Neck Shape and Tendonitis

[JohnnyGuitar]

Well, now that I got it... :banghead:

After reading about guys who had it I've decided to go for thinner necks because I had some wrist pains a few years ago. I stuck to the Fender Highway One neck for the last year but in the past few days my left hand wrist began to ache - and after I went to a doctor, I know what I have.

I've read a few posts stating that a fatter neck actually makes it easier on the wrists... many others say that they stick to thin necks... so it might just be an individual thing. :scratchch


What do you guys think? what's your experience?




Edit: and yeah, I need some moral support here, I'm pretty down and I'm worried.

 

[Vincent Vespa]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

I had tendinitis a little while back. Wear a brace, it'll get better in a month or so.

 

[Usurper666]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

Thin necks made my fretting hand cramp up, fat necks felt much better. I haven't had any problems since I switched to bigger necks. Now any thin neck I play makes my hand and wrist hurt after a while. Try a bigger neck AND do some arm and wrist stretches before you play, that can really help too.

Cheers,

CJ

 

[dano8180]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

i've had it in my wrists for about 12 years now and a thinner neck seems to not aggravate as bad. however, on a fatter neck, as long as i'm playing on dunlop 6100's and nice low action, i'm not as prone to tensing up and agrravating it even more.

 

[John_L]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

Try some Alexander Technique that can help.
I don't think the neck itself makes any difference it's the angle you have it at. When you are sitting with the guitar try sitting classical style with the guitar on your left leg and with your left leg raised a little (assuming you are right handed) on the strap try having the guitar a little lower and at an angle so that your arm is loose.
Also do some stretching and warm up exercises and maybe get a powerball. When stretching do active stretching.

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

i agree with Mr L, the placement of the neck makes a big difference too, ie how high the guitar is.

to the thin/thick thing, people have different sized hands... spend sometime and see what is most comfortable for you.

i personally want a slight V shape, with a slightly wider than stock fender nut

mike

 

[Guitar-Sam]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

Take a sock and ball it up and lightly squeeze it.It helps loosten up your wrist.Also those magnetic braclets seemed to help me a few years back.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

Well, when I'll get a little better I'm going to try it on my Gibson Nighthawk - it has a fatter C neck that feels like a beefier version of my HW1. Not sure I'm going to feel a lo of difference.


Great responses so far guys. Thanks!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

Hey Johnny- I replied to you via PM the other day , but keep in mind MY issue is not tendonitis, but rather CTS/RSI- so you may need to address things differently than I.

 

[cream123]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

I have tendonitis in both of my knees and it goes away if u warm up before you use them

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

While I do believe neck shape is a factor, i think playing posture is at least equally important, and often gets overlooked while concentrating on playing. The location of the wrist in relationship to the neck and the notes/ shapes being played is probably the key between good and bad, comfort and discomfort, long-term wellbeing v's longterm problems. Unfortunately we often don't think about it until we have problems. So yeah, neck shape and constant attention to wrist position

 

[marcg71]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

I find ample warming up and ample rest time between playing help. For me a larger neck, tall frets and 12 inch radius works the best for my wrist issues.

 

[Bass_Medic_05]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

I like a jazz neck over a P bass neck, I guess thats why I like my ric neck too.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

The larger neck should be better. Your thumb should not be angled more than parallel. Due to lever effects, more than parallel will mean that you need more force at the source to have the same force on the strings.

 

[brunogio]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

I come close to getting it all the time mostly from poor typing technique.

It helps a lot if you stretch regularly throughout the day and before playing. I'm sure the doctor gave you some to do, if not, I'm sure you can find them on-line. If you got it now, you should take some time off from playing for a few weeks until you're better.

I also agree that playing position, how you position your hand on the neck and how high/low you hold the guitar will have a huge impact. When you begin to play again, look for which things cause you pain and take steps to change them. Don't just try to battle through those things.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

hmm

Just switched last year from Strat to Ibanez Wizard II
had the Carpal tunnel surgery in the middle of the switch
maybe it was the switch
maybe it was the surgery

it was an adjustment

loveing it now

 

[cakire82]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

Warming up your wrists and elbows really helps. You can check out the "Rock Dicipline" video that John Petrucci put out. He has a section about warming up which is very useful.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Neck Shape and Tendonitis

my Les Paul caused me to have massive muscle and tenton issues with my fretting hand... to the point i ended up in a surgeons office... never had surgery thankfully but i had to switch to a thinner neck for a long time... saved my wrist... but in some peoples cases the thinner necks may hurt... but it helped me... thin strings and thin necks got me thru the 90's...