“I can’t feel it. It’s bone on bone. I’ve had to adjust my style. In a way, it’s like learning to play guitar again”: Jake E. Lee on how he has changed his playing – and gear – due to arthritis struggles

Jake E. Lee.

Jake E. Lee has opened up about how his growing arthritis struggles have affected his playing, while also reflecting on the “fun” he's experiencing of having to reinvent his approach to the electric guitar and the gear he uses.

For many guitar players, the thought of arthritis is the stuff of nightmares. Arthritis is the breakdown of the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of our bones, with joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness all common side effects. For those who experience it in their hands and wrists, it can be a serious hindrance to their ability to play guitar.