barondvh
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by barondvh on Apr 12, 2021 0:08:12 GMT
New to guitar and want to know if a beginner would be better off with either a 50’s or 60s style neck on a LES Paul?
I have pretty large hands and unsure if this will come into being better with the 50s larger neck or a benefit having the 60s slimmer neck possibly being able to get around the frets easier.
Cheers Darren
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Apr 12, 2021 11:44:55 GMT
Personally I prefer a slightly fatter neck but it's a very subjective area. If possible (don't know your location) I would go to a guitar shop and try out a few different neck profiles/thicknesses. That way you can get a feel for what you prefer and you find most comfortable. As DefJef says you get used to swapping from different necks after a while. For us people with larger hands it doesn't appear to be a big problem. The other point worth thinking about is what style of music you intend to play? Apparently slimmer neck are preferred by shredders and fast players. As I don't play that sort of style I'm only going by what others say. There are probably shredders who like fatter necks? Good luck hope you find a neck that is comfortable for you.
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barondvh
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by barondvh on Apr 12, 2021 23:31:01 GMT
Thank you all for your very helpful answers. I will go to a shop and try them both out. Having received the HB SC550 plus (unfortunately damaged) which has the slimmer 60s style getting it out to inspect it did feel quite small in my hand however I’m a complete beginner and have no experience with a larger neck but feel that maybe it would be better for me. Will update soon hopefully. Cheers Darren
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DefJef
THBC Moderator
Due to musical differences I've decided I can't work with myself any more.
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Post by DefJef on Apr 13, 2021 6:32:42 GMT
It'll be interesting to hear what you find out barondvh. Do keep us updated. I just remembered the acoustic that I got for my son a couple of years ago. It had a slim neck and he has smaller hands and got on fine with it but it felt like playing a ruler to me. Maybe not so much a product of the DEPTH of the neck but more the shallow C cross section (profile). Same with my Epi LP Jr. It means that the bottom edge doesn't have a nice rounded contour against the palm area or fingers as there is with a fatter D or U cross section and I become more aware of the fret ends. Doesn't make the playing harder but just a shade less enjoyable. Tiny factors though and just something you will get used to. I wonder if this link will make interesting reading for you? The guitar neck - all you need to know.
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advb
Harley Benton Expert
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Post by advb on Apr 13, 2021 21:25:18 GMT
Also bear in mind barondvh that whatever guitar you choose, it may need a setup. I bought a second-hand Epiphone SG and I suspect that it was unchanged from when the seller bought it new: the action was too high so it was tough to play, the nut slots were too tight and the intonation was off. None of these are serious problems and quite common on all budget guitars - after a proper setup, its a nice guitar. However, had I bought it as a beginner and not realised, it may have put me off (and might be why the previous owner sold it).
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goldrake
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by goldrake on Jun 18, 2022 4:49:55 GMT
I have guitars with both necks and personally I find that if you like riffs and chords a chunky neck is very good. If you are studying solos and want to be lead guitarist I suggest the 60s neck.But I strongly suggest to try them in person because everyone has different tastes and reasons. I have 2 chuncky guitar both very "vintage style neck" but I'm selling one and the other is in her hardcase and rarely played. Sometime ago I very liked those necks (I also had a third sold to a friend) but now it is not my liking anymore. Now I wanted a telly and I struggled to find a D shape neck with a 12° radius (harley benton TE-62). So try both, decide and take a leap of faith... knowing that your ideas and likings could change...
p.s. as already stated a good guitar setup could change your perspective to those necks.
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