Guitar necks do make a difference

[Godin15]

I have spoke with several guitar players who suffer hand discomfort and pain of some kind in their fingers or thumb. I like a thin neck. I have a Godin Session which has a very ergo neck which I am now finding out after practising and playing for many many hrs. I purchased a B.C. Rich which I like and play from time to time. In the month of may I started to play the Rich my usual practice time of 2hrs every day this axe also has a narrow neck after 4 weeks I was starting to get discomfort in my thumb area and my fingers never had any trouble like this before. So I continued playing and the pain became worse so much it was all I could do bar chords at the 4 and a half week mark it was getting bad stopped playing for 2 days went back at it with the Rich same thing so I quit the rich went back to playing with my Godin after day 2 of playing my hand felt a bit better after after day 5 was feeling a lot better after day 6 pain was completely gone. The moral of the story is a guitar neck can obviously make a difference. How many of you out there could be suffering from hand issues due to the type of neck on your guitar and don't even know it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

I wouldn't keep a guitar that caused any pain (back, hand or wrist). I have sold guitars that caused pain before, no matter how cool they were or how much I liked other aspects of them.

 

[Godin15]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

Yes I agree. I will be selling it for sure.

 

[Progbusters]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

i learn to play with all necks

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

I play a wide range of necks, have always been able to do it without problems.

But I'm not getting any younger and if certain profiles start giving me trouble, I like to think I'll have the sense to let them go.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

The only types of guitar that seem to cause me any problems are very thin necks (some Ibanez types) . . . they cause cramping in my hands for some reason. Other than that, I'm comfy from Charvel thin to Gibson boat necks, big/small frets (although I prefer slightly bigger), big/small nut (again prefer slightly on the bigger side), short/long scale, I'll generally get along with anything.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

I never thought about my hand cramps being caused (or exacerbated) by neck profiles. I'll have to do some experimenting.

Godin15 - another thing it might be is the guitar itself. The body shape of different guitars require you to hold them differently, so the angle(s) of the neck in relationship to your hand might be different.

Even if you've got your hand at the same height and the angle of your elbow the same, the fretboard could be tilted more or less towards or away from your body, changing the angle of your wrist.

Just something to think about.

Also, is there a shortage of periods up north?

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

Interesting. My BC Rich Perfect 10 Bich has a narrow and thin neck as well, even given that it has 10 strings crammed into it. However, I have found that for songs where I am playing constant bar chords, my hands are actually much LESS tired than when I am playing any of my other guitars. I'm sure it also has a little bit to do with physical differences from person to person.

Good point though, and some other great points in this thread. By the way, Godin15, if you're looking for a place to donate that Eagle, I know a guy in Michigan who might be willing to "take care of your problem" for you! [emoji12]

 

[jeremy]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

i like a bigger c neck with a 1 11/16" nut with a slightly narrow spacing and medium jumbo frets. i can play on most things fine but if the neck is overly thin (wizard) or has a very wide nut or has a big square shoulder, my hands definitely tire faster than on something more to my liking

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

You're far too kind.

I try to help when I see that it's needed!

 

[Godin15]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

I never thought about my hand cramps being caused (or exacerbated) by neck profiles. I'll have to do some experimenting.

Godin15 - another thing it might be is the guitar itself. The body shape of different guitars require you to hold them differently, so the angle(s) of the neck in relationship to your hand might be different.

Even if you've got your hand at the same height and the angle of your elbow the same, the fretboard could be tilted more or less towards or away from your body, changing the angle of your wrist.

Just something to think about.

Also, is there a shortage of periods up north?

Some good points made.

 

[Godin15]

Re: Guitar necks do make a difference

Interesting. My BC Rich Perfect 10 Bich has a narrow and thin neck as well, even given that it has 10 strings crammed into it. However, I have found that for songs where I am playing constant bar chords, my hands are actually much LESS tired than when I am playing any of my other guitars. I'm sure it also has a little bit to do with physical differences from person to person.

Good point though, and some other great points in this thread. By the way, Godin15, if you're looking for a place to donate that Eagle, I know a guy in Michigan who might be willing to "take care of your problem" for you! [emoji12]

Nice to know BriGuy