Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Diminished Triad

New member
Looking for a fat/thick C shape strat neck but with a 7.25 radius. Does fender make any of these models/guitars today? Need a very hefty neck for my hands.....small hands and fingers and need the leverage! Play mostly rhythm and chords so hoping to stick with a 7.25 radius.....and sometimes cramp on the thin necks. Not sure how nut width plays into this but if anyone has info on this topic (nut width) I'd also really appreciate that info. Really hoping Fender still makes thick neck models and of course has one in 7.25 neck radius.

Thanks!
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Fender may well make such a neck, but Warmoth's 'Total Vintage' necks are exactly what you describe. 1" thick (which IIRC is the thickest neck profile I've seen), 7.25" radius. $157 for the neck + shipping, and then you have to finish the neck yourself.

The stew-mac necks are cheaper and finished, but they're not as thick (about .850" getting bigger towards the heel) and come in a 9.5" radius.

FWIW, I don't think a 9.5" radius is necessarily a bad thing when it comes to fretting comfort. Maybe go to guitar center or something and try out a few with that radius and see what you think.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Weren't you looking for a small neck a week or two ago?
There are ways to avoid cramping regardless of the neck you are using. Try practicing chords (all chords including and especially bar chords) without your thumb touching the neck at all. It will seem impossible at first, but you will find it can be done by a change in where your guitar balances against your body.
Also try playing bar chords (again prefereably with no thumb) but instead of using the muscles in your hand to get enough pressure, imagine your left arm is really heavy and wants to drop to the floor. Use your fretting fingers to "hang" onto the neck. There is some great info (and diagrams) on this in a book called "pumping nylon". The book is for classical players, but its all relevant. Classical guitars have high actions, wide string spacing and completely flat fretboards. Classical guitarists very often have bar chord shapes moving around the neck, with the 2nd,3rd and 4th fingers free to play melody on top of the bar chords. If you are in a music shop, flip thru it and you'll find the page with the diagrams.
Another way you can allieveiate cramping is to look closely at how hard you grip with not just your thumb, but your fingers too. Try starting by playing a few notes, but pressing only hard enough so that the notes "buzz" against the fret. Once you can do this, SLOWLY try playing a scale where every note is buzzing a little. Then, move on to chords and eventually bar chords. It will take a few days/weeks to get this working every time, but you will develop a lot more sensitivity in your left hand and be able to play light, fast, easily and most importantly...cramp free.
 
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Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

i'd like to know too.

there's nothing like a fat 7.25" radius. my (genuine) '69 competition stripe mustang has one and she's a dream. extra fret too : )
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Warmoth would be my go-to for what you're looking for.

For the 7.25" radius, I say DO IT!

What I love about it, along with narrow string spacing, is it is absolutely comfortable for me to play rhythm and lead (and the narrow string spacing isn't just for small hands. I have very large hands with long fingers). What I find comfortable is the grip and curvature on the higher frets. I also prefer thicker necks because it helps me pivot my thumb when holding the neck classical style.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Fender does - Through the custom shop. You want to order the "NoNeck" (Available with a complete guitar only). I've seen a few sold through TheMusicZoo. I think one of mine originally came from there.

FWIW, you can refret with larger wire and that will make the neck somewhat thicker in the assembled state. It can be enough to make a significant difference in feel.

On the radius - I personally don't care what it is. I've got 7.25 up to 16". I can play them all just fine, but the 16" is a little harder to barre chord. You'll get a little more shoulder on a 12" or 16" radius which will also make the neck feel a little thicker.
 
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Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Weren't you looking for a small neck a week or two ago?
There are ways to avoid cramping regardless of the neck you are using. Try practicing chords (all chords including and especially bar chords) without your thumb touching the neck at all. It will seem impossible at first, but you will find it can be done by a change in where your guitar balances against your body.
Also try playing bar chords (again prefereably with no thumb) but instead of using the muscles in your hand to get enough pressure, imagine your left arm is really heavy and wants to drop to the floor. Use your fretting fingers to "hang" onto the neck. There is some great info (and diagrams) on this in a book called "pumping nylon". The book is for classical players, but its all relevant. Classical guitars have high actions, wide string spacing and completely flat fretboards. Classical guitarists very often have bar chord shapes moving around the neck, with the 2nd,3rd and 4th fingers free to play melody on top of the bar chords. If you are in a music shop, flip thru it and you'll find the page with the diagrams.
Another way you can allieveiate cramping is to look closely at how hard you grip with not just your thumb, but your fingers too. Try starting by playing a few notes, but pressing only hard enough so that the notes "buzz" against the fret. Once you can do this, SLOWLY try playing a scale where every note is buzzing a little. Then, move on to chords and eventually bar chords. It will take a few days/weeks to get this working every time, but you will develop a lot more sensitivity in your left hand and be able to play light, fast, easily and most importantly...cramp free.

Thanks.....I will work on this and make this effort!
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

All parts make fairly thick necks at 7.25" Radius think there is .850 to .950 thickness for 7.25 and a .99 to 1 9.5 radius. If you don't mind the non legit headstock then USACG will built to pretty much any specs.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Nothing like throwing gear at a playing issue. Its like the kids in little league who blame the glove for missed catches.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Nothing like throwing gear at a playing issue. Its like the kids in little league who blame the glove for missed catches.

Didn't miss any balls; just sore hands :help:
Playing better and longer than I have in a long time....maybe that's the reason for the discomfort.
Although probably some legitimate reason behind many preferring larger radius and thinner neck for playing lead, smaller radius and thicker neck for chording, and fairly flat and wide neck for classical guitar. Like baseball and different gloves for catchers, short stops and first basemen.....necks seem to have real effect on comfort.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

no it's not.

it's more like the right tools for the right job. one player may like wood bats. one may like aluminum bats. one may like pine tar on his tool.

it's called preferences.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

no it's not.

it's more like the right tools for the right job. one player may like wood bats. one may like aluminum bats. one may like pine tar on his tool.

it's called preferences.

You seem to have missed the 198 threads started by Dimtri and his alter ego Midget Koala asking others what their preferences are cause he has none.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Its gotta be burnt... also needs an A8 in there.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

You seem to have missed the 198 threads started by Dimtri and his alter ego Midget Koala asking others what their preferences are cause he has none.

sorry. i apologise if i've stepped into a Friend-For-All Free-For-All.

i do love my Mustang though. i love to sing the virtues.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Warmoth would be my go-to for what you're looking for.

For the 7.25" radius, I say DO IT!

What I love about it, along with narrow string spacing, is it is absolutely comfortable for me to play rhythm and lead (and the narrow string spacing isn't just for small hands. I have very large hands with long fingers). What I find comfortable is the grip and curvature on the higher frets. I also prefer thicker necks because it helps me pivot my thumb when holding the neck classical style.

Just ordered a fatback and boat neck for a couple of my builds. Sticking to 7.25 and small nut. Appreciate the advice.
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

Ya - But when you see an opportunity, seize it!
 
Re: Thickest 7.25 radius strat neck available today?

In a few reviews I've read that both the SRV and Ritchie Blackmore strats have fairly thick necks.
For those owning or having played either, would appreciate your feedback on the neck size. Thanks!
 
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