Electromatic… almost!

[Bumble 57]

I went to my LMS today to get a few things for my speaker cab project and there on the wall is a used Electromatic w/ bigsby. Looking fantastic in Orange! I’ve wondered if it would be too big and it certainly was. I’m 5’4” on a good day. I didn’t even ask to plug it in and try to play. I just kinda messed around with it for a while and realized it wasn’t gonna work. Now I’m kinda bummed out, but then again I have a 2655 and a couple strats and tele that I really like, so I’ll be over it soon. I’m a little envious of people who are taller, but then again I don’t hit my head on low stuff, so there’s that.

 

[tartanphantom]

The only person who thinks it's a problem is yourself. Don't let it get to you.

I'm only 5'8" and I've been rocking 17" wide Country Clubs (pictured below) for years and don't think a thing about it... probably because I've played big Jumbo body acoustics for many years. In fact, I play a 17" wide Gretsch Jumbo Rancher (also pictured below) probably more than any other guitar I own.

Relax and play what you enjoy... the rest is all in your mind, brother. Rock & Roll is 90% attitude and 10% talent.

If it speaks to you, you'll find a way to make it work... it did for this guy, and he was certainly no slouch in the playing dept.

 

[stiv]

Just for the record, I love when guitars look big on me. I think there’s no “too big” guitars but just the opposite. Smaller guitars make you look you’re playing a baby size.. I always disliked Les Pauls because of that (and for the weight, of course) .
Go ahead with that Electromatic mate. You’ll thank us later.

 

[Ricochet]

Malcolm was barely over 5ft. Excellent example.

Also every one is twice as handsome looking if toting a hollow body Gretsch. Don’t miss the opportunity!

 

[Cryin_Caleb_Aaron]

Ha!
It’s the opposite for me. It’s the sleek and small guitars that I feel uncomfortable playing, and I’m not even THAT big of a guy. A tele is as sleek as I get.
I feel just fine with my 17” wide Falcon.

 

[tmcq65]

Steve Marriott was 5'4"....he looked just fine rocking a big Gretsch:

We can talk about those pants, though...

 

[Ricochet]

Steve Marriott was 5'4"....he looked just fine rocking a big Gretsch:
View attachment 196231
We can talk about those pants, though...

The pants are fine, I wanna know what Christmas stocking from Hell did the sweater spawn from?

Malcolm was 5.2ft, I had to look it up.

 

[Runamok]

I went to my LMS today to get a few things for my speaker cab project and there on the wall is a used Electromatic w/ bigsby. Looking fantastic in Orange! I’ve wondered if it would be too big and it certainly was. I’m 5’4” on a good day. I didn’t even ask to plug it in and try to play. I just kinda messed around with it for a while and realized it wasn’t gonna work. Now I’m kinda bummed out, but then again I have a 2655 and a couple strats and tele that I really like, so I’ll be over it soon. I’m a little envious of people who are taller, but then again I don’t hit my head on low stuff, so there’s that.

Are you talking about how it LOOKS, how you think it looks, or how it feels?
Not sure what you are looking to achieve. Do you want reassurance, or just being wistful.

Sounds like you made a decision probably based on size & feel—same as one would assess whether a given neck profile fits your hand the way you like, or could ever find comfortable. That’s pertinent.

Gitaronne in a Mariachi Band
Stating the obvious: perceptions change based on recent memory/experience. One day a thing fits different than the next. (Maybe play an upright bass for a year & try the guitar again!) <joking> Or watch the relatively slight Jack Cassidy playing one of his newer acoustic-electric basses.

If you are seeing it from the eyes of viewers: what you surmise other people are thinking—then you are being distracted by external factors which don’t matter in the playing.

Nobody but you can decide if it works for you.
You weren’t really asking, were you?

 

[SneakyPete]

I'm guessing it was a 5420 or a 5120, full depth 2.75"? There's a couple of other electromatic hollowbody models with thinner bodies that would be worth trying, though I understand that isn't always possible. The Rat Rods and the Tri Fives (5410T) are slightly smaller at 2.5" deep, and then there's the Streamliner 2410TG at 2.25". The double cutaway 5422 is also 2.25". Might be a few others too. These are all hollowbody guitars, some of the semi hollow centre block models are thinner again.

 

[Bumble 57]

My apologies. I should have expanded on my observation of this guitar. Physically it’s too large because of moderate arthritis in my fretting hand. With the thick body I couldn’t reach the lower frets with out putting my wrist in a painful position. I’ve been a lot more comfortable with thin body guitars and was curious about the bigger guitars just to see if it was viable. Unfortunately no. As far as looking big on m, even my tele looks large, but that doesn’t concern me. It doesn’t seem like a little more thicker body would make it harder on my wrist and frankly I’m surprised it does. I just needed to find out.

 

[Bumble 57]

Thanks for the encouragement though. I’m gonna see a specialist and if I can get it fixed I’ll revisit the big guitars. Because everyone looks good behind a big Gretsch!

 

[Julio Iguana]

What was comfortable/playable as a younger man just ain’t so now. My G5655T Jr really helped.

 

[wabash slim]

It's not the size of the guitar that matters.

 

[Runamok]

It's not the size of the guitar that matters.

🫣

Way too many follow up punchlines come to mind.

The only person who thinks it's a problem is yourself. Don't let it get to you.

I'm only 5'8" and I've been rocking …

Clearly, you are taller than the photographer in this one.

 

[speedicut]

Two words...... Duo Jet!

 

[Seamus]

With a few adjustments, a big guitar can totally work.

 

[tartanphantom]

🫣

Way too many follow up punchlines come to mind.

Clearly, you are taller than the photographer in this one.

I was on a stage, and he wasn't.

 

[John Pimlott]

I'm 5'7" and my wife is 5'2".

 

[Berington]

I'm guessing it was a 5420 or a 5120, full depth 2.75"? There's a couple of other electromatic hollowbody models with thinner bodies that would be worth trying, though I understand that isn't always possible. The Rat Rods and the Tri Fives (5410T) are slightly smaller at 2.5" deep, and then there's the Streamliner 2410TG at 2.25". The double cutaway 5422 is also 2.25". Might be a few others too. These are all hollowbody guitars, some of the semi hollow centre block models are thinner again.

Best of luck to you. I'm sorry about your arthritis! The 16" wide Tennessean (& Tennessee Rose) & 17" Country Gentleman are only 1.75" deep. That's an extra 1/2" for you. I play 'em both, & up pretty high, too... always pretty comfy. I'd say, if you keep your eyes open, you may come across a bigger Gretsch that floats your boat.

Speaking of which, the guitar/motor boat is fabulous! Brilliant Photoshopping, well done! Doesn't even need a capo!

 

[Runamok]

Wh

With a few adjustments, a big guitar can totally work.

View attachment 196244

Boat with a blow hole.
What gauge the strings?