Hey man bummer and I hear ya about the $$$ to explore other options like Strandberg but the Endurneck actually really helped my issues when it came to this. I play a 7 and have never played the 8, though I have heard testimonies that echo either side of the spectrum on it. Some loved it, some found it not a good shape once you got past 7 into the 8. Again I am not an 8 string player so I'm limited in experience.
If you can commit to keeping your thumb on the back of the neck while you play (if you do not already do so) then I think there really is something to the design. It keeps your thumb from moving back and forth as much laterally because the surface is no longer rounded as with traditional necks. That and the way the shape helps to keep your wrist straight solved all of my problems.
But the big factor here, I believe, is the headstock. I chose Strandberg for the additional benefits of the neck shape but once I ventured into headless guitars I realized how much we are actually working to keep the headstock end supported, especially on neck-heavy guitars. Sold two beautiful Gretsches as soon as I noticed the benefits of the new guitar. Sad to see them go, still miss them, but it's an investment in health and the ability to play into the future.
FWIW my issues were in my left hand/wrist/arm/shoulder, not my right (picking) side. Good luck man! I sympathize with this one.
thank you, I will try that (Bengay actually wasn't bad, icy hot a little better, but ill give that a try)Ditto on the sympathy. Ditto, too, on the mechanics obviously being part of what's causing your problem. Those mechanics can be changed, the position of the guitar can be changed, etc. I've seen headless guitars change lives (well, guitar-wise, anyway) -- the lack of neck dive and the reduced weight, as well as a change in strap length and neck angle can make a major difference. You may also find that a fan-fret (multiscale) is in your future, since the angle of the multiscale frets helps put your wrist in the correct position.
And finally, it may be time to look into inflammation pain relief. Something like Voltaren gel (CostCo, over the counter) might be the ticket.
After all your endorsements of the endurneck, it may be time to throw my ESP B8 up for trade for a Strandberg endurneck - I should be able to do an even swap for one of the "real" European models rather than the Korean production line from Sweetwater - maybe even get a little cash or at least free shipping both ways, right? I mean for an ESP of this highest caliber (and a Tokyo CS certificate of authenticity with OHSC, MSRP $4200, street price, around $3750-3900 new; and this is absolutely near mint, with barely a noticeable blemish anywhere, maybe some light surface scratches that can be easily buffed out with GuitarScratchRepair making it indistinguishable from a new one) should exceed a European Endurneck?I should do my own research, but does anyone think it an outlandish proposition to attempt to sell/trade my B8 for an 8 string Endurneck, and furthermore, how do I know which model, because it is a huge list of stand bergs......
I guess we've arrived at a (the?)solution?
thanks