When it comes to selecting the perfect guitar, there are multiple factors to consider: Body shape, tonewood, pickup type, hardware. And of course, looks! Another crucial factor that often plays a significant role in the decision to buy a guitar is the neck shape and size. Our article on guitar neck shapes covers the most common neck shapes that you’ll find on the majority of guitars. Neck size plays a big factor itself, but it’s not as simple as just knowing the neck dimensions. In this article I’ll discuss the importance of choosing the right guitar neck size. I’ll also touch on other factors that influence why some necks just feel “right” in your hand.
More Than Measurements
It has become quite popular today to obsess over readily available guitar data. Sweetwater, for instance, publishes individual guitar weights online. Wildwood Guitars publishes weights and exact neck dimensions for many models. It’s completely understandable why guitar data has become so common, too. In the age of online guitar shopping, a guitarist doesn’t have the initial advantage of playing the instrument before purchasing it. Publishing neck dimensions online narrows the gap somewhat between in-store and online guitar shopping.
While guitar data such as neck size is certainly helpful information, it doesn’t tell the full story. This is because the way a guitar neck feels in your hand is a combination of multiple factors. These include neck shape, neck depth, fret size, scale length, fretboard radius, neck width, and nut width. Similar to choosing a guitar fret size, it’s important to keep the other factors in mind when choosing the right guitar neck size.
Neck Perception vs. Reality
In our guitar neck shapes article, I mentioned that I did not own a caliper tool for measuring neck size until recently. And in some ways, this was a good thing. It was good because my impressions of a guitar neck were based only on feel, and not influenced by measurements. Just because we know more information does not necessarily mean that this information will prove helpful. In the case of a guitar neck, it matters little what the measurements are if you don’t like how the neck feels.
How Guitar Neck Dimensions Are Measured
Guitar neck size is measured with a caliper tool. Digital calipers are a good tool to have around. If you are in the market for a digital caliper, I can recommend this inexpensive digital caliper. A good caliper tool will have measurements in both inches and millimeters.
How to Measure Guitar Neck Depth
Here are the steps to measure the depth of a guitar neck. Measurements are typically taken at the 1st and 12th frets. This will give an idea of how the neck is shaped along its full length.
- Remove or slacken the strings in order to place the caliper directly on the fretboard.
- Sandwich the back of the neck and the fretboard between the caliper tool.
- Read the measurement in the display.
Most necks measure larger at the 12th fret than the 1st, but this isn’t always the case. Some neck carves have an even measurement, and are the same in both places. Also, if a neck carve does increase, the amount of taper varies greatly. One guitar neck that starts at .810 (20.5mm) at the first fret could measure .850 (21.5mm) at the 12th, while another might go to .900 (22.8mm) at the 12th. It’s really up to the guitar manufacturer, and how they want to shape the neck.
Pro Tip: Calipers are available with both plastic and metal calipers. I prefer plastic calipers because there is less of a chance of scratching the back of the neck or fingerboard.
Neck Surprises
When I bought my caliper tool, I was surprised at some of the measurements. One neck which I thought was the largest in thickness was actually not the largest. The neck on another one of my guitars measures 1” at the 12th fret, which I would have never guessed. The neck is a Soft V-shape, and its reduced shoulders make it feel smaller than it is.
Hand Size vs. Neck Size
Many guitarists feel that if they have hands or fingers on the the smaller side that they should play smaller necks. Not so! In fact, many guitarists—especially experienced ones—maintain that larger necks provide more hand support. Interestingly, many lower-end guitars that beginners tend to pick up in their first years of playing feature relatively small necks. This is because manufacturers feel that larger necks may be intimidating to beginners, and feel that a smaller neck can accommodate the largest number of players. I don’t necessarily agree with this approach, but it it is widespread on guitars in the under-$500 price bracket.
The Benefits of Flexibility
No, I’m not talking about hand flexibility—but of course, that’s a great thing to have. I’m referring to the ability for players to keep an open mind in terms of what kind of guitar neck they prefer. I’ve often heard guitarists insisting on “their specs”. In other words, they get fixated on a certain neck shape or size that appeals to them, and declare that they cannot play anything else. This is a mistake. Why limit yourself to guitars that fit a narrow definition of what you think you like?
Choosing the Right Guitar Neck Size
Neck shape, neck size, fret size, scale length, fretboard radius, neck width, and nut width all play their part in how a neck ultimately appeals to a guitarist. Ultimately, it will be a combination of all of these factors and more that add up to your final determination of whether or not you like a guitar.
At the extremes, measurements can be a helpful guide. Nut width is a good example: If, for instance, you know that you are accustomed to Fender’s 1 5/8 nut width, you can probably safely say that there is less of a chance of liking a guitar with a 1 3/4 nut width, all else being equal. But that’s the rub: All else isn’t necessarily equal. That being so, you can’t really know if you’ll like a neck shape until you actually play it for yourself.
Conclusion
While it’s great to know and understand neck dimensions, I would caution against using it as the only criteria. In this way, it is similar to guitar weights: I’ve heard of people selling perfectly good guitars because the scale says the guitar is a half pound too heavy. That is simply crazy!
There’s no doubt that going from a Slim C neck to a ’59 Roundback neck will require some adjustment of technique. But that’s not a big deal, so my advice is to not make it one. The benefit is that you will be able to play and enjoy a far wider range of guitars. One final word of advice: Don’t judge a neck in the first 30 seconds of playing it. Like many things, they can be an acquired taste that only comes with repeated exposure. Happy Playing!