Paleopete wrote:You must have posted that while I was editing.
I think I have carpal tunnel creeping in too, on top of the existing tendon problem. I'm not looking forward to living with it for 40 more years...the original injury was in 1968. The tendon was cut between the wrist and top knuckles, and to move the ring finger at all the middle and/or pinkie just about have to move too. Some nights I play lots of slide because it hurts too much, barre chords are impossible at those times. I've had to play most of the night holding the guitar neck almost straight up when I can't bend my wrist to reach the strings. It's like carpal tunnel with an attitude...I also had to switch from .010 gauge strings on my electrics to .009's to get it to ease up a bit, I didn't like that at all, I liked playing .010's.
But it hasn't stopped me in nearly 40 years, and I'm betting they'll have to pry a guitar out of my hands to bury me...
Yeah man, I did not catch the edit, apologize about that. I see what you mean, you guys are probably right, too expensive to upgrade it, though I still would love to build a custom guitar. I will probably use this one as a junk one, just mess with it. It is a good idea to mess with it and learn how to handle it, rather than mess with a new one. Thanks for the advice on that subject.
As far as the carpal tunnel goes, I have it fairly rough, not severe though. I already play on .009-.042 gauge strings, I have never tried the higher ones. But I plan on it once I get a better guitar, I want a fuller sound since I play metal. This guitar though, I think, I will just continue to use the thinner strings on. I know how you feel about not wanting to let go of the instrument. There are times that even when I am in a lot of pain I do not want to drop it, someone would have to pry it out of my hands with the jaws of death.
At any rate, peace out man, GuitarAnatomy.