#46
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I'm not generally concerned about it as most necks on acoustic guitars are fine. But since I have small hands, if a neck were too thick to play chords easily, that would be THE reason to not get the guitar, regardless of how it sounded.
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2022 Martin 000-18 2022 Martin HD12-28 2022 Martin HD-28 2022 Gibson J-45 Standard 2022 Taylor American Dream AD27 Mahogany 2007 Breedlove AC250/SM-12 2006 Breedlove AD20/SR Plus 2003 Martin 000C-16SGTNE 2000 Taylor 410ce 1990 Martin Shenandoah (< 1990 a bunch of great old Yamahas I lost track of) My music: https://pro.soundclick.com/dannybowman |
#47
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Neck Feel
The feel of the neck is like initially shaking hands with a woman. You will know. Just … know … where things will lead. Are you up for the ride?
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#48
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Be careful to what you think comfortable is. When I play a really thin neck I think it's comfortable but I feel it wears me out faster than a fatter neck. I can play a fatter neck for hours and hours. Especially with barred chords, a really thin neck requires more pressure from your hand.
So go play it for a few hours before you decide it's better than your current guitar. Or at least play them side by side. I find the neck on an OMJM to be super comfortable. |
#49
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If the neck is not right nothing else matters!
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Santa Cruz 000, Samick classical |
#50
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Neck feel is very important to me, but im not incredibly picky. I have long hands, I wear size xl gloves usually. I like a wider nut but it’s not a deal killer. . I don’t like v necks at all and wouldn’t get a guitar with one. I also dislike the very girthy necks like you find on some vintage guitars.
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#51
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Neck made most of the difference for me when deciding between the 50s J-45 Original and the Standard.
Then I bought two Martin MLO guitars. Go figure. I play them all without giving the neck much thought.
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1952 Martin 0-18 1977 Gurian S3R3H with Nashville strings 2018 Martin HD-28E, Fishman Aura VT Enhance 2019 Martin D-18, LR Baggs Element VTC 2021 Gibson 50s J-45 Original, LR Baggs Element VTC ___________ 1981 Ovation Magnum III bass 2012 Höfner Ignition violin ("Beatle") bass |
#52
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neck profile,string spacing, nut width have no impact on my decision. Im comfortable playing all sizes/shapes/etc. and adapt as needed.
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Don 1929 SS Stewart Pro Archtop 1921 G Houghton Archtop Banjo 2007 George Rizsanyi Custom Maple Banjo Killer 2017 James Malejczuk Custom OM Black Limba 1980 Norman B50-12 Norman B-20 Recording King single 0 1996 Takamine 1967 Yam G-130 Melvina 1980s Seagull S6 Cedar 2003 Briarwood 1970s Eko Maple 1982 Ovation 2020 Fender Telecaster Mandolin Yam THR5A Sienna 35 Kustom |
#53
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My guitars tend to be modern rather than vintage and I am comfortable on all their necks. Sometimes you have to play one a lot, say an hour, before you can tell a difference. My 100+ year old National - that's different. Awful right from the start, way too thick. Only I play slide on it and rarely do much in the way of full chords, so I get by OK.
The rest seem to be D-shaped, moderate in depth, no V's, all with 1 3/4 - 1 13/16" nuts. Each one is fine for me.
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The Bard Rocks Fay OM Sinker Redwood/Tiger Myrtle Sexauer L00 Adk/Magnolia For Sale Hatcher Jumbo Bearclaw/"Bacon" Padauk Goodall Jumbo POC/flamed Mahogany Appollonio 12 POC/Myrtle MJ Franks Resonator, all Australian Blackwood Blackbird "Lucky 13" - carbon fiber '31 National Duolian + many other stringed instruments. |
#54
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Neck shape to me is very important if I'm going to play it for very long.
Last night I played my natural 50's RI J-200 for a couple hours. Though I love the tone of this one like nothing else. After a couple hours, my hands begin to cramp up. My other J-200 a sunburst 2014 Ultimate. plays much better, but doesn't quite have the tone. The natural one I would take to studio for sure. Live I would tend to lean for the sunburst one. 200twins.jpg |
#55
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Not real important. It's like getting behind the wheel of a standard-shift car: It takes about five minutes to get used to it. I like playing mandolin and bass, so anything in between is fine by me.
1. Most important is whether I can afford it. If I can't swing it, that's life in the slow lane. Last edited by Charlie Bernstein; 04-19-2024 at 08:11 AM. |
#56
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How much do you value neck feel?
Quite a bit. To the point of if it doesn't feel right, it is an immediate deal breaker for me. Be well and choose well, Don .
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*The Heard: 85 Gibson J-200 sitka/rosewood Jumbo 99 Taylor 355 sitka/sapele 12 string Jmbo 06 Alvarez AJ60S englmn/mpl lam med Jmbo 14 Taylor 818e sitka/rosewood Grand Orchestra 05 Taylor 512ce L10 all mahogany Grand Concert 09 Taylor all walnut Jmbo 16 Taylor 412e-R sitka/rw GC 16 Taylor 458e-R s/rw 12 string GO 21 Epiphone IBG J-200 sitka/maple Jmbo 22 Guild F-1512 s/rw 12 string Jmbo |
#57
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Nut width and neck depth as well as string spacing at the bridge figure in a whole lot when I approach a guitar. Those in the house range from a two out of three ain't bad take on it to as comfy as it gets.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#58
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I couldn't tell you anything about the necks on my three guitars other than they are all 1 11/16 at the nut and they feel the same. And that is not because of a conscious effort, that's just what feels good to me. So I guess it is important to me.
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Please don't take me too seriously, I don't. Taylor GS Mini Mahogany. Guild D-20 Gretsch Streamliner Morgan Monroe MNB-1w https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/ |
#59
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Quote:
Is it a needlessly limiting fetish — like a guy I used to work with who would only date blondes — or are some hands just so used to one neck shape that a different shape throws them off? I know I make a lot of mistakes typing on this laptop because I've spend so many years typing on full-size keyboards. Or are different necks designed for different hands? Do makers aim at different market segments that way? Likr mandolin companies that offer wider necks to attract guitar players. I sold my spaghetti-neck Gibson LG-0 to a fiddler who just hates wide necks. Bottom line: Different strokies for different folkies! Last edited by Charlie Bernstein; 04-19-2024 at 08:09 AM. |
#60
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Anything that has a tactile 'feel' that can affect performance matters. I don't care about dimensions and such. I care very much how it feels.
Same with golf clubs. Same with tennis rackets. Same with computer keyboards. Same with certain hand tools. I can play anything (and have over the years, because at one time I had limited choices), but I can tell within a couple of minutes when playing a new guitar if I like how it feels. If I don't, I really don't care how good it sounds. There are plenty of guitars to choose from, so I'll find something else. I can be choosey. I've earned it.
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Be curious, not judgmental. |