V-Neck Or C-Neck

tele-jack · December 2nd, 2006, 06:33 PM

I have trouble playing barre chords on my tele, which I believe has a C-Neck. I guess I have short fingers. I am looking at getting a strat and wonder if the V-Neck might make it a little easier. I tried one out and liked the feel, but I could just be trying to convince myself. Any thoughts?

Johnny Caster · December 2nd, 2006, 06:57 PM

No way! I own 2 v necks and they wreck havok on my thumb, when barring. I honestly think they are HORRID for barred chords.

Bill · December 2nd, 2006, 07:14 PM

Yeah, I've always felt V necks work well for people who wrap their thumb around the neck to fret the low E string. The more V shaped the neck is, the worse I think it is for barre chords.

On the other hand, have an acoustic guitar and a 1996 '52 reissue Tele that have relatively flat back of necks, and those work great for barre chords.

It's all a compromise--what works for leads may not be as comfy for chords or barre chords.

It would be great if a friend could loan you some guitars so you could have some extended play time with differently shaped necks.

A person might pick one shape for a guitar they play leads on and another for fingerstyle and chordal work.

kyle1167 · December 2nd, 2006, 11:23 PM

I have a couple C necks and I have no problem with barre chords.

Jeffscreamedcorn · December 2nd, 2006, 11:30 PM

V, C, U... as long as they are chunky, I'm good......

tele-jack · December 3rd, 2006, 10:31 AM

Thanks for the input!

Telenator · December 3rd, 2006, 11:47 AM

I have a soft V on my 1998 Collectors Edition Tele and it's dreamy!

Kelsey · December 4th, 2006, 02:24 PM

A soft V or C should be fine, but a hard V might not be ideal. I think the vintage 7.25" radius up through about 10" is ideal, whereas the flatter boards are not as nice for barre chords. However, not too many things are as personal as guitar neck profiles, so try as many different types as you can to figure out what works best for you.

Pete Galati · December 4th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tele-jack

I have trouble playing barre chords on my tele, which I believe has a C-Neck. I guess I have short fingers. I am looking at getting a strat and wonder if the V-Neck might make it a little easier. I tried one out and liked the feel, but I could just be trying to convince myself. Any thoughts?

I agree with other saying Vs aren't great for bar chords. I have a Kubicki Strat neck with a drastic V that's a lot of fun, but it's not that good for rhythm guitar unless you don't play whole bar chords. The Clapton profile necks are a lot milder, and really comfy, but still....

I've haven't played one since the mid '70s, but try a Rickenbacker if you get a chance to. Real nice necks, and great for rhythm guitar. Wish I had one. I don't know if they still make good guitars though.

Pete

Buffalo Bob · December 7th, 2006, 12:47 AM

from my exsperience with v necks,they are great for soloing (getting up under the string for bending) and useing the thumb for fretting your lower string but for barr chords,very hard to stay put for very long ...too much pressure on the thumb...i have a soft v on my strat and a chunky c on my tele..inside chords are easy on th e tele...for me anyway...BB

Volvoguy · December 7th, 2006, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Galati

I've haven't played one since the mid '70s, but try a Rickenbacker if you get a chance to. Real nice necks, and great for rhythm guitar. Wish I had one. I don't know if they still make good guitars though.

Pete

Hmmmmmmmm............... looked through the classifieds lately?????? hint, hint..........

sabby · December 7th, 2006, 01:47 PM

Fat shoulders wreck my thumb -- I get shooting nerver weirdness. Now a fat medium to hard V is perfect for barre chords. There's no accounting for taste, I guess.

Buffalo Bob · December 7th, 2006, 01:57 PM

to each ,his own

Kelsey · December 7th, 2006, 02:08 PM

I'm with Sabby on the shoulders -- I don't care for U or D necks for the same reason. I prefer a nice soft V or C -- the Fender 1056 and PRS Wide Fat necks are tough to beat for my tastes.

FrankB · December 9th, 2006, 01:41 PM

some C necks are to devoid of mass. They are what people call thin. If a neck is too thin you will over clamp with your hand rather than the neck "sit" right in your grasp. sometimes people who like a c neck but it's skinny, will like a d neck but not like the edgyness of it so you roll the edges making it a suedo big c or warmoth's 59 neck. I like the warmoth stock neck shape it;s great for me, the 59 was nice too just fatter. BUt I agree, to each his own.

wilerty · December 24th, 2006, 12:18 PM

Unfortunately I have arthritis in my index finger and really try to find comfortable neck using as little pressure as possible. My narrow C, MJ fret, 9.5, rosewood 88 Strat Plus is very nice. My new soft V, MJ Fret, 9.5, maple Am Dlx V Neck is the easiest guitar for me to play. The new Classic Player 50s is also very nice. Barre chords on anything are difficult for me but I find 9.5 easier than 7.25 or 12 inch radius.

johnspierce · December 24th, 2006, 06:22 PM

For me, 7.25 radius is easier for barre chords than 10" radius. Just think about trying to hold your fingers flat as opposed to curved. I think curved is more natural. Having rolled shoulders helps too. A thin neck causes me to put more pressure at the lower edge of the neck and after awhile is tiring. My favorite is a D shape, but the soft V's are fine too.

I have a strat with a thin "C" neck -- 10" radius and I like chords better on my tele -- 7 1/2" radius, "D" neck.

JP

TG · December 25th, 2006, 04:17 AM

We've all got different hands as well as different ways of playing with regard hand/wrist/arm positions and angles.
You can only try out different guitars until you find what suits you best.

I'm best with a chunky C or D, even though I've got small hands.

Scotland · December 25th, 2006, 08:31 AM

I love a big chunky neck but understand what you say about the V. Try if you can, a J.D. Tele., great V neck that seems to fit well with barre chords. (For me anyway)

alotas123 · December 25th, 2006, 03:14 PM

Put me in the camp that can't play a V neck. I have very short fingers and I end up having to barre a lot where others I know use their thumbs. Barring on a V neck gives me mucho thumb pain. Deep C-shape (is that a D or a U?) is what works for me. I don't like "shoulders" on the neck either. I've sold some mighty fine guitars because of the V shape of the neck, and maybe I should have kept them somehow, but the ones I have now are the goods so I'm happy about it.

blue metalflake · December 26th, 2006, 12:22 PM

There are so many neck profiles its hard to know what its gonna be like until its in your hands. Thres an awful lot of hand size / shapes as well !

I don't think you can generalise enough to pick a neck just by its profile, and know whether or not it will suit. Its the old adage - try it first.

tele-jack · December 27th, 2006, 08:24 PM

I ended up getting the american deluxe three tone sunburst strat and I love it. The V was definately a problem for me barring. I liked the tinted neck and the feel other wise.

December 2nd, 2006, 06:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
tele-jack Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: massachusetts Age: 47 Posts: 140	V-Neck Or C-Neck I have trouble playing barre chords on my tele, which I believe has a C-Neck. I guess I have short fingers. I am looking at getting a strat and wonder if the V-Neck might make it a little easier. I tried one out and liked the feel, but I could just be trying to convince myself. Any thoughts?

December 2nd, 2006, 06:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Johnny Caster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Age: 22 Posts: 1,081	No way! I own 2 v necks and they wreck havok on my thumb, when barring. I honestly think they are HORRID for barred chords. __________________ "I'm gonna toss my telecaster through the television screen cause I don't like what's goin on!" - Radiators From Space

December 2nd, 2006, 07:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bill Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,668 59 Photos	Yeah, I've always felt V necks work well for people who wrap their thumb around the neck to fret the low E string. The more V shaped the neck is, the worse I think it is for barre chords. On the other hand, have an acoustic guitar and a 1996 '52 reissue Tele that have relatively flat back of necks, and those work great for barre chords. It's all a compromise--what works for leads may not be as comfy for chords or barre chords. It would be great if a friend could loan you some guitars so you could have some extended play time with differently shaped necks. A person might pick one shape for a guitar they play leads on and another for fingerstyle and chordal work. __________________ B i l l B a e c k A journal of our year in London

December 2nd, 2006, 11:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
kyle1167 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Center Point, Iowa Age: 41 Posts: 367	I have a couple C necks and I have no problem with barre chords. __________________ If it ain't broke, hit it harder.

December 3rd, 2006, 11:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,669	I have a soft V on my 1998 Collectors Edition Tele and it's dreamy! __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

December 2nd, 2006, 11:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jeffscreamedcorn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: beantown Age: 51 Posts: 786	V, C, U... as long as they are chunky, I'm good......

December 3rd, 2006, 10:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
tele-jack Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: massachusetts Age: 47 Posts: 140	Thanks for the input!

December 4th, 2006, 02:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kelsey Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 715	A soft V or C should be fine, but a hard V might not be ideal. I think the vintage 7.25" radius up through about 10" is ideal, whereas the flatter boards are not as nice for barre chords. However, not too many things are as personal as guitar neck profiles, so try as many different types as you can to figure out what works best for you.

December 7th, 2006, 12:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
Buffalo Bob NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ST.CHARLES MO Posts: 8	from my exsperience with v necks,they are great for soloing (getting up under the string for bending) and useing the thumb for fretting your lower string but for barr chords,very hard to stay put for very long ...too much pressure on the thumb...i have a soft v on my strat and a chunky c on my tele..inside chords are easy on th e tele...for me anyway...BB

December 7th, 2006, 01:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
sabby Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Youngstown, Ohio Posts: 263	Fat shoulders wreck my thumb -- I get shooting nerver weirdness. Now a fat medium to hard V is perfect for barre chords. There's no accounting for taste, I guess.

December 7th, 2006, 01:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
Buffalo Bob NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: ST.CHARLES MO Posts: 8	to each ,his own

December 7th, 2006, 02:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Kelsey Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 715	I'm with Sabby on the shoulders -- I don't care for U or D necks for the same reason. I prefer a nice soft V or C -- the Fender 1056 and PRS Wide Fat necks are tough to beat for my tastes.

December 9th, 2006, 01:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
FrankB Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Havertown, PA. U.S.A. Posts: 742	some C necks are to devoid of mass. They are what people call thin. If a neck is too thin you will over clamp with your hand rather than the neck "sit" right in your grasp. sometimes people who like a c neck but it's skinny, will like a d neck but not like the edgyness of it so you roll the edges making it a suedo big c or warmoth's 59 neck. I like the warmoth stock neck shape it;s great for me, the 59 was nice too just fatter. BUt I agree, to each his own. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/frankbrigandi http://www.myspace.com/rotosonic If less is more, then I am going to give it my all, and do nothing.

December 24th, 2006, 12:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
wilerty TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Age: 62 Posts: 71	Unfortunately I have arthritis in my index finger and really try to find comfortable neck using as little pressure as possible. My narrow C, MJ fret, 9.5, rosewood 88 Strat Plus is very nice. My new soft V, MJ Fret, 9.5, maple Am Dlx V Neck is the easiest guitar for me to play. The new Classic Player 50s is also very nice. Barre chords on anything are difficult for me but I find 9.5 easier than 7.25 or 12 inch radius.

December 24th, 2006, 06:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
johnspierce Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 468 16 Photos	For me, 7.25 radius is easier for barre chords than 10" radius. Just think about trying to hold your fingers flat as opposed to curved. I think curved is more natural. Having rolled shoulders helps too. A thin neck causes me to put more pressure at the lower edge of the neck and after awhile is tiring. My favorite is a D shape, but the soft V's are fine too. I have a strat with a thin "C" neck -- 10" radius and I like chords better on my tele -- 7 1/2" radius, "D" neck. JP

December 25th, 2006, 04:17 AM	#18 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,497 7 Photos	We've all got different hands as well as different ways of playing with regard hand/wrist/arm positions and angles. You can only try out different guitars until you find what suits you best. I'm best with a chunky C or D, even though I've got small hands.

December 25th, 2006, 08:31 AM	#19 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,509 3 Photos	I love a big chunky neck but understand what you say about the V. Try if you can, a J.D. Tele., great V neck that seems to fit well with barre chords. (For me anyway) __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

December 25th, 2006, 03:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
alotas123 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hill Country Texas Posts: 470	Put me in the camp that can't play a V neck. I have very short fingers and I end up having to barre a lot where others I know use their thumbs. Barring on a V neck gives me mucho thumb pain. Deep C-shape (is that a D or a U?) is what works for me. I don't like "shoulders" on the neck either. I've sold some mighty fine guitars because of the V shape of the neck, and maybe I should have kept them somehow, but the ones I have now are the goods so I'm happy about it. __________________ Play that thing, make it sing!

December 26th, 2006, 12:22 PM	#21 (permalink)
blue metalflake Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ireland Age: 55 Posts: 2,343 10 Photos	There are so many neck profiles its hard to know what its gonna be like until its in your hands. Thres an awful lot of hand size / shapes as well ! I don't think you can generalise enough to pick a neck just by its profile, and know whether or not it will suit. Its the old adage - try it first.

December 27th, 2006, 08:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
tele-jack Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: massachusetts Age: 47 Posts: 140	I ended up getting the american deluxe three tone sunburst strat and I love it. The V was definately a problem for me barring. I liked the tinted neck and the feel other wise.