Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

[marvelous_seven]

Right onto the questions:
1. What neck finish do you always feel the best: oil , poly, nitro, unfinished, Parker finish, or any else? And how it does affect playability, stability, and tone?
2. Which one do you prefer: quartersawn, flatsawn, or multipieces/laminate neck?
3. Which one do you like the best: angled or non-angled headstock?
4. Which one do you prefer: neck w/ volute or not? neck w/ scarf joint or not?
5. Finally, who do you think makes the best necks?

And please tell me your reason for each question, the more logic the better

I need help to decide what kind of neck I need to choose for my next custom guitar, because sometimes words like "choose whatever works for you" always confusing me, and before I make the wrong choice at least I need to know some knowledge from you guys.

:thanks:

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

Bump?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

I like satin and light gloss finishes. like on faded gibsons and fenders.
as for the quartersawn, flatsawn: I dont mind any of these, as long as its of quality.

I like an angled headstock.

neck: volute or scarf joint arent neccesary.

I really like fender necks. theyre cool.

but jackson has an awesome concept: a neck with different radius at each end.

 

[LReese]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

I'll bite... Just MO:

1. Oil (some protection is better than none), but I really don't have any issues with well cured nitro. Poly is hit and miss, but the poly Suhr applies is great.

2. Its kind of a tossup, but quartersawn seems tighter and more polite, but it depends on the individual guitar. Flatsawn seems to sound better to me overall. I don't have any multipiece necks other than rosewood fretboards. I like the texture of the raw rosewood, but no issues with well cured nitro or certain polyurethane finishes.

3. Non angled - Angled provides a better angle at the nut, but issues seem to arise in terms of fragility (I'm thinking of the Gibson headstock repairs).

4. Don't know/No opinion

5. If I were buying, USA Custom 1st, then Warmoth.

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

for the backs of necks i like a smooth satin nitro, or a lighty sanded gloss. going to oil my next neck. for fender style necks i prefer a one piece maple neck. in general though i prefer gibson necks and their angled headstocks.

 

[Jessie Sammler]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

I'm not too picky about many parameters of a neck. In general, I think:
a.) Quartersawn wood is a good idea. (Example, my Jackson SL2HT.)
b.) Multipiece necks are good for stability. (Example, my Ibanez RG7621.)
c.) One-piece necks seem to sing better. (Example, my Gibson Flying V.)
d.) I like angled headstocks. The guitars I like tend to have them.
e.) I think volutes add strength and look cool. (Example, some current Ibanez Prestige.)
f.) Scarf joints are probably stronger, but, again one-pieces have tons of character. Just be careful with them.
g.) Oiled necks feel the best to me, but I'm really not picky. I like unfinished, nitro and poly necks, too.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

I'm not too picky about many parameters of a neck. In general, I think:
a.) Quartersawn wood is a good idea. (Example, my Jackson SL2HT.)
b.) Multipiece necks are good for stability. (Example, my Ibanez RG7621.)
c.) One-piece necks seem to sing better. (Example, my Gibson Flying V.)
d.) I like angled headstocks. The guitars I like tend to have them.
e.) I think volutes add strength and look cool. (Example, some current Ibanez Prestige.)
f.) Scarf joints are probably stronger, but, again one-pieces have tons of character. Just be careful with them.
g.) Oiled necks feel the best to me, but I'm really not picky. I like unfinished, nitro and poly necks, too.

+1 - you saved me some typing.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

A lot of our preferences are just what we've gotten used to over the years. I've played mostly poly necks, so they're fine for me. I like it one piece and quarter-sawn when I have a choice. Always an angled headstock with 3x3 tuners. My hands know where to go & what to do. I have big hands & 6-in-a-row tuners are too cramped. Volutes are pretty rare, so I don't expect to see them.

The other big thing about necks is the fretboard. I like rosewood best; just has a nice warm vibe to it. Ebony looks great, but doesn't have as much character. Maple boards show dirt & wear and therefore look cheap, & are forever associated with the "F" word, so they're not particularly appealing.

 

[CTN]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

1. What neck finish do you always feel the best: oil , poly, nitro, unfinished, Parker finish, or any else? And how it does affect playability, stability, and tone?

Oil, by far. It's smoother to play on, doesn't get gummy and sticky when you're sweating, and it's just as good a finish as the others if applied properly. It feels like it's not even there.

2. Which one do you prefer: quartersawn, flatsawn, or multipieces/laminate neck?

No preference, but quartersawn and laminates are the best choices because they are the strongest/most stable and resist the tension of the strings better than flatsawn.

3. Which one do you like the best: angled or non-angled headstock?

Angled. More consistent string-to-string sustain because of the angle at which they approach the tuners/go over the nut.

4. Which one do you prefer: neck w/ volute or not? neck w/ scarf joint or not?

Neck w/ volute and scarf joint. Scarf joint is pretty strong if you're going with an angled headstock, but it's not needed if you go straight. Volutes are essential, imo, because it adds some extra wood/beef/girth/strength to the headstock where it meets the fretboard ie right where the truss rod access is. It's actually a very common place to break headstocks, so having a volute makes the whole thing a lot stronger and much less likely to crack/break.

5. Finally, who do you think makes the best necks?

When I find out, I'll let you know. Actually I'll probably forget, but I haven't found the perfect neck yet.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

1. What neck finish do you always feel the best?

Raw and unfinished, but final sanded to 1500 grit and buffed like a satin finish.

2. Which one do you prefer: quartersawn, flatsawn, or multipieces/laminate neck?

Depends on the instrument, but generally quartersawn for the added stability without adding unnecessary glue joints into the neck... that said there are some instuments that simply have tp have laminated or even reinforced necks becasue the instrument´s design requires it.

3. Which one do you like the best: angled or non-angled headstock?

No preference

4. Which one do you prefer: neck w/ volute or not? neck w/ scarf joint or not?

Also no preference on both, I can live with both and other things are more important.

5. Finally, who do you think makes the best necks?

Jackson /Charvel closely followed by MCS and GMW with Gibsons ´59 roundback being a strong third... none of these are really available separately but only as finished instruments.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

I don't even know what half that stuff means!

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

I forgot I make this thread so far gone to page 5 :lmao:

Nice response guys! :thanks:
Anyone else mind to share?

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Which one do you think is the best? (guitar's neck content)

- Finish doesn't matter to me, for playability or tone - in order I'll go oil, nitro, poly

- Quartersawn, the flatsawn, but multi-lams are fine depending on construction

- non angled - I prefer stratheads

- Volutes don't bother me, but I think they look kind of silly - I understand the reason for their use

- IMO - Charvel