I love how Tim admits he is a workaholic, then tells us a scary health story, and then turns the whole thing into a sales pitch. Nice job, that's what we call using the whole fretboard
Sweet Jesus, this is like a gift from above. My cervical fusion was in Feb 2023 and I'm thinking it's over for me, all the years, hours I'd put into the guitar. Thank you Tim and everyone else on this thread for the blueprint to recovery. What is most personal is most universal...🤔🏆🤟
It sounds as though your surgeon didn't really educate you about what you could and couldn't do in the future, or how to minimize future risk. I am a physician who treats a lot of cervical radiculopathy, and makes a number of surgical referrals. Besides, I had a two-level fusion when I was 50, at C5-6 and C6-7 for spinal stenosis related to central hernition of both discs. Afterward I resumed martial arts, cycling and telemark skiing, and did well until 6 years later when I herniated C4-5, with complete C4 motor loss on the left. My left arm was partially paralyzed, and a week later I began having the absolutely ungodly neuropathic pain associated with nerve root crush. Mercifully aggressive traction worked well, and I was able to avoid another fusion. What I knew, but didn't respect (and what you need to understand) is that the C5-6 disc is responsible for 65% of normal flexion/extension of the neck, and C6-7 is the second most active disc, accounting for 20% of flexion/extension. If you fuse either disc space, the other discs have to take up the slack. Check your op report -- I bet you had C5-6 fused, since it is the one that most often herniates. C6-7 is second most likely. My fusion involved both, so all subsequent flexion/extension was handled by the six discs C1-2, C2-3, C3-4, C4-5, C7-8 and C8-T1. My point is that fusing one disc transfers the workload to the remaining, less capable discs, which are then at iincreased risk, as my experience shows. So you should find out which disc was fused and, if possible, whether the others looked at risk. Because the second fusion can be a bitch. You'd rather avoid it. A reminder -- it is extension of the neck, looking up, which most strains the remaining discs. And it was after a long ride on my road bike that C4-5 herniated for good. So be careful.
@@OslerWannabe Thanks for the insight. I wish you the best with your recovery. I've recently been feeling some numbing and slight pain on the ring finger when playing. I only have a ring on that finger. Could a ring have that impact or is it a coincidence? (Maybe it was fitting slightly tighter with the summer.) I see Tim wears a ring too but his pinky felt numb as well. I'm on the computer all day too. As you mentioned neck flexibility, a week ago I also spent time looking up to cut high tree branches. Not easy to maintain looking up like that.
@@OslerWannabe The best comment, it continues the warnings where Tim left off. As an ER PA for 30 years, I saw all the spine surgery that didn't work. Surgeons love to cut because that's what they do. It's like, if you get eaten by a shark, you can't blame the shark. Better to avoid the shark altogether with proper ergonomics.
I've had fusion, laminectomy and hemi-laminectomy in my lumbar. I have bulging discs in the thoracic and have had discectomy and fusion of C3/C4 and C6/C7 in the cervical spine. I ordered and received the Performaxe Tim mentioned in this video and am hoping it extends my ability to continue for a few more years. I've been playing since March '67 and am not ready to stop yet. Oh, I haven't been able to play standing for several years but found myself extremely hunched over when playing while sitting. The surgeries began in '72 and ended in 2016. Best of luck to you.
As a guitar player who had to have cervical fusions and had the same issues I felt this video. When you lose the strength in your hands it is super depressing.
@@Kashed Yes mostly. I am not a professional musician , just lifelong dedicated one. However , after being "fixed" with the 3 level cervical fusion in 2018, I now have a disc failure above that pressing into my spinal cord again. The pinky and ring fingers have started tingling and numbing again but at least I am not randomly turning left running into walls this time. That was the reason for the previous one more than just the fingers. I've also developed "tremors" over the last 4 years. I play daily for now so I am awaiting a neurosurgeon appointment in October. I hope you regain all your strength back with you fingers, as it is possible if your body cooperates with you. :)
i gave guitar up at 31 because i was getting so spacey and disorientated that i couldn't function. I had a complete breakdown. It changed my life completely. It ruined my career, my relationship etc.. Im now 50 and just picked up the guitar again last yr after watching a Zakk wylde video..😍 I still get spacey and disorientated but i have to stand and not look down at the fret board to minimize symptoms. and i snapped my fretting wrist really bad 10 yrs ago so i can hardly bend it so the fret board has to be nearly vertical so i can play, but a least i can still get that feeling we all love when playing.
Thanks for sharing this with us.. physical pain blues… is a tune I guess we all have to learn to play at some point in our lives/careers. When my turn came, sitting only caused more pain..standing became my best option. This guitar your playing looks like it will solve many problems, maybe my doc can write me a prescription for one.
I’ve tried the Strandberg. Got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome many moons ago but stretching keeps the damage in check. The neck is really comfortable and it helps my hands. Took a minute to adjust but not much more. I’m so happy you got your situation under control because you were born to play the guitar. Much respect.
Glad you are healing up. You’re a national treasure. We need your music. I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and it’s wreaking havoc with my guitar playing. My hands hurt like hell. Luckily that’s not how I make my living.
Wow, Tim! That sounds EXTREMELY scary. Playing any of my 16 guitars, plus keyboards, plus saxes… ending up with some sort of nerve failure isn’t just possible, it’s PROBABLE! Thank goodness for physical therapy. When I broke my right shoulder some years ago, I had to stop playing ANY INSTRUMENT! I had to wait for the shoulder to heal a certain amount before my doctor would let me play anything - even a sax, when you pretty much sit up straight to play one. It was nine months before I was allowed to play a sax (my baritone, which is equipped with a stand that goes next to the player’s chair and takes all the weight of the horn) and during that whole time you start to wonder if you’ll ever be able to play again! Luckily, it all healed up okay, and I was allowed to play starting about six months after the break (with therapy starting a few months before I had completely healed. Whew!
Tim! SO glad you are better now. Thank you for bringing the importance of ergonomics to the front for us guitar players. What a huge blessing to all of us that you are back in action. :)
Yin yoga bro. Literally life changing. You will feel opened up and taller. I am 6' 5" and with really bad baseball shoulders. It really helped with my neck which is bad due to a cycling vs. car injury. If I am active with it, I feel wonderful.
I bought (ok, my wife bought for me!) my .strandberg* mainly for the reasons of ergonomics. It sounds great, but plays amazingly well. It is ridiculously comfortable! I like to think of the ideal musical instrument as one that disappears so that you only think of the music, rather than operating a machine, and my .strandberg* boden does that. All I think of is the fingerboard and the sound. To me, that's how it should be.
Thanks for sharing your story. I have been having strength and control issues with the ring and pinky and the ulnar nerve appears to be the culprit. The entrapment is in the shoulder, also due to my poor posture with guitar and the computer. Physio is helping with daily stretches and nerve/muscle strengthening exercises. It is a slow process, but you have given me hope that recovery is possible. Now if I could only justify a nice ergonomic guitar ...
At first the Strandberg sounded like a rehash of the Parker Fly. Then, at the end, Tim runs a preset, and out pops Enter Sandman. I ordered a Strandberg during Covid-19. I never plugged it in to my amp, but now, I'm motivated for the ergonomics benefit.
Tim, thanks so much for posting about your nerve problem. Good info/advice for all of us. So glad that you have been able to work through it. The best thing about your videos?.....YOUR SMILE! We need more of that in this world. Thanks again.
Mine are spinal fusions, lower back. Same deal. Live playing gone, can't stand for too long. I'm not on my own I know. Good on you for bringing this issue to our attention.
Such a great video Tim, I’ve just been to physio after getting carpel tunnel from leaning on my left wrist during video editing, which has affected my playing. Going to be lots of musicians suffering with these injuries moving forward with all the video and guitar editing required these days!!!! Keep up the awesome work 💪💪
Great to hear you're on the mend Tim! when I'm at my desk with a guitar, I started wearing a guitar strap adjusted to support the guitar in a comfortable sitting position that keeps my back straight in my chair, which also has flip-up arms. I use a nylon D'Addario strap with plastic locking ends; it keeps the guitar locked onto the strap so I don't worry about it coming off the strap; it's fast and easy to adjust to the right height and makes a big difference allowing me to play longer and more comfortably. Cheers!
Yah I’ve had that same numbness & it’s PERMANENTLY part of my life now, I am still trying my best to just have fun playing and trying to maintain & keep what I have, SO it gets tuff sometimes and can be a little of a bummer, it might not always sound great, Just have to look at it as a challenge, when wasn’t it ( RIGHT ) 😃 keep smiling. Always worth the trouble !!!
I'm a retired bus driver. I've had physio on my lower back twice and twice on my shoulders, for bursitis. Over time, it's so easy for those shoulders to roll forward. I also play seated, but because I play an acoustic, the right shoulder needs to come forward across the top of the guitar. My Dr has suggested I adjust my playing position - to almost classical style. I'm considering getting a thinner bodied guitar to help. Everything is fine when you are young, but as you get older, your body just says no.
Very timely! I have recently been considering purchasing a Stranburg because of my newfound obsession with Tory Slusher's amazing playing. Everything sounds very appealing to me except the tone, which at least to me sounds somewhat colorless. It reminds me of my old Parker Fly Classic. I suppose it's a nice clean slate to build tone on with your rig but idk. Would love to get my hands on one to try.
Hi Tim, I check out your channel every so often just to see your smiling face. I obviously didn't know about the injury but glad to hear you've recovered. I've been sitting a lot as well so I will check out that chair. I'm on SoundBetter if I can ever be of help.
Man, I'm slowly recovering from the exact same thing. it started with the last two fingers as well, then had a big back pain (between the spine and the scapula). I had to raise my little baby with this so it was getting worse. The biggest nightmare was tuning the guitar, turning the peg. And doing bar chords... That was really endlessly atrocious, two years of pain.
PHYSICAL THERAPY!!! My experience was similar. Lost all feeling in both pinky fingers. Bad Tendonitis with Ulnar Nerve Compression. Took a long time to heal. Physical Therapy was really helpful. Can't recommend it enough. I read a lot. Tried everything. Learned a bunch. Eventually learned to care for myself. This is a subject that SHOULD be taught in Music Schools. Most of them don't. BTW: Love your playing. Really glad you're better.
Wow Tim, I'm so glad that you are on the mend. You've probably helped untold people with your story, not only guitar players, but all of us addicted to screens. A few months ago I got a look at a photo of myself standing and I couldn't believe how stooped over I was. I realized it was the same " head hanging forward" posture I used when looking at my phone. I've been correcting myself since, but it's not easy. Of course your situation is much scarier and I'm glad (along with millions of others) that you corrected it in time. Continued health to you sir, and massive thanks for allowing us to peek at your talent and knowledge.
I had this type of problem. Nothing helped until I changed to a standing desk. Highly recommended. When I need to sit I use a drafting table-height chair --no need to change the height of the desk.
You're a gentleman and a scholar, and I'm glad your making a strong recovery! You are obviously a VERY fine, GREAT guitarist. I tune in to glean all I can, as my wife of 46 years ( met her at a College gig I was doing in 1975 at St. Francis, Brooklyn, NY.) says YOUR multi-faceted style is like MINE (SHE being gracious) probably because we grew up in the 50's-70's in Greenwich Village ( the Purple Onion, Cafe Wha? Night Owl Cafe, the Bitter End and MORE on the West end, and the Electric Circus on the east end! I as an early teenager rubbed elbows with countless musicians there. You play beautifully; at times spectacular, with an attendant integrity and gracious character, eminently professional! Stay well, peace.
I feel your pain, Tim… I have had similar issues related to playing posture. Seeing you play seated but with a strap motivated me to try it, and it’s really helped. Just one of many great things I’ve learned here!
I only practice standing up, as it simulates a live performance. I have a big mirrors in the living room and the adjoining den. I strap guitars on, and walk back and forth between the two rooms, playing and singing the songs exactly as I perform them. I am 67, and getting tired, so sitting to practice is tempting, but so far, have been able to resist.
So glad your recovering and still playing that would terrify most musicians just real glad for ya your feel is like smooth thunder so deep yet silky... Keep it coming please...
I noticed your playing style, your thumb wraps around neck in lieu of keeping thumb on back of neck.... your playing is amazing. Query: as most online teachers say shredding requires you to keep tip of thumb on back of neck, are they full of bs?
Tim, my step father sent me this video. I'm experiencing this same thing and its killing me. I had to quit playing back in March. I'd love to find a way to hear more about your PT and diagnosis if there is any possible way 🙏
it's actually very simple. My condition was called cervical radiculopathy. Every physical therapist has the exercises for this....it's very very common , but everybody has a slight difference version so they tailor it to your particular situation....
Hey Tim I've had similar issues with that vertebrae and nerve from hunching over. I had it on 1 side last year and currently struggling with it on the other side, exactly that, sat with a guitar and leaning / stretching forward to work the computer :( Mine doesn't sound as severe as yours, my fingers didn't go numb but I have pains from the spot between the shoulders, through the shoulder down the arm and terminates in the forearm just past the elbow. Its a sucky one, like you said, all you can do is correct the bad habits and take months doing stretches.
I picked up a strandberg salen jazz a couple months ago that ive been really enjoying. I usually use a foot stool when practicing and sitting in that position for an extrnded peroid would make my lower back tighten up pretty bad. I love that the strandbergs allows you to be able to sit with your back straight with both feet on the ground while still having the guitar angled in classical position.
I remember watching Roy Clark play with Buck Owens on Hehaw and he did seem to have his guitar up higher than many players of that era. But, you could not dispute his abilities - the guy was ripping it up.! So yeah, if you want to do this for a long time, pay attention to your body. It will tell you when things are not right....
I'm not a master guitarist, but I went through this very thing two years ago. I thought my 'career' as a home guitarist was over. PT and some life changes got me back to being mediocre but happy like I used to be. Take care to watch your posture, guys. Amazing video!
Thanks for sharing your journey with arm/hand numbness. I've had a similar issue for awhile and, like you, do lots of keyboard work as a digital image retoucher in addition to the time I spend hunched over a guitar. I suspected a pinched nerve, so I'm going to follow your lead re: physical therapy before it becomes more problematic. Hope I get as good of a result as you have.
This guitar reminds me of the time when I brought an Eventide H 3000 to the jam session I used to play in. The guitar players in that band were the guitar/amp kind of guys with no pedals. I started running through presets and the better guitarist of the two commented “Man!! I hear everything from Van Halen to Rush to Yes coming out of that thing!” I wasn’t that great of a player at the time, but it brought a smile to my face to have amazed a more experienced player.
I had the exact same nerve problem. It came from doing home production, putting in the dots for volume automation. I had a completely inappropriate chair (fishing stool style) and was leaning forward with head cocked back to see the screen. I ignored the pain in my neck one night and by the end of the next day was in agony (I mean unable to stop gasping in pain no matter whether I lay on the floor, the bed, stood, sat). I was unable to do anything for a few days. As that eased, my left arm was so weak it would fail and go floppy trying to pick up a cup. I couldn't go near playing again for about five months, and when I did it was as if I were a first timer, trying to change from C to G. I had to completely relearn. Six years later, I can play, but my left ring and little fingers still can't properly coordinate or move fast. Listen to your body.
I'm 27 and just started a solo career and a RU-vid channel, and damn, the 7, 8, 9 hour thing is completely true. Thanks for highlighting the importance of ergonomics, I'm still on the "it looks badass, so I'll play it" phase of my life. But starting to get lower back problems 😧
Great news!! I play live x3 times per week and I always stand, for the benefit of my back. My day gig is working with doctors and dentists and they demonstrated the danger of sitting and leaning forward all day. Take care, Tim 😊
Yeah, thanks for sharing the story, and all those tips, Tim! I had 3 cervical vertebrae fused in Dec 2021 due to nerve impingement and atrophied muscles. Yes, it's scary! I couldn't play for a long time, both before and after surgery. After: Even though i noticed an improvement in my left hand the next morning after surgery, i still couldn't play even long enough to develop calluses on my fingers for 7-3/4 months! I had almost given up, only being able to play for 1-2 minutes before my left hand cramped up. Meanwhile, i was doing all the "strength building" exercises all the time. Then one day, i was trying to play, and suddenly i realized that i had been at it for about 40 minutes! I was SO HAPPY! It has still taken months longer to get much endurance and strength, but at least now i can play every day again. It has been a loooooong time coming! I'm glad for you--that you didn't fully lose your ability to play for long. At least I'm not a pro like you, though i wish now that i had pursued it when i was younger, lol. I have so much music in my head that wants to get out, y'know. Thanks for sharing all those tips. Those are more details that could help my situation, because I'm still not problem free. The chair, & the guitar would be very helpful. Just a matter of paying for them, though.... I'd like to play my electric guitar more, but it's too heavy and makes my neck hurt. Maybe if i have a chair like that, i could let it rest in my lap with no strap. (The strap keeps me from hunching over). Maybe someday I'll be able to afford it.... Lately, i can't afford a new guitar or anything that's not a true "need" (can barely do that!). But, in 5 years or so, maybe (except that's when my wife wants to retire, so... Fixed income!) Oh, well. Not gonna be depressed or discouraged. Nope. I'm gonna figure out a way to earn money. I've got too many plans!
I love my two Strandbergs, both Sälens, I moved to them from Kiesel headless guitars a couple years back because the Sälen offers the tele sound with performance playability. Thanks Tim, love your stuff 😊
I'm pretty sure I'm not a "workaholic". I value my non-playing time. But, I am still thinking. If someone asks me what I'm thinking, I tell them I need a subject of their interest to narrow my response. I used to rattle off a list of various problem solving subjects within music, spirituality, physics, instrument design, etc., and most people couldn't even keep up with the list. I was exposing myself to ridicule for being overly engaged within or simply trying to get them to go way. So, now I simply respond "Now, how did I know you would ask me that?". After the initial stun, most people automatically fall into narrowing their inquiry (as I had preferred they'd do). Part of my "down" time is invested in scheduling activities to express or even test the theories I was juggling around. The only kind of juggling I consider worthwhile goes on inside my head. That activity does not qualify as "work" (half the term eliminated). So, am I really a musician or simply a guy who uses musical reaction to keep stimulated mentally? Either way I've been interested in ergonomics since about 1971. I have designed chairs and stools, workstations, living environments, etc. and have built a few prototypes. Music is but one form of interaction requiring relationship and I engage with others for their sake. Occassionally, they help me access "new" information to muse over. It feel more like an amiable compulsion than an addiction.
Too much computer work during 2020/2021 left me with carpal tunnel that hasn't gone away yet. Glad you're feeling better and that wacky looking guitar souinds wicked.
Just informing you that I got carpal tunnel syndrome in both of my wrists, one after the other, and was operated on successfully with no problems afterwards. In case you’re considering an operation!
In my teens I could sit and hunch over, but after my teens I changed that If I am using a stand, whether sitting or standing I have it high. Sometimes people joke about it, but my back & neck don’t hurt It’s also why I prefer not to share a stand, because my body twists when I do
Using a strap makes everything so much better. It allows you to keep your spine/neck and picking hand side shoulder in an ergonomic neutral position. Playing a guitar which is resting on your picking hand side leg forces your shoulder in a horrible position. This causes massive amount of unnecessary tension which makes you play worse. Strap your guitar and keep it in the front of you.
Thank God you're feeling better world needs more Tim Pierce... I am convinced that when Freddie Mercury sang 0h, people of the Earth listen to the wise man he had to be talking about Tim Pierce.
I just spent some time in the studio and the day after every session my neck was killing me. At first I thought i slept wrong, but nope, was 8-12 hours sitting hunched over with the strap pulling down one my left side. My back always kills me after home practice sessions too. I’m in my early 40s and im just noticing this stuff. I workout regularly but i hate to say it but being a good guitar player does come at a cost
I'm not gonna lie. I don't have very good posture, I've been noticing some slight numbness and tingling in my 4th and 5th fingers. As a guitar player and finish carpenter, this is a concern. I'm definitely gonna work on my posture and see if it helps. Thank you! I love your videos, but never would have tought I would have learned about a medical condition on your channel...
Tim, the Strandberg sounds wonderful, but how do you store it? Can't be put on guitar hangers. Other than that, would consider...thanks for your helpful advice...
I understand how scary the numbness in your fingers is. I've suffered with Carpul Tunnel in both hands for many years. Has surgery in one hand. It did not help at all. I've basically had to learn to feel the strings/ pressure all over again. Doing ok for what it is. Fortunate enough to still be able to play.
Thanks Tim! Nice Strandberg…The Boden Prog NX6 is a great choice for Trem, too! I have a cervical bulged disc as well as Osteoarthritis in both wrists and thumbs. Reason for getting a Strandberg.
Wow, this is interesting. I went to the doc a couple months ago for the same two fingers on each hand going numb. Between sitting and playing guitar and sitting and working (IT guy) there is a lot of hunching.
Tim, do you offer absolute beginner lessons? I'd like to join your classes. RE- The Boden guitar...I absolutely hate that no headstock look. But it's a fantastic sounding guitar.
Funny, as a person that always plays sitting down, I discovered the Strandberg a few years ago. Now, I have also found out that the Abasi Larada Legion is also great for playing while sitting. Of course, I wish I could play my Stran like you play it! lol.
Hi, I love the way you played that solo, sound is awesome, you mentioned Allan Holdsworth, one of my favourite solos is "Hazard profile",I am so glad you recovered to play as you do, I learn from enjoying all styles you play and the guitar sounds you use, cheers Tim!
Oddly enough, I used to always practice standing up, actually still do. I find it more comfortable than sitting down. I just can't get used to sitting down and playing.
I've already been secretly thinking about a similar style guitar. There's just no denying the quality, convenience and playability, whether or not its a Gibson or Fender. Its 2023. Might as well enjoy the benefits of modern design. Thanks for sharing. BTW, acupuncture is a godsend for pinched nerves. If you've never tried it, you owe it to yourself.
Tim, could you spell the name of the product that helps you lift the guitar. I tried spelling it phonetically but couldn’t find it online. I tried “Performac, Performack and Performak to no avail. Thanks! Walt
Hey Tim, it's also a good idea to take decent supplements for joints, & do daily stretches advised by ortho specialists. I'm trying to heal from 'trigger finger'. Top vid!
🎸 Hey man you should try a guitar stand I recently started using a K and M electric guitar performer stand and it’s been great don’t think I’ll be using straps anymore it’s just so much easier on the shoulders, you can tilt it towards you too so no more leaning over
