Guitar Neck Shapes Explained

In this video we talk about the different guitar neck shapes (profiles). Let us know which is your favourite in the comments!

[@christmas-telecaster]

As a new member of the endureneck family, i cannot stress enough how good the neck is for your wrist. I think it is great to see manufacturers all over the world thinking new and developing the guitar and i hope to see more shapes and ideas in the future. Great video as always John!

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks, mate! I really am intensely jealous! 🤣

[@sniffrat3646]

I've been playing guitar for about 300yrs but you constantly educate me. Nice one mate

[@jtguitartv]

That's really nice, you're very welcome. Thanks for watching. I for sure thought that this video would be too boring for most people. 😅

[@CantAffordToRecord]

I also feel that whatever your first guitar is dictates what you end up liking in a neck profile.

[@jtguitartv]

You could be right! Thanks for watching mate. If you're ever struggling to sleep, this might be a good thing to watch. 🤣

[@CantAffordToRecord]

@@jtguitartv No way man, this stuff gets me going! ha

[@jtguitartv]

Lol, well I'm glad you liked it!

[@robsmith6443]

True of my first electric anyway (my first was technically a hand-me-down department-store dreadnought)...my second was an ESP LTD Viper 100. The store owner actually helped match me with one he specifically thought would suit my hands (indie guitar stores are great!), and he was right, I feel very uncomfortable on most guitars but I love 11-12" , thin-U's...he did leave this out of his U description above though, the thin U isn't huge like other U's but it feels very round and supports "proper" hand technique on the middle-back of the neck very well without being too huge or killing your hands. V's sort of do this too but the arc of the V is kind of narrow if you have a wide thumb and V's just generally feel weird to me anyway.

[@johnmac8084]

Interesting post, thanks. I've played all sorts of guitars, over the last half-century, and I've never given it much thought! 😀

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, it’s definitely something that will help you make decisions about guitars going forward. :)

[@6806goats1]

Good to know. U shaped, 48mm nut. Problem is trying to find one left handed to check out but if I were in an area that had guitars, I could check it out. Retiring in May 2025, guess I better chill and get back to the US.

[@jtguitartv]

Enjoy your retirement!

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

You were amazed any of us would make it to the end. I want a pony! Converted to Wizard necks...easy to play and light guitars. Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@jtguitartv]

lol, thanks for watching! And yes, I’m very surprised anyone made it to the end! :D

[@alexradsby]

I've played too many different ones now, it's hard to really say which ones my hands prefer haha. Though, there's something about big chunky necks that just sits in your hand nicely. Would love to try out the strandberg too, that's some interesting modern innovation for sure. Makes total sense to build them like that!

[@jtguitartv]

I haven’t tried a strandberg yet either. Definitely on my to-do list.

[@francescolavilla271]

strat neck is my favourite, great video.

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks and good choice! :D

[@mrrie1593]

Good knowledge.. Thanks man

[@jtguitartv]

You’re welcome. I’m working on a fretboard version atm. ;)

[@joemotion601]

I have a squier affinity stratocaster with has a c shape neck. I bought an Ibanez S521 about three years back which has fantastic sound but it has a thinner neck. Because I'm so used to the thicker c shape I tend to play more of a thumb over style which I find rather difficult on the S521 because it almost forces me to anchor my thumb instead of playing thumb over like I'm used to.

[@jtguitartv]

I can see how that would be tyre case. Those are tap very different neck profiles. Both cool guitars though! :)

[@shoots007]

Very helpful, many thanks. Only been playing a year, still trying to find the perfect neck for my smallish hands, the Ibanez I have seems ok, thin, but a little wide by the 12th fret. Ill keep looking and trying different shapes.

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad I could help. It sounds to me like you’d get on we’ll with MusicMan/Sterling by music man necks. I’d recommend checking them out.

[@shoots007]

@@jtguitartv I will do that!! thanks again :)

[@jtguitartv]

Enjoy! :)

[@edyedy5584]

Thanks for the info man

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@robsmith6443]

I use a "thin-U" (12" U) on electric and very frustrated I can't seem to find this on any acoustic (or at least, not on any concert or auditorium cutaway fo 300 USD or less with a Rosewood fretboard).

[@justinorprecio3094]

I guess the Endurneck can be considered asymmetrical in a way I own a Boden prog 7; very comfortable Cheers and more power Justin from the Philippines

[@jtguitartv]

Awesome, I’m still yet to try a Strandberg. I’m a little scared to invade I like it and have to get one. 😅 Thanks for watching! JT

[@tawan1827]

Is a guitar with a soft V neck suitable for small hands in an acoustic guitar for you?

[@colomblanco]

Nice explanation

[@jtguitartv]

Thank you. Thanks for watching too.

[@hugokatz]

You're right about buying something without trying. I've been playing an oiled asymmetric neck, with a compound radius. My grandkids broke my Strat. I've bought a couple higher end guitars, and am having trouble bonding. Although you gave me an idea. I'm going to rub marmite on my neck. That's probably the cure.

[@jtguitartv]

Lol! Sorry to hear about your grandkids! Good luck with the marmite. I’m sure you’ll either love it or hate it!

[@mrblues1981]

i own a C shape strat usa elite model adter 12th frett is d shape 9.5 raidius . i really wanna buy 59 custom shop strat but its large C shape still 9.5 radius ,i wonder how big is diffrence between as didnt have a chance to try

[@jtguitartv]

Im afraid I couldn’t say. I’m sure it would be a manageable difference but you’re right, it’s definitely worth trying before buying. :)

[@tmeyer2022]

I have been curious about the V neck shape. I have been led to believe Stevie Ray Vaugh's 1959 Stratocaster was a modified V shape. I am encouraged by your comments favouring a V or Soft V. It is my understanding that a V shape can be either concentrical or eccentric/non-symetric. Your Tele V seems to be non-symetric with the V ridge toward the First-String/Treble side and the "Flat" towards the Sixth-String/Bass side. Is that correct? ⁉

[@jtguitartv]

Hi Ted, I thanks for watching! My teles V is definitely central and in line with the skunk stripe. The camera may well have made it look off centre though. :) I do love a good V neck! My main guitar has an symmetrical l, C shaped neck and that is my favourite. Just about, anyway. :)

[@justcallmed933]

I never thought that neck shape can change anything, but I got my first electric after years of playing acoustic and this slim d shaped neck changed my whole life. Are there any acoustics with that? I need a new acoustic with that!

[@jtguitartv]

Hi, thanks for watching! I think you’ll find quite a few modern acoustic companies will make a slim d neck shape. I’d recommend checking out Ibanez acoustics, Faith acoustics or Yamaha for that sort of thing. :)

[@hanovergreen4091]

To the end. Best Regards!

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks, and to you.

[@Brykk]

Goddammmm stay on topic

[@A-Wa]

Im not sure what my neck is. I think its D or thin C but nevertheless its painful for playing rythm. Sadly the guitar store dont have V necks to try out for me :/

[@jtguitartv]

Yeah, it can be really hard to workout whether it’s a C or a D, it can be in-between. I’d recommend going to a shop with lots of second hand stock, you might be able to try a V neck that way. Thanks for watching. :)

[@harlequin75]

I love Marmite

[@jtguitartv]

Me too! 🖤

[@pwhite102]

C and asymmetric for me

[@jtguitartv]

Nice.

[@pwhite102]

@@jtguitartv Actually played a sterling cutlass and an ibanez today and liked both but both were different. Sterling was a soft V or almost chunky C and the Ibanez was like a soft slim D. One filled my hand and the other was barely there but both were enjoyable so I don't know anymore

[@jtguitartv]

lol, it’s really good to try as many as possible and it’s okay to like more than one. Soft V is quite country or classic rock. The Ibanez D is great for dropping your thumb down and shredding. :)

[@johndemko4051]

Sterling SUB Series Silo 3 asymmetrical, Classic Vibe C, and PRS regular carve

[@johndemko4051]

(My human neck is a soft V)

[@jtguitartv]

Lol, my human neck is a very soft U. 🤣

[@stephanpalzkill5890]

Sorry but I strongly disagree with you here. You can have every profile in every thickness. so no form is destined to be clunky or big or thin or whatever. ESP Horizons and M2s for instance have U-Shape necks. A "thin U" though, as it says on the website. And they're the most comfy neck to me, and I don't like thick necks.

[@Gustavothedon217]

If you shave your hair super short you kinda look like the vsauce guy

[@jtguitartv]

That’s a new one. I normally get “guitary potter”. 🤣

[@ferminharris3826]

Are D neck shapes go for acoustic guitars, for strumming etc

[@jtguitartv]

Classical guitars often have D necks. I think Ds are more tailored for playing with your thumb in the middle of the neck. So either classical, flamenco or metal would be ideal. But it’s all also personal preference and rules are made to be broken so experiment and enjoy. There are no wrong answers. :) Thanks for watching!