Advice on dealing with gimpy finger

[outwestbound]

Greetings.

I have a Taylor 512 12-fret and have been learning guitar for a couple months. I'm 5'5" with elf hands, so this 512 works well because it's a grand concert, 24.88 scale and 1.75" nut. I'm 59 and working through an aggravating arthritis issue with my first finger on my fretting hand.

I'm thinking about two options to provide some relief and maybe extend my practice sessions.

1)  Buy a Taylor Academy 12-N nylon to work into the mix to provide some relief. I've never touched nylon before.
2)  Put Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk and Steel Extra Soft Acoustic Set, .010 - .050 on my 512 12-fret. I've never touched silk + steel strings before.

Questions:
Does one of these options make more sense than the other, assuming money wasn't the deciding factor?

Does anyone know how the Academy 12-N's neck profile compares to Taylor's typical thin neck? I love the neck on my 512, but some descriptions of the Academy neck are vague references to it being smaller than typical classical guitar necks. Classical guitar necks are like 2 x 4s from what I gather, so I wonder if the Academy neck is the typical thin Taylor neck or something materially larger. I like the smallest neck possible. The Academy has a 1.875 nut, which isn't ideal, but less than many and it does have a radius on the board. I realize it's a "hybrid" acoustic-classical.

I wonder if anyone that has both an Academy and typical steel string Taylor neck guitar could provide a comparison.

I emailed Taylor for the Academy's 1st and 9th fret dimensions. I'll post whatever they tell me.

Thanks.




 

[Frettingflyer]

Hi Outwest, not sure I can exactly answer your questions but I can try. I don’t have our Academy 12 here to do the comparison but I don’t notice a big difference when I play it except that the nut is 1 11/16” on our steel string version.
I have some issue with the same finger although it isn’t that bad yet. I recently put Santa Cruz Guitar Company(SCGC) parabolic low tension strings on my 522ce 12 fret and really like the sound, as well as the tension level. It doesn’t seem that the low tension strings are much less than the lights but it does seem noticeable.
Other options are to tune down a half step or even a whole step to loosen the strings, then put a capo on the 1st or 2nd fret to play in standard tuning if you need to. I don’t have any nylon but that would have to be easier on the fretting hand I think. Other thoughts, your posture and playing position can have an affect on how hard your hand has to work.
I don’t know of many guitars easier than the Taylor 12frets but don’t give up. There are articles out there on working with arthritis that could help you. There just may be times you have to play things in a way that works for you, but that will become your sound and can be an asset.
As for money-strings are cheap, try any and all options to allow you to play longer. And good luck.

[outwestbound]

Hi Outwest, not sure I can exactly answer your questions but I can try. I don’t have our Academy 12 here to do the comparison but I don’t notice a big difference when I play it except that the nut is 1 11/16” on our steel string version.
I have some issue with the same finger although it isn’t that bad yet. I recently put Santa Cruz Guitar Company(SCGC) parabolic low tension strings on my 522ce 12 fret and really like the sound, as well as the tension level. It doesn’t seem that the low tension strings are much less than the lights but it does seem noticeable.
Other options are to tune down a half step or even a whole step to loosen the strings, then put a capo on the 1st or 2nd fret to play in standard tuning if you need to. I don’t have any nylon but that would have to be easier on the fretting hand I think. Other thoughts, your posture and playing position can have an affect on how hard your hand has to work.
I don’t know of many guitars easier than the Taylor 12frets but don’t give up. There are articles out there on working with arthritis that could help you. There just may be times you have to play things in a way that works for you, but that will become your sound and can be an asset.
As for money-strings are cheap, try any and all options to allow you to play longer. And good luck.

Thanks for the reply and useful advice. I'll get some of the Santa Cruz strings and also try the silk and steel strings. I'm also gonna try down tuning and using my capo as you suggest. I've been reluctant to use the capo, but it may be time.

Yes, it's hard to imagine a more physically forgiving steel string guitar then Taylor's 12 fret models. The "reach" from the body's waist to the nut is comfortable and I love the grand concert size. As I recall, the 522 is the all hog version and mine is the cedar top, hog body version.

I'm gonna try various string options and continue pursuing the option to add a nylon 12 fret into the mix. I knew nylon stringed classical guitars had larger boards, but erroneously assumed I'd find a nylon built like a steel string. I'd never heard the terms "crossover" and "hybrid" until a few days ago. This Taylor Academy's 12-N has a 20" board radius and 1-7/8 (1.875"/ 47.6mm) and 25.5" scale. I gotta find something similar around Tampa to go look at. No amount of money will buy a Taylor nylon with a more narrow nut than 1-7/8, and most nylons are even wider! Compared to a classical (2" nut, flat board, often >25.5" scale, the Academy is much smaller, but still huge compared to "smallish" steel string options. Still researching on the nylon option.

I also bought a Fender Player Series Duo Sonic electric guitar with a 24" scale, 1.65" nut & 9.5" radius and a small 40 watt modeling amp (with acoustic channel). Although short scale, it's a full size guitar. I've got 10-46s strings on it, which feel like 9s at that scale. This guitar is really comfortable and I find myself more and more on electric for practice.

I refuse to quit and will use any means and methods to continue. What a fascinating and rewarding hobby!

[Frettingflyer]

Glad you refuse to quit, it is so rewarding. Taylor just announced the GT model, with a shorter scale and string tension equivalent to a capo at the 1st fret on a 25.5 inch scale instrument. It is almost GC sized with less tension, if it can be tuned down a half step it would be super friendly I would think.
Just another option...
Keep enjoying the music.