At around $80, the Abel Armrest is not cheap, but it is one of the best investments you can make for ergonomic comfort while playing the acoustic guitar. This simple yet effective accessory addresses a common problem: the discomfort and circulation issues that arise during extended practice sessions.

The Abel Armrest attaches to the body of your acoustic guitar without any modifications to the instrument. It provides a contoured surface for your plucking arm to rest on, lifting your arm slightly off the hard edge of the guitar body. This small change makes a dramatic difference in comfort, especially during longer practice sessions.

Who Is This For?

Extended Practice Sessions: Anybody who tries the Abel Armrest will find a big improvement in ergonomics right away, but it's players putting in longer practice sessions who will notice the most benefit. After holding a guitar for 30 minutes or more, you may find your circulation affected, sometimes even causing tingling or numbness in the arms. The armrest lifts your arm off the body of the guitar and provides a comfortably contoured place to rest.

Perfect for:

Players who practice for 30+ minutes at a time regularly
Anyone experiencing arm fatigue or numbness during playing
Fingerstyle players who rest their arm on the guitar
Students working through intensive practice routines
Players with circulation issues

Who Might Not Need This

The armrest does lift the arm up higher, so if your discomfort is due to a large bodied guitar that's too big for you, the Abel Armrest might not help with the fundamental sizing issue.

Also, if you're lucky enough to have a bevel in your guitar's design (a contoured cutaway in the body where your arm rests), you probably don't need an armrest. The bevel is a special feature typically available only in high-end guitars, and it serves the same purpose.

Why Is It So Expensive?

The Abel Armrest is a unique item for which there is no close competitor. Because it's a smaller niche item, the high costs of manufacturing have to be divided among a relatively small number of sales. It's a specialized tool for a specific problem.

That said, if you find your plucking hand uncomfortable in any way during your practice, you will find the Abel Armrest to be worth every penny. Consider it an investment in your practice quality and long-term playing health.

Installation and Compatibility

The Abel Armrest attaches to your guitar using a simple suction cup system. It requires no tools, no drilling, and makes no permanent changes to your instrument. You can install or remove it in seconds.

It works with most standard dreadnought, concert, and orchestra-sized acoustic guitars. The armrest conforms to the guitar's body contour, so it works well with various body shapes.