If you've compared a '59 roundback to PRS wide/fat, I want to hear about it

[Disco Scottie]

I have a Custom 22 with a wide/fat neck that is very comfy to me. I haven't had a chance to take the calipers to it for exact measurements, but I'm guessing the '59 Roundback will likely be the closest W choice. Ideally I'd like to play one to compare... I'm hoping one of you fine fellows may have had both at some point and can tell me how they match up. I suppose if the Roundback is too thick I can always sand it down.

 

[AGWAN]

I was under the impression that the Roundback was slightly narrower and thinner than a PRS.

PRS get a little TOO thick from the 12th fret down. if roundback beats that... I need to find a new contour!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've got a '59 Roundback with 1 11/16" nut.  The PRS wide/fat is what I was going for with those choices.  It's close, but no cigar.

 

[tfarny]

They are really really close. I have only played PRS in stores, so I"m no expert. But '59 is a great feel.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

+1

It's great, but not identical to the PRS.  IMO, the fretboard edges on the PRS feel more rounded and the W's sides feel more square.

W has commented on the slippery slope that is fretboard rounding.  It's either too much or not enough, so they do the bare minimum.

 

[waygorked]

Wanting to replicate a PRS W/F, I called the guys at Warmoth, and was told that the 59 was their closest contour. It doesn't quite fit the bill if you are looking for an exact copy. I find that the W/F on my singlecut is honestly not quite as fat as the 59, and that the V starts a bit closer to the fingerboard on the Warmoth than on the PRS. I find myself at times thinking that I should shave down the back of the Watmoth just a touch to match the PRS depth, and probably would if I hadn't already finished it. However, the 59 is an insanely comfortable neck carve, and I have no trouble going back and forth between the two. It is not the same, but is easily just as comfortable, for more or less the same reasons.

 

[AGWAN]

okay um... so the roundback would probably feel too big to me then? If I can barely stand the 12> frets on a PRS?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

okay um... so the roundback would probably feel too big to me then? If I can barely stand the 12> frets on a PRS?

It's would be the next step bigger than the Standard Thin, which is bigger than the Wizard.  I guess technically the Wolfgang is the next step up from the Standard thin, but it's asymetrical.

 

[AGWAN]

does asymmetry create any issues?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

does asymmetry create any issues?

It's a preference.  Technically, your hand is asymetrical.  I just through in that detail because it was between the '59 Roundback and Standard Thin, but the others discussed were symetrical.

 

[waygorked]

When I say the 59 it is thicker than the PRS neck, it is only slightly so; sometimes I notice it, most times I don't. It feels like something that could be easily dealt with in 15 minutes with some 600 sandpaper. I feel immediately comfortable on both necks, but they are not quite the same.

 

[Disco Scottie]

Cool, sounds like the '59 is my best bet. I'd rather it be slightly thicker so I can remove some if I decide to. I hate getting something I've never played before, but I realize with Warmoth builds that won't be an option. Which means I'll just have to build one of each and then I'll know what they're like.  :toothy10:

While we're on the PRS subject... from my research it seems 6150 fretwire is closest to what they use. Anybody care to confirm/disagree?

EDIT forgot to mention I want to use stainless steel, but I don't see a 6150 match in W's listing. Does that not exist? And if so, what's the closest to it?

 

[Cagey]

The closest SS fret to a 6150 (.103" X .046") would be the SS6115 (.107" x .052"). Just a hair larger, you probably wouldn't even notice it.