Changing the neck (Full Version)

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XXX -> Changing the neck (Dec. 24 2009 12:38:22)

Do you think it is possible or advisable to attach an extra piece of wood along the neck? The background is, i find thick necks and round ones (the center is not flattened/filed too much) much easier. Obviously i have never heard of such an undertakement, and just wondered if this is possible at all. Might be a better solution than travelling and trying out guitars for several years in the future [:D]
I have never played a flamenco that i liked neck-wise. They are all too thin and to flat at the center.

I just have this cheap guitar that i bought for 10 Euros when i started guitar and it seems to have a good setup, including the right neck shape. The string height at the bridge is high but the fretboard action is low. It feels soft in the grabbing hand and tight in the plucking hand, which seems to be a good setup for me.



estebanana -> RE: Changing the neck (Dec. 24 2009 15:21:32)

I've heard of people doing that. Find some one to help you. When you get a guitar made for you ask them to make it thicker.
Thicker necks used to be more popular, they have some merit for people with big hands.



XXX -> RE: Changing the neck (Dec. 24 2009 15:39:27)

thx, there is a good luthier, who also drilled a hole in my guitar [:D]
Ironically i have a small hand and skinny fingers, or at least they are not "fat" like Nunez' or Paco's for example. But i seem to get a better "grip" when the distance between thumb and fingers, or rather frets to be precise, is greater than what is standard on flamencas.
Just wanted to ask here, have some opinions, before speaking to the luthier.



estebanana -> RE: Changing the neck (Dec. 24 2009 17:30:27)

Kinethetically your hands are not meant to cramp into a pinch with your second thumb joint hyperextended as you would have to do with too thin a neck for your hand. We do have an opposable thumb and fingers which makes us better guitar players than other upper primates who don't have that advantage, but there is a comfort level with how much opposability each person has.

The concept that a thin neck is superior is a relative thing. If you happen to have a longer thumb or a wider gap between the thumb base and first forefinger knuckle you will have more distance to cover when you oppose your thumb and fingers. That distance may cause you to hyperextend your thumb joints and movement to a point where it becomes uncomfortable. At some point in the compressing of thumb and forefinger together your hand will be working against itself because it will not be lined up properly. Your grip will extent past its natural point of effectiveness and you'll lose gripping strength.

I tend to like a slightly fatter neck too because I have a problem with the same issue. Everyone's hands are different, but I think some people don't realize they could go with a thicker neck and be more comfortable. Thin necks are great, but there's a fine line between thin and too thin.

Neck comfort and playablity is a thing as much about shape as thickness. I always seem to go back to playing and shaping the classic 'D' shape. I've tried making the back of the neck flatter and it feels cool, but inevitably I feel better with a 'D" shape. I don't like the feeling of a squared off corner on the thumb at the bottom of a flat neck shape.



XXX -> RE: Changing the neck (Dec. 28 2009 13:25:54)

quote:

ORIGINAL: estebanana
I don't like the feeling of a squared off corner on the thumb at the bottom of a flat neck shape.


Absolutely. It is much easier for me to apply pressure on a D-shaped neck. I dont have my flamenca with me now, but i think what you say about hyperextending the thumb is true in my case. Also i have to turn the wrist more to apply the same pressure coz of the thin neck. I've been playing with that thick necked guitar for a week now and it really makes a difference.



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