arm rests?

[stanley]

I find that I 'plant' my arm on the side/edge of the mando, and hence this keeps my wrist close to the bridge. If anything, I ocassionally 'very lightly touch' the bridge, and sometimes have a 'feathery' pinky plant. Basically, I'm trying to eliminate or keep all anchoring points to a minimum (also trying to keep the top open for the best sound), but the arm 'anchor' prevails.

Is this bad? It seems like it puts too much of a 'kink' in my wrist and perhaps hinders my tremelo development. What about an arm rest? Cam these help to elevate the arm a bit to keep the wrist adequately above the bridge? (BTW, I play a Rigel...if this factors in at all)

Hope some of this makes sense.
Bill

[John Flynn]

I like arm rests. I used a Siren String Works arm rest for many years on my old mando. Now I have a Rigel, which the Siren will not work with and my playing style has changed and I really don't think I need an arm rest. However, I am intrigued by the John Pearse "Junior" arm rests and may try one sometime. As with anything, I think it is personal preference and playing style. If you think you might like one, try it. If you like it, use it.

[jim simpson]

I love the arm rest. I ended up making both of mine shaped like the Siren String Works example and bougth Viola chinrests for the hardware. Cost per armrest - $15.00. I find it more comfortable to play and my sweating arm doesn't saturate the top of the mando.

[BigJoe]

I love an armrest and use one on all my mandolins. They help keep your arm in a better picking position and keep your forearm off the instrument which eliminates staining of the finish. In addition, since it keeps your arm off the top the mandolin is quite a bit louder. I like the arm rest better than the tone guard but both have their place.

[BigJoe]

I love an armrest and use one on all my mandolins. #They help keep your arm in a better picking position and keep your forearm off the instrument which eliminates staining of the finish. #In addition, since it keeps your arm off the top the mandolin is quite a bit louder. #I like the arm rest better than the tone guard but both have their place.

[Bob A]

Another rabid armrest supporter, here. Been using one for decades. Saves the varnish, and the forearm, and a big plus for tone and volume.

[Mandovt]

I have the integrated armrest tailpiece by weber. Love it. In combination with my tone guard it makes my absaroka a cannon!!

[ngzcaz]

I also have one. Its made by King Brown.
Its comfortable and I like the looks ( Ebony )
As far as the sound, I think its a very slight
boost at best. The biggest boost would be something
that keeps the mando from resting against your
gut. Dont know if you have a pickguard but I'm
lost w/out one.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

NGZ

[JiminRussia]

I don't use an armrest per se, but I do use a cut off sock, just the upper portion of course, on my right forearm to preserve the finish on my mando. I wish that I could take credit or this novel idea, but I saw a fellow over in California that did it and it seemed like a really good idea. I cover the neck of the mando with it when it's in the case, sort of like a blanket, when it isn't in use as an arm guard.

[mrbook]

I found a small, kidney shaped violin chinrest in a box of parts I had, and it seems to make a perfect mandolin armrest. Before I found it, I had considered cutting down a regular chin rest.