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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | OK ... Can some knowledgeable person comment on the differences in neck and fretboard woods, i.e., whether it affects tone, sustain, playability, strength, etc. Also the differences in the construction of the 5-piece vs Adamas I necks???
ALSO ... how do the differences in neck shape, width, thickness, truss rod type affect the sound or playability?
Basically, I'm looking for "Guitar necks for Dummies" |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I would focus more on "how" it is than "what" it is. 5 piece neck, 2 piece, 1 piece doesn't mean shit. What matters is that it stays straight, has some adjustability, the shape/finish feels good in your hands.
Folks like the 5 piece neck because it looks cool, and in its day was a step forward in keeping the neck straight. Was the reason that early Ovations played so nice compared to the other brands out there at the time. Things have changed. Ovation and just about everyone can now build rock solid necks. I couldn't even tell you what some of my guitars have, except that they stay setup nicely and feel great in my hands.
Never been a fan of the Krap-Bar because they can't make the profile flat-C like I prefer, and it does tend to make the guitar neck heavy. But to be honest it does make for a very stable and adjustable guitar. Not sure dual action truss rod is all that important. I mean every truss rod is dual action, just that on some the other force of the "dual" is the strings themselves.
Fretboards? I dunno. Presonal preference I guess. I like the looks of stained ebony, but I'm not sure it makes much difference in terms of feel, wear or sound. I could be wrong. I think the fret type and shape makes a much bigger difference in how the guitar plays.
Anyway, just my opinions. The best Ovation neck I ever played? My old Adamas II Slothead that now resides with Jerome. THAT was a sweet neck. Of my curent stable, I am totally in love with the neck on the New Hawrtferd Guild dread. Awesome. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Opps, ignore that previous post. You asked for response from "some knowledgeable person". Sorry I missed that ...
I would not consider myself knowledgeable. But I do have opinions.
Good luck. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Dave, since you've owned so many guitars I DO consider you an expert. Also being the big award recipient also gives you a certain level of expert status. (: Heck ... you MAY even qualify for a Nobel Peace Prize! (or is it "piece") |
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Location: Central Oregon | There are no longer any qualifications required to win a Peace Prize. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | He got the Heisman Trophy too just for watching a football game |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | So, back on topic, I have found that as I get older and just a touch arthritic, a fatter neck now suits me better. I like the K-bar necks because the slight V shape seems to make barre chords easier. The only reason I can think of that might make the dual action truss rod come in handy would be if you like extra light strings. |
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Location: Chicago | I'm very impressed with the "resin impregnated" walnut fingerboard on my Adamas 1581. The whole neck is sleek and hard.
+1 on fatter necks for older hands! |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Why Would a Fat Neck be better fer Ol` hands .. I would think the opposite .. ( just curious ) ..
Vic |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by FlicKreno aka Solid Top:
Why Would a Fat Neck be better fer Ol` hands .. I would think the opposite .. ( just curious ) ..
Vic I'm guessing my fingers are getting fatter as I get older. They don't look any fatter, but I still look 21 when I look in the mirror. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I have also been really enjoying the wider necks (not the REAL wide ones)lately. So much so that the thin ones are beginning to feel uncomfortable. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by dobro:
+++1 (1680)
+2 (not as much hand flexing) |
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November 2008
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Location: Michigan | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
...
Folks like the 5 piece neck because it looks cool, and in its day was a step forward in keeping the neck straight. Was the reason that early Ovations played so nice compared to the other brands out there at the time. Things have changed. Ovation and just about everyone can now build rock solid necks...
Never been a fan of the Krap-Bar because they can't make the profile flat-C like I prefer, and it does tend to make the guitar neck heavy. But to be honest it does make for a very stable and adjustable guitar. Words of wisdom. The K-bar was hard for me to adjust to coming from a wide fretted, basically flat backed necked guitar. (along with not really playing for 15 years). Once I got used to it, I really liked it.
In working with wood and lamination I have leared that the more laminations you have generally equates to more stablility. But as Gallerinski said most companies seem to be able to make straight, stable necks now. It seems to me the weakest point is where the neck joins the body. That is where I tend to see problems (even in K-bars) I will be curious to see how the one piece composite desings of guitars like composite acoustics and rainsong hold up over decades? |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I'm not that crazy about the WIDE necks.When I say I like a fatter neck I'm talking about girth. The reason it doesn't hurt as much is that I don't have to bend the knuckles as tightly. It's getting to where playing banjo really hurts because the neck is so tiny. (OK, banjo jokes - here they come...) |
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Location: Michigan | Alison, just for you, unique banjo and accordian song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQQ8lOpcQYQ |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Rich,
You're a sick 'puppy'! 
I'm not gonna ask how you found that...  |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I wonder if I could do that with my cat. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
I wonder if I could do that with my cat. And you think your fingers hurt now! |
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Location: Huntington Beach | I used to wear a 16.5, but lately a 17 feels more comfortable, especially with a tie. |
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Necks and Fretboards - Question for the "Experts"