best guitar for arthritic hands

which are essential for all the guitar players. How To Stop The Pain! When I first heard Kiko play, I was enthralled. Still, he also invented analog recording marvels that included sound on sound, multitrack recording, and delay effects.

For the most part, it comes back to management e.g. No, although the joint damage from arthritis does not go away, the symptoms of arthritis can be effectively treated to make them go away or be tolerable so that you can play the guitar comfortably. Read on to learn more about the best acoustic guitar for arthritic hands. If you play acoustic guitar, you might want to look at silk and steel strings as well. Ease Arthritis symptoms by running your hands under warm water Experiment with lighter gauge strings and try lowering your action Focus on open chords, Tony was convinced that he would never play the guitar again, but his boss brought him a recording of Django Reinhardt with an explanation of his hand deformity. Now I have my own home workshop with the proper training and equipment to safely maintain and repair all my instruments. your hand feels unfamiliar due to inflammation resulting in swelling, causing you to play clumsily. When it comes to the body of the guitar, its designed from an appealingly unique Trembesi wood, which is an outlandish wood that many medium-range acoustic guitars manufacturers always tend to fabricate guitar from this wooden material. This guitar sounds great and is incredible too! Required fields are marked *. Keep on reading to learn about ideas you can try to make things easier and bring enjoyment back into your playing. You may be able to negotiate a free guitar setup into the instruments price. Gripping a pick with arthritic hands can be very uncomfortable and can prevent a person from enjoying playing. If you also have arthritic pain in your hips, knees, or feet, you will probably find it easier to play in a sitting position. It features a nice thin neck and it is an absolute joy to play! on a stand or somewhere its easily accessible. Check out the Baby Taylor or Little Martin, both "decent" sounding small guitars and can be had for under 300 bucks. Theacousticguitarist.com is my blog where I write about everything I have learned along the way. Absolutely! The first one I was diagnose with Dupuytrens contracture on my right hand ring finer. WebAcoustic Guitar for People With Arthritis 11,007 views Jul 18, 2013 49 Dislike Share Save Zager Guitars 983 subscribers Zager Guitars were created by Master guitar builder Zager Easy Play Guitars Neck shape, size and string spacing, Choosing the right size of your Zager Guitar, Custom String Height Adjustment on a Zager Easy Play Guitar. Strap Peg and Placement on a Zager Guitar, Zager Easy Play Guitars Bolivian Rosewood Bridge, Zager Easy Play Guitars Bolivian Rosewood Fretboard, Zager Easy Play Guitars genuine cow bone saddle, Zager Easy Play Guitars genuine Grover tuning machines, Zager Easy Play Guitars hand bent curly maple binding ZAD900. His disability gave rise to a new darker sound, and Black Sabbath is commonly credited as the first Heavy Metal band. This guitar can be the ideal beginner guitar variant if you considering it for learning purposes. The easiest guitars to play are usually solid body electrics. The Cedar Top of the guitar has a cheerful sound with great clarity but is perhaps slightly warmer than Spruce Top (Which is the most commonly used wood in the acoustic guitar). I should point out, that there are many times that I dont do any of these, it will depend on how you are feeling on a particular day. Finally, it is also essential you sit in a comfortable chair, with the correct posture. While playing guitar with arthritis can be more difficult, it is certainly not impossible. As you continue to play, your fingers will begin to stretch apart farther so that you can play chords and scales more comfortably. I hate to be the one to break it to you but this guitar has nothing else in the box. Know that traditional stick control puts all the strain on your fingers and depends on freewheeling sticks for endurance. Why Your Acoustic Guitar has fewer frets than your Electric. And despite the lack of scientific evidence linking the two, it would take a brave soul to argue that this is not caused by years of playing guitar in the longest-running and arguably one of the hardest-working bands to ever grace a stage. The other thing you can do is modify a guitar pick to your own custom specifications or make the surface rougher so it wont slide around. Im curious. My guardian Angel have directed me to your write up. Have you thought about lowering your guitars string height (action) and using a lighter gauge string set, which will help quite a bit with string bends? And while they often feature a higher action than a typical steel-string guitar, to account for the wider vibrational arc of the strings, I have found them much easier to play if my hands are sore. Automatic tuners are small robotic gadgets that tune your guitar without any effort from you. run through specific exercises or play scales as I know Im less likely to play accurately. Arthritis is a general term for conditions affecting joints and surrounding tissues. Join our community, and you'll get exclusive access to the latest news, product reviews, and free learning opportunities right in your mailbox!

Django had an accident in 1928 that badly burned and deformed his left hand. This is the best group of people Ive ever worked with. Usually, a larger pick will be easier to hold onto. In simple words, its like a steel-string guitar that has the essence of the classical guitar also. Try to plan the rest of your day or night around it, especially if youre retired. As a blues guy, you might try some open tunings with a guitar slide, which could be more arthritis-friendly. This guitar is appropriate for all types of guitar players and also for all kinds of music genres. Slouching places pressure on your spine, which can cause pain throughout your body, making arthritis symptoms worse. Still, chronic overuse of hand and finger joints may bring on the symptoms of arthritis earlier or worsen them. Can Playing An Instrument Cause Arthritis? Theacousticguitarist.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Advanced guitarists who play chord melody (both the harmony and melody of the song at once) can simplify by splitting things up. Arthritis can be difficult to understand for those who have not experienced it first-hand (pun intended). The point is that you can still have fun with your playing and bring joy to others simultaneously! It may take a little experimentation before you find exactly what you need. If you cant make it happen with a pick, you should explore three other options. I gave up playing guitar about four years ago because arthritis in my hands made it impossible to make the stretches, bends etc that I enjoy with the style that I play (blues). Best Acoustic Guitars For Small Hands: Our Top 3.

I wish I had a book like this when I was first starting out on the guitar many years ago! Although many people find playing the guitar to be therapeutic for their arthritis conditions, it is important to listen to your body and know when it needs a rest. An attic is no place for such a fine instrument! Great for travel, ideal for children struggling to get their arms around full size guitars, fantastic second guitar for the office. He created two plastic fingertips by melting the plastic of liquid soap bottles and covering the ends with suede. To be honest, those steel strings can be hard on your fingers in the beginning. BB King if Im not mistaking he only used three fingers playing. If you have Arthritis you might be wondering whether its still worth learning the guitar. He had a great admiration for Les Paul and vice-versa. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have slight arthritis in the hands and recently picked up a Mahogany Ibanez AC-2040.It has a 45mm nut,great for fingerpicking is extremely light and wonderful Here, I will share some of the top tips that can help you overcome the pain and stiffness and continue to enjoy playing guitar or get started learning for the first time. This leverage can help under-strength hands, small hands and some arthritic hands (depending on WHERE your arthritis is living) with bends and vibrato and even hammer-ons and pull-offs. If you take pain medication for your arthritis, taking it before playing can help to calm the pain and improve your playing. I wrote this 54-page eBook to make it easier for all beginning, intermediate, and advanced players! Ive been into guitars, songwriting, and home recording for over 30 years. For example, the high E string (10) in an Ernie Ball Earthwood Extra Light set is almost as thick as the B string (11) in an Ernie Ball Extra Slinky string set. You can do it yourself at home or see a physical therapist for professional treatments. This Takamine acoustic guitar is a well-built with high-grade materials and astonishing sound quality. Thank you for this article and all the excellent tips. Ever since Arthritis started impacting my hands Ive become enthusiastic about washing the dishes. Positive Grid Spark Problems: What You Need to Know, Voice Between Baritone and Alto Crossword Clue: The Ultimate Guide, Tuba vs Baritone Differences & Similarities. Its peaceful and gets me in the right head-space for the day ahead. However, using lighter gauge strings may have an impact on the guitars volume, tone, and responsiveness so you may benefit from experimenting with different brands, materials, and gauges before you settle on the right strings for you. Because Osteoarthritis is caused by repetitive movement, musicians, especially professionals who start playing at a young age are more prone to Osteoarthritis. I rarely use a pick nowadays (for reasons Ill explain shortly), so my thumb is usually doing a lot of the work. Depending on the type of arthritis you have and the severity of your disease, it may take you anywhere from 15 or 20 minutes to 1 or 2 hours to get your hands moving at their best. No picks, no straps, no bag, no nothing. Having a positive attitude will help make all the difference. Tony experimented with thinner gauge strings and tuned down 1/2 to 1 whole step to make them easier to play and bend. That's me with Les Paul when I met him at the Iridium Club in New York City in 2004. He played guitar in a rock and blues band and quit his daytime job as a sheet metal factory worker to go professional. Many players with hand disabilities overcame them, Getting the right guitar for you can make all the difference, Never give up because wheres theres a will, theres a way, Talk to your doctor to get all the options available for diagnosing and treating your condition. With joy people wont notice what youre playing or how well youre playing or how well youre playing how! Is on the symptoms of arthritis be very uncomfortable and can be very uncomfortable and prevent! Arthritic fingers, he could only use his first two fingers instruments price easier and bring joy to play bend. Finger joints may bring on the last day at the factory, Tony had a great admiration Les. The biggest mistakes individuals make when it comes to playing guitar with arthritis, it! What guitar, strings, and delay effects make your guitar without any effort from you arthritis need... 1928 that badly burned and deformed his left hand physical therapist for professional treatments matter! Pain-Free way to learn to play accurately others simultaneously well youre playing how. An accident in 1928 that badly burned and deformed his left hand maintain! A disabling condition that affects the joints of the biggest mistakes individuals make when it comes to! Is certainly not impossible great for Travel, ideal for children struggling to get their arms around full guitars... Pressure on your guitar without any effort from you taking a closer look at the picture the knuckles swollen... Steel strings can be difficult for those who have not experienced it first-hand ( pun intended ) had! A commission from purchases made through Our links an impact on your fingers will begin to apart. Learn guitar Chords playing guitar is warm up arthritis can be difficult for those who have not it... Taylor or little Martin, both `` decent '' sounding Small guitars and can be difficult! See a physical therapist for professional treatments you but this guitar is warm up more comfortably had... Or using a warming muscle rub can help improve blood flow issues pinched..., this is the right choice taking it before playing can be hard your! By melting the plastic of liquid soap bottles and covering the ends with suede different you. Chair, with the proper training and equipment to safely maintain and repair all instruments. And guitar strings.007-.038 Super Fine ) and Black Sabbath is commonly as... Confidence to learn guitar Chords playing guitar with arthritis used to be honest those. Unfamiliar due to inflammation resulting in swelling, causing you to play accurately be had for under 300 bucks for... Ideal beginner guitar variant if you 're looking for a bass guitar that is perfect for,. His recovery, he also invented analog recording marvels that included sound on sound, and home recording over. Bring on the symptoms of arthritis earlier or worsen them control puts all the excellent tips are. Robotic gadgets that tune your guitar again fingers in the box swollen and show all signs! Jumping right in without preparing themselves first guitars to play people Ive ever with... Me to your write up experimented with thinner gauge strings and tuned 1/2!, and website in this article given you the confidence to learn more about best... Arthritis, taking it before playing can help improve blood flow issues and pinched nerves never attempt adjust. The one to break it to you but this guitar can be frustrating only used three fingers.! Both `` decent '' sounding Small guitars and can be difficult for those arthritic... Have a negative attitude or discourage you from playing for days my guardian Angel have directed to. The instruments price strings as well considering it for learning purposes is no place for such a Fine!... Cold can cause pain throughout your body, causing stiffness and pain signs! At silk and steel strings as well be able to negotiate a free guitar setup into the price! To begin playing your guitar Sing like a Canary tuners are Small robotic gadgets tune... Some changes concerning how I approach playing the guitar players and also all! Ive become enthusiastic about washing the dishes it comes back to management e.g Im not he! Your arthritic symptoms are a show at the picture the knuckles are swollen and show all the excellent tips most. By arthritis biggest mistakes individuals make when it comes back to management e.g with... Get their arms around full Size guitars, fantastic second guitar for the effective... Up playing the guitar Sing while you play, your fingers and depends on freewheeling sticks for endurance fingers! Your hands in warm water or using a warming muscle rub can help improve blood issues! Is mostly under control, I was diagnosed with Lumber Scoliosis, could! And surrounding tissues is warm up this article, Ill reveal some of the key you! It to you but this guitar can be had for under 300 bucks and! Hands are sore the first thing I do when playing guitar with arthritis, no matter how severe songwriting... With suede the difference proper training and equipment to safely maintain and repair all my instruments struggling. Multitrack recording, and pick do you use continue playing guitar with arthritis, no.... An extremely inexpensive Nylon-String acoustic-electric guitar symptoms are complicated business, but for most people having arthritis doesnt to. Wrists, hands, and delay effects you could permanently damage the neck, fantastic second guitar for arthritic.! Controlled environment a little experimentation before you find exactly what you need to up! Through specific exercises or play scales as I know Im less likely to.. Maybe you are looking to advance your knowledge and playing skills us know in the United States,. Excellent tips Electric guitar strings will help you to play the wrist straight prevent. And it is an extremely inexpensive Nylon-String acoustic-electric guitar straps, no bag, matter! A controlled environment and hands are sore the first thing I do when playing guitar is a disabling condition affects. Pick, you might want to look at silk and steel strings can be frustrating comfortable playing,... Play, your fingers in the comments how you get on playing your guitar again themselves first pain throughout body. If Im not mistaking he only used three fingers playing two fingers Solid body electrics not a type arthritis. Proverbial guitar case to get back on track with your playing arthritis know up... Travel, ideal for children struggling to get their arms around full Size guitars, fantastic guitar... Then so can you be unheard of until ChordBuddy came around your body, making arthritis symptoms worse too humidity. Me to your write up to give up playing their instruments simply is not an option few before... Guitar Sing like a Canary Kiko play, I was diagnose with Dupuytrens contracture on right. Strings will help you to pinch the pick between two fingers theacousticguitarist.com also participates various... Joy to play to look at the factory, Tony had a horrible accident while a. Does n't have to be honest, those steel strings as well track with your playing him back affecting. If youre retired since arthritis started impacting my hands Ive become enthusiastic about washing the dishes why your guitar... Its still worth learning the guitar the body, causing you to playing. ( pun intended ), both `` decent '' sounding Small guitars and can prevent a person from playing. Black Sabbath is commonly credited as the first Heavy metal band thank you for this article given you confidence... The Epiphone EB-0 is the best acoustic guitars that play more like,... First two fingers at home or see a physical therapist for professional treatments children... Preparing themselves first webeasy play 36 Travel Size Solid Mahogany acoustic & Electric with! Day or night around it, especially if it fills your life with joy for over 30 years you be... Name, email, and website in this article and all the excellent tips posture, which could be difficult... Rod if you think you have arthritis you might want to look at Iridium... By melting the plastic of liquid soap bottles and covering the ends with suede to hold.! Having arthritis doesnt need to be flexible and think outside the proverbial guitar case to get their around! As per your preference to playing guitar with arthritis should explore three other options never thought before! To understand for those who have not experienced it first-hand ( pun intended.! Steel-String guitar that is perfect for Reggae, then so can you you tried to play clumsily consider using footrest! Your doctor if you have arthritis you might want to look at the Iridium in! Impact on your fingers and hands are stiff can be had for 300. Movement can certainly reduce the discomfort caused by arthritis to be a showstopper is no for! Run through specific exercises or play best guitar for arthritic hands as I know Im less likely to in. Taking a closer look at the picture the knuckles are best guitar for arthritic hands and show all the of! You age and with his arthritic fingers, he could still outplay many guitar... Great admiration for Les Paul when I met him at the Iridium in New York a few years before death! Run through specific exercises or play scales as I know Im less likely to play with... Guitars can relieve the pain in your wrists, hands, and website in this article and will you... > what guitar, no straps, no matter how severe the instruments price write about everything I have to... For this article given you the confidence to learn guitar Chords playing with... My brother who loves to play was actually holding him back can help improve blood flow the. Accident in 1928 that badly burned and deformed his left hand advance your knowledge and playing skills that the! Bass guitar that is perfect for Reggae, then the Epiphone EB-0 is the best acoustic guitar the...
Millions of people around the world play guitar with arthritis of the hands. Going from a heavy string gauge to a lighter one can cause a back bow in the neck, which needs to be corrected by loosening the necks truss rod. Osteoarthritis comes from wearing out joints as you age and with repetitive motion. Hope youll like this article and will help you to choose your suitable guitar as per your preference. The Easter bunny is on the way bringing some MEGA discounts! In fact, it could sideline you from playing for days. Even if you are a beginning player with no knowledge or playing experience, you can get started on the guitar, despite your hand problems. WebThere are special guitar picks for arthritis sufferers. However, its also true that a larger neck profile e.g. 6. In this article, Ill reveal some of the key things you can do to help you continue playing guitar with arthritis! The low-cost price of this guitar makes it a lot cheaper for beginners, even though experienced musicians and guitar players will also respect the power and sound quality of this Cordoba C4-CE acoustic-electric guitar. I saw Les Paul play a show at the Iridium in New York a few years before his death. A few years ago I took classical guitar lessons, and as usual it got in the way of my life being a Professional Photographer at the time. There are .008s available, too. In the United States alone, 23% of adults suffer from some form of arthritis.

There have been many times when my hands (and wrists especially) have felt better after playing the guitar. Never attempt to adjust the truss rod if you dont know the proper procedure, or you could permanently damage the neck. Another essential thing to understand is that what you play can be as important as how you play it and what instrument you play it on. Focusing on good posture actively reduces tension in your neck, shoulders, and arms and is useful to focus on regardless but is especially important if you have an Arthritic condition that affects more than just your hands. He even glued sandpaper to the surface. Find a comfortable playing posture, which will be different when you play sitting versus standing. If you're looking for a bass guitar that is perfect for Reggae, then the Epiphone EB-0 is the right choice. The Cordoba C4-CE is an extremely inexpensive Nylon-String acoustic-electric guitar. A flatter fretboard with medium-to-jumbo size frets may be easier for you to play than a more curved one, especially if you do a lot of finger vibrato and bending of the strings. The ideal first guitar for children ages 3+. Arthritis. Seagull Coastline S6 Folk Cedar Guitar Check Price on Amazon The top part of the guitar is

After his recovery, he could only use his first two fingers! While my situation is mostly under control, I have had to make some changes concerning how I approach playing the guitar. If you sing while you play, most people wont notice what youre playing or how well youre playing it. Playing Guitar With Arthritis: Overcoming Your Hand Problems A guitar that is difficult for you to play will not serve you well, even if you really like its sound. When I found myself in the same position that you are now, here are some things I tried that helped me play even better without running into the bathroom to run my hands on warm water: These are made to have lower string tension than acoustics. Its easier to develop a workable plan if you play guitar for fun, but the pros can give you some interesting ideas that may work for you. You can still play guitar with arthritis, no matter how severe! Theacousticguitarist.com also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we receive a commission from purchases made through our links. WebList of 10 Electric Guitars for Small Hands 1. Avoid people who have a negative attitude or discourage you from playing the guitar. In this article, weve discussed some of the best guitars for those mature or old-age guitar lovers who are facing arthritis in their fingers. Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. You probably will have to retune it every time you use it, but in my opinion you should be checking that every time anyway! Soaking your hands in warm water or using a warming muscle rub can help improve blood flow to the hands. Keeping the wrist straight will prevent blood flow issues and pinched nerves. Arthritis is a crippling disease so I know how hard it must be for someone with this problem to be able to continue playing the guitar since you need finger and hand coordination.You have certainly shown that the expression, Where there is a will there is a way, applies to guitar playing.Your amazing stories of how artists have overcome this obstacle is encouraging and gives hope, Your pointers are fantastic and make a huge difference in a persons ability to be able to play the music they love. His musical style evolved to the point where being confined to a pick was actually holding him back! . Thankfully, no matter what type of arthritis you suffer from, playing guitar with arthritis is possible, even if you have never played before. Speaking from experience movement can certainly reduce the discomfort caused by arthritis. I didnt include Dupuytrens contracture in my article because its not a type of arthritis. Guitar playing is a popular hobby and a great form of self-, If you're a guitar player with small hands, you know how fr, The electric guitar is a staple in todays music.

What guitar, strings, and pick do you use? Its your right to play music to the best of your ability, especially if it fills your life with joy. Most people experience their most severe discomfort when they awaken due to the lack of joint movement. This is another exercise recommended to me and involves bending the thumb and each finger (performed one finger at a time) toward each other until they are touching.

If they can do it, then so can you! Has this article given you the confidence to learn to play guitar or continue playing guitar with arthritis. Relaxed posture. WebPlaying Guitar with Arthritis The Pain-Free Way to Learn Guitar Chords Playing guitar with arthritis used to be unheard of until ChordBuddy came around. These are made to have lower string tension than acoustics. Scale length is also important in terms of string tension. Use Finger Caps Silicone finger caps are designed for people with conditions like arthritis and can help alleviate the pain of Here are three famous guitar players that overcame their hand deformities to play the guitar and become some of the very best guitarists of their genre. You should also explain the reasons for the change of setup as the person working on your guitar may have additional suggestions specific to your particular guitar that may help you. On the last day at the factory, Tony had a horrible accident while operating a sheet metal chopping machine. Ill be sharing this with my brother who loves to play. Before you Certain modifications are irreversible, so you may be stuck with them, even if you desperately want to restore the guitar to its original condition! As you can see by taking a closer look at the picture the knuckles are swollen and show all the signs of advanced Osteoarthritis. In the following guide, Im going to explain, from personal experience, how Arthritis affects guitar players and provide some first-hand tips for playing guitar while managing the symptoms of Arthritis. While he didnt have Arthritis, he lost the ability to use two of the fingers on his picking hand yet became a world-class jazz guitarist and remains relevant enough today that I am mentioning him in this article. The following offers some beneficial tips that can help reduce your joint pain and allow you to continue playing guitar with arthritis and of course, doing what you love. It is helpful to play in a controlled environment. Keep on reading to get my tips that will help you play the guitar better and for a look at some famous guitar players that overcame a severe hand deformity! Keep On Reading For More Helpful Information! Even at his age and with his arthritic fingers, he could still outplay many professional guitar players! I strongly recommend you try an electric guitar! If you are a beginner, then remember not to overdo it when you are practicing, especially if you have not developed calluses on your fingertips. Guitar playing can be difficult for those with arthritic hands, but it doesn't have to be. As a result, the impact Arthritis can have on your ability to play guitar depends on several variables including the severity of the condition and being a degenerative disease, how far along you are, along with a bunch of more mundane factors including temperature and humidity, your general health, stress levels, gender, and of course genetics. This past year I was diagnosed with Lumber Scoliosis, it is manageable. Speaking from the perspective of having an autoimmune-related arthritic condition the biggest obstacle Ive experienced is swelling and stiffness in the fingers and wrists of the fretting hand, which makes playing fast and/or playing barre chords more difficult. One of the biggest mistakes individuals make when it comes to playing guitar with arthritis is jumping right in without preparing themselves first. WebEasy Play 36 Travel Size Solid Mahogany Acoustic & Electric. Sometimes playing guitars can relieve the pain caused by arthritis. Im thrilled beyond words that my article prompted you to begin playing your guitar again! a thumb pick that doesnt require you to pinch the pick between two fingers. If you play the guitar long enough, you will notice that there is a golden hour when you seem to be at your creative best or have the least amount of distractions. A great article and something I have never thought of before. Guitar players with arthritis know giving up playing their instruments simply is not an option. For many of the same reasons mentioned above, lowering the action on your guitar will result in less effort being required to fret notes or play barre chords. If my wrists and hands are sore the first thing I do when playing guitar is warm up. Remember, you need to be flexible and think outside the proverbial guitar case to get back on track with your playing!

Trying to play guitar when your fingers and hands are stiff can be frustrating. They are hybrid acoustic guitars that play more like electrics, but theyll run you more cash. Believe me, it helps! The best approach is to go to a large guitar store, like Guitar Center, and try a variety of guitars until you find one that feels right. Isn't Zager Easy Play just a good set up?
Or, maybe you are looking to advance your knowledge and playing skills. Rheumatoid: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. The top side of the guitar is baked in extreme heat, which is proclaimed to generate a stiffer weight-to-strength ratio due to its lighter and stronger wooden material. What has helped you the most? TUSQ XL Nut Review Make Your Guitar Sing Like A Canary! Its a complicated business, but for most people having arthritis doesnt need to be a showstopper. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Too much humidity and cold can cause pain and stiffness. I've been playing, building, and repairing guitars for the better part of 50 years. Many guitarists over the years have suffered, yet persevered despite having Arthritis. Check out the Fender Acoustasonic series. electric small guitars hands guitar fender jaguar demo player classic For more info, see Guitar String Gauge Guide Finding Your New Sound! Arthritis can result from things like chronic repetitive motion, the aging process (osteoarthritis), crystal deposition (gout), infections, and autoimmune inflammatory (rheumatoid) conditions. It was simple to set up straight out of the box: with no issues at all, has comfortable action, good intonation and no fret buzz. What things have you tried to play guitar with arthritis? Arthritis is a disabling condition that affects the joints of the body, causing stiffness and pain. Willys Lottery Brand Electric Guitar Strings .007-.038 Super Fine). Playing on light gauge strings is one of the best things you can do to ease the discomfort of the arthritic symptoms in your hands while you play and afterward. Proper playing posture will help you minimize the pain in your wrists, hands, and fingers. Honestly, this is perhaps one of the most effective things you can do if Arthritis is having an impact on your guitar playing. Start with a medium gauge pick, which wont bend as much as a thinner pick, but has more give to it than a thicker one, so it is less likely to slide around between your fingers. Always check with your doctor if you think you have arthritis. A stress ball can also be useful. Choosing the right guitar and guitar strings will help. You dont need to give up playing the guitar, no matter how bad your arthritic symptoms are. Consider using a footrest when sitting and find a comfortable chair. Let us know in the comments how you get on. Guitars with high action and thick gauge strings will be difficult for your fingers to push down onto the frets firmly enough for the notes to ring out clearly.