The fact that an electric guitars shape does not dictate its sound, should be a cue for all manufacturers to build guitars that are more comfortable and ergonomic to the human body.

While there are a handful of manufacturers out there doing just that, the majority of makers shy away from the idea. After all, the electric guitar is already more comfortable than its counterpart, the acoustic guitar, why should we make it any more appealing?

Guitar manufacturers for the most part stick to shapes they know to be classic and timeless. And somewhat rightfully so.

There's something to be said of these guitars with their signature shapes that have dawned the shoulders of guitar giants over the years.

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The electric guitar is a fairly new concept. The early manufacturers, Gibson and Fender, gave the electric guitar its shape, and subsequent manufacturers followed with similar forms. Aesthetics more than ergonomics have played a pivotal role in solid-body design.

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Ergonomics were not completely out of the picture in the early days. When designing the Stratocaster, Fender was mindful of criticisms the Telecaster had received for its sharp edges. The re-design featured contours cut into the body for both the ribcage and the forearm. Both cut-outs were widely embraced for the relief they provided to the player.

It was a simple modification. Often referred to as the "belt sander mod" the contours could easily be added to a run of the mill flat-bodied guitar. Fender was receptive to this advancement because it required minimal changes to their production methods, and the benefits to the player were undeniable.

Taking guitar ergonomics to the next level requires more work. If money and costly production were no object, all electric guitars would be built with the comfort of the player in mind.

The entire body of an electric guitar should conform to the player. It should feel as if the wood were melted and molded to form a more human-friendly, organic shape.

Z.S.Thomas accomplishes this by starting with a much thicker billet of wood. From this billet, over half of its mass is carved away during the contouring process leaving just enough to ensure quality tone and sustain.

This is a side-view of a Z.S.Thomas guitar. It's shape is designed to "hug" the player. This body-hugging, ergonomic shape results in a guitar that stays in place next to the body giving the individual greater control over the instrument. The fore-arm of the picking hand rests in a natural and comfortable position close to the body, and the strings and controls lie in easily accessible locations. The result of all these details is an instrument that can be played longer, with less stress and fatigue to the player.