Guitar Supports
For many decades now, classical guitarists have been experimenting with different ways to support their instruments in the correct way. This has come about as an alternative to using a footstool, which can move the body into an unnatural and sometimes debilitating postion.
From Aguado’s Tripodean, a contraption that he bult during the early 1800s, to ribbons tied around the headstock of the guitar and then over the shoulder like the lutenists do, there have been some designs that have worked and some that simply haven’t.
With the invention of secure suction cups, the idea was born that a frame could be suctioned onto the bottom of the guitar and angled up, with the guitarist thus able to keep both feet on the ground. This was the birth of the A-Frame, a guitar support that still has its users today. Upgrades to the basic design have come thick and fast, and now classical guitarists have many options to try out. Another idea, used by decades ago by Abel Carlevaro, was to use a small cushion to raise the guitar and thus only a low footstool was required, easing the pressure on the back muscles.
I personally use a guitar support created by Barnett guitars – a similar design to the suction cup frame support like the ErgoPlay, but instead of the rubber suction cups, the support uses strong magnets placed inside the guitar to keep it in place.
