So... I need a faster neck.

[Smilemon]

My tele sounds great, it covers all the bases when it comes to blues, rock, punk, anything from 1950 - 1979... But then I try to shred.. And the 9.5 radius and small frets are just not doing it for me.

My strat... well.. It was an experiment in building a guitar. It sound ok... It plays worse... I've been thinking about getting a Wizard II Neck for it and bolting it on.

The bottom line.. I either need to get a fast/high quality neck for my strat. Or buy a new guitar.

I've been looking at the schecter lady luck, damian 6 and damian 6 FR. Or.... There is a neat Charvel/Jackson used for 200 bucks... I'm thinking I'll probably get one of the schecters because they dont cost too much more and are way nicer looking.

Really I want something that has a flatter fretboard, bigger frets, high output pickups, and tremolo is optional... I sorta want a trem guitar as I don't have one right now.

Suggestions?

 

[danglybanger]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

I love wizard necks. the REALLY thin flat ones.

But why do you have a problem with the 9.5 radius? Do you blame this for fretting out during bends, or the action... cause it shouldn't affect the setup much really.

(I'll never know why people like big frets but I won't ask about that...)

I had a boltneck schecter, neck didn't have much personality, was a bit too rounded for my taste, but it had a flat radius and big frets.

 

[Smilemon]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

I love wizard necks. the REALLY thin flat ones.

But why do you have a problem with the 9.5 radius? Do you blame this for fretting out during bends, or the action... cause it shouldn't affect the setup much really.

(I'll never know why people like big frets but I won't ask about that...)

I had a boltneck schecter, neck didn't have much personality, was a bit too rounded for my taste, but it had a flat radius and big frets.

The radius isn't much of a problem.. But the small frets, and the fender bridge.. Its set up well, and it plays fast.. But nowhere near as fast as a Wizard Neck.. And the thing is... I want something that sounds good under gain, with light strings, i'm talking 8 - 38. Something I can just rip notes out on.

The Lady luck is a sweet guitar with tons of mojo... I'm really thinking about getting it, and a marshall VM combo... I just need 2 grand...

 

[Rowan]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

ESP/LTD extra thin U necks might be for you. They come on M series guitars and are a delight to play. Thin like ibanez wizard necks, but not quite as flat and much more comfortable in my opinion.

I'm not sure if they are compatable with strat bodies though. If you wanted an inexpensive shredder you could get one of the new LTD M-103 or MH-103's. Both are HSS, basswood bodies, maple/maple necks and floyd tremelo.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

a)No "thin" neck would sound huge with light strings...

b) Wizard 2 neck ism too flat for playing fast for a long time period

c) For playing a 14 ,better 16" radius neck with a D shaped back ,you need to play it like a classic guitar..Typical blues player grip won't let you play those guitars fast

d) Get a maple neck/board for the ultimate strong sound under hi-gain..You need the articulation if you want to play light strings.

e) Huge and wide frets like 6000 or 6100 only malke sense with a scalloped board.At least the last 4-6 fretts. 6105 stainless steel would help you on that topic.Tall ,no need for scalloping and not too wide....Only slides would need more control ,and the touch must be lighter...

f) I'm affraid that you never ever get a full-huge powerfull hi-gain sound with 0,8s and a floyd...So don't waste your money...

g)16" ,maple board ,6105 SS fretwire ,Jackson Soloist type D shaped Neck...Original Flyod ,Maple Body ,BKP Miracle Man or PATB-1 PU on the bridge ,H3 on the Neck...0,8 ,42 Nickel strings..That looks okay...

 

[Smilemon]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

a)No "thin" neck would sound huge with light strings...

b) Wizard 2 neck ism too flat for playing fast for a long time period

c) For playing a 14 ,better 16" radius neck with a D shaped back ,you need to play it like a classic guitar..Typical blues player grip won't let you play those guitars fast

d) Get a maple neck/board for the ultimate strong sound under hi-gain..You need the articulation if you want to play light strings.

e) Huge and wide frets like 6000 or 6100 only malke sense with a scalloped board.At least the last 4-6 fretts. 6105 stainless steel would help you on that topic.Tall ,no need for scalloping and not too wide....Only slides would need more control ,and the touch must be lighter...

f) I'm affraid that you never ever get a full-huge powerfull hi-gain sound with 0,8s and a floyd...So don't waste your money...

g)16" ,maple board ,6105 SS fretwire ,Jackson Soloist type D shaped Neck...Original Flyod ,Maple Body ,BKP Miracle Man or PATB-1 PU on the bridge ,H3 on the Neck...0,8 ,42 Nickel strings..That looks okay...

Thanks, I found the Wizard neck a little tiring to play, but it was still really fun. The schecter is a good mix for me it seems. More of a C or U and wider. The one without the floyd sounds really nice but I would like a maple or ebony board.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

Are you sure your frets and fretboard are in good shape? You could try fixing them first and then seeing what you like.

I can play just as fast (it's not that fast, though) on my gibson boat neck and on my jackson thin one. If the neck is in good shape (!), I don't think that the shape really matters that much... Of course I too have slight preferences, but I don't really see other necks as hampering my playing.

 

[Rowan]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

Are you sure your frets and fretboard are in good shape? You could try fixing them first and then seeing what you like.

I can play just as fast (it's not that fast, though) on my gibson boat neck and on my jackson thin one. If the neck is in good shape (!), I don't think that the shape really matters that much... Of course I too have slight preferences, but I don't really see other necks as hampering my playing.

Are you talking about shredding higher up on the neck or playing in general? Neck shape makes a huge difference for fast riffing on the lower strings, closer to the nut. I used to have a strat, which I really liked, but the thick C shaped neck just killed my hand. But, solo/shred stuff on fat necks isn't too bad.

Its the fast chords and riffs that get you.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

It will take years to learn how to properly shred on standard fender super strat(not there yet myself), but to me that's the real shred ala YJM, Uli Roth, Blackmore, Hank Sherman, EVH, Maiden, Vitto Bratta, Mathias Jabs, etc. But if you need a stepping stone Kramer Barretta necks are awesome for shred.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: So... I need a faster neck.

Are you talking about shredding higher up on the neck or playing in general? Neck shape makes a huge difference for fast riffing on the lower strings, closer to the nut. I used to have a strat, which I really liked, but the thick C shaped neck just killed my hand. But, solo/shred stuff on fat necks isn't too bad.

Its the fast chords and riffs that get you.

No, I'm not talking just about shredding... not really my kind of playing even if like to listen to yngwie every now and then. I mean all kinds of playing, I mentioned speed only as the first post seemed to be most concerned about speed.

I do prefer a bit of a curve near the nut, jumbo frets and a wide fretboard. And a bit of thickness as well. But usually it's not a big deal if a guitar isn't exactly the way I like. I don't have a guitar that has all of my dream neck specs. I've never really had a problem with playing at higher frets and a strat heel either, that seems to be a major grievance to some fellows. Mileages do vary.

What I'm trying to say, all in all, to the thread starter is that to look around just a bit more before putting money into something that may not be what it looks like.