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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Stratocaster "c"- Or "v"-neck

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell May 5 2008, 03:13 PM

Hello smile.gif

I've been looking for a new Strat for some time, and one thing that's mentioned a lot in the ads is the shape of the neck. Either "C"-shaped, or "V"-shaped. I have a good idea what C-shaped means.... but what is V-shaped?! unsure.gif and why would I want that?! huh.gif

Posted by: Old School Rocker May 5 2008, 03:29 PM

QUOTE (Marcus Lavendell @ May 5 2008, 07:13 AM) *
Hello smile.gif

I've been looking for a new Strat for some time, and one thing that's mentioned a lot in the ads is the shape of the neck. Either "C"-shaped, or "V"-shaped. I have a good idea what C-shaped means.... but what is V-shaped?! unsure.gif and why would I want that?! huh.gif

I think thats just the profile of the back of the neck wether its a curved "C" shape or a pointed "V" shape. I dont know too much about it but i read something about it awhile ago, I think its just a preference and comfort thing some people like it others dont. Anyway hope this helps.

EDIT:Heres a link with a little explanation of the neck shapes http://www.kellyindustries.com/articles/guitar_glossary.html

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell May 5 2008, 03:33 PM

Thanks mate! smile.gif

Don't think I've ever played on a V-shaped then. It does look pretty uncomfortable to me though. unsure.gif

Posted by: Old School Rocker May 5 2008, 03:36 PM

QUOTE (Marcus Lavendell @ May 5 2008, 07:33 AM) *
Thanks mate! smile.gif

Don't think I've ever played on a V-shaped then. It does look pretty uncomfortable to mee though. unsure.gif

I Agree, it seems to pointed to me although I do still prefer a beefier round profile neck.

Posted by: USAMAN May 5 2008, 03:40 PM

I owned a V shaped neck for a while. It was actually very comfortable. Look on www.warmoth.com
they have a neck called a boat neck. Its a fat V shape. They show the profile as related to the rest of their signature necks. If you like fat necks you will fall in love with this.

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell May 5 2008, 03:42 PM

Great site you linked to there! Thanks smile.gif

I just read how the V-neck was "invented":
"The design appears to have been a mistake in the manufacturing process. The employee who normally sanded the necks was gone and some one else had sanded them incorrectly - so the legend goes. "

laugh.gif tongue.gif

Posted by: Slammer May 5 2008, 03:50 PM

I heard that the Eric Clapton Strat has a "V" shaped neck.

And thats a pretty sweet guitar ohmy.gif

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell May 5 2008, 03:56 PM

QUOTE (Slammer @ May 5 2008, 04:50 PM) *
I heard that the Eric Clapton Strat has a "V" shaped neck.

And thats a pretty sweet guitar ohmy.gif

Thanks for the info. I'm getting more and more curious about these V-necks! I must try one now biggrin.gif

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl May 5 2008, 05:35 PM

I tried one quickly - and it was a pretty nasty experience (my impression was that it almost hurt my hand! huh.gif ).

However - I had a similar experience when trying my first strat, and now I love them! smile.gif

edit - Marcus are you going to build another guitar? If so - I can't help but advice you to try a true temperament neck... I think they are the next "big" thing in guitar construction! biggrin.gif


Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 5 2008, 07:47 PM

"V" shaped neck follows the thumb. For me it is maybe better to go for the "C" neck since then you can grasp with a thumb all over it, and with "V" either on the upper or the lower side, not so comfy in the middle.

BTW. what kinda Strat are you looking for Marcus? Building your own, or Factory model?

Posted by: Old School Rocker May 5 2008, 08:45 PM

Lol Kris where'd you find that i lol'ed pretty hard laugh.gif
I assuming thats a joke or is that some dudes guitar blink.gif i cant tell, then again i thought the reverse flying V was a joke to for a while laugh.gif

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic May 5 2008, 08:54 PM

It's not a joke (I guess wink.gif ). THese kind of neck exist because guitar is not well tempered instrument, so some notes are not exactly on the pitch on some positions on the fretboard. Quite expensive are guitars with these setups tho.

Posted by: Old School Rocker May 5 2008, 09:00 PM

oh I see that makes perfect sence thanx for the explanaition. I Learn something new everyday here at GMC laugh.gif

Posted by: Hisham Al-Sanea May 5 2008, 10:26 PM

my starto ia a V shape the C shape we call it bombey looks like the violins so the strings must adjust as C
have a nice day Marcus.

Posted by: RIP Dime May 6 2008, 02:55 AM

I just got a V with a soft V neck shape, and it feels very comfortable, don't worry about it feeling pointy I don't think many guitar necks have a sharp V profile, I think most are soft Vs, witch feel smooth. For me it gets me the fat neck tone without the fat neck obstructions, it also fits the shape of the crotch of my hand a little better than C necks, so I get a bit more control on bends. I've never tried Fender V necks, but they are supposed to be real cool. Try em out though, you're playing is lightyears ahead of mine, and your hands are different, so you never know until you try, you might love em, or you might hate em. smile.gif

Posted by: Scott Gentzen May 6 2008, 08:03 PM

QUOTE (Old School Rocker @ May 5 2008, 03:45 PM) *
Lol Kris where'd you find that i lol'ed pretty hard laugh.gif
I assuming thats a joke or is that some dudes guitar blink.gif i cant tell, then again i thought the reverse flying V was a joke to for a while laugh.gif



There's a link somewhere around here to a vid on Youtube with Vai checking those necks out and saying he was working on getting his guitars converted over.

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