HELP! Questions about proper neck contour

[Guitar George]

Hi,
Most likely a really dumb question.....I have really short fingers and plan on building a strat. My question is, how do I differentiate contours and thicknesses of necks? I once played a early to mid 70's telecaster and the neck seemed perfect (if memory serves). 
Thank you for any input or suggestions...

 

[BobR55]

Hi, Guitar George,
The best I could suggest is to go to a music store and check out as many different shapes as possible and keep notes about the ones you like. Warmoth copied the SRV, EC, WG, Wizard, and '59 from those esteemed guitars. The Fatback is a round shape and the Boat is a soft V shape, both at 1" thick and without taper, similar to early 50's Fender necks.
Good luck!

 

[Unwound G]

Check out : http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/BackContours.aspx#custom

When players want a thinner back contour, I normally recommend Warmoth's Wizard back.  To further customize, match the fretboard radius you prefer and if the neck is unfinished sand the neck with a fine grit sandpaper to take off some extra "meat" until it feels comfortable to the grip.  Choosing a narrower nut width e.g. 1-5/8" also helps.

 

[jay4321]

I hear you know all the chords

 

[Mor Paul]

I hear you know all the chords

I see what you did there!

 

[DocNrock]

"Check out Guitar George...he knows all the chords."  :glasses9:

 

[dbw]

When it's strictly rhythm he doesn't wanna make it cry or sing.  :glasses9:

Anyway, go with standard thin!  It's standard, it's thin, you can't go wrong!

 

[Mor Paul]

When it's strictly rhythm he doesn't wanna make it cry or sing.   :glasses9:

Anyway, go with standard thin!  It's standard, it's thin, you can't go wrong!

I'm finding my standard thin to be a bit too thin, personally. I might go one step up (wolfgang or 59) on my next build, or just get a new neck for this one.

 

[jimh]

I've got fairly short (and dare i say.... Fat) fingers.

I've got a Fatback, which I find a fraction too fat.  Reckon I'm going to go for teh 59 next time around.

 

[Guitar George]

I hear you know all the chords

arty07: Thanks, now I can't seem to get "sultans of swing" out of my head!!  :toothy12:

 

[Guitar George]

Hi,
Most likely a really dumb question.....I have really short fingers and plan on building a strat. My question is, how do I differentiate contours and thicknesses of necks? I once played a early to mid 70's telecaster and the neck seemed perfect (if memory serves). 
Thank you for any input or suggestions...

Thank you for all the great comments and advice...  ccasion14:

 

[lafromla1]

Just worth a mention, my Fender Clapton necks are ever so slightly larger then my Warmoth Clapton contoured neck.

 

[tfarny]

It seems like if your hand is normal size but your fingers are short, you might consider a 24.75 scale as well.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Mid-70s Tele would proabably be closest to 1 5/8" nut and Fatback contour.