Guitar Support Comparison and Review

[@joaquim02]

Please note that, because of the strong magnets, the Sageworks is not recommended for people, like me, who have pace makers or ICD (implanted cardioverter defibrillators) in their bodies. The magnets could interfere with the operation of these devices, endangering the health and life of the users.

[@harishreddy4034]

That's a really thorough review of all options. Thanks a lot.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Thanks Harish, which one are you leaning towards the most (if any)?

[@harishreddy4034]

@@ClassicalGuitarAcademy I'm actually not able to order any of them in my country(India) right now. Maybe the supply network is hit because of the Covid and China issues, but these items are scarce here anyway. I'd have gone for the Gitano if I could, for its compact nature. For now I'm propping up the guitar with a pillow, but thinking of doing something like the Guitarlift as a DIY project. I think with classical guitars some form of lift is a must. I don't feel the need for it on large guitars like an acoustic dreadnought.

[@jimmyperini7704]

Where do you get the clear support and the wooden magnet support? Good review. Thank you 😀

[@harkoffsband]

I am using the HBLight guitar support. It attaches to the guitar with help of clamps as a murata support, but there is no need to take the support off, when You put guitar into the case.

[@tempusfugit6820]

Great video! Which size Sagework Atlas were you demonstrating? Short, standard or tall?

[@charlee2779]

You can stick the guitar lift on the guitar hardcase. Works pretty well

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Excellent option for most hard cases (just not Hiscox unfortunately), thanks Charly

[@robinterkzer8128]

Marvellous ! Forgive my ignorance , when did guitarists stop using the footstool ? Thanks !

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Many guitarists still do use foot stools, but there are now a multitude of other guitar supports which help guitarists to achieve better positions and avoid injury.

[@kongchangfan2237]

Ive just received an ergoplay support, but somehow i was expecting something much smaller. This thing is huge. I might switch to the gitano.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

The Ergoplay does promote a higher position than is achievable with the Gitano. Good luck finding something that works well for you!

[@TBX819]

for transporting the newer designs of guitar supports you also could use a back pack with the paper score inside, as earlier with the standard foot stand or so. Try putting it into a light cloth bag (fixing it to the guit case, if you wish) with the smaller parts, to inspire another option.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Great idea, thanks Byxx!

[@wll1130]

I just picked up the classical guitar again and have been watching these guitar support reviews. I tried an ergoplay before settling in on an old school foot stool. The thing just kept slipping off my leg under any kind of pressure on the guitar unless my leg was elevated slightly to keep it from slipping - somewhat negating the benefits of not using a foot stool. It seems that whether you are using a support or a foot stool the ergonomics of your seat is more important than how you choose to support the guitar.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

The chair you use is important. If you can find a seat that allows you to keep both thighs parallel to the ground (or with a slight decline at most, not leaning back) the guitar support will be a lot more effective.

[@herrunsinn774]

The chair must be at the correct height. Of course, everone is built differently, so what works for one person does not work for another. My main objection to a stool is that it often twists the lower back because it forces the player to "reach around" the guitar to play it. For me personally, my Guitno has been perfect, It allows me to keep both my feet squarely on the ground and eliminated the twisted back problem of when I used a stool. Naturally, your milage might vary.

[@metanougat]

Thank you! This video is very useful but can you please give some tips to install guitarlift. I have one, but i feel uncomfortable to play with it. I know that is individually but i don’t know how to individualize. My back is straining, as are my arms, so i can’t practice a lot. I will be grateful for the help.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Thanks for your comment. I would aim for a playing position where both of your shoulders are level. If the Guitarlift is too high/low, you may find yourself raising or lowering your left shoulder to compensate. This can create excess tension in the body. I would also recommend finding a position where either the nut or headstock of the guitar is approximately at eye level. Bear in mind that the more horizontal the neck position, the further you will have to stretch with your fretting hand. You could also try to keep the sound hole approximately in line with the centre of your body. This will keep the instrument in a central position and help you to avoid over stretching. I hope this helps! If you'd like a bit more insight, please check out the following article on our website: www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/classical-guitar-posture/

[@metanougat]

@@ClassicalGuitarAcademy Thank you very much!!! I will follow your advice. I hope there will be more interesting and useful videos!!!

[@leoyu2142]

Hi, if asking you today, which is your MOST favorite guitar support and why, what would be your answers? Thank you!

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Good question! They all have their benefits, as outlined in the video. I've been using the Sagework Atlas for a while now. It works for me as it provides the right level of support and can be detached quickly and easily.

[@leoyu2142]

@@ClassicalGuitarAcademy I'm using Sagework too, but different model :)

[@Aalii6]

very helpful, thank you!

[@stoufenatz3728]

Thanks a lot !

[@JohnA000]

they sell replacement pads for the guitarlift.

[@ciri151]

Just cut up a pool noodle lol..

[@geraldmooney6461]

How do you fix the magnets inside the guitar?

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

You need to take the strings off (or loosen them to be able to get your hand inside). It can be a bit fiddly, but once installed you will never need to do it again. If in doubt, take your guitar to a luthier who will be able to do it for you, although I'd stay with them while they do it so you can optimise the position of the magnets to your preference.

[@palakido5711]

where to order one please.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

You can order one of these supports from our website: www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/guitar-shop/guitar-supports-and-footstools/

[@lotos-mudr]

Большое спасибо за полезное видео!

[@jpdj2715]

I don't play guitar and got here through the miracles of correlation over causality (as in statistics). Having watched all sorts of guitar music content and discussion of historical instruments, one thing I especially am reminded of here is a double-walled guitar. That guitar is not dampened by contact with the player's body and projects more sound. Volume being one thing, timbre is a completely other. Why at that that here? I can imagine the Guitarlift to have a similar effect, as it keeps the body of the guitar away from the player.

[@MrDogonjon]

I studied classical guitar for decades and one thing that bothers me is the way claccical guitar is played sitting down with left leg on a foot stool or using some device to create the "optimum" position results in leg falling asleep, lower back pain, contorted spine and carpel tumnnel syndrome. I really hate that "posture" it is unhealthy and we need to stop it for classical guitar to be something other than a sport for fools who follow the badness. I use a strap and play standing up. It is great, no back, leg or hand pain plus with a strap you can do cool guitar moves. I devised a guitar bra that requires no strap buttons installed on the guitar. If you want to know how it works I'm not telling any one about it but the whole classical guitar business is foolish and inaccurate.

[@theobenjamin]

Which one do you use ?

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Personally I use the Sagework Atlas, however I'd also happily use the Umbra in performance.

[@robdonell9915]

I have a Gitano support and the suction cups don’t last for very long (one to two years).

[@herrunsinn774]

I've had a Gitano for over two years with no problems. Does Gitano sell replacement cups? I leave it on my guitar all the time because it is so flat. It fits in the case still mounted on the guitar. About once a month, I give the surface of my guitar a really good cleaning. While doing that, I soak the cups in hot tap water in my bathroom sink. This softens the material so it gets a really good fit when I remount. It will stay on my guitar for a month without fail, if need be.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Hello, yes you can get replacement suction cups for Gitano from the Classical Guitar Academy website: www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/products/gitano-suction-cups/

[@stavrosk.2868]

Do the magnets inside the guitar affect the sound?

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Great question. I can understand your concern but I've not noticed any difference in tone myself. The magnets are installed on the sides of the guitar (internally). The sides of the guitar do not contribute anywhere near as much to the tone as the top (soundboard). Unfortunately we'll never know for certain as we can't hear the exact same guitar side by side both with/without magnets. However for me, it's not an issue as I don't feel they have affected the tone of my guitar personally.

[@MrOdissea1978]

how tall are you? great video thanks!

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

I'm around 5 '11", I hope that helps to give you an idea as to which would be the best option for you.

[@MrOdissea1978]

@@ClassicalGuitarAcademy thanks:)

[@timber21]

Can you use this on acoustic guitar?

[@herrunsinn774]

Classical guitar ARE (pardon the caps) acousitc guitars.

[@luckylicks3497]

Where's the foam from your Guitar Lift? Sheesh

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

I think I mention in the video, it's one of the downsides of the Guitarlift. I used to play a lot of weddings with it, so my guess is that the foam is either forever lost in a field somewhere in the UK or has been cleared away with aftermath of somebody's wedding celebrations. I've switched to using the Gitano for weddings now as it tucks away conveniently in my case. I may launch an appeal to see if anybody can #findmyfoam ...

[@jeanaimarre]

thanks ;) the gitano is the best because it adapts to all guitars and it is easy to transport, the rest is not beautiful at all and not practical, the best after the gitano is an ....ordinary footrest like the Hercules Stands HCFS-100B Foot Rest

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Great that you've found something that works for you, thanks for sharing your opinion.

[@herrunsinn774]

The audio level is too low... and you mumble. The accent is a little challenging as well. Good content, however.

[@ClassicalGuitarAcademy]

Apologies for the sound, I'll work harder to make this clear in the future.