Gibson guy needs help with Tele neck profiles

jsacoustic · February 6th, 2008, 06:58 AM

Hello. I'm new to the forum. Came here as a result of my recent purchase, a Baja Tele. Would like some insight or advice reguarding Tele neck profiles.

I'm a Gibson guy. My last 2 Les Pauls have had a rounded 59 neck profile. It's not baseball bat big, but a far cry from a "c" with rolled edges. It's the most comfortable neck to me. Anyway, I've always wanted to add a Tele to my collection, and decided to do so this year. I noodled around in a few stores, sort of finding my way around the different models. Someone advised me that I would bond well with the Baja, based upon my Gibson background, and the 59 neck preference. Played one for about 2 hours in the store. Really bonded with it. Love everything about it!

Except, now that it's home, and I'm interchanging between it and the Les Paul, I'm not so sure that the neck profile is right for me. I could just need time, but still....I'm wondering if a "C" might be better? Or, the 52 "U" on the American Deluxe Ash model? I seem to struggle with scale runs in the middle regions of the neck, say from the 5th fret to the 12th.
I suppose this could just be the result of a different scale neck, and unfamilarity with a Fender. I discovered last night that I need to wear the Tele a lot higher than the Les Paul for good fingering across the fretboard.

Anyway, just looking for some suggestions, even if it's "shut up and play, you'll get used to it!"

I just want the right guitar!

nevadacalifornia · February 6th, 2008, 07:07 AM

I think you would like the neck on the 52 RI. I was looking at Gibsons last year and wanted one with the feel of my 52RI, and ended up with the Faded vintage mahogany Les Paul, which I believe is the 59 neck profile that you mention. To me both have a similar feel.

jsacoustic · February 6th, 2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevadacalifornia

I think you would like the neck on the 52 RI. I was looking at Gibsons last year and wanted one with the feel of my 52RI, and ended up with the Faded vintage mahogany Les Paul, which I believe is the 59 neck profile that you mention. To me both have a similar feel.

Interesting! I played a Studio for years, and the Vintage Mahogany has been my main guitar for the last 2 years. So yes, that is the exact feel I'm looking for. The store where I bought the Baja just listed a lightly used, like new American Deluxe Ash Tele, which I believe has the 52 "U" neck you described. Asking $1,000.

teleyouk · February 6th, 2008, 07:39 AM

Musikraft and Warmoth propose the 59 profile as an option for their necks.
That can be an alternative.

downeastboy · February 6th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Try a '52 avri U with a 9.5 radius. Recently bought one - the first Tele I've owned (but I've played a number over the years). I was a confirmed Gibson player (mainly early SGs, 330s, 335s and LPs) for years until, on a whim, I switched to a Strat. The Strat is great, but I've always found the neck (a C) too shallow. I also have a CS '59 Dot 335 with the big '59 neck. The '52 Tele isn't quite that big, but it's in that direction and plays great.

Mark Davis · February 6th, 2008, 11:39 AM

The difference in the Gibson profiles as compared to Fender is Gibson fills up your hand more. Its not really the thickness of the neck back to front its the way the sides of the neck are made. I have 2 Les Pauls one with the 58 profile which is huge and the other is a rounded 59 profile which is perfect.

Id say the Nocaster neck is as close as your gonna get.

The Baja is a nice neck but just doesnt fill up the sides of your hands like the Gibsons do.

Moggl · February 6th, 2008, 11:44 AM

I agree, the U shape is what I'd recommend, too.

jsacoustic · February 6th, 2008, 12:30 PM

I appreciate the suggestions. Thanks!

TG · February 6th, 2008, 03:59 PM

I find that some of the early '60s-type necks give me the same sort of comfort as a Gibson neck. Got the rosewood fretboard, too.
As Mark Davis said, it's to do with the curve of the sides.

PJ · February 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM

This is, for me, also, a bit of a dilemma with Teles and what Fender offers. I grew up playing a 70 Tele that I bought when I was 17 and still have. The neck profile is perfect for me. It's the same C-profile that you'll find on most of the 60s & 70s reissues Fender sells. The Baja, for me, is a little too chunky, but I think I could get used to it. I've since added a 50s Classic, which is a very similar profile to my old 70. And a Nashville, which is also a C-profile. But, I've come to like the bigger than vintage frets, and other than the Baja, Fender doesn't offer many vintage-style Teles with more Gibson-like frets. But, if its profile that's driving your preference, there are lots of
C-profile options. If you like your Gibson frets better than small vintage Fender frets, (which I do) your choices get slimmer - 72Deluxe, Baja, Hot Rod 52, Nashville Deluxe are all that come to mind.

As far as hanging it higher on your shoulder, I've always played my Teles that way -they're very comfortable and
easy to play that way.

pbenn · February 10th, 2008, 08:26 AM

Jsacoustic, perhaps the width difference is throwing you, more than the thickness/contour. Sometimes the 1-5/8" Fender nut width seems narrow to me.

February 6th, 2008, 06:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
jsacoustic NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	Gibson guy needs help with Tele neck profiles Hello. I'm new to the forum. Came here as a result of my recent purchase, a Baja Tele. Would like some insight or advice reguarding Tele neck profiles. I'm a Gibson guy. My last 2 Les Pauls have had a rounded 59 neck profile. It's not baseball bat big, but a far cry from a "c" with rolled edges. It's the most comfortable neck to me. Anyway, I've always wanted to add a Tele to my collection, and decided to do so this year. I noodled around in a few stores, sort of finding my way around the different models. Someone advised me that I would bond well with the Baja, based upon my Gibson background, and the 59 neck preference. Played one for about 2 hours in the store. Really bonded with it. Love everything about it! Except, now that it's home, and I'm interchanging between it and the Les Paul, I'm not so sure that the neck profile is right for me. I could just need time, but still....I'm wondering if a "C" might be better? Or, the 52 "U" on the American Deluxe Ash model? I seem to struggle with scale runs in the middle regions of the neck, say from the 5th fret to the 12th. I suppose this could just be the result of a different scale neck, and unfamilarity with a Fender. I discovered last night that I need to wear the Tele a lot higher than the Les Paul for good fingering across the fretboard. Anyway, just looking for some suggestions, even if it's "shut up and play, you'll get used to it!" I just want the right guitar!

February 6th, 2008, 11:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 57 Posts: 12,257	The difference in the Gibson profiles as compared to Fender is Gibson fills up your hand more. Its not really the thickness of the neck back to front its the way the sides of the neck are made. I have 2 Les Pauls one with the 58 profile which is huge and the other is a rounded 59 profile which is perfect. Id say the Nocaster neck is as close as your gonna get. The Baja is a nice neck but just doesnt fill up the sides of your hands like the Gibsons do. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

February 9th, 2008, 03:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
PJ Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,796 4 Photos	This is, for me, also, a bit of a dilemma with Teles and what Fender offers. I grew up playing a 70 Tele that I bought when I was 17 and still have. The neck profile is perfect for me. It's the same C-profile that you'll find on most of the 60s & 70s reissues Fender sells. The Baja, for me, is a little too chunky, but I think I could get used to it. I've since added a 50s Classic, which is a very similar profile to my old 70. And a Nashville, which is also a C-profile. But, I've come to like the bigger than vintage frets, and other than the Baja, Fender doesn't offer many vintage-style Teles with more Gibson-like frets. But, if its profile that's driving your preference, there are lots of C-profile options. If you like your Gibson frets better than small vintage Fender frets, (which I do) your choices get slimmer - 72Deluxe, Baja, Hot Rod 52, Nashville Deluxe are all that come to mind. As far as hanging it higher on your shoulder, I've always played my Teles that way -they're very comfortable and easy to play that way. __________________ PJ "I don't know if it's art, but I like it."

February 6th, 2008, 07:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
nevadacalifornia Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wisconsin Age: 40 Posts: 124	I think you would like the neck on the 52 RI. I was looking at Gibsons last year and wanted one with the feel of my 52RI, and ended up with the Faded vintage mahogany Les Paul, which I believe is the 59 neck profile that you mention. To me both have a similar feel.

February 6th, 2008, 07:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
teleyouk Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paris; FRANCE Age: 49 Posts: 135	Musikraft and Warmoth propose the 59 profile as an option for their necks. That can be an alternative.

February 6th, 2008, 08:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
downeastboy TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 56 Posts: 69	Try a '52 avri U with a 9.5 radius. Recently bought one - the first Tele I've owned (but I've played a number over the years). I was a confirmed Gibson player (mainly early SGs, 330s, 335s and LPs) for years until, on a whim, I switched to a Strat. The Strat is great, but I've always found the neck (a C) too shallow. I also have a CS '59 Dot 335 with the big '59 neck. The '52 Tele isn't quite that big, but it's in that direction and plays great.

February 6th, 2008, 11:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
Moggl Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nürnberg, Germany Age: 41 Posts: 126	I agree, the U shape is what I'd recommend, too.

February 6th, 2008, 12:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
jsacoustic NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	I appreciate the suggestions. Thanks!

February 6th, 2008, 03:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 46 Posts: 4,409 7 Photos	I find that some of the early '60s-type necks give me the same sort of comfort as a Gibson neck. Got the rosewood fretboard, too. As Mark Davis said, it's to do with the curve of the sides.

February 10th, 2008, 08:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
pbenn Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Age: 52 Posts: 550	Jsacoustic, perhaps the width difference is throwing you, more than the thickness/contour. Sometimes the 1-5/8" Fender nut width seems narrow to me.