What is the neck profile?
The term “neck profile” refers to the shape of the back of a guitar neck in cross section, and it’s often used interchangeably with the term “back shape.” You can also refer to it simply as “neck shape,” although there are other important neck measurements with which “neck profile” shouldn’t be confused (i.e., neck …
What is a Spanish neck?
The Spanish heel neck joint is considered the most highly developed neck joint in guitar construction. It is significantly more complex than a glued neck, but the sonic benefits are worth the effort. The neck is the first thing to be made. The headblock at the bottom of the neck is U- or L-shaped.
When did Fender go to 9.5 radius?
Most prevalent is the modern 9.5” radius (241mm), which was adopted in the 1980s and is now found on about two thirds of Fender electric instruments. The next most common fingerboard radius, 7.25” (184mm), is a vintage-era spec now used on just under a third of Fender electric instruments.
What is the nut width of a Stratocaster?
1.650 inches
What is this? The neck width at the nut of a typical Strat is 1.650 inches (42mm).
What is a guitar V neck?
‘V’ Shape Neck A V shape neck can be ‘soft’, which rounds out the middle curve, or ‘hard’, which has a more pronounced centre. Many vintage guitars use V shaped necks and some guitarists like them as they can easily rest their thumb on a flatter surface compared to a more curved guitar neck.
What is a dovetail neck joint?
A dovetail joint is where the tongue of the neck is glued into the groove of the guitar body, rather than bolted on. It’s a tighter joint, which allows for the vibrations to travel around the instrument from part to part. It’s the most traditional of neck joints in guitars, and it’s been around for a while.
What does Spanish heel mean?
The “Spanish heel” is a construction feature most commonly associated with Spanish made classical guitars. In this style of construction, the neck is notched at the heel to receive the sides, and the body is built around the neck and side assembly.
What does profile mean on a guitar neck?
The term “profile” refers specifically to the cross sections of the top (nut area) and bottom (heel area) of the neck. Variations in shape and size of the two cross sections can give a neck a new feel, a different playability.
What is the shape of a guitar neck?
This shape has come to be known as the C profile, for obvious reasons. And from there, you can understand how the V, D, and U profiles came to exist. These profiles, along with a few others, have near endless variations based on neck thickness, fretboard profile inclusion, scale, symmetry, and other factors.
What are the different types of neck shapes?
The current system of neck profile nomenclature uses single letters to describe profile shapes. As you may have expected, Fender is responsible for popularizing this categorization method. Their profiles fell into 3 main groups originally: C, U, and V.
What’s the difference between a C and U neck?
U profiles have lengthened vertical shoulders compared to C profiles. As mentioned above, the U profile is very similar to a C profile in general shape – just much deeper. They also usually have visible vertical shoulders. Many necks that utilize a U profile will be branded as fat, heavy, or some similar term.