Re: is an arm rest a benefit to technique ?
I have a couple of beautiful flamed-maple McClung arm rests, one on an A-style, one on an F-style, and have experimented quite a bit with them. I bought them after hearing that they would protect the mandolin finish AND put my arm at a better picking angle. My current feeling is that I'm actually slightly more comfortable picking without them. I do like the looks, though, and I like the McClung tilt. As for protecting the mandolin, you might be protecting that top edge but if you have a varnish finish you're going to leave marks on top and bottom from the arm-rest mount.
Doug Brock
2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles
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