Modern C Neck Profile Haters

[Wraptail]

Anyone else not dig Fender's modern "C" neck profile?

I can't stand it - it's literally painful for me and my smallish hands.
I'd rather have a baseball bat for a neck - really!


I got a classic vibe tele last week and ended up reshaping the neck to a soft v type shape; and now it's right where I need it - a great instrument regardless of cost.

I had a strat with the same modern C neck profile that sounded amazing but I couldn't get along with the neck so, so I sold it.

Both these guitars felt like they had a wider nut, but they didn't; I now realize it was the neck profile.

What's everyone else's experience and thoughts?
I posted something similar in one of the classic vibe tele threads with no responses.

Quack!

 

[surfco]

I have a MIM standard Tele which has that modern-C shape and I like it.
I mean I have big hands and I have no problem with it.
One thing to mention is it has a 9.5" radius so it's a bit wider and feels (to me) bigger than my Soft-V 7.5" strat neck.

 

[littlewing6283]

all of my fenders i think have modern c necks and have no problem w/ them. i also have smallish hands.

 

[teleyouk]

IMHO, These necks are good with 9-42 gauge.
With 10-46 and more , I would prefer bigger necks for string bending.
And for "thin range" necks, I definitely prefer the "D" shape, instead of the "C"; but that remains very personal too.

 

[prawnik]

As far as playing comfort goes, I am pretty indifferent to neck profile. I think that I like the tone of thicker necks better, but, as Ron K. will chime in, this may be perception on my part.

FWIW, I am 6'4" with hands like an 11-year old schoolgirl.

 

[sotob]

I feel the same about the neck on the CV, but it's not too bad. I was playing Chuck Berry the other day and came to the conclusion that for me a 7.5 radius suits that style better for my hands.

 

[Mike Bruce]

Playing with an open left hand style (ie I don't "grip" the neck) I rarely even notice neck profile. Playing as many different instruments as possible helps, or maybe enforces that. Small hands, 5'9".

 

[TG]

Small hands and 5'8" and I love fat necks. Especially early 60s C necks.

 

[mellecaster]

Hate is such a Strong word...I save that for other more Important Stuff.... I'm not a Big fan of the Modern C profile, but I certainly understand why some prefer it....We all aren't made the same size or play the same way or style....so there ya go.

 

[e-merlin]

My problem seems to be more with fretboard radius than neck profile. Flat fretboards make my fingers hurt. I seem to be able to get along with different profiles as long as the fretboard is 7-1/4" or 9-1/2".

Having said that, I'm going to change necks on some of my favorites for MIM Thinline necks. I like big necks and I can not lie...

 

[Mik]

Keep my thumb on the back of the neck and the neck shape and size don't matter much.

 

[AndrewG]

What I really dislike is a very thin neck with a flat profile 'board-something like the Ibanez 'Wizard' neck shape. Otherwise I'm fairly indifferent; my H1's have a nice, comfortable profile but my Les Paul has a chunkier, '50's profile which I find equally comfortable. My biggest beef with Fender is skinny, low profile vintage-style frets and small radius vintage-style 'boards. I just can't get on with them; I know they're supposed to be 'vintage-correct' but why make life difficult when a taller fret makes things so much more comfortable?

 

[Wraptail]

Interesting, I didn't really think about the fingerboard radius affecting the feel that much.

Agreed... Hate was probably the wrong word.

 

[DMace]

Honestly, I don't really know what a lot of the neck shapes even are: soft V, D, U with tapered shoulders.....I just know when I like one.

 

[Telemarkman]

Anyone else not dig Fender's modern "C" neck profile?

You bet!

I was mostly used to mid-60's Teles, and the modern flat C-neck doesn't fit me at all, it didn't even feel like a Tele neck to me (that's how old I am )

 

[Nash]

I don't hate it, but I greatly prefer something fatter. The "C" shape neck is tolerable although I wont buy a guitar with one because I can get something fatter. I have sorta big hands and am 5'7" fwiw.

 

[DavyA]

I couldn't tell one radius from another and I've played lot's of guitars over the last 40+ years. As far as shape goes, once I played it for a while, I could probably get used to just about anything. I don't hold the neck like I'm choking...up on a baseball bat. I keep my thumb on the back and my fingers free, so I guess it disen't reall matter. Besides one man's C is another man's U....

Have fun!

 

[chisa]

i don't like the modern shape either. i am happiest with either a boat neck or a deep c

 

[gatc]

Anyone else not dig Fender's modern "C" neck profile?

I can't stand it - it's literally painful for me and my smallish hands.
I'd rather have a baseball bat for a neck - really!

I have small hands too and I think the modern C shape is actually the best in this case.
I also enjoy playing fat necks because of the feel you get from them, but it's more tiring and i can't play fast.

 

[boris bubbanov]

We're kinda handicapped by saying Joe has a "Small" hand and Billy has a "Large" hand. I think it is utterly amazing how much the hands of guitar players differ from one another; just as much as the difference in the general population as best I can tell. When you add in the different playing styles, different type of guitar parts each of us is expected to play; when you add in those injuries from basketball and that dogbite and the kayaking or work injury and it is a wonder so many of us can play somewhat similar necks.

I think I'll have to start telling folks I have a "wide" hand and small and not Gatton like fingers - you see where this all goes. :^)