Hi Animaterra (and everyone) Well, you brought something up that I've carefully avoided as it can be seen by some as a sensitive area, and I'm on my best behaviour these days (ugh, must I say "grin")

Over the last 3 or 4 years I've had some students (mostly female) of substantial proportions, and some problems have arisen. Most people are somewhat visually oriented when trying to learn an instrument, and some, entirely so. If your individual superstructure prevents you seeing either the strings or fret board you're going to have a devil of a time learning guitar or banjo (or whatever). Next problem: Guitars generally rest on laps,(and knees, if you're in a sitting position)but an extra heavy person has nothing to rest it on, hence a strap becomes the only real option to keep the instrument from slidin' off and hitting the floor. One of the folks I worked with was not large at all but constructed somewhat like Dolly Parton, so also couldn't see where her hands were going. Each person came to me with Dreadnought sized guitars (probably cause they're the most available) and sometimes I wonder if the salesperson (usually a guy) even tried to steer the person to a smaller instrument. Bet they didn't. Anyway it's touchy, my my job is to be straight with a potential student, so I remind them that 90% of the folks who take up an instrument don't end up getting past the first few weeks (or learn so poorly that they never get the enjoyment out of it that they should) If everyone did progress the world would be filled with guitar players, and despite what some might think, it ain't. I try to emphasise how important those first few weeks are, and the importance of having an instrument as closely suited to your body type as possible, which means in the aforementioned cases..MUCH smaller instruments. Styles like Martin's 0-18, or those wonderful little Guilds, or Gibson's L-0 models would make their learning much easier, but also make their wallets substantially lighter (assuming you could find one of these). When I first saw the Seagull (very) small guitar, I rejoiced! Perfect size, real cheap (200 in Canada) and amazingly good sound. I could go on for pages on the subject of teaching (and solving learning problems) but in a nutshell, large folks with small Seagulls have had far fewer problems. It works