The "No Pain Guitar"

Welcome to the "No More Pain" OpenGuitar!

The best part? You can build it yourself.

I created this guitar design because I personally struggled with back and elbow pain for some time. I simply wanted to find peace in my body (and mind) while playing. :)

Let’s start by describing the problem—one you're likely already familiar with if you’ve found your way to our website:

Guitar playing, while deeply rewarding, can often take a toll on the body—especially when posture and technique aren’t quite right. Among the most common issues guitarists face are persistent discomfort in the back, elbows, shoulders, and wrists, all of which stem from the long hours spent in static or awkward positions.

Back pain—especially in the lower back—is a frequent complaint. This often arises from hunching over the instrument, whether seated or standing. Many guitarists, particularly during extended practice sessions, fall into a slouched posture that puts unnecessary strain on the lumbar spine. Without proper back support or breaks, this tension builds, leading to stiffness and chronic ache.

The shoulders don’t fare much better. Holding a guitar—especially a heavy one—can lead to tension in the trapezius and surrounding muscles, particularly in the picking-arm shoulder. Over time, this tension can radiate into the neck and upper back, making movement stiff and even triggering tension headaches. Left unchecked, it can become a persistent issue that affects both comfort and performance.

Elbow pain, often localized around the inner or outer joint, is commonly linked to overuse and repetitive motion. This is especially true for the fretting arm, where gripping and moving up and down the neck continuously can strain the tendons—a condition not unlike what’s seen in tennis or golfer’s elbow. Guitarists who play for hours without rest or who use too much force when fretting are particularly vulnerable.

Lastly, wrist pain tends to be the result of poor hand positioning or hyperflexion—bending the wrist too much while trying to reach awkward chords or maintain certain picking styles. The fretting wrist, in particular, can be strained if it's constantly bent at a sharp angle. Over time, this can contribute to repetitive strain injuries or even carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in players who practice intensively without ergonomic awareness.

Together, these types of pain underscore the importance of mindful playing: maintaining good posture, taking breaks, and adjusting technique early on can make the difference between a sustainable guitar practice and one riddled with preventable injury.

The OpenGuitar guitar offers several ergonomic advantages that directly help alleviate the most common pain areas associated with classical guitar playing—particularly in the back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

1. Double Cutaway for Flexible Positioning and Position Comfort

The double cutaway body (OpenGuitar patent!) allows the player to position the guitar in multiple ways without restriction. This means less reaching and twisting, which often causes back, elbow and forearm strain, especially in advanced pieces requiring skilful playing. With easier access and more adaptable positioning, the fretting arm remains in a more neutral and comfortable position, reducing tension in the whole body.

2. Balanced Support to Minimize Wrist and Arm Fatigue

The optimized balance of the instrument, guided by ergonomic research, reduces the need to constantly support the guitar with the hands or arms. This is particularly beneficial for the plucking hand wrist and forearm, which in traditional setups often have to stabilise and balance the instrument mid-play. By freeing the hands from these secondary roles, the OpenGuitar guitar allows for more relaxed and efficient wrist movement, decreasing the risk of strain and conditions like tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

3. Angled Frame for Improved Posture and Reduced Back/Shoulder Strain

By angling the frame bass side (10°) and treble side (5°) of the guitar relative to the neck, the instrument subtly shifts the player's hand and arm positions into more natural alignments. This design creates a space between the fretboard and the player's torso, allowing the player to maintain a more upright and relaxed posture. In traditional classical guitar positions, the body of the guitar forces the player to hunch forward. The OpenGuitar reduces this tension, which greatly eases strain on the lower back and shoulders, especially over long sessions.

In summary, the OpenGuitar’s design:

• Encourages natural spinal alignment, easing back and shoulder pain.

• Facilitates ergonomic hand positions, reducing elbow and wrist stress.

• Promotes longer, pain-free practice sessions by lessening physical compensation.
  
  

In essence, this guitar helps the body work with the instrument, rather than against it—making it especially valuable for serious players concerned with and physical well-being, who want "body peace" when playing guitar.