Session 5
Ambassador of Strings & Wings
The “C” Shape
This is the most common shape. It is fairly flat and is comfortable for players with all but the largest hands. Some guitars, such as some Fenders, may have an even flatter C-shape than other guitars, but the basic premise is the same.
There are a lot of different versions of “C” shape—slim, extra-slim, fat, nut-shaped, and even huge (for the curious, the huge is nearly a one-by-four and has very little taper between the first and 12th fret, pretty wild stuff).
The “V” Shape
V-shaped necks are of the so-called “old school”, they worked great when players would hold their thumbs over the fingerboard to hit bass notes, and used their fingers for playing chords and melody lines.
There are two chief varieties of “V” shape necks: soft, or rounded-V, and hard. The hard “V” is seen on both vintage guitars and re-issues of older models, but don’t appear frequently on modern guitars. By many regards, the most comfortable V-shaped necks are the ones that taper to almost no “V” closer to the nut.
The “U” Shape
The U-shaped neck is beloved by players with large hands, particularly those who prefer to keep their thumbs on the side or back of the neck. Older Telecasters are famous for this shape, as well as the famous “Nocasters” that were produced with only the Fender label.
“U” shape necks can come perfectly balanced or thicker on one side or the other. This thickness difference caters to the playing preferences of the player.
This is the most common shape. It is fairly flat and is comfortable for players with all but the largest hands. Some guitars, such as some Fenders, may have an even flatter C-shape than other guitars, but the basic premise is the same.
There are a lot of different versions of “C” shape—slim, extra-slim, fat, nut-shaped, and even huge (for the curious, the huge is nearly a one-by-four and has very little taper between the first and 12th fret, pretty wild stuff).
The “V” Shape
V-shaped necks are of the so-called “old school”, they worked great when players would hold their thumbs over the fingerboard to hit bass notes, and used their fingers for playing chords and melody lines.
There are two chief varieties of “V” shape necks: soft, or rounded-V, and hard. The hard “V” is seen on both vintage guitars and re-issues of older models, but don’t appear frequently on modern guitars. By many regards, the most comfortable V-shaped necks are the ones that taper to almost no “V” closer to the nut.
The “U” Shape
The U-shaped neck is beloved by players with large hands, particularly those who prefer to keep their thumbs on the side or back of the neck. Older Telecasters are famous for this shape, as well as the famous “Nocasters” that were produced with only the Fender label.
“U” shape necks can come perfectly balanced or thicker on one side or the other. This thickness difference caters to the playing preferences of the player.
Which is why it's been my go to guitar for 25 years.