A Query on all manner of "Alternative" body shapes.

[Jeremiah]

Another problem with pointy guitars, though it doesn't affect the playability, is that all those long pointed bits seem to be more likely to get knocked against things and damaged. You might also have problems finding a case or stand for them.

 

[Kaoskadosk]

Another problem with pointy guitars, though it doesn't affect the playability, is that all those long pointed bits seem to be more likely to get knocked against things and damaged. You might also have problems finding a case or stand for them.

My first guitar was a Jackson Rhandy Rhoads 3 and I've had problems with it ever since I got it. It can't stand against a wall unless you lean it in some wierd way, since the two wings aren't equal in height like a normal V, it's very annoying when using a gig bag due to this odd shape. It also can't stand on a stand, it has to hang on a wall. It's fairly ok to sit with when using a trap, but it neck dives and arm and hand gets worn out due to having to keep it up all the time. I've also knocked off the tip of the top wing while it was in the bag.

Odd-looking guitars can be cool, but do remember that some shapes really offer difficulties you never even thought of to begin with.

 

[pabloman]

When I was 16 my parents were going to get me a guitar for my birthday. I had it all picked out. It was a blue RR. My dream guitar was a LP Standard cherry burst but my parents weren't gonna drop that kind of coin. So we go into the store and I pulled the Jackson of the wall and my dad looks at it and starts laughing. He says are you serious? That thing is ugly. He says why don't you get, and he looks around and points at an SG, and says that. He pulls it off the wall and says it looks like an LP with a different body body to me. All the other stuff looks the same. The guitar had been sitting in the store for about 2 years and never sold. Gotta love the mom and pop stores. So I got an SG Standard in burgandy mist metallic for the price of an RR3. That was a great day. Damn that was a great guitar. :guitaristgif:

 

[AutoBat]

i'd rather have the RR3 than an SG

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've owned an Explorer.  Well balanced when standing and comfortable to play when sitting down.  I've heard Vs are uncomfortable to play sitting down, but disagree.  It was quite comfy and very stable.  The trick was to let the V straddle your leg and not try to sit it on top of your leg like an acoustic.

 

[Dan025]

vee's are cool and like ^ mentioned you let the crotch of the v straddle your leg but they can be neck heavy so you need to be careful with strap button placement with a bolt on the button can get attached with a neck screw, placing the button on the top is a recipe for dropped guitars unless you use strap locks but it still works better on the back the rear button should go under the upper horn not at the end of the horn and you may still want a strap that grips your shirt so it doesnt drop the neck as you play, explorers are cool great when standing but can be on the heavy side of things. when sitting they are managable but i dislike the size of the upper rear section, it's in the way of my elbow. wgd's are more or less an sg with an extra scallop after each cut away so no mystery there, i havent played an ice man or a Z but both look manageable and comfortable.

 

[GoDrex]

I loved my Iceman back in the day... it was a very comfortable body shape and it balances well because there's a lot of wood at the top where the neck joins the body. Good for sitting down. Especially comfy if you get it with contours added.

I had a V and it was not as well balanced, but still ok. Of course not great for sitting down, but that's ok.

I had a warmoth "star" shape body - but made a mistake and got it made out of basswood and it was too light and so it was neck heavy.

 

[JimBeed]

Well my Z Bass i feel is great, cause its a fairly non run of the mill shape compared to p bass and jazz bass,
but it still gives the sitting comfort of the normal shapes once you get used to the smaller lower horn.
far as neck dive goes it behaves itself pretty well if it have it not too high but not too low on the strap,
but with a more gripping wider strap it should be able to go lower down playing and be fine.
Know it was for a bass but hope that helps with the z body shape.

 

[Kadmium]

The thing to remember with some weirdly shaped instruments is that sometimes, they're designed to be played in a certain way. Take the V2 body for example:

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It's supposed to be played in a sort of odd-legged pseudo-classical position. This one, the EGS guitar is also designed to be played that way:

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The Jackson Warrior:

It seems like it would be incredibly comfortable to play semi-vertically, with that gouge behind the volume knob sitting on your thigh, but the jack is in a stupid position for that. Regardless, when you find the right spot, they're great to play sitting down.

Then again, some guitars are just plain uncomfortable.

And some of the really comfortable ones, like this Klein, look ridiculous.