How to measure a neck

[kkrell]

I like the neck on my current decades-old acoustic. How do I determine the shape, measure the profile and radius to compare when shopping for another guitar? Would like to narrow the field of what I consider, or have a spec if I requested something custom.

As simple as this (although the resource links don't work for profile pics and radius guide)?
http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/20...a-guitar-neck/

[terrapin]

You CAN take a length of solder, wrap it around the neck and then trace the resulting contour onto paper which can be made into a template to use for comparison purposes. This quite often works better than numbers, as those are not always easily available and the labels used (I.e., shallow C, modified V) can vary greatly from maker to maker.

[TConnelly]

Sounds like what you want is a contour gauge like this one from Harbor freight. You should be able to transfer that to heavy card stock and take it with you.

Cheers...................Todd

[kkrell]

Terrapin, thanks. OK, that, or something similar to hold the shape, makes sense. And I could measure at different frets to get a sense of changes along the length of the neck.

[cmd612]

There are printable radius gauges online. Here's one:

http://handmademusicclubhouse.com/gr...etboard-radius

[DenverSteve]

My suggestion is far less ... technical. Play the guitars you are considering and buy the one that feels right.

[baimo]

Originally Posted by terrapin

You CAN take a length of solder, wrap it around the neck and then trace the resulting contour onto paper which can be made into a template to use for comparison purposes. This quite often works better than numbers, as those are not always easily available and the labels used (I.e., shallow C, modified V) can vary greatly from maker to maker.

Brilliant. Santa Cruz, Collings, Huss and Dalton, Martin all have versions of C and V shapes and they are all very different and very uninformative. Huss and Dalton has a soft V that is similar to a Martin low profile. It drives me nuts.

But then again, I guess I would have to go around to different stores with solder and Never Mind.

I guess I will have too try them each.

[mahoriver]

I was speaking to a luthier about a possible build.And how much i liked
the bigger vintage neck profile of a guitar i have.
He told me to cut off a strip of paper.Pull it tight around the neck at the 1st
fret,to the top edge of the finger board - mark both side's at edge.
Then lay the piece of paper flat and measure the distance between the two.
(said to do this at the 1 - 3 - 5 -7 - 9th fret)

On my 12 fret dreadnought at the 1 fret and measurement is 71mm - (2.79528" inch)

On my Martin with a "modified low oval neck" the measurement at 1st fret is 67mm (2.6378" inch)

I was surprised at the difference between the two.

By no means is it all the picture but ive found it really helps.

And of course the physical profile in the posts above,where you can compare the two in person is great.

Also neck depth at the 1st helps.

[Jimmy Recard]

Originally Posted by TConnelly

Sounds like what you want is a contour gauge like this one from Harbor freight. You should be able to transfer that to heavy card stock and take it with you.

Cheers...................Todd

Yes, a profile comb (contour gauge) is what you want.

[Toby Walker]

To determine your neck size, measure around your neck just above your collar bone, putting 1 finger between the tape and your neck. Or simply measure and add 1/4 inch. Round up to the closest ½ inch size.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by TConnelly

Sounds like what you want is a contour gauge like this one from Harbor freight. You should be able to transfer that to heavy card stock and take it with you.

Cheers...................Todd

Originally Posted by Jimmy Recard

Yes, a profile comb (contour gauge) is what you want.

+2. They're incredibly cheap too. One caveat is that you should use something to protect the neck from scratches as it is made of metal. In this picture I am comparing the neck radius from my Larrivee and attempting to recreate it on a scratch build. I stuck some duck tape to the neck but cloth across the teeth of the comb will work in a pinch if you're careful.

[mahoriver]

Heres my attempt with a thin bit of ply / laminate.

[baimo]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

To determine your neck size, measure around your neck just above your collar bone, putting 1 finger between the tape and your neck. Or simply measure and add 1/4 inch. Round up to the closest ½ inch size.

Hey that works!!