Do you have a preferred guitar neck shape? It’s ok if you do. Have you heard someone say “I can’t play that guitar, the neck is too big.” Or too small… Or the fretboard radius isn’t right. In today’s post I’m going discuss the advantage of playing different guitar necks.
Basics of Guitar Neck Shapes
First, if you haven’t read our article on guitar neck shapes, I suggest you do so. In the article we discuss the factors that make a neck feel the way it does in your hand.
The shape and depth of the back of the neck is what primarily determines what we call the “neck profile.” Factors like fretboard radius, nut width, fingerboard wood, fret size, and the presence or absence of binding all combine to create the experience of how the neck feels to you. Another huge but often overlooked factor is the setup—a customized setup that is optimized for your playing style can work wonders for how a neck feels. I’ve had a recent experience with this that I’ll share later.
Smaller Necks = Better Playability?
To understand the importance of being able to play different necks, we first need to understand what happens to many beginner players. Let’s face it, beginning guitar can be a struggle, and as guitarists we naturally want things to be easier. This often leads beginners to favor smaller necks, which feel “easier” to play.
If you’ve ever compared Fender’s American models such as the Telecaster Ultra with their Squier model counterparts, you’ll often find that Squier models have noticeably thinner neck profiles. Since many beginners choose Squier as one of their first guitars, they often associate the Squier’s smaller neck profiles with easier playability. However, this is a mistake.
My Experience with Fatter Guitar Necks
In full disclosure, for years I thought I favored Slim C shaped necks only. They were what I was accustomed to, and I didn’t think much about them. When I decided I finally needed a Telecaster style guitar, I started playing Teles of various brands. Many times, I was surprised at how differnt the neck profiles felt than what I considered my “ideal” neck.
Then I actually bought a Telecaster. The neck was was both bigger, and had more shoulder, than the guitars I typically play. The shape was more rounded. And, it took me a while to decide if I liked it (turns out I do).
The Importance of a Good Setup
In our article on how to find a guitar repair shop, we discuss what to look for in a guitar tech. One of the most important is that they ask you what type of music you play and some questions about your technique. For example, a player who bends notes a lot may have different preferences for the height of the action than one who doesn’t. A player who plays with a soft touch has different setup needs than a heavy-handed rhythm player. The takeaway is not to judge a neck until you have it set it up to your liking.
I personally experienced the impact that a good setup can make. Deciding to take things into my own hands, and alter the setup of my Telecaster. I also opted to try out a new brand of pure nickel strings, a 10-45 gauge set of D’Addario XL Pure Nickel. I might add that if you’re doing your own setup work, Dan Erlewine’s classic The Guitar Player Repair Guide is a resource that no guitarist should be without.
To my surprise, after I had adjusted the truss rod and saddle height (as well as the intonation), the playability of the neck improved. Yet, it was the exact same neck! My perception of the neck was that it felt smaller, though obviously it wasn’t.
More Than Measurements
In our article on choosing the right guitar neck size, I discuss the importance of understanding the other factors that contribute to neck feel beyond caliper measurements at the 1st and 12th frets. While neck size obviously makes a difference, the shape is arguably even more important. The edges of the neck—known as “shoulder”—often determine how big a neck feels in your hand.
Advantage of Playing Different Guitar Necks
Quite simply, there are convincing reasons that you should be open to playing necks of various sizes and shapes. My Top 3 reasons to play different neck shapes:
- Guitar Choice – Quite simply, you’ll have many more guitars to choose from. If a guitar you like only comes with a chunky rounded profile, you’ll be able to play and enjoy it.
- Tone – Players are convinced that neck size has an effect on tone. For example, many Telecaster players feel that a Tele with more fatter, more traditional neck shape will sound more substantial.
- Health – Guitarists of all ability levels need to be aware of the dangers of issues caused by the repetitive motions of guitar playing. Playing different types of necks forces you to make micro-adjustments to your technique, which can potentially broaden your range of motion, and lessen the risk of injury.
Conclusion
I hope I’ve given you something to think about when you’re scrolling through Reverb or Sweetwater listings and checking out the neck measurements of various guitars. So next time you hear yourself or someone say “I gotta have my specs”, take a minute and think about why. If you’re able to look beyond that, you’ll have a much larger range of guitars to potentially play and enjoy. Above all, the advantage of playing different guitar necks is that it will make you a better, more rounded player. Happy Playing!