Any ideas on "this" neck issue are welcome !

I'm playing a Tele 72 Deluxe RI, and I find that when playing from 15-21, especially where the neck squares, my hand cramps (pointer thru thumb). This I know is due to the fact that the neck is too wide for my hand. It's too bad cause I love the guitar and am not looking to replace it. Can the squarish bolting area be thinned or is a new thinner neck the way to go?
Thanks Dave

Do you mean like on the USA Deluxe Series ?

A thinner neck won't help you because the heel of all tele necks are an inch thick and they are bolted to the body which is about 1 and 1/8th" thick at the pocket.

You can get a replacement body with a contoured heel but you will also need a new neck plate and to drill 1 new hole in your neck to suit.

I don't think this will really solve your problem though....

I would suggest either doing some strenghtning exercises for your hand, learning to relax your grip a little or experimenting with techniques where your thumb is not directly behind the neck when playing that high up.

Try placing your thumb at the side of your palm with the guitar neck resting in your palm. (grip with the heel of your hand rather than your thumb)

I agree with 'Sleph'.

Unless you have hands the size of a GI Joe I don't think there's any problem in that regard.

I think many of us are unaware of our death grip on the neck and how much it can be relaxed. If you watch some of the real accomplished players just notice how relaxed most of them are when they play. Even when playing fast.

So I personally think the problem your encountering is one of technique(how your using your hand) and not hand size.

If your tele is hittin your knees when ya stand up to play you could shorten the strap and it'll put your hands in a more relaxed position. Works every time.