Guitar Angle

**Palehorseo** · 02-04-2026, 11:17 AM

Hope it's ok to post - there's a thread from 2018 but it's good to get new ideas.

Basically, in part for injury reasons, I want my guitar to sit at about a 45 degree angle to the ground when seated or standing. I don't want to use classical position with a footrest so it'll be a strap. My simple question is whether people find certain guitar shapes sit more readily with the neck slanted towards the upright in this way? I know a thicker/more frictiony strap can helpbut interested in the guitar design specifically.

I know a few archtop players play with a high neck angle - always looks awkward to me and like you;re having to reach around the instrument.

My tele is a lovely guitar but doesn't feel so comfortable with the neck raised - feels like it wants to be horizontal.

I have an inkling that jazzmaster-style offsets might tend more naturally toward a higher angle so wondering if an HH jazzmaster body might be the answer?

Then there's the explicitly ergonomic guitars like your Strandbergs and your Kleins which would definitely work, but aren;t everyone's cup of tea.

Genuinely interested to hear what experiences people have...

**marcwhy** · 02-04-2026, 12:20 PM

Have you played a Klein/Forshage ergo guitar? I know they may "look funny" to some, but you're asking about "certain guitar shapes" that help, and I'm not sure if there's anything "better."

[I'm biased in that I like how they look, and have played Forshage guitars for 20 years or so! Still, nothing beats 'em for seated comfort!]

**DawgBone** · 02-04-2026, 12:37 PM

Standing or seated? A 335 lets me get that steeper angle you and me both like when I'm standing since the weight is biased towards the body of the guitar and the strap button is on the heel of the neck but I also use my sling on my right shoulder, like a mailbag, not over my left as . Then I can adjust as needed and it also doesn't knock my carefully placed hat angle outta wack when I throw the guitar over my shoulder either.

**Palehorseo** · 02-04-2026, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by marcwhy

Have you played a Klein/Forshage ergo guitar? I know they may "look funny" to some, but you're asking about "certain guitar shapes" that help, and I'm not sure if there's anything "better."

[I'm biased in that I like how they look, and have played Forshage guitars for 20 years or so! Still, nothing beats 'em for seated comfort!]

I haven't, and I'm not against it but they're hard to find around my way (Scotland)

**Palehorseo** · 02-04-2026, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by DawgBone

Standing or seated? A 335 lets me get that steeper angle you and me both like when I'm standing since the weight is biased towards the body of the guitar and the strap button is on the heel of the neck but I also use my sling on my right shoulder, like a mailbag, not over my left as . Then I can adjust as needed and it also doesn't knock my carefully placed hat angle outta wack when I throw the guitar over my shoulder either.

Man, a 335 would be excellent if I can make it work - how do you find it sitting down, can you kind of prop it between your legs and have it fairly upright?

**DawgBone** · 02-04-2026, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Palehorseo

Man, a 335 would be excellent if I can make it work - how do you find it sitting down, can you kind of prop it between your legs and have it fairly upright?

I suppose I could but I'd kinda be splaying my legs out to fit that lower bout between them a little more than I find comfortable/normal. I find that during seated gigs, which I generally do on a stool, between putting my right leg up on the rung into the curvature of the body and resting my picking arm I can put enough downward pressure on the lower bout to get the neck up in the air enough to work well without needing stupid levels of downward pressure. May or may not be enough angle to your liking and still, the tendency is for the neck to drop when you don't keep your arm resting there as it basically makes your leg the fulcrum point if that makes sense. For what it's worth, size-wise, I am well over 6 feet tall and have long arms....

Might be worth a trip to your local guitar shop to try it out for yourself if you like the 335 tone. My local GC has stools around for seated playing...

**Jimmy Mack** · 02-04-2026, 07:16 PM

I, like Dawgbone, and through time with different guitars, have found that 335 styles are my best fit. (if you're asking).

I'm not a big guy. The 335's just "sit" where I want them to. And good for my right arm / picking hand.
The weight of them helps to let the guitar body gravitate down, raising the neck if I want. Or I can throw it down horizontally!

I have a fantastic Epi Casino. Same deal (but lighter), and because the neck joins the body at the 15th -16th fret, the neck pickup is right under my most comfortable position of my picking hand. But the guitar's shape is just right for me and can do an upright angle beautifully. It's one angle the I enjoy.

So...the same old advice goes out to you.... go and try some. Play them standing and sitting. Ergonomics can be very elemental in choosing. I like Strats and Tele's too, but the 335's are my go-to.

**Palehorseo** · 02-05-2026, 10:45 AM

As suggested, I did some research at GuitarGuitar.

The Jazzmasters I tried were really easy to play at a 45 degree angle. Super comfortable but I didn't love the sound. If I could find a hardtail with HBs, it might be ideal.

Then I played a proper Gibson 335. Damn.... it just sat perfectly, sitting or standing. A little heavy for my taste but it was so well balanced it seemed not to matter so much. I really liked that guitar.

Also tried an SG for good measure and was pleasantly surprised, it was light and sat at a nice angle.

**Palehorseo** · 02-05-2026, 01:21 PM

Oh I also tried a Strandberg - not to my taste at all, just felt too small and unstable. Didn't get on with the fan frets either.

**Zigracer** · 02-06-2026, 11:10 AM

Try a pro line or even Electromatic line Gretsch. The secret is where the strap button is located. The guitar hangs just right. Strap buttons on the back of the heel always make the guitar tip away from the body.

**dconeill** · 02-06-2026, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Palehorseo

... I want my guitar to sit at about a 45 degree angle to the ground when seated ...

Be aware of where the output jack is placed.

On Gibson/Epiphone ES-335s, Fender Stratocasters, and Fender Jazzmasters, for example, the output jack is on the top of the guitar (or front, if you prefer that term) and won't get in your way while seated.

Other models, for example Les Pauls, Telecasters, and Ibanez semihollows, have the output jack on the side which might get in your way playing seated. Check before buying.

**John A.** · 02-06-2026, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Zigracer

Try a pro line or even Electromatic line Gretsch. The secret is where the strap button is located. The guitar hangs just right. Strap buttons on the back of the heel always make the guitar tip away from the body.

I know people often say this, but I've never found that to be the case (three of my guitars have strap buttons on the back of the heel), at least not to any degree I've noticed.

**darkwaters** · 02-06-2026, 02:57 PM

A 335 is IMO a great idea. I only play seated and mine is very comfy.

i do use a classical footstool, but I rest my right foot, rather than left, on it and rest the guitar on my right leg. It raises it to just the right height and angle. Perfect for me.

**Zigracer** · 02-06-2026, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

I know people often say this, but I've never found that to be the case (three of my guitars have strap buttons on the back of the heel), at least not to any degree I've noticed.

Have you tried a Gretsch?