between standard thin and slim taper

[vtpcnk]

warmoth lists its standard thin contour at .800 at first fret and .850 at 12th fret. i hear this is quite similar to the fender modern C.

gibson's slim taper is supposed to be .800 at first fret and .875 at 12th fret.

as i find the upper frets of the standard thin to be a bit thin and the slim taper to be a bit hefty, i was wondering if .862 (right in between the standard thin and the slim taper) at the 12th fret would work fine?

or would it adversely affect some other dynamic?

and does the fretboard radius have any effect on the contour? or would any radius work with any contour?

appreciate any insights.

 

[Cagey]

In my experience, those dimensional numbers are misleading. It's more about the shape than anything else. For instance, an "V" shaped neck will measure thick but feel thin, while a "D" shape will feel thick while measuring thin. Also, surprisingly small differences will feel huge. So, it's sort of a crap shoot. If you can't get your hands on an actual suspect, you have to just guess.

If you haven't seen it, Warmoth has a page where they describe neck contours and their dimensions here.

To me, the "standard thin" is mis-named because it's not really "thin". It's just what I'd call an all-around standard neck contour and dimension that would be hard for anyone to find fault with.

 

[vtpcnk]

>In my experience, those dimensional numbers are misleading

yea i guess you are right. because prs 'fat wide carve' though feeling fat and wide is actually eminently comfortable to play.

 

[-CB-]

No help from me... once I went fatback, that was it... I was hooked

 

[Strat Avenger]

The thickest neck I have is my ESP M-II, It measures .795" to .866".  I would not want anything thicker. It is advertised as a "U" shape, but it's really more like a "C". 

My Warmoth (which actually has a USACG neck) measures .760" to .830", and is a "C" shape. I love it.

ALL of my electrics are a "C" shape.  "C" shape Rocks!

 

[AutoBat]

I've a '59 Roundback, and I don't even consider necks in the showcase that aren't '59, fatback, or boat profiles

 

[Nando Vallart]

As Warmoth says "fat neck always have great tones"...

 

[AprioriMark]

No help from me... once I went fatback, that was it... I was hooked

Me too... we're talking about women here, right?

-Mark

p.s.  ontopic, I think the overall C, D, V or whatever shape probably matters more than a tenth of an inch front to back.

 

[Cagey]

And Tag knows tone!

 

[kboman]

I've never understood "D/C/U-shape". What do the descriptions mean? Does a C shape bulge out outside of the fretboard?
V-shape makes sense though, but that's the only one

 

[The Norwegian Guy]

I've a '59 Roundback, and I don't even consider necks in the showcase that aren't '59, fatback, or boat profiles

I agree! Boat's and 59'ers on me from now on!

 

[erogenousjones17]

I've never understood "D/C/U-shape". What do the descriptions mean? Does a C shape bulge out outside of the fretboard?
V-shape makes sense though, but that's the only one

Same here. Anyone care to enlighten us on the subject of "lettered" neck profiles?  :dontknow:

 

[Cagey]

There's nothing definitive about the lettered neck profiles - the letter's shape laying on its side is supposed to give you some idea of the profile, but I did find these out on the 'net...

"C" shape

"V" shape

"D" shape

"U" shape

You'll notice Warmoth doesn't even bother with the letter designations, as they don't mean much. They have a page with a chart that shows profiles relative to the "standard thin".

 

[erogenousjones17]

Yeah, I've always found Warmoth's chart to be much more representative than the letters ("always" meaning "ever since I started thinking about such things"). The only one I really don't get is "C". As kbo said: Is it supposed to bulge out at the sides? That doesn't seem right. :laughing7: Worst part is that the most comfortable neck on any of my guitars is supposedly a "C" shape. 

 

[Disco Scottie]

I guess everyone has a different perception of things... I've never had any problem understanding the letter designations. I think you guys are overthinking the concept. Each letter is a simple approximation of the shape, doesn't mean it's going to look EXACTLY like a C, or whatever. Almost every neck on the planet can be assigned one of these shapes. I've always been a C kinda guy. I have guitars with the other shapes, but none of them are my main players. I find the V to be the least comfortable of them all, especially a hard V like on a vintage Strat.

 

[erogenousjones17]

The new DBZ guitars seem to have a really hard V shape as well (at least the few I've tried did). It wasn't exactly comfortable.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I agree that 'C' shape is really not an accurate description. Both the 'U' shape ESP guitars I have, have pretty much the same contour as my so-called 'C'-shape necks.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Here is Fenders definition:

http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=422

 

[Disco Scottie]

Here is Fenders definition:

http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=422

Those are pretty good descriptions. Once you've had a few different shapes in your hand, it becomes much easier to understand the concept.