thanks for covering an important aspect about guitars that i haven't seen others tackle, i just wish there were more budget options.... ps: what was the book she was reading lol, i couldn't make out the title

well i can confidently say this is the first guitar youtuber that i’ve seen sponsored by a couch

I really appreciate how pragmatic you are in identifying and dealing with the problems and obstacles we have to deal with as guitarists. Over the last couple of years, many guitar KZfaq Channels have turned into infomercial outlets. I'm glad you've managed to avoid that route. Much respect. 😎

Your channel has become my go-to for everything guitar-related, all of your efforts are greatly appreciated!🔥👊🏽

The Strandberg guitars appeal to me mainly because of their styling, function, AND light weight. However, the cost is a bit of a deterrent. BTW, 'significant others' who enjoy reading-- are the real keepers ;) Another great video Andre!

The ergonomic position of playing is actually between 33° and 45°. I was testing around with a level mounted to my guitar. Which makes sense because it is either half of the way between vertical and horizontal and 1/3 of the way up from horizontal. That is why many of the photos in which you show the people playing and then throw up the level, the angle is always slightly lower on the photo of someone playing. Either way, absolutely love what you are doing. Big fan

This guy’s channel deserves to be bigger. Hope people find him. Good stuff!

Your videos as always great. Thanks for putting in so much hard work.

Love your guitar reviews you are super insightful, but really love stuff like this, everyday use and how some stuff that you don’t initially think of can affect your relationship with your guitar.

Great editing and very informative. Thank you!

I always appreciate the amount of thought and detail in your videos.

Before today, if there was a KZfaqr I wanted to be like it was Phil McKnight. Now, after seeing that sweet chair, I want to be like Fludd.

This was a great video dude. And for sure the amount of work you're putting in really shows. Extra props for getting Josh Middleton in this one and getting a fricking set of cinema chairs bro! Living the dream man!

I love this video! Your honesty and commitment to detail are admirable. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on Jazzmasters!

As a software dev and bedroom bassist thinking about ergo in a musical setting is pretty interesting. Definitely got me looking at what I'm doing now

Excellent content, lovely concept, and execution. You have a very patient partner.

That was very educational. Awsome video.

Another super enjoyable video Andre.. thanks so much as always!! 💪💪 The couch bits with your lady were hilarious

Thank you for your hard work! Guitar ergonomics is a fascinating topic and you've helped me get a better understanding on how to think about it. I appreciate that. :)

HEY DOC!!! I've been subbed pretty recently and have been following for a couple months, and MAN!!! You're a breath of fresh air in a scene dominated by subjective feelings and not trying to hurt anyone's feelers lol. Your empirically investigated OBJECTIVE findings by an actual doctorate of music Prof. are awesome. The time has come for people to actually pay attention to the EXPERTS of their respective fields, and you do it with humor, humility and most of all expertise. Because again you are a friggin Ph.D of this field. Thank you sir!!!

Great Content as usual. Always useful content.

This channel is quickly becoming amongst my favorites and I’m highly impressed with how educational and entertaining Andre makes his content.

New viewer here, and as someone who has struggled to find a new guitar to spark some more inspiration, i have definitely realized how much ergonomics are a priority over alot of features, and i am enjoying the new kinds of discussions and videos you are bringing to guitar youtube !

That last blooper is one of the most wholesome things I have seen on KZfaq.

I appreciate your quest for find whats make a guitar ergonomic, not only to practice, but to enjoy on the couch too.

The chair "promo" was hilarious! Good job as usual with the guitars.

You’ve really stepped up your video quality recently. Keep it up!

Companiero! This has got to be the greatest guitar-related review video--of all time! Simultaneously informational and entertaining in equal portions. And to get a sponsorship by a home theater seat/couch manufacturer takes it to a whole new level! Great video, friend. So have fun Netflixing and noodling scales with Mystery Girl. Enjoy! 🤙🎸🎶

Thx for talking about ergonomics and for putting in the effort to create a comprehensive review

Love the focus on context 👌🏻

My go-to for practicing while I'm watching TV/KZfaq is to work on my ear - I just mess around until the commercials come on, and then I pick out the music in those and see how fast I can play along with them. It's good for my ear (obviously), but it's also good to give me some different vocabulary as most commercials aren't the sort of music I typically play. Love the channel, man. Keep it up.

We need the Behind the Scenes B-roll of you wrestling the chairs down to the basement!

Wish everyone liked extremely detailed nerdy guitar review stuff, seems like you are the only guy that goes this in depth. Would love to see amp reviews or other types of gear too. No one else dives this deep other than a few select niche people.

Great review!

Congrats on the new sponsor!

Thanks!! After having sold my first strandberg for a while, I think I'm going to try again with different model. I just love the look out of all the more ergonomic (headless) options... may eventually try an abasi too though they seem hard to find...

Great reviews, thanks

I really enjoyed this topic and your presentation was excellent. Especially as you use guitars much different from my own. I always an I mine always play with a strap whether sitting or standing and it does achieves much the same result. Once again very much enjoyed your video

Great video! I do like their couches…very nice.

Haha that recliner plug was awesome! 🤘🤘

New subscriber here. Love your videos man, you do a great job. Your hard work is evident.

Feel super inspired by this, love how you make videos where I learn even if I don’t have or have an interest in the guitars you’re showing (tho you have successfully naturally convinced me that when I can afford it that Abasi Concepts might be the best practical lifetime self-gift guitar for home playing and showing off 😋) also love your narrative bits with your partner, you two are adorable (and who doesn’t read a book that’s in front of them? lol) thank you for another great video!!

Great Video 🎉

Very funny segment with the Valencia seating. I really appreciate your work creating the video as I am also currently evaluating ergonomic guitars. I recently purchased a Strandberg and I have my own thoughts about what's good and bad about it. Endure neck is great but the headstock is too close to the neck (looks like the Tal guitar solved that problem). You can''t slide up to an A7 from the first fret (think blues tune Nobody Loves You) because it's too cramped. Also, access to the upper frets is limited for people with smaller hands - they should definitely improve the heel joint - it's too bulky. Also, my guitar has an unacceptable dead spot at the 7th fret. I am currently in touch with Strandberg about getting a replacement. 😞 Keep up the good work. Big thumbs up!

I know it’s an Amazon guitar, but I really love the Anygig electric SE for a good entry level headless/ergonomic guitar. Very similar to the Tao. It’s got cheap but functional hardware and electronics that are standard, so is easy to upgrade if wanted. The strap hook extends to the 12th fret and the forearm rest can be placed for the individual.

I remember seeing those Steinberger in old live Cynic footage, I know Paul loved those guitars...now he's got Strandberg signature model though.

I am not a skilled player, but I know a lot about designs and engineering, and both the Strandberg and the Tau are great with the SB being a detailed ergonomics beast. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

Thank you very much for your reviews of the Larada and Emi and your genuine interest in guitar ergonomics. As a long-term guitar ergonomics freak myself, I am presently completing my own project in this sphere. Since my current place of residence is beyond copyright claims (which is, probably, one of the few 'positive' things I can say about it), nothing could stop me from transforming my Larada-style concept into a deep-set single-cut with the neck joint being 15th fret while also adding an NS Design-style body lens radius, Rick Toone inspired extreme bevels, 2D-adjustable 48 mm upper nut, a Stra...berg-style trapezoidal neck profile, and a whole lot of other ergonomic concepts I came to love over the years. I may not be in a position of authority to provide this kind of recommendations to a skilled professional such as yourself but it seems to me like you may also be better off building your dream guitar with a reputable luthier to combine the different ideas you love in each particular design you review. I believe, Frank Falbo had their version of the Larada design that could be fully customised as opposed to serial models from Abasi Designs. This way, you can add two humbuckers (which, I believe, is your general preference) as well as other elements such as custom neck radii, nut width, specific tremolo model or electronics.

I love your smart, dry , analytical approach, you have funny moments that I don’t think you plan for…and “mystery girl” is genius!!! Learning a ton from you

Glad you got a nice couch!

Can we get a second Chanel focused on couch reviews??

As ever, I did learn something from watching this video; I'm not alone in practicing in different environments. I do a couple of hours serious practice each day, but I also play guitar on the couch while watching TV in the evening. I also learned that my approach to ergonomics is similar to the one espoused here - go with whatever works for you personally. I recently got a guitar that's perfect...perfect for me, that is. I'm sure others wouldn't find it comfortable or 'ergonomic' in the conventional sense, but I love it and that's all that matters. These videos are always interesting, educational and enjoyable. Please keep making them.

I appreciate the lengths you go through to break instruments down to their very atoms.

Good content: both objective and subjective. I lament that Ovation/Kaman stopped producing ergo, and other electric guitars. Also, Taylor and Larivee produced some outstanding single-cut solid bodies (although not ergo). Would like to see Kaman do Deacon/Breadwinner original spec reissues... Would like to see an episode on compact body (smaller than the ES-339 template) semi-hollowbody electric guitars.

You did a really good job selling that chair. I should buy one.

And, not every guitarists can stand, like me.

Another benefit to strandbergs and i imagine other headless guitars. You play guitar in the front passenger seat of a car and not have to worry about stabbing the driver with your headstock. Great for road trips or if you car pool the commute to work.

When you said the endurneck taught your hand a few thing I totally know what you mean agree

Clicked to watch a guitar review ended up lusting for a theater chair and some popcorn. Well played Dr. Fludd

You have the same standards i have with guitar ergonomics. Ive seriously considered lately to get some extra thick sheets of rigid insulation foam and shape a guitar body for myself and eventually build the whole thing.

U make very helpful videos

I Think you do a Great Job consistently.

I switched to flying V a few yrs ago because I am Dave Mustaine fan. It works great while sitting if you prefer to play in classical position.

Don’t know why, but I never considered using the curve closest to the input jack when seating down with my Strandberg. 😅 I use the regular curve and a foot stool. I’m gonna have to try it.

Cool, I loved the video

How do people play sitting down? 😂🍻

I was so hyped for years regarding Strandberg guitars as I only saw them online yet all the stores in my country could only ship`em to me fully pre-paid without trying it first (and no return, of course), but once I was abroad and tried a few 7 string ones, it didn`t feel any special or more ergonomic than my budget superstrat. I don`t remember model names, but the mid-level one with Fishman was ok, and the "entry" model was barely playable at all, still quite an expensive guitar in general. The last guitar you showed seems interesting.

Nice shout out to Josh. He really is a god

The most comfortable guitar I own to sit down with that sits at that 45ish degree angle is a V as long as it’s not too pointy of a design. I cannot stand playing while I’m laying back on a couch so I can’t offer any suggestions there.

Love your content Andre. Just a request for future videos. Any chance you can either write the description of the guitar you're using somewhere in the video, or in the drop down? I'm trying to figure out the last guitar you used, but since it's not written down anywhere I'm kind of at a loss. Is it called a Tal? Tow? The closed captioning keeps thinking you're saying Towel?

6:35 There are a lot of people that confuse cost with expense. Cost is fact, and expense is what you’re willing to spend. I wouldn’t say $4000 is expensive if the features provided are what you’re willing to pay for a quality instrument. Also, at that rate, you know the employees that built it are being taken care of financially. As PRS would say, “If you think that’s expensive, you don’t want it enough.”

Smooth CTA for the line mid video

Very interesting points. It opens up my own thinking about what shape of guitar my body would need to feel more comfortable playing. So it's not all about sound and looks. A guitar should fit the player like a glove fits a hand. Thanks for raising my awareness.

Keep doing what you're doing bud! Sending love from up north

I personally don't like the 45 degree thing while seating. I did play entirely in classical position until I was around 16, then I switched to 0 degrees flat to the floor and my playing actually improved ever since. But don't trust me, I'm one of those who also have the guitar right by the ballsack when I'm standing up no matter what position lol The looks of things definitely decide how I'm playing more than first impression comfort, as I can get used to pretty much anything. I on the other hand don't like to give people the wrong impression when they see me play. But hey, it might just be me :D When it comes to the guitars in the video, the Klein might be the only one I won't like as it forces you into a higher degree

My solution came from the less-expensive end. I bought an Eart GW-2 headless. Not much over $200, plays great, and sounds as good as any of my other humbucker-equipped guitars. I can use either thigh as a "post" on which to rest the lower bout, depending on what suits me that day. And - a bonus - it only weighs about 6 lbs. Don't know if it's "the best" - I can't afford to buy several to try out in order to make a judgment.

As a wheelchair user here, I bought one of the scandahoovian six stringers and am enjoying it. Mayhaps someday others will too. Meanwhile, back at the ranch I am pluckin and strummin till then. I would like to discuss more about ergo options and some solutions I have found, or bumbled into but I don't think I should advertise, but rather just spread the word. Please PM me good doctor if you would, for more.

Honestly the Abasi Emi always looks like the perfect gutiar for me... It's a shame it's sooo damn expensive

Waitaminit: SPOUSE????? 8:18 RIGHT ON!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

Great video, Andre. Myself, I've learned that sometimes the most ergonomic designs can initially look as… not exactly as such. Have you tried the EBMM Cutlass RS, or the Stingray RS? I think you would be pleasantly surprised; a very much IMHO: they are extremely ergonomic, both contexts considered :) Keep 'em coming & have a great one!

cool thanks for sharing! i would love to know you opinion on having the ergo guitar on the right leg like with a strandberg vs having it between the legs like with a breadwinner

You have to write the names of the brands on screen man… or put links in the description! I’m trying to find the last one on the web and it’s mad… is it Tow? Tau? Towel… have mercy, not all of us are native english speaker, and even so…

End was funny haha

I had a guitar teacher who taught me to play in the classical position, with the guitar positioned between my legs. But over time, I've come to realize this position is all wrong for me - you see, I was born blind in my left eye, and can't see the guitar that way! Putting the instrument on my right leg, but still getting it to tilt upward, is really the best adaptation for me.

Best couch guitar is a steinberger spirit. it is as compact as guitar can be it has a folding leg and you don't have to pay an iridiculous price for it

She's wonderful! Keep her. Thought she was blonde, but no matter. I'm not the most attentive to ergonomics. My last purchase was my first Telecaster. Something tells me I'm going the wrong way in this regard. My ex-wife would see me on the couch noodling and moan, "Must you?" Ergonomically speaking, I've damn near snapped a few guitars in half after hearing this so many times. I don't recommend it. Consequently, Mystery Girl, or since I almost named my daughter Mystery, I think of her name as such, Mystery is far superior to a sizable fraction of non-musician companions to have. A peaceful time on the couch is part of the charm. After all, if Mystery were sulking in the other room, she might consider legal action. My ex-wife left after all, and I've yet to find anyone willing to put up with my guitar habit.

Thank you for this !! Personally, I am so focused on ergonomic guitar's because without headlsss guitars, I would have stopped playing all together. I appreciate your channel a lot ! Are the Abasi emi guitars heavy ?? I'd like to try one but I don’t ha

Underrated channel

these reviews are overly convoluted but that's my jam so thank your for making this content. Actually I'm at the moment reajusting my seated guitar position because I've played standard scales guitars for quiet a while, but now I'm almost exclusively playing extended range or baritone guitars and it threw off my body position to the point I have some shoulder pain... So this content is really interesting. Another thing that's very interesting is that I have lot of woman friends who want to learn guitar but all the guitar lessons are made by men who have no chest issues and, maybe due to a lack of online resources, can't find a comfortable playing position, but with your videos I'm sure I could give them some tips for her to find a better posture.

Another great and unique video! A quick question. Once you realize that you have 2 or 3 favorite guitars, do you end up having several that realistically never (or rarely) get played? Or do you regularly rotate through your collection just for variety sake? Just curious. Thanks!

Nice to see an actual intelligent person doing guitar reviews.

I will say my EBMM Majesty 6 is my most playable, versatile sounding, and comfortable guitar. However, my favorite all-around guitar is my Kaizen 6, I'm up to four; and if I sell more gear I'll be getting another. I agree, finding our perfect guitar is subjective. Having owned many different brands, models across different price points, it's great when you finally find a guitar that checks all / nearly all of your must have requirements. cheers!

This is the thorough analysis that guitar players didn't know they needed.

Best out of all is a Bill Delap if you can find one for less than 10K. Not the 31 fret baritone because you’d be poking your lady friend there. If you want the next best thing, a Carvin Holdsworth HH1, not Kiesel since they don’t chamber them anymore and are pretty much a rock with strings attached. Sadly, the Carvin Holdsworth headless was actually designed by Bill Delap himself.

Very good Video. Why wont you use a horn extender and a guitar strap like I use on my basses? I think the horn is just to short on the most instruments. A major issue of guitar design.

You should check out Aristedes Headles guitars they have 2 output jackets so you can play however you want

I hope one day you can do a Holdsworth Experiment where you play every ergonomic guitar he played from the 80’s to the Kiesel signature.

He is what he is. He is the huitar playing man

I enjoy your videos. I'm a violinist and i don't understand that word "ergonomics"

Klein vs. the other: The Klein has a too narrow angle on the bridge side, otherwise it would fit much better between left and right leg. Faulty design. The Abasi has in my opinion the best ergonomic shape, but, as can be seen in the gap on your leg, the radius is not placed in the optimal position. The Strandberg is half-baked, I played one and was not impressed: besides of the really mediocre dynamics (wood problem), for me with 1,80 m height, the form was not comfortable at all. But it has a great weight balance because of the headless design. An Abasi in headless design would be great, Mayones makes breathtaking excellent, great sounding instruments (but with wrong angles for good ergonomics) in headless designs. Depending on your size and body shape, an individually made ergonomic body with your favorite neck would do the trick. If you use your favorite pickup and bridge type, you'll have no significant change in attack, dynamics and sound.