Review of the A-Frame Guitar Support
In Classical Guitar Sitting positions I discussed how guitar supports can help ease discomfort while playing guitar and in Classical Guitar Supports I discussed the three different types of classical guitar supports available in the market and the pros and cons of each of the three designs.
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In this article, I review one of the supports that emerged in the market over 20 year ago, the A-Frame Guitar Support.
The A-Frame Guitar Support is what I described as a Trapezium Design (even though it really is more of a triangle) in Classical Guitar Supports.
The A-Frame guitar Support is designed to adjust the angle of the guitar neck to aid in perfect positioning for playing. It is highly recommended by Aaron Shearer. The A-Frame adjustable guitar support is simple to use, yet offers a greater variety of positioning than has ever been available for the guitarist. The ability to make adjustments to 3 separate aspects of positioning, and then lock them into your optimum playing position is a unique feature of the A-Frame. Basically there are three adjustments: Left or right adjustments, angle adjustment, and height adjustment.
Below is a video by David Stevenson where he demonstrates the A-Frame to us.
The Pros and Cons
THE PROS
- It folds up and easily slips into a guitar case or bag
- Comes with a year warranty from the supplier
THE CONS
- It doesn't fit all sizes of guitar so be careful to take the measurements of your guitar. It particularly doesn't fit half size or 3/4 size instruments.
- The suction cups have a tendency to fall which can annoying and embarrassing if you're performing
- The finish on a small number of guitars may react with the suction cups on the a-Frame, and leave a mark on the finish that will not wipe off. The supplier states that most guitars won't have this problem, but offers a refund if you have this problem.
Review Comments (Amazon rating 3.9 out of 5)
C. Finnigan (Klamath Falls, Oregon USA): My Guitar A-Frame Support is exactly what I needed for my Guitar! I can literally play sitting anywhere. I was and am amazed and delighted on how the A-Frame works and believe it is a necessity if you own a guitar.
Seashells (Fort Walton Beach, FL): The A-Frame adjustable guitar support is simple to use, yet offers a greater variety of positioning than has ever been available for the guitarist.The ability to make adjustments to 3 separate aspects of positioning, and then lock them into your optimum playing position is a unique feature of the A-Frame. Basically there are three adjustments: Left or right adjustments, angle adjustment, and height adjustment. ***Note: The finish on a small number of guitars may react with the suction cups on the A-Frame, and leave a mark on the finish that will not wipe off. The vast majority of finishes have no adverse reaction to the suction cups. During the first few weeks of use, you should inspect the finish regularly and contact Sageworks if you notice a problem.
The Verdict
The A-Frame Guitar Support started a revolution in guitar playing. When the A-Frame first hit the market, over twenty years ago, there was nothing like it.
As I show on my page on guitar supports, the range of guitar supports available to the market shows has since then grown massively.
The compromises that the market was prepared to make twenty years ago when there was no competition are just not compromises that they are prepared to make now. One gets the feeling that A-Frame, once and still a great concept, just hasn't kept pace with the technological and engineering developments that have taken place in guitar supports.
All in all, a great concept but probably needs more work to keep its market share.
Having said that, I have to confess that I have a few friends who swear y the A-Frame. So clearly it is working for some. If it will work for you, now that's the question that you have to answer.
You'll need to go a little deeper into music theory as you proceed. The best online resource for this is Guitar Theory Revolution. It recognises that music theory is very hard for guitarists because music theory has till now been located in the piano paradigm. The Guitar Theory Revolution overthrows the piano paradigm that is holding you back and embraces the attributes of the guitar to unpack music theory. In fact, it goes further and allows you to see that the guitar is one of the best instruments for learning theory.
