Changing a neck profile?

[GuitarFundi]

Would having a round neck profile changed to a modified V profile by a competent luthier be realistic? Pros/Cons?

[stormin1155]

Yes, I've done that. Not something I would normally recommend. It usually hurts the resale value, and is pretty much irreversible.

[eshrager]

It probably could be done, but make sure that the other parts of the equation (such as depth and contour) are going to be to your liking.

[Wyllys]

Originally Posted by GuitarFundi

Would having a round neck profile changed to a modified V profile by a competent luthier be realistic? Pros/Cons?

Competent. Hmmm...

Ethical?

None of the luthiers I know would take on such an elective task on a guitar in good condition. Kind of like cosmetic surgery in Hollywood. The results usually turn really ugly.

I'd say find another guitar with the neck you like.

[PorkPieGuy]

Not sure if it would be really cost effective. The only way I would do it is if it was a luthier-built guitar and I actually took it back to that same luthier. He/She might be able to shave down the profile without having to build and entirely new neck.

[Purfle Haze]

Originally Posted by Wyllys

Ethical?

Ethical???

Kind of like cosmetic surgery in Hollywood.

Not at all. Cutting up people is different from altering inanimate objects, even nice musical instruments.

I'd say find another guitar with the neck you like.

Sensible advice. Practical.

Originally Posted by Wyllys

Competent. Hmmm...

Ethical?

None of the luthiers I know would take on such an elective task on a guitar in good condition. Kind of like cosmetic surgery in Hollywood. The results usually turn really ugly.

I'd say find another guitar with the neck you like.

You just don't know the right ones.

BTW, Norman Blake is not averse to stripping the finish off the neck, or even reshaping one if it suits him to do so. This includes prewar guitars too. Personally, I wouldn't do it on a prewar, but I've been known to carve on newer guitars.

[GuitarFundi]

I want several Gibsons and i want Modified V necks that are .90 or close to it at the first fret.... I can VERY rarely find a J-45 with a .99 or .89 Round neck, so i thought just shaving on either side a bit would get my Mod V and keep the cross section depth i like.... Reason for this is Not being spoiled but due to medical issues with hand/wrists... I could care less about resale value... I just want the tone I want and the ergonomics i need to play pain free and with a bit of success

[mahoriver]

The "right" luthier would do it.As long as your not getting to close to the truss
rod.Or not compromising the integrity of the neck i would have thought.

Bill Collings reshaping the neck on Rodney Crowells collings

[GuitarFundi]

Originally Posted by mahoriver

The "right" luthier would do it.As long as your not getting to close to the truss
rod.Or not compromising the integrity of the neck i would have thought.

Bill Collings reshaping the neck on Rodney Crowells collings

Id love to hav Collings make me customs but probably not in this life time ;-/

[golfnut]

Originally Posted by Wyllys

Competent. Hmmm...

Ethical?

None of the luthiers I know would take on such an elective task on a guitar in good condition. Kind of like cosmetic surgery in Hollywood. The results usually turn really ugly.

I'd say find another guitar with the neck you like.

I can't remember the name of this company but the are well respected and noted as amazing luthiers that take R series les pauls and give them a vintage make over, meaning making their specs even closer to vintage including recarving the necks.
The costs are just about what the guitar originally cost.

[dmoss74]

people have been reshaping necks for years, but it helps (obviously) to start with one that is quite clubby.

i believe jimmy page's #1 lp had its neck shaved down. apparently it almost got to the point of hitting the tr. i doubt that had any adverse effect on its resale value.

but that's his. mine? maybe not so lucky.

i'd love the gibson goldtop '56 resissue, but the neck is way too fat for me. if i ever did get one (pipe dream), i'd certainly consider a reshape.

[zabdart]

Originally Posted by dmoss74

people have been reshaping necks for years, but it helps (obviously) to start with one that is quite clubby.

Quite so. If you start with one of those thin C-profile necks that Gibson became famous for after World War II, carving the neck into a V-shape will probably cause more problems than just getting the neck replaced with a custom-made job.

[Warrenaines]

Originally Posted by Wyllys

Competent. Hmmm...

Ethical?

None of the luthiers I know would take on such an elective task on a guitar in good condition. Kind of like cosmetic surgery in Hollywood. The results usually turn really ugly.

???
If the comparison if plastic surgery in Hollywood, doesn't that mean EVERYONE would do it?

[murrmac123]

Reshaping a neck is no big deal. I did it on my Lakewood dreadnought over twenty years ago, and it turned an awkward -to-play (though beautiful sounding) instrument into a really playable one. Every other Lakewood I have played could also benefit from a neck reshaping IMO.

Mark Lemaire, a fine guitarist who will be demoing the products of at least five luthiers at the upcoming Santa Barbara gathering, has a lovely 1949 Martin D18 and had the neck reprofiled by a luthier whose name I forget ... it turned out great, plays as nicely as any Martin I have ever handled.