Product Spotlight
Sagework Atlas & Sagework Umbra
Sagework offer two primary models; the Sagework Atlas and Sagework Umbra. They also produce 3 sizes to accommodate players with different needs; short, standard and tall. We’ve found that the standard model is perfectly suited to most classical guitarists.
Sagework guitar supports are the world’s only magnetic guitar support. The patented design is truly one of a kind. They are also the only guitar supports on the market that can guarantee they will not affect the finish of your guitar. The cork contact pads are mechanically gentle on all finishes and will also not react chemically with any varnishes, lacquers or oils (including French polish).
The Sagework Atlas is constructed from highly attractive rosewood arms combined with a Vydene base. The main parts of the Sagework Umbra model are constructed exclusively from Vydene (except for fixings such as screws, washers etc).
Adjustability
Sagework guitar supports have been carefully designed, offering a multitude of adjustable parts to help the guitarist find their optimal playing position. Depending on the model you choose, the main arm that controls the height of the neck can be as low as 3.75 inches (short model) to as tall as 9 inches (tall model). The range for each model can be found below:
- 3.75 to 4.75 inches: Short
- 4.75 to 7 inches: Standard
- 5.75 to 9 inches: Tall
The model we stock at Classical Guitar Academy is the ‘Standard’ model, with a main arm extendibility of 4.75 to 7 inches. We’ve found this to be perfectly adequate for most classical guitarists.
The short arm of the Standard Atlas and Umbra models can be adjusted in the range of 1 ½ inches to 2 ¾ inches.
The arms can be moved from a hinge at the base to cover every conceivable angle a guitarist may require, and then some. This helps the guitarist to carefully dial in their guitar’s exact position. Once in position, the arms can be secured in place by tightening the screws for added security in performance.
The magnets at the ends of the arms can also be rotated on their axis to align flush with the side of the guitar. They can also be fixed in place for added security.
And if all that isn’t enough, the base of these guitar supports can be turned forwards or backwards to lean the guitar towards or away from the guitarist.
Being a symmetrical design, all Sagework guitar supports are suitable for both left handed and right handed players.
All of these adjustable features make the Sagework guitar supports one of the most flexible solutions out there.
To attach to the guitar, the user will need to install the rare earth magnets (provided with each model) to the inside of the guitar. This process can be fiddly, but once complete, you’ll never have to do it again. Some critics have expressed concern at the effect this might have on the sound of the guitar, but in truth it does not appear to have any more of an adverse effect on the sound than resting the guitar on the leg.
The guitar support is quickly attached and detached from the guitar. Because the internal magnets are fixed in the perfect position, the guitarist can locate their ideal playing position every single time without fail.
Security
The rare earth magnets used in the Sagework supports are incredibly powerful, so security and stability should not be a worry. Whilst on this subject, it’s advisable to take care when unboxing and installing the magnets for the first time. Once the magnets are locked together, it takes some effort to prise them apart!
I’ve not found the use of magnets to be any less secure than the use of suction cups.
It’s worth noting that like all guitar supports, the Sagework models do have their ‘break point’ whereby they will detach. If they didn’t then you’d never get the thing off! It remains the responsibility of the user to ensure they are using their Sagework Atlas or Sagework Umbra appropriately.
To detach the support from your guitar, hold the guitar firmly with one hand while tilting the Sagework support backwards with the other. This will disengage the magnets and allow you to easily remove the support from your guitar. Simply reverse the process to safely apply the support to your guitar.
Aesthetics
Both the Sagework Atlas and Sagework Umbra have their aesthetic appeal. The Sagework Atlas model is quite clearly the most decorative of the two, and perhaps the most attractive of all guitar supports on the market. The grain of the rosewood mirrors the back and sides of most classical guitars. As with all natural products, the grain differs from one model to another.
The Sagework Umbra model utilises Vydene for all parts. Vydene is a matte effect plastic that is both lightweight and sturdy. It has a very tactile feeling that sits somewhere between plastic and rubber.
The Sagework logo on the thumbscrew is a classy touch that adds further aesthetic appeal.
Our Review
I’ve personally found the Sagework guitar supports to be a joy to work with. Having played since 1996, I’ve got a good sense of how I like to position the guitar. Even so, I found myself exploring the many different positional options available and I can see how see would be of incredible benefit to players of all standards; amateur and professional.
One of the exciting new possibilities for me was the adjustable rear arm. This is overlooked on all other guitar supports I can think of, yet there is real value in having this feature. Raising the rear arm raises the height of the entire guitar, so players with a taller upper body will find this very useful indeed. If you’re lucky enough to possess such a frame, you may benefit further from being able to minimise the distance between your knees for an even more comfortable playing position.
“I believe that this is the most intelligently designed, aesthetically pleasing, rock-solid and ergonomic support available today”
“No solution felt stable enough until I tried the Sagework guitar support, which I immediately knew was right. Now I do all performing and teaching with a Sagework, and I recommend them highly”
“With it’s slick, sturdy and stable design, the Sagework guitar support is without a doubt the best product of it’s kind.”
The main arm has plenty of range for me personally. At it’s shortest extension I found the guitar to be a little on the low side, although not as low as can be achieved with the Gitano. At it’s tallest, the guitar was perhaps a bit too high for me, but still playable nonetheless. Guitarists with a larger frame will find this very helpful.
The ability to tilt the guitar backwards via the adjustable base is an essential selling point for me. I like to point the soundhole slightly upwards rather than keeping the soundboard perpendicular to the floor. I find this gives me a nice compromise between visibility and playability. Be careful though, as tilting the base back to it’s extremes may result in the magnets disengaging. There is a break point with every guitar support (be it magnets or suction cups) and there is potential you may accidentally discover it if you’re too ambitious with your base angle. A little experimentation in practice is all that’s needed to work out how to stay within the boundaries of what this support is capable of.
Alternatives
The main competitors to the Sagework Atlas and Sagework Umbra guitar supports come from manufacturers such as Ergoplay, Gitano and Guitarlift. These alternative guitar supports all use suction cups in their design rather than magnets. Should you need something different to the Sagework Atlas or Sagework Umbra, these would certainly be worth consideration as viable alternatives.
For more details see the official Sagework website.
