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NECKS

The neck "carve" or the shape and size of the back of the guitar neck will change the feel or comfort of the guitar neck. Vintage 50's Fender necks often have a "V" shape, and in the 60's the shape become more of a "C" shape. Modern necks also feature flatter bottom "U" and oval or elliptical shapes to accommodate different playing styles and tastes.

neck shape

Suhr Neck Shapes

  • Even C Slim: This is a very friendly even taper slim C shape. The thickness runs .800" at the first fret to .880" at the 13th fret. It is our most popular shape and John's personal favorite.
  • Even C Extra Slim: This is a fairly new shape that we introduced in late-2005 for those seeking a very fast and the slimmest shape possible without having a negative impact on tone or stability. It tapers from .770" to .850".
  • Even C RB: This is the shape that Reb Beach specified for his custom guitars that tapers from .800" to .850".
  • Even C Medium: Another popular shape, this shape is the same as the even C slim but fatter, from .840" to .920".
  • Even C Fat: For those who like a chunky yet comfortable neck shape, this shape is the ticket: .880" to .960".
  • Even C Huge: This shape is for players who like their necks big - really big! Measuring a full 1.000" thick at both the 1st fret and the 13th with an even taper, this shape with the extra mass provides a big bold and punch tone to the guitar.
  • 60's C Vintage Standard: This is another very popular shape that feels classic that starts out thin but tapers fatter as you go up the neck. It starts out at .810" at the first fret to a chunky .930" at the 13th fret.
  • 60's C Vintage Medium: This is the same as the 60's C Vintage Standard but slightly fatter - .830" to .950".
  • 50's Round: A new shape introduced in January of 2006, this shape replicates the fat round shape of the late-50's. It starts out from .860" and tapers to .980" , big but comfy.
  • 56 Soft Medium V: This is a popular shape for the player who wants that 50's vintage feel but don't like the feel of the hard V. Taper is .840" to .920".
  • 56 Big V: To us, this and the Medium V are the only comfortable V neck shapes - big from .880" to .980", it rolls in at the fingerboard and is a soft V that tapers to almost no V. Recommended for V neck fans.
  • D Shape: A D-shaped neck that has a more shoulder or meat on the edge of the neck, it is flatter on the back shape. It is also featured on our Scott Henderson Model. It is slim with a taper of .800" to.880".
  • Modern Elliptical: Designed for the 24-fret Modern, this shape can be viewed as a half of an ellipse. It is a fast and sleek shape yet has enough girth for you to really grab onto when you want to dig in for wild string bends or playing chords. The Modern Elliptical shape is available in three thicknesses: .780" to .830", .800" to .850", and .820" to .870".

Tom Anderson Guitar Neck Carves

Anderson Neck Info
Nut widths, 1 5/8 inch and 1 11/16 inch
Even-Taper (formerly known as: T/A Standard)
  • Even-Taper: .810-inch to .870
  • +.030 Even-Taper: .840-inch to .900
  • +.050 Even-Taper: .860-inch to .920
  • +.070 Even-Taper: .880-inch to .940
  • +.100 Even-Taper: .910-inch to .970
  • -.020 Even-Taper: .790-inch to .850
Happy Medium (formerly known as: Cobra & Atom Standard)
  • Happy Medium: .825 to .915
  • +.030 Happy Medium: .855-inch to .945
  • +.050 Happy Medium: .875-inch to .965
60s Vibe (formerly known as: 62 Roundback)
  • 60s Vibe: .835-inch to .960-inch
  • +.020 60s Vibe: .855-inch to .980
50s V: is a "V" backshape
  • Small 50s V: .860-inch to .920-inch
  • Large 50s V: .910-inch to .970-inch
Acoustic Bronze:
1.73-inch nut-width only
  • .820 to .890

PRS Neck info

PATTERN NECK SHAPES - CURRENT

The new "Pattern" neck is an updated Wide Fat PRS neck style based on Paul’s pre-factory design. These necks were found on the instruments built for Carlos Santana, Peter Frampton and Howard Leese from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s.

WIDTH OF THE FRETBOARD AT THE NUT:

  • Pattern, Wide Fat - 1 11/16"
  • Pattern Thin, Wide Thin - 1 11/16"
  • Pattern Regular, Regular - 1 21/32"
  • 12 String - 1 47/64"

WIDTH AT THE BODY

  • Pattern, Wide Fat - 2 1/4"
  • Pattern Thin, Wide Thin - 2 1/4"
  • Pattern Regular, Regular - 2 1/4"
  • 12 String - 2 19/64"

NECK DEPTH AT THE NUT

  • Pattern, Wide Fat - 27/32"
  • Pattern Thin, Wide Thin - 25/32"
  • Pattern Regular, Regular - 27/32"
  • 12 String - 27/32"

FINGERBOARD RADIUS

  • 10" on all guitars except when otherwise stated
  • 11 1/2" on the Santana models and 12 strings

SCALE LENGTH

  • 25" on most models except when otherwise specified
  • 24 1/2" on the SC 58, Santana, Starla, Starla X, Mira X and 245 models
  • 25 1/4" on 513, DC3, and NF3
  • 25 1/2" on 305

FORMER NECK SHAPES

The Regular (sometimes called Standard) neck is a round neck shape that is 1/32 narrower and not quite as thick front to back as our Wide Fat neck.

The Wide Fat neck has the same nut width as the Wide Thin neck, but it has a deeper profile. Because of its strength and longer "heel", the Wide Fat neck produces warm tones with lots of sustain.

The Wide Thin neck has a thinner profile front to back than the Wide Fat. It is a favorite of fast players and lead guitar players.

Width of the fingerboard at the nut:

  • Regular: 1 21/32"
  • Wide Fat and Wide Thin: 1 11/16"
  • Santana: 1 21/32"
  • Custom 22/12 - 1 47/64"
  • 513: 1 43/64"
  • Hiland: 1 21/32"
  • Grissom and Al D - 1 21/32"
  • Acoustics - Wide - 1 3/4", Standard - 1 11/16"

Width at the body:

  • Regular: 2 1/4"
  • Wide Fat and Wide Thin: 2 1/4"
  • Santana: 2 1/4"
  • Custom 22/12: 2 19/64"
  • 513: 2 3/16"
  • Hiland: 2 7/32"
  • Grissom and Al D - 2 1/4"
  • Acoustics - Wide - 2 1/4", Standard - 2 1/8"

Depth of neck at the nut:

  • Regular and Wide Fat: 27/32"
  • Wide Thin: 25/32"
  • 513: 55/64"
  • Hiland: 25/32"
  • Grissom And Al D 27/32"
  • Acoustics - 55/64"

Fingerboard radius:

10" on all guitars and basses except 11 1/2" on the Santana II and Custom 22/12
12" on Acoustics

Scale length:

  • 25" on all guitars except
  • 24 1/2" on the Santana II and III
  • 25 1/4" on 513
  • 25 1/4" on Acoustics

Melancon Neck Info

Nut Widths: 1.625" (1 5/8"), 1.65" , 1.6875" 1 11/16
Radius: 7.25", 10" (Standard), 12", 16"
Neck Carves
  • Standard (60s C)
  • Round (59 Paul)
  • Soft Vee
  • Neck Carve Sizes
    Standard Taper
    1st Fret 12th Fret Oversize
    .810 .870 N/A
    .830 .890 0.02
    .840 .900 0.03
    .850 .910 0.04
    .860 .920 0.05
    .870 .930 0.06
    .880 .940 0.07
    .890 .950 0.08
    Medium Taper
    0.825 0.905 N/A
    0.855 0.935 0.03
    0.875 0.955 0.05
    60s Vibe
    0.81 0.93 N/A
    0.835 0.96 N/A
    0.855 0.98 N/A
    Even C Fat
    0.88 0.96 N/A
    Soft Vee
    .850 0.92 N/A

G&L Neck Shapes

G&L Guitar Necks
Neck # Name Shape Nut Width Radius 1st Fret Depth 12th Fret Depth
1 G&L Classic "C" C 1-5/8" 12" 0.830" 0.960"
1a
G&L Slim "C" C 1-5/8" 12" 0.820" 0.870"
1b G&L Heritage "C" C 1-5/8" 12" 0.790" 0.910"
1c G&L Modern "U" U 1 5/8" 12" 0.850" 0.910"
1d G&L Modern "V" V 1 5/8" 12" 0.890" 0.930"
2 G&L Vintage "C" C 1 5/8" 7 1/2" 0.830" 0.960"
2a G&L Vintage "V" V 1 5/8" 7 1/2" 0.830" 0.960"
2b G&L Heritage Vintage "C" C 1 5/8" 7 1/2" 0.790" 0.910"
3 G&L Extra Wide "C" C 1 3/4" 12" 0.830" 0.960"
4 G&L Wide "C" C 1 11/16" 12" 0.830" 0.960"

G&L Bass Necks
Neck # Name Shape Nut Width Radius 1st Fret Depth 12th Fret Depth
5 G&L Vintage "C" C 1 3/4" 7 1/2" 0.820" 0.940"
6 G&L Vintage Narrow "C" C 1 1/2" 7 1/2" 0.820" 0.920"
7 G&L Modern "C" C 1 3/4" 12" 0.820" 0.940"
8 G&L Modern Narrow "C" C 1 1/2" 12" 0.820" 0.920"
10 G&L 5-string "C" C 1 3/4" 12" 0.820" 0.940"

All profiles have a +/- 0.015" tolerance. 5-string models have no neck profile options available

Gibson Neck sizes

0.900 - 1.020 - 2003 '54 LP GT (single p-90--Daves)
0.920 - ????? - 2003 '57 LP RI ebony
0.920 - 1.040 - 2001 '57 LP GT Aged
0.920 - 1.015 - 2001 '57 LP Black Beaut.
0.885 - 0.975 - 2001 '59 LP RI -Darkburst
0.905 - 0.995 - 2000 '59 LP RI -CherrySb
0.908 - 1.005 - 2000 '59 LP RI -Black
0.908 - 1.015 - 2000 '59 LP RI -Lemon
0.883 - 1.003 - 2000 '59 LP RI -Flamey
0.885 - 0.998 - 1999 '59 LP RI -Quilt
0.895 - 0.995 - 1998 '57 LP Goldtop Reissue
0.880 - 0.985 - 1999 '59 ES-335 Hist.
0.850 - ????? - 2003 '54 Oxblood (Wildwood)
0.840 - ????? - 2003 '54 Flametop Stinger 60 slim taper (MM)
0.850 - ???? - 2003 Rossington SG (3d fret)
0.870 - ???? - 2004 Historic SG/LP ‘61 RI (3d fret) '60's slim taper
Thickness at 1st fret: 0.818"
Thickness at 12th fret: 0.963"

Fender Necks

Fender Neck Codes Explained
Nut Width (letter designation)
  • A = 1 1/2 inch
  • B = 1 5/8 inch
  • C = 1 3/4 inch
  • D = 1 7/8 inch
Generic Neck Shapes Used
  • No.1: 0.900 at 1st fret. Round, chunky, 53 Tele, U shape, with lots of shoulder
  • No.2: 0.850 at 1st fret. 54 or soft V less shoulder than No. 1
  • No.3: 0.810 at 1st fret. 1960 and 62 oval shape with taper
  • No.4: 0.820 at 1st fret. Hard V found on Strats from 1956 and 57
  • No.5: 0.780 at 1st fret. Modern Heavy metal style flat bottom (Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez)
  • No.1056: 0.900 at 1st fret. Big V neck (1056 = Oct 1956) boatneck
Radius
  • A = 7 1/4 inch Early era
  • A = 9 1/2 inch Modern era
  • A = 12 inch some models like SRV and Eric Johnson

Ibanez Neck sizes

Neck Type Scale Thickness Width Radius Notes
Fret-1 Fret-12 Nut Fret-22
JEM 25.5" 0.748 0.827 1.693 2.244 16.9
JCM 25.5" 0.768 0.846 1.693 2.205 16.9 J-Custom
JPM 25.5" 0.748 0.827 1.654 2.205 16.9
JS (1993) 25.5" 0.787 0.858 1.654 2.244 9.8
JS (1997) 25.5" 0.815 0.866 1.654 2.205 9.4
JS (2000) 25.5" 0.787 0.866 1.654 2.205 9.4
MA (1989-90) 25.5" 0.669 0.787 1.693 2.244 16.9 American Master
MA (1991-92) 25.5" 0.669 0.787 1.693 2.205 16.9 American Master
S7 (7-string) 25.5" 0.748 0.827 1.890 2.559 16.9
Ultra 25.5" 0.748 0.846 1.654 2.205 16.9 USA Custom
UV 25.5" 0.846 0.906 1.890 2.559 16.9
Viper 0.768 0.846 1.654 2.205 12.0
Wizard 25.5" 0.669 0.787 1.693 2.205 16.9
Wizard II (USA) 25.5" 0.748 0.827 1.693 2.205 15.7
Wizard II (Japan) 25.5" 0.709 0.807 1.693 2.205 16.9
Wizard, Super 25.5" 0.669 0.787 1.693 2.205 16.9 Bubinga stripe
Wizard 7-string 25.5" 0.846 0.906 1.890 2.559 16.9

Other neck sizes

0.784 - 0.820 - Washburn N4 (Shred Plank)
0.770 - 0.835 - ESP Sunburst Tiger (Shred Plank)
0.830 - 0.910 - '67 Tele
0.820 - 0.965 - Fender Relic '56 (99)
0.862 - 0.980 - Fender Relic '56 (96)
0.855 - 0.982 - Fender 50th Anniversary Relic
0.935 - 0.978 - Lentz Maple Strat (unfinished)
0.940 - 0.985 - Lentz Rosewood Strat (finished)
0.830 - 0.930 - Ernie Ball / Music Man Axis
0.709 - 0.728 - Hagstrom Viking
0.845 - 0.900 - Hamer Special FM
0.887 - 0.917 - Hamer Newport
0.800 - 0.xxx - Anderson Standard
0.850 - 0.970 - Callaham '60 Strat
0.800 - 0.900 - Heritage Standard
0.830 - 0.930 - G&L ASAT Jr.
0.840 - 0.942 - PRS Custom 22 ('Regular' shape)
0.850 - 0.930 - PRS McCarty Rosewood Soapbar
0.868 - 0.958 - PRS McCarty Soapbar
0.915 - 0.985 - Kendrick Townhouse (Offest V-neck)
0.920 - 1.040 - 2001 '57 LP GT Aged
0.920 - 1.015 - 2001 '57 LP Black Beaut.
0.885 - 0.975 - 2001 '59 LP RI -Darkburst
0.905 - 0.995 - 2000 '59 LP RI -CherrySb
0.908 - 1.005 - 2000 '59 LP RI -Black
0.908 - 1.015 - 2000 '59 LP RI -Lemon
0.883 - 1.003 - 2000 '59 LP RI -Flamey
0.885 - 0.998 - 1999 '59 LP RI -Quilt
0.895 - 0.995 - 1998 '57 LP Goldtop Reissue
0.880 - 0.985 - 1999 '59 ES-335 Hist.

Grosh Neck Sizes

0.830 - 0.930 - Medium
0.850 - 0.950 - Md/Large
0.875 - 0.975 - Large
0.900 - 1.000 - Xtra Large

Warmoth Neck Shapes

0.735 - 0.810 - Ibanez/Wizard
0.800 - 0.850 - Standard Thin
0.815 - 0.940 - Wolfgang
0.825 - 0.950 - SRV
0.835 - 0.910 - Clapton
0.860 - .9700 - '59 Roundback
1.000 - 1.000 - Boat (V)
1.000 - 1.000 - Fat (D)

Baker Neck Shapes

0.820 - 0.920 - Small
0.830 - 0.980 - Standard
0.870 - 0.950 - '59 Series
0.870 - 0.980 - '58 Phat Taper
0.890 - 0.980 - Large (Phat)