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Standing with a contour bowl.

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muzza
Posted 2013-01-09 7:29 PM (#464062)
Subject: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia

What's the consensus regarding playing a contour bowl while standing?

I tried standing the other night and couldn't find anywhere to put that ridge - it digs into my ribs. 

I'm down to under 80kgs (175lb) and I'm thinking the contour bowl may be more suited to a more 'portly' guitarist?

Interested to hear of everyone's experiences and possible solutions.

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stonebobbo
Posted 2013-01-09 8:05 PM (#464063 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee

I almost always default to the contour bowl these days, and I'm nearly always standing up when I play. But if the guitar is hitting you in the ribs, then you've got the guitar WAY higher than I play mine. My typical straps are about 52-54" long and I have them extended all the way. The ridge on the contour bowl is a good six or eight inches below my ribs. Here's a picture of how my 2007BCS hangs on me.

 

I even prefer the contour bowl when I'm sitting down.  But there have been plenty of comments here over the years of roundback players talking about how they can't get used to wood boxes because the guitar is sharp and hurts their ribs.  The contour bowl is much more confortable than wood boxes ... and also traditional roundbacks, which are a PITA because I can't keep them from slipping off my lap.  ;-)

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stephent28
Posted 2013-01-09 8:54 PM (#464064 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066		Contour bowl all the way here also. The only Adamas I have let that is not a contour bowl is my original slothead. I stand when playing out and both sit and stand when playing at home. I think I wear mine a bit higher than Bob but have no issues with any of them digging into my ribs.
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Damon67
Posted 2013-01-10 2:34 AM (#464073 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996

Location: Jet City		I'm using 3 Contours for live (and standing). But I would fit that 'portly' description.

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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2013-01-10 5:08 AM (#464075 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR		I like my Contour Bowls for sitting... Not so much for standing, but they work.

Like Bobbo sez, I have learnt to lengthen my guitar strap and allow the Contour Bowl to hang a bit lower than I do with my mid-depth bowls.

I have always used a shorter strap than many people, so I just had to change tactics a bit.
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Patch
Posted 2013-01-10 6:01 AM (#464076 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: RE: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4239

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent		I'm with you Muzza. I can play the contours fine sitting down, but can't quite get the hang of them (Get it? ) when I'm standing. I'm 6' tall and 200 pounds, and that ridge digs me right in my lower ribs. I tried the sling it lower approach, but that confused my fretting hand.

On the plus side, the Irish in me tells me I really need to get another one and keep trying to figure it out. Not that I need more guitars or anything....
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TAFKAR
Posted 2013-01-10 6:26 AM (#464077 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985

Location: Sydney, Australia		I'm fine either way. I strap mine so that its almost as high standing up as when I'm sitting down. The deep bowl round back 1680 wants to lean back when I stand, but not enough to bother me into putting a button on the treble side of the bowl.
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muzza
Posted 2013-01-10 6:26 AM (#464078 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia

I'll have to give 'the Bobbo method' a try...

....wear your guitar low and put the microphones REALLY HIGH!



Edited by muzza 2013-01-10 6:31 AM
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alpep
Posted 2013-01-10 7:43 AM (#464088 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ		no problem with sitting or standing
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MWoody
Posted 2013-01-10 8:22 AM (#464091 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997

Location: Upper Left USA		"I'm down to under 80kgs (175lb) and I'm thinking the contour bowl may be more suited to a more 'portly' guitarist?"

It works just fine for Al and myself... waddya talking about?
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Brian T
Posted 2013-01-10 3:03 PM (#464110 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: RE: Standing with a contour bowl.


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425

Location: SE Michigan		I had a collector's 2005c, I loved the tone, the look, and playing it sitting down. I hated it standing up for the same reason as you. I have played Ovations since the 1970's, I got used to the round bowls. One habit I developed (some would say a bad habit) is to tip the guitar upward slightly when I do a solo so that I can better see the fret board. With a round bowl, if I just push a little on the bout with my forearm the guitar tips right up, can't really do that on a contour bowl or a wood box guitar for that matter. So I sold the 05c, my new favorite Ovation is a 1581 Adamas with a full round deep bowl.

If my main use for the guitar was for playing unplugged sitting around, the contour bowl sounds great and is fine for the job.
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guitarwannabee
Posted 2013-01-10 5:09 PM (#464121 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.


Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1487

Location: Michigan		stonebobbo long sleeve flannel shirts in california ??? GWB
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Damon67
Posted 2013-01-10 6:36 PM (#464126 - in reply to #464110)
Subject: RE: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996

Location: Jet City

bkok999 - 2013-01-10 1:03 PM One habit I developed (some would say a bad habit) is to tip the guitar upward slightly when I do a solo so that I can better see the fret board.

 

Precisely the reason I use contour bowls live. I don't like looking like a mariachi band.

 

 

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stephent28
Posted 2013-01-10 7:16 PM (#464128 - in reply to #464121)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066

guitarwannabee - 2013-01-10 4:09 PM stonebobbo long sleeve flannel shirts in california ??? GWB

 

dead pod winter 

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AdamasW597
Posted 2013-01-11 9:08 AM (#464149 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 400

Location: Northwest Arkansas		+1 Damon.
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Standingovation
Posted 2013-01-11 10:12 AM (#464153 - in reply to #464062)
Subject: Re: Standing with a contour bowl.



Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202

Location: Phoenix AZ		The contour bowl places the guitar in a position with the soundboard perpendicular to the ground. Just like a wooden guitar.

If you're an old time Ovation player who likes their soundboard pointed at the heavens, you'e not going to like the contour bowl.
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