Are Asymmetric Necks Really All That?

Learn more about Warmoth neck profiles here: warmoth.com/guitar-neck-profiles
Video: Does a Fat Neck Equal Fat Tone? • Does Fat Neck = Fat Tone?

[@jc6721]

It would be interesting if Warmoth could partner with music stores and send out sample neck profiles display. Perhaps just a couple of (3 or 4 inch) pieces of a neck on a metal rod from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and 12th, 13th and 14th frets for each profile. Kind of similar to what many companies in other industries did back in the day.

[@ChristopherMoncrieffe]

That is a fantastic idea.

[@Ledzepfan88]

I wish I could get samples like I did with the pickguard swatches

[@samseitz9937]

3:27 every time I pick up a guitar in front of anyone

[@pjstamm2112]

I love this channel. The descriptions, demos and comparisons are always real-world and practical. And now I know why my Wolfgang neck feels like no other!

[@timmcdonald9877]

I have two Gibson LP’s with asymmetric profiles and I love it! Not all of us have big hands or long fingers, it a game changer for me. Great video!!

[@mdazizurrahman7437]

Hi Aaron! Once nice informative insights!

[@picksalot1]

Some years ago, I read an article that mentioned asymmetric necks, and I think it said that EVH came up with the design. I did a little more searching and found that SRV used that shape as well. I was finding that I didn't like the treble shoulder thickness on my Strat, so I decided to trim it down using a scraper. Nice thing is that I could do that with the strings on and up to pitch. I took the shoulder down in small increments, making sure to play it over a few days each time. I liked the results, and prefer asymmetric for the improved access on the treble frets.

[@curbowman]

I became aware of assymmetric necks in 1992 when I played a Tobias bass guitar. It gives my hand a meatier profile in the first position for "closed fist" grooving and a thinner place for more complex runs. And it's very good for 5 and 6-string players since the slimmer side helps to place the thumb in a better place to reach the low-B string.

[@TheCravenIsReal]

I have a Martin Modern Deluxe OM with an asymmetrical neck carve- love it. I have shaved several necks now and created my own neck profiles on a substantial herd of electric and acoustic guitars based on the Martin. Neck profile is everything to me. Thanks for posting this vid

[@tpzid]

I have an SRV profile on my latest Warmoth and I love it. Real close to the '59 profile, but a tad thinner right where you need it.

[@mikeygoda]

what nut width did you go with?

[@michaelb.42112]

You always have such great content for us gear heads,. Warmoth has always had some magic in their water or something because every Warmoth I've owned had magical qualities.

[@bigkahuna100]

I love how informative these videos are! I do wish Warmoth would have the ability to offer some discounts every now and then, though.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

They have pre built bodied and necks that are cheaper and you just got to modify it a bit more to your liking which they are pretty flexable on. Check em out sometimes they already have a body or neck that suits what you're going for.

[@taimaishu-nao1922]

Aaron, I have an idea: perhaps there’s a way to digitally or even haptically allow interested parties an opportunity to “sample” the asymmetric neck profile without needing to invest into something they may not like. My idea was to have an .stl file so people can 3D print a sample at home. The second would be a full-scale cutaway drawing of the profile. Anyway, just some ideas to help those on the fence to decide if this is something for them or not.

[@Muzikman127]

If it ever caught on that sounds like a hell of a lot of single use plastic being trashed to be honest...

[@Muzikman127]

Still, I like your solutions minded attitude though!

[@rigorhead01]

Great idea! 👍🏻

[@Unchainedmaple888]

I'm still desperately waiting for that ergonomic bolt on joint option from the anniversary series and richlite fretboard option. Hopefully sooner rather than later, been itching to order some Warmoth parts :)

[@vesean4141]

Warmoth changed the game,I know there those who swear by the brand name guitars but I like the fact that I can build a truly custom guitar/bass,I really love the asymmetric on my five string bass that I built years ago (there’s no bass like it imo) my favorite neck for guitar is the superwide fatback contour (warmoth has spoiled me because there no manufacturer that makes this profile,if I bought a Fender strat,I would replace the neck) as he said in the video,the people at warmoth really like to talk about their product (I always enjoy my conversations with Gregg when he was there)and show an interest in what you’re building,I refer my friends to them all the time,as Aaron says’keep on picking💯

[@drischord]

The profile Aaron recommended, Wolfgang with a 1 5/8” nut, is my personal favorite. I now have three Warmoth necks with that exact profile and love all three.

[@gscgold]

All I remember is when the first EVH guitars came out with Ernie ball I picked one up to check it out and I couldn't believe how comfortable that neck was

[@Zakkrifice]

I ended up with all my guitars sporting either SRV or Wolfgang neck profiles and ill never look back!

[@schmoemi3386]

What kept me from any other Warmoth neck profile than the "Standard Thin" was my aversion of fat necks and that the Custom neck profiles cost an upcharge... 😅😅

[@fernandoesteves1984]

As I told you before, you're doing a very good job showing the differences and tricks on specs! I don't know exactly how, since you don't have a bass conversion neck, but would be cool to have a 32" or 30" compared with 34" scale. Pickups would need to be P or J, as people are used. I think lots of people would change their minds on smaller scales! Cheers

[@mbberry135]

1st guitar I tried with an asymmetrical neck was the Roscoe Beck V String Bass Signature Series Bass. I never played a SRV Signature Fender Stratocaster with an asymmetrical.

[@douggrimes195]

About ten years ago I had the opportunity to play a Fender JM Artist Series Strat and a Fender SRV Artist Series Strat back to back. At the time, I owned two American Series Strats. I could not believe how different these four different guitar necks felt. By far, my favorite was the SRV asymmetrical neck! It is one of the few guitars I have ever picked up that I did not feel like I was fighting the neck. It was just really comfortable. Particularly if you like to play with your thumb over the low E string. I currently have a Warmoth Boatneck Profile with Compound Radius. It is also a nice neck. I bought it because it had everything I wanted except for the SRV profile at a really good price. If I ever purchase another neck from Warmoth, it will be in the SRV profile.

[@sams.4388]

An interesting note is that Tosin Abasi uses an asymmetrical neck, but his is actually thinner on the bass side and thicker on the treble side.

[@monstrok]

Thanks for the video and coverage on this subject! I purchased one guitar with an asymmetric neck and found that it just feels like a fat neck with my playing style.

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Very Interesting Video. I have an entry level Sterling by Music Man SUB Silo3 with Asymmetric Neck. It quickly became my favorite Strat-Style Guitar. The Neck is just SO comfortable to play. Awesome. cheers

[@AManCalledBiggles]

Wolfgang FTW! Dean basses introduced me to asymmetrical necks, Warmoth rekindled my love for them 🥰

[@rigorhead01]

I'd love to try one out. I was on the fence about compound radius fretboards until I tried one. Now I really like them and my #1 guitar has a compound radius fretboard. I'll have to research what other guitars are out there with an asymmetric neck profile, that way I can try one. 👍🏻

[@mikeygoda]

I've always wondered if compound radii make it more difficult to level frets (without just negating the compound curve of the fretboard). Has caused me to steer clear of them.

[@PFDarkside]

It would be really cool if your next run/sale was a neck profile blowout. Load the showcase with Strat replacement and Tele replacement necks; 10 each of the profiles in a few different nut widths, M/M and M/R.

[@BessieBopOrBach]

Hofner used a "Slendaneck" asymmetrical profile on their Verithin guitars as far back as the '60s.

[@lone-wolf-1]

I need the opposite asymmetry. As a guy with very small hands, I always felt that the low strings (wound) shoulder could be flatter for more comfort and ergonomy. As my thumb knuckle rests on the upper third of the neck, a flatter area there along the neck, would allow me to get better around to the fretboard. A slightly more pronounced neck profile on the treble side would just fill nicely the space on the root of my thumb, and almost give the feel of a good rolled fretboard edge.

[@richsackett3423]

When I was a Little League dad, we got a Dave Mattingly (iirc) bat that had a lobed handle profile. They got excellent results being able to more effectively leverage individual finger joints. I really enjoy an asymmetric profile on bass guitar.

[@warmoth]

Wow...that's interesting. I had no idea asymmetrical baseball bats were a thing. But then, I guess I shouldn't be surprised to come across gearheads in every discipline.

[@CaptainRudy4021]

I have an interesting idea. Color matching pickguards. I've always had the idea of color matching the pickguard to the color of the body. Also, i think it'd be cool to do pickguards made from figured woods like flame maple or walnut.

[@drcidd8153]

Walnut burl pickguard would be the bees knees.

[@CaptainRudy4021]

@@drcidd8153 i know other companies make them, but most of them are pre-made. Having the ability to order a custom one would be sweet.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

Pickguard like that have already been available for the last 25 years that I know of.

[@CaptainRudy4021]

@@BryanClark-gk6ie yes but not by warmoth.

[@bjstein4242]

love my Peavey Wolfgang standard with asymmetric neck.. did NOT like my EBMM EVH guitar and sold it.. I did order for my hard rock tele build a Warmoth EVH carve with 1 5/8 nut with wenge neck and bocote fingerboard.. FANTASTIC Neck.. !! thanks warmoth..

[@efsglass]

Wolfgang neck is my go too!

[@druwk]

I turned my Warmoth Boat Neck Strat into an asymmetric carve (1 5/8” nut, 25.5” scale), and it’s super comfortable! I wish that Warmoth would offer a slightly beefier asymmetric profile than the SRV? Maybe just move the centerline in the CAD program on a ‘59 😁

[@gingataff]

I miss the videos wham Aaron shows how versatile Warmoth products are.

[@warmoth]

Noted! ;)

[@andrewbecker3700]

The only guitars I own without asymmetrical necks are my Les Pauls. The SG Modern I had from Epiphone was my first asymmetrical neck guitar.

[@surfrby8876]

This was great , thanks for the information , I've never tried one but I think my chubby hand would like it

[@Rondoggy67]

I have a bass with asymmetric neck profile. I doubt there's any effect on the sound, but it feels good and plays nicely.

[@TarshishedCactus]

My SRV neck is so awesome.

[@DriftSpaceZero]

The oldest guitar I've played with an asymmetric neck is a 1982 Daion Savage; I find it very comfortable to play.

[@pastorkev777]

With you mentioning the difference in thickness of a guitar neck, I wonder if the neck size or string gauge thinness makes more difference, acoustically and electrically.

[@JoelCSabo]

I can definitely vouch for Warmoth communication skills. I was even lucky enough to have a brief email exchange with Aaron himself. He’s as kind and professional as anyone would expect.

[@RossG61]

Hi Joel, you are having a better experience than I am. The only time I experience good comms is when I have made the purchase. Outside of that: crickets. All I am seeking is some clarification when there is some ambiguity on the site. It'd probably take no more than 15 seconds to answer. Disappointing.

[@JoelCSabo]

@@RossG61 man, that stinks to hear as a Warmoth fan.

[@RossG61]

@@JoelCSabo Thanks Joel. I'm a fan too. The product delivered was first class, although I did have a slight and very small buffing burn on the clear coat. It was delivered in the timeframe almost exactly as forecast. I'm looking at doing some more, but cannot pull the trigger until I have a defintive answer. Cheers

[@JoelCSabo]

@@RossG61 cheers back at ya.

[@VoyeurGuitars]

I have a friend who builds asymmetrical necks that the offset "shoulder" shifts from one side to the other as you move down the neck, he swears by it.

[@warmoth]

Interesting concept!

[@windsurfmaui8239]

I always buy unfinished necks with a boatneck profile. Then I sand down the shoulder on the bass side rather than the treble side which makes me feel like I have a little more reach without taking off any of the depth. I usually buy 1 11/16 nut width but may try a thinner nut. On a separate note, I like the changes in the website. It seems more responsive. However, can we add the body weights to the list of features so that we don't have to click on each body to find out what it weighs? This would be helpful for the customers and also your website so we're not tying up your website longer than we have to because we have to click on each body to find out its weight. Thanks

[@yikelu]

I own some of the craziest production asymmetric necks with my Strandbergs. It doesn't feel abnormal. So right on about "it's not like you forget how to play guitar." It's fine, it'll be fine.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Some love the asymmetric necks but I'm not crazy about my peavey Wolfgang and it's flat radius asymmetric neck. My favorite is my 1990 warmoth 10 -16 compound radius neck with bigger frets.

[@kitsapbass9348]

I remember Tobias bass guitars having the asymmetrical neck on their basses back in 86….

[@gingataff]

I have a feeling Rickenbacker might have tried this. Maybe not. But they have tried some innovative stuff years before other brands.

[@FGg503]

I tried out the BradPaisley Tele with an aymetrical neck. Didn't like it at all. Give me a good old C-shape profile thinnish neck thats comfortable to play.

[@ChristopherMoncrieffe]

Does anyone know if asymmetric necks are prone to twisting? I purchased an Ernie Ball MusicMan 5 string Stingray brand new last year and, unfortunately, the neck twisted and Ernie Ball will not do anything about it. That's an expensive purchase to go south. Now I have twisted necks on my mind. I have an early 1980s Warmoth strat neck, birds eye maple, ebony fret board. It's my favorite neck on the planet. Perfect frets.

[@warmoth]

Absolutely not an issue at all.

[@ChristopherMoncrieffe]

@@warmoth Thank you for the response.

[@andresilva8444]

Classical guitars have been using asymmetrical profiles for ages.

[@bobbymusselman3080]

I've always thought neck profiles were a moot point because there's no practical real-world way to compare!!! If I could book a reservation in Warmoth's hypothetical "Neck Profile" room... only then it'd even be a possibility.

[@samothrace2154]

Warmoth makes THREE asymmetric necks. How do you forget about the Gecko?

[@shredhed572]

Makes little difference to me. I've had several asymmetrical and non asymmetrical necks. Never even noticed😂

[@_Yep_Yep_]

I hope Warmoth gets into carbon fiber necks before they lose the ability to be one of the first bunch to offer them as re-necks.

[@warmoth]

No plans to at this time.

[@dbrown6451]

Not at all. I have one.

[@fdre3wsd]

I called warmoth once

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

So did I. I wanted them to get me brazilian rosewood through illegal means of me getting the wood and sending it to them and they didn't like that very much. Hey I tried lulz.

[@j_freed]

Playing too slim of a neck will hold you back if you are not short or average height. It affects hand size and dexterity. Boatneck profile is magic. Philip McKnight says he appreciates very thick necks for superior sound but can't really play them, so he goes moderate to slim profile.

[@Thirdgen83]

I don't like asymetrical neck profiles, but each player has their own preference.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Meh. I got a cutlass EB that's v shape on the back but more c as you go up. Least played guitar of mine. Not sure if that's the reason lol but I always find myself going for a real strat or a strat I put together lol.