdivided into four, the other is subdivided into eighths. So theoretically you should be able to blow up the image to create one inch grid lines and trace the correct shape and dimensions.

I think the reason it tapers towards the ends is because he intended the outer curve to have the same dimensions as the lower bout of the guitar, rather than the dimensions that would otherwise result from the same larger circumference throughout.

- Jim

[earthstrider]

Oh for long arms and fingers! I sympathise with your problems but spare a thought for those of us that have short arms and fingers. I'm staying with it also and looking forward to 'it to come to me'.

[janpulto]

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[johnmsandoval]

To; Jim Westy;

The standard Flamenco guitar playing position is ; the lower guitar bout resting on top of your right leg. The finger board upright vertical at the edge of your left shoulder. You can see this on any Spanish guitarist and those of us who have adapted to it. In this position the foot stool is not necessary since you now have the heel of your shoe resting on the rung of your chair.
The great "Paco de Lucia" places his right leg across top of his left leg and this position looks good, comfortable and classical. I have tried it and it simply does not work on me my bone & muscle structure does not allow it. I simply cannot do it!
So ; I use the standard Flamenco position, such as was used by the great "Paco de El Gastor" the heel of his shoe resting on the rung of his chair.
This position was taught to me by "Ramon de Algeciras" Paco de Lucia's brother.
Don't fret about your long arms, I am sure you will eventually find your personal best guitar playing position.
Wishing you the best of everything I remain ; Juan Manuel Sandoval Flamenco guitarist.