Arm Rest

**mattearoadie** · May-26-2009, 12:46pm

Hi,

I am looking for some suggestions for an arm rest for my Weber Bridger A.

thanks

**John Flynn** · May-26-2009, 12:54pm

I have a Siren Stringworks armrest and I really like it. Another armrest I've tried that I liked was a King Brown. I like armrests with a little elevation. There are some on the market that are just like a 1/4" high or so and I don't care for them. FYI, Weber has a combined tailpiece and armrest that looks pretty cool, but it's a bit expensive and seems to be in the 1/4" )give or take) category.

**Mandoblab** · May-26-2009, 12:57pm

Get with Doug Edwards and his McClung Armrests. Great for comfort, hand position and protecting your mandolin from sweaty arm.

Here is his website:

http://hillcountrystringworks.com/contact.html

Mandoblab

**Tobin** · May-26-2009, 2:26pm

I have one of Doug's armrests and love it. So I can second that suggestion.

**Tracy Tucker** · May-26-2009, 2:49pm

I have TWO of Doug Edward's McClung's, and they're most comfortable!

**HarveyB** · May-26-2009, 3:20pm

Doug is yer man.

**Philphool** · May-26-2009, 5:00pm

I'll see your 2 and raise you 1, Tracy.

I've bought 3 arm rests from Doug. Two were old-style and one was the McClung.

They were all great! And Doug is GREAT to work with if you need a custom job.

**Russ Partain** · May-26-2009, 5:31pm

For my taste the Cumberland Acoustic armrest by Steve Smith is the one. It is the smallest, most uniform, best design, functional and just can't be beat. The McClung has more material on it than I personally care for. I want the smallest one that will keep mu arm off of the top and not get in my way. I never had any other armrest or bridge or pickguard. My opinion is totally biased as I am a loyal customer.

**David Miller** · May-26-2009, 6:16pm

I have a King Brown on my Collings MT. I picked it because it is a design that partially covers the tailpiece, which is where I noticed that my arm was resting (judging from the indentations on my arm after playing). It has worked very well for me, but I also have to say that I have not tried any other armrests. I am sure that there are many out there that work just as nicely.

**Tracy Tucker** · May-26-2009, 6:42pm

Originally Posted by David Miller

I have a King Brown on my Collings MT. I picked it because it is a design that partially covers the tailpiece, which is where I noticed that my arm was resting (judging from the indentations on my arm after playing).

Doug also has a new model that partially covers the tailpiece.

Honestly, I think ANY armrest is going to feel really weird until you get used to it; mine did at first... but I don't even notice mine anymore. I didn't have one on my Jade for a few weeks until I had Doug make me a custom, and I forgot how horribly uncomfortable it was to play without one! Now... it just feels like home.

**kirksdad** · May-26-2009, 8:38pm

Doug gets my vote. He made a custom ebony armrest,narrow in width, for my Weber last winter that flat out is awesome. It's very comfortable, and "opened up" the volume which were the most important things for me. Doug is a total pro, and his prices are fair.

**gonzograss** · May-26-2009, 8:48pm

I have 3 of Doug's arm rests, and concur w/ everything good that's been said about them. To add one small detail, I sent Doug a picture of my new custom Bryce which has a highly (deeply?) quilted back and a lot of "depth" in its basically dark orange color. The armrest he sent me matches the instrument's unique color perfectly. I'm very pleased and will be ordering a 4th from Doug soon (for my old Hutto) - and also posting a picture of the Bryce. Dave Houchins, who built the instrument, also seemed to like the match.

Joe H.

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-26-2009, 11:23pm

The King Brown & Doug Edwards armrests always get good press,but Weber do make their own 'integrated' tailpiece with armrest which i've always thought looked very neat & it keeps the top side of the Mandolin free of metalwork,
Ivan

**mandroid** · May-26-2009, 11:32pm

Never even thought it was needed, 'till I got a mandolin which had the re-curve come upward, concave,
such that the edge was sharper than a square corner.

**Douglas McMullin** · May-27-2009, 5:17am

I have been thinking of adding an arm rest to both my Collings MT & Phoenix Standard. Having not seen any of these up close it is hard for me to tell how an armrest would fit along with a tone guard. Are the clamps on most of these narrow enough to slide under a tone guard on the back of the instrument?

**Susan H.** · May-27-2009, 5:53am

I have a Tone Gard and a McClung armrest on my Weber. Both work together very nicely. You won't go wrong with them put together. Plenty of room for the armrest to fit with the Tone Gard.

**Tracy Tucker** · May-27-2009, 5:54am

Originally Posted by Douglas McMullin

I have been thinking of adding an arm rest to both my Collings MT & Phoenix Standard. Having not seen any of these up close it is hard for me to tell how an armrest would fit along with a tone guard. Are the clamps on most of these narrow enough to slide under a tone guard on the back of the instrument?

The last picture on this page (labeled 'Texas Mesquite set') should give you an idea of the size of Doug's armrest hardware.

**John McGann** · May-27-2009, 5:54am

I have a couple from Doug at Hill Country and love them. One of the big benefits is that it puts your arm/hand in a great position for playing; besides the comfort factor, it actually makes playing easier (which I am SO all in favor of!)

And they are ToneGard compatible.

**mandozilla** · May-27-2009, 8:08am

I have 2 of Dougs' armrests on 2 different mandolins...I am so dependent on them it's scary. Excellent quality and craftsmanship and Doug is just plain good to deal with.

**John Malayter** · May-27-2009, 9:18am

I have one of Doug's and its great, however i've taken it off the Stanley because I felt I couldn't move my right arm up and back on the strings. I found it kept my right arm in one position and I'm often picking "up the fretboard" for whatever reason.

Anyway, I do like it, its well made and protects the top of your instrument. I found it also brought out better projection on a couple of my other mandolins.

**Joel Spaulding** · May-27-2009, 9:44am

Doug's Armrests are functional and gorgeous!

Arm fatigue has been reduced and I am able to play with more volume on a consistent basis.

Doug's service was tops!

**frankmsu** · May-27-2009, 10:01am

I have three armrests by Steve Bell. I really like the size, shape, and angle of his armrests. If you go to eBay and search for mandolin armrest, some of his should show up. His eBay name is gsjcb, and you can email him from there.

**lenf12** · May-27-2009, 11:55am

I received my 2nd McClung armrest from Doug yesterday. I completed the purchase online last Thursday evening (after hours) and received it Tuesday in the US Mail. Pretty quick service considering it was Memorial Day weekend. Doug had some birdseye maple available and both armrests match the birdseye Duff F-5 and H-5 'dola perfectly. They are comfortable, beautiful and may help to add a bit more volume if you tend to rest your pickin' hand on the top. Doug is also very good at communicating with his customers.

A happy McClung customer,
Len B.
Clearwater, FL

**Doug Edwards** · May-27-2009, 1:48pm

Here's Len's Birdseye and Dale's Quilted Maple.

**Douglas McMullin** · May-27-2009, 4:54pm

Originally Posted by Susan H.

I have a Tone Gard and a McClung armrest on my Weber. Both work together very nicely. You won't go wrong with them put together. Plenty of room for the armrest to fit with the Tone Gard.

Thanks for that info. I will probably go ahead and order a couple.