Ergonomic design

The importance of ergonomic design

In the past, the most important aspect of instrument making was the desired tone quality. The comfort of the player was not taking into consideration by the Luthier. No modification from the original concept was envisaged to help the performer in his performance.

In the electric guitar world, some very famous makes (whose names are known to all) continue making instruments which are too heavy, cumbersome, not well balanced and difficult to play.

Similarly, in classical guitar building the 12 fret joins the body in such a way that the upper frets are very awkward to reach, not to mention the straight saddle which is rarely compensated for proper intonation!

In every case, the attitude has always been:

"Why change a formula that has worked well for so long?" My answer is simple. "Because we can find a better one

EROGONOMY is an amalgam of several pertinent elements of design which together enable the performer comfort and ease in performance. With the reduction of discomfort and awkwardness, his playing improves and his pleasure and satisfaction increases.

This is more and more necessary in the music today in which boundaries are pushed further yet traditional design dominates and prevails.

Many are the modern manufacturers which use cutaways and smooth heals, and some other little pertinent elements that are technically known as "contours". Sometimes, they will put a oil or satin finish on the neck to make it more comfortable to the touch.

These details are what impress you when you compare an instrument with these little subtleties to one without. You immediately feel the difference and are more satisfied with how you sound.

A traditional maker will not include these and other features, because curiously they are rejected out of hands by the "purists". This is why you could say that there are two types of instrument maker:

 1) The Traditional Maker who conforms to past traditions and rules.

 2) The Modern Maker who innovates, pioneers, and improves upon the levels of the past for today's performance and customer demands. This maker listens to his clients as music goes forward with new parameters.

The common idea that the past was glorious and there is no place of improvements both in comfort and tone is simply untrue. My philosophy of guitar building is to make a practical, beautiful and comfortable instrument which is a joy to play and to which to listen, everyday. As a guitarist and designer I use my own experience and awareness of the discomfort prevalent in so many existing models to create the ergonomic instruments you can see for yourself on my website.

Enjoy!..