A Small-Handed Epiphany

AdamBrad

New member
or Epiphany/Dilemma



Looking for some advice from the well of knowledge (and trolls) that is the SDUGF.

Since my guitar teacher was pretty much an Ibanez endorsee, and the vast majority of his guitars were Ibanez, they were my first exposure to high-quality guitars. And after liking my first Ibanez a lot, all of my guitars since then (minus one Dean) have been Ibanez RGs, and I love the looks feel and the playability of the wizard neck.

Now, a conundrum presented itself about a year ago when I moved to China for a year as part of my university degree. Realising it wasn't cost-effective to bring one of my guitars with me, I bought a entry-level Squier telecaster while I was out there (a California series, something only made for Asian domestic markets, so info is scarce). What confused me was that the neck surprisingly comfortable for such a cheap guitar, possibly as much or more than my Prestige Ibanezes (though I have not been able to play them side by side). The problem being that the Ibanezes are great for shred, but my hand tends to cramp up during long chord sequences.

I then realised that maybe I've been buying the wrong guitar for most of my (guitar-playing life). I have small hands, and in particular short fingers in comparison to my palms, and therefore rounder, narrower necks with smaller radii could well be more comfortable than super-thin, super-wide Ibanezes.

Obviously the thing to do is buy one and live with it for a while, but I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and could enlighten me a bit? Anyone with smaller hands have particular favourite neck styles?

Since I play almost exclusively metal and rock, I've been looking at the 'heavier' teles (Jim Root Signature, the tele-gib mahogany humbucker job Fender offers etc.), although any tele can have a hot rails in the bridge :firedevil . I've also looked into Musicman Axis/Peavey Wolfgang/EVH Wolfgang etc., but I don't really want a floyd since I'll be downtuning and changing tunings, and USA Musicmans are heart-attack expensive for a student, even when second-hand. Any advice on what to look at?


Basically: please help! :nervous:
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

Regarding floyd-ed instruments: I can always use a tremel-no, but they're expensive and I'm not sure how much it's really worth if there are comparable hardtail models...
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

First of all, there is no right/wrong in terms of neck shapes. You gotta go with whatever's most comfortable for you.

Me personally, I don't really have small hands, but I do have thin, spidery fingers. I learned how to play on a strat and on a classical guitar, so I tend to naturally gravitate towards C or D shaped necks that have some meat on them and I typically don't mind wide fretboards. I don't like big fat baseball bat necks, and shredstick necks, while fun for a little while, do tend to cramp up my fretting hand after a while.

Bottom line: play what feels comfortable. Squiers are based on the Fender neck shapes and radii, so they fill up your palm better, and they're overall better for chording. They're just fine for shredding on as well, just not so much for extreme bends. Even so, on my 9.5" radiused strat neck I have no problems doing full step bends. 1.5 steps it starts getting iffy. 2+ step bends are unfeasible because notes start fretting out.
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

smallest and tightest necks I have played have always been on explorers.
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

There is no neck profile that aids absolutely every conceivable playing style to the max. Probably, the best compromise is the compound radius fingerboard offered by Warmoth and on some high end Fender derivatives.

Also, there is more to Ibanez than just shred sticks. Many of their instruments come with meaty necks that would not feel out of place on a Gibson.

Obvious question. Did you bring the Squier Tele home with you?
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

If small necks(nut width) is what you are after you should look at the Peavey Wolfgangs. I played a few of those and after about 5 minutes I put it down. I am just the opposite of you. I have very long slender fingers and a very narrow nut width I find to limiting to my playing. The nuts on them are 1&5/8ths but it feels much smaller then that...
 
Last edited:
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

Also, there is more to Ibanez than just shred sticks. Many of their instruments come with meaty necks that would not feel out of place on a Gibson.

Very interested in this Funk. I had another check of their website, and the Satch models go as low as 10" radii, but nothing seems to be more than 2mm thicker than a wizard. Any specific meaty necks you were thinking of?

smallest and tightest necks I have played have always been on explorers.

Gibson isn't really an option I'd considered after having tried an epiphone with a baseball bat and hating it, but I do like the look of explorers...


I know at the end of the day I need to try as much as possible and see what feels right, just asking for a bit of advice :)
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

I was thinking of the Ibanez Artist series - especially the older ones. The body outline is like a Les Paul only with two equal cutaways. If you disliked an Epiphone Les Paul, you are unlikely to like this particular Ibanez series.

The current S and SZ series might suit you better.
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

S series have the wizard, and for my liking way too thin and light, the ones I tried a few years ago felt like there wasn't 'enough' guitar when I sat down.

I forgot about the SZs, and they might be worth a look.
 
Re: A Small-Handed Epiphany

I have a similar experience
I have played strats most of my life
then bought a RG2 because of the skinny neck
( and my small hands )

on the Ibanez
I have some trouble wrapping my thumb over to fret the low E
as I had been accustomed to on the strat

I did notice the hand cramps

I think its from your elbow being too far from your body
causing the gap between your palm and the neck to increase
this causes the cramp

mind your posture and position
the cramps go away

I love my RG's
and I love me some strat
I havent played the 9.5 radius strats
I would imagine barre chords would be way easier

here is a neck chart for the Ibby guitars
Ibanez_Necks.png
 
Back
Top