JeffB
Let it B
One the biggest barriers I have with guitars these days is finding models with big necks.
Part of my issue is I have CTS and RSS in my fretting hand- a thinner flat neck (and/or small frets) is absolutely a sure way for me to have to stop playing for a few months until the numbness and pain goes away. My CTS/RSS issues really started with my MIA Dean Time Capsule- which featured a small but hard V neck that gradually tapered to a thin C shape towards the body. The thin/flat necks take far more effort for me to play , and thus fatigue/stress. My new Epiphone is a nice playing, good sounding inexpensive guitar, but the neck and frets are absolutely killing me-thus it's going up for sale.
However, even though I have hands on the smaller side of medium and shorter fingers I have ALWAYS liked bigger deep necks- long before my physical issues set in. More meat on the neck allows me to chord more comfortably, and bend more comfortably. I also prefer a neck that starts out big, and maintains even thickness- my partscaster was like that, my Tele nearly so.
Now try to find a big neck with (true) medium jumbo or larger frets on any guitar under a grand. There are very few- My Roadworn has a pretty good sized neck- its about the minimum I can deal with. Some of the less expensive Gibson SG models have the 59 profile, but they vary, some are quite a bit smaller than others- same with the Les Paul studio fadeds. There are some PRS SE models with the wide/fat which works pretty well for me too, but the SE's have shorter frets than their american counterparts, so its kind of a wash.
But the majority of guitars have thin flat necks- most Fenders have the thin/flat modern C, all Epiphones, ESP/LTDs, Ibanez (hah!) Jackson/Charvels, Schecters, MIK Deans, and down the line. I find it hard to fathom most people like that style of neck, but I guess it's the case based on the the mass of guitars with them.
How many of you folks prefer the thinner necks...or do you prefer bigger? Or somewhere in between? What's your fave neck?
Part of my issue is I have CTS and RSS in my fretting hand- a thinner flat neck (and/or small frets) is absolutely a sure way for me to have to stop playing for a few months until the numbness and pain goes away. My CTS/RSS issues really started with my MIA Dean Time Capsule- which featured a small but hard V neck that gradually tapered to a thin C shape towards the body. The thin/flat necks take far more effort for me to play , and thus fatigue/stress. My new Epiphone is a nice playing, good sounding inexpensive guitar, but the neck and frets are absolutely killing me-thus it's going up for sale.
However, even though I have hands on the smaller side of medium and shorter fingers I have ALWAYS liked bigger deep necks- long before my physical issues set in. More meat on the neck allows me to chord more comfortably, and bend more comfortably. I also prefer a neck that starts out big, and maintains even thickness- my partscaster was like that, my Tele nearly so.
Now try to find a big neck with (true) medium jumbo or larger frets on any guitar under a grand. There are very few- My Roadworn has a pretty good sized neck- its about the minimum I can deal with. Some of the less expensive Gibson SG models have the 59 profile, but they vary, some are quite a bit smaller than others- same with the Les Paul studio fadeds. There are some PRS SE models with the wide/fat which works pretty well for me too, but the SE's have shorter frets than their american counterparts, so its kind of a wash.
But the majority of guitars have thin flat necks- most Fenders have the thin/flat modern C, all Epiphones, ESP/LTDs, Ibanez (hah!) Jackson/Charvels, Schecters, MIK Deans, and down the line. I find it hard to fathom most people like that style of neck, but I guess it's the case based on the the mass of guitars with them.
How many of you folks prefer the thinner necks...or do you prefer bigger? Or somewhere in between? What's your fave neck?
I actually prefer the 57/58 necks which have even more shoulder and are not as tapered from nut to body as the 59. They are BIG all the way through. The 59 is "OK" for me- depends on the actual carve since they differ from guitar to guitar- some have felt glorious, some have less shoulder and that bothers my hand.
