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Product Reviews.Work Rest and PlayA look at guitar supports by Richard Rowley. | ||||||||||||||||||
As all players know there are many types of rests available on the market today, with new designs continuously being launched. The questions, as always for the consumer, are never ending and choosing the best one for your personal style of playing can be a difficult decision to make. This is where reviews can help. I have chosen what I believe to be three of the current best knee rests/guitar supports and put them through their paces. Dynarette knee cushion.  The first is the "Dynarette" knee cushion, made from foam and shaped to fit over the leg with the guitar resting on top. The foam is shaped for optimum support and is covered with a leatherette material on the upper side and a felt material on the underside. These materials provides a good non slip surface to both guitar and leg. The design of the Dynarette cushion gives a good stable platform and enables both feet to be flat on the ground, cutting out the risk of back injury which can arise from years of practice with one leg higher than the other as happens when using the traditional footstool. Unfortunately the Dynarette only comes in one colour, Black; which doesn't leave much room for the more outrageous personalities amongst us! The cushion only comes in two sizes, large and small and the large is just that. Most players will find the smaller cushion more suitable however I would recommend trying both before parting with ones hard earned cash. Getting the exact height can take a little getting used to however the general position is comfortable. Efel Rest 
Next in line to be tested is the Efel Rest. Made from flexible non scratch plastic it attaches directly onto the side of your guitar. This is achieved via a large suction cup creating a vacuum between it and your guitar. The rest lays across and forms to the shape of your leg, this is where the flexibility of the plastic comes into use. Removal is carried out by tugging gently on a small tab attached to the suction cup, this breaks the vacuum and away falls the rest.The Efel raises the guitar to the required playing height, slight adjustments can be made by placing the rest in a different position on your guitar. No adjustment is possible once the rest is in place. Occasionally the Efel would break away from the guitar when playing, however I found that keeping my guitar clean solved this problem (oops!) Again both feet are flat on the ground keeping posture well controlled, but only available in black (sorry kids). The size of the Efel is an advantage as it is compact and can easily be stowed in the majority of hard cases. ErgoPlay 
The most versatile of the guitar supports tested. The Ergoplay is an L shaped metal bracket, powder coated black, red for child size, fitted with 2 clear suction cups for the upper bout and 1 clear suction cup for the lower bout. The really nice feature of the Ergoplay is its adjustability. The rest is initially constructed with a natural tilt in the lower bout region and then the upper bout area offers you height and tilt by means of a plastic screw adjuster. No matter how tall you may be or the preferred forwards and/or backwards tilt to the body of your guitar when playing, the Ergoplay can accommodate. The 3 suction cup connection to your guitar ensures a stable platform to work from allowing the player the surety required for complete musical self expression. Although the shape and size of the Ergoplay can be a hindrance for transporting, unless one has a large music bag, this should be of little concern given the huge benefits of this rest. Having said that my Mother in Law made herself a material carry pouch for her support which fits beautifully around the neck of the guitar case. I have told her she should market them. The Ergoplay is available for right handed people, left handed and in child size. For those that have a guitar with a soft lacquer finish the Ergoplay comes with 3 small clear patches which adhere to your guitar and allow the suction cups to attach without damaging the guitars finish.
Word of warning to all those who have hand made concert guitars. Check with the maker, suction cups may affect the finish! Spanish guitars with a Polyurethane finish are fine, French polish or Lacquer finishes are not. | ||||||||||||||||||
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