How much do you value neck feel?

[negriljerry]

Originally Posted by ThePanda

How much does the neck feeling come into play when purchasing/frequently playing a guitar?

I played a Touchstone OM and the neck was crazy comfortable vs. my OMJM which is nice to play but the neck doesn't feel as good.

Which I admit is a bit extreme, and can lead to some unfortunate decisions. Years back I got a great deal on a Larivee D-03R, a $2K+ ax these days... and decided the neck was too fat for me. Instead of taking it to a luthier and having it shaved and reshaped I put it up for sale. Fortunately a very close friend had taken a liking to it so I sold it to him for exactly what I paid, and it makes me quite happy that this guy now has a good acoustic as opposed to the crappy Hohner he used to play. And he got it for $900

[Flyingtigre]

For me, it’s a deal breaker.

[Marshall]

Comfort is king.

[Pickcity]

Originally Posted by TheGITM

It's easily 80%+ of my decision. The neck feel alone can eliminate a guitar for me, even if I love it's sound.

Additionally, if I have 2 guitars there are candidates based on the sound, I will gravitate to the one that is 'easiest' to play. Playability is probably a more important factor that sound/tone. I can have the best sounding guitar in the world, but if it isn't high on the playability scale I'll never get the most out of it... and won't enjoy playing it as much.

^The first response sums up my take on it.

Playability is #1 for me. I can pick up a guitar and know if I can get on with it immediately by the feel of the neck. I don’t want a guitar that doesn’t have a very comfortable neck. In fact, I have parted with otherwise great guitars several times in the past because the neck wasn’t right for me.

[mikealpine]

I wanted a Martin HD-28, but landed on a Gibson Songwriter EC. It sounds great, but more important is the neck is perfect for me. I have a Furch that sounds awesome, but the neck is not as comfortable, so it stays in the case. The neck is very important to me.

[PeterD18DK]

Originally Posted by ThePanda

How much does the neck feeling come into play when purchasing/frequently playing a guitar?

Most important, neck feel, nut, bridge, string spacing, fret level, setup, that is the playground

[s2y]

I typically go custom, so I'm able to get whatever neck profile I want.

It's important to know what you want/need in a neck. It's importanter to understand how the fretting hand and neck work together as a team. A lot of guitarists don't study much about technique, which may make certain neck shapes uncomfortable. NOBODY asks why. Sometimes moving the guitar to a different position can make a neck work better.

Due to very small hands and work related tendinitis, I'm stuck using a classical based fretting hand. Thinner works best for me. I realize this makes thumb chords difficult, but I can't do that on bigger necks either. I can't handle a V cut for more than a few minutes.

[Bluemonk]

Originally Posted by s2y

Due to very small hands and work related tendinitis, I'm stuck using a classical based fretting hand. Thinner works best for me. I realize this makes thumb chords difficult, but I can't do that on bigger necks either. I can't handle a V cut for more than a few minutes.

IMO, that's a good thing. Having studied classical guitar in the past, I learned to keep my thumb behind the neck, which is the most efficient left hand position. If I need to bring my thumb around to the low E, I shift my position to accommodate that.

[caperrob]

After owning 3 Martins and 2 Lakewoods in the past 8 years and finally settling on a Boucher - the answer is definitely YES. Neck comfort is very important - it had a lot to do with why I parted with the ones that I did.

[TBman]

The neck profile has to be comfortable, otherwise what are we doing?

[TheGITM]

Originally Posted by TBman

The neck profile has to be comfortable, otherwise what are we doing?

Hey TBman - I just picked up a Gibson HP 635 W this morning... when I saw it posted for sale I did some research and saw some threads here on AGF... I think you had one and really liked... do you still have it, and what are your thoughts now after a few years?

I think that it's one of the best/most comfortable necks I've ever played...

[TBman]

Originally Posted by TheGITM

Hey TBman - I just picked up a Gibson HP 635 W this morning... when I saw it posted for sale I did some research and saw some threads here on AGF... I think you had one and really liked... do you still have it, and what are your thoughts now after a few years?

I think that it's one of the best/most comfortable necks I've ever played...

I had a J-45, which I wish I still had.

[TheGITM]

Originally Posted by TBman

I had a J-45, which I wish I still had.

Okay, crazy man... you started a thread almost 7 years ago about the 635 W... it's one of the reviews that helped me decide whether or not to throw out an offer on it.

They say the mind is the first to go, you know...

EDIT: Re-reading it, though, you may have just been a/b'ing it at a music store...

[TBman]

Originally Posted by TheGITM

Okay, crazy man... you started a thread almost 7 years ago about the 635 W... it's one of the reviews that helped me decide whether or not to throw out an offer on it.

They say the mind is the first to go, you know...

EDIT: Re-reading it, though, you may have just been a/b'ing it at a music store...

Post the thread so I can read it. Blast from the past,

[TheGITM]

Originally Posted by TBman

Post the thread so I can read it. Blast from the past,

As you commanded...

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=471281