Neck carve

[gary0313]

Been following some of the recent posts regarding special orders and I have a question for some you with experience at this. I special ordered an H-535 from Blue Note Music in Berkeley, CA a week or so ago. I specified a Burnt Amber finish, a black Roy Clark pickgaurd,and SD Seth Lover neck and '59 bridge. However, I guess I thought there was a standard neck carve on that model. I didn't realize it was possible to specify. Any thoughts or suggestions? I've read that the bigger the neck the better the tone, but I imagine there are other factors to consider as well.

[tbonesullivan]

comfort is the most important thing. You've gotta play the guitar and not have to strain your hand to hold it. Heritage necks are hand carved so there is always some variation in the profile and size, but I'd say the "normal" size they make is good for just about everyone. It's definitely not 50's Gibson size, but probably a little beefier than the slim taper.

[skydog52]

I have a few of that model and I would consider them a medium neck.

You don't see too many slender tapers coming out of Heritage.

Heritage has told me a few times that they want to keep the neck as stable as they can.

[tulk1]

I have two custom orders with the necks specified as '50s carve. That was all. And they are both very different necks. On the Millie NFH it's a very fat neck. Not quite too large, but def a bit bigger than I'd have liked. The neck on the Custom Prospect is perfect! Slightly larger than the normal neck, but not quite as large as the Millie's. If you have a favorite neck, you can measure it, send them the specs and they'll try to get as close to that as they can. But T-Bone nails it - each neck is hand carved and finished making each neck unique. They have a base line, but it's just that ... a base line.

[Kuz]

It's not a custom guitar if you don't spec the neck you want. It's not too late to request a neck carve. Why would you leave it up to chance. Call Heritage Monday and have them add it too the order. I wouldn't wait too long and I would call myself to make sure it gets done. Just my opinion.

[DetroitBlues]

Been following some of the recent posts regarding special orders and I have a question for some you with experience at this. I special ordered an H-535 from Blue Note Music in Berkeley, CA a week or so ago. I specified a Burnt Amber finish, a black Roy Clark pickgaurd,and SD Seth Lover neck and '59 bridge. However, I guess I thought there was a standard neck carve on that model. I didn't realize it was possible to specify. Any thoughts or suggestions? I've read that the bigger the neck the better the tone, but I imagine there are other factors to consider as well.

 

there are a few different type, usually a fat 50's carve, thin 60's carve, both in a "c" like shape. There are others, but I'm not exactly sure about what they will do. A friend actually had one custom fit to his hand, but he lives close enough to the factory to do it.

[FredZepp]

If you have a preference in the neck carve.. .now is the time to let them know.

 

I guess if you don't, you'll get a medium C shape .... and that's fine also.

 

I wouldn't pick a neck carve based on expecting to get a better tone, I have thin, medium, and thick neck guitars and love them all.

Some players have a favorite carve, but for me I like my guitars to vary. My favorite to play is a thinner neck, but it's great to play a chunky neck after that for a change.

[Gitfiddler]

Making sure I got the neck carve that I wanted was one of the main reasons for my custom ordered H525. I specified "FAT '59 PROFILE" to my dealer. Marv nailed it with a very nice taper at the nut!

 

Definitely contact the dealer or Heritage for your desired neck profile.

[gary0313]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I will think about it over the weekend and call on Monday. I will post pics as soon as I have in my hands.

[yoslate]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I will think about it over the weekend and call on Monday. I will post pics as soon as I have in my hands.

 

 

Ren's even said if you'll caliper a neck you really like, at intervals up the neck, they'll do that. Well...that's what Ren said.... ; )

[kbp810]

Ren's even said if you'll caliper a neck you really like, at intervals up the neck, they'll do that. Well...that's what Ren said.... ; )

That is absolutely true! It's done by hand so it might not be "exact", but I'd bet the farm they'll get it damn close!

 

I did that with my order, but as Detroit Blues said, I was fortunate enough to actually be there when my neck got rolled as well; now that's custom

 

I used to think I liked a slim neck, thought it would help me get more reach between frets - then discovered a little later on that it's actually easier and more comfortable (for me at least) on a fat 50's style neck.

[DetroitBlues]

That is absolutely true! It's done by hand so it might not be "exact", but I'd bet the farm they'll get it damn close!

 

I did that with my order, but as Detroit Blues said, I was fortunate enough to actually be there when my neck got rolled as well; now that's custom

 

I used to think I liked a slim neck, thought it would help me get more reach between frets - then discovered a little later on that it's actually easier and more comfortable (for me at least) on a fat 50's style neck.

 

While I'm used to playing my strat, I do rather like a thicker neck. My hand doesn't seem to get fatigued as quickly. I've also noticed I like a flatter radius. I can't quite say I'm into the full hollow bodies as they feel more like accoustic guitars rather then electric. Those are a little too wide of a fretboard for me unless I'm playing chords.

[Kuz]

Ren's even said if you'll caliper a neck you really like, at intervals up the neck, they'll do that. Well...that's what Ren said.... ; )

 

Yep, it is actually Marv that will shape or supervise the neck to your specs. I have ordered a couple to my specs and Heritage nailed it!

[Kuz]

The ol' double post.....

[tulk1]

Ren's even said if you'll caliper a neck you really like, at intervals up the neck, they'll do that. Well...that's what Ren said.... ; )

Yeah! And then Marv just rolls his eyes, shakes his head and walks off. ............

[yoslate]

Yeah! And then Marv just rolls his eyes, shakes his head and walks off. ............

 

 

One of the real treats to attending a PSP is to be had in listening to The Boys riff off of one another...!

[tulk1]

One of the real treats to attending a PSP is to be had in listening to The Boys riff off of one another...!

I am SO going to miss that this year. ..........

[jjkrause84]

Now, I'm biased (aren't we all) but the neck on my 535 was the best guitar neck I've ever touched. PERFECT for my hand and playing style. It was what is described here: a little bigger than normal not not "big" at all. Just right.

[BrianToth]

I specified what Jay Wolfe referred to as a "chunky" neck carve for my Prospect. It came out exactly like the neck on the 137 that I owned. It's .87 at the first fret and tapers continuously up the neck. It's almost a "D" shape rather than a fat C. It's wonderful. but the best neck that I have hands down is the neck on my Sweet 16. When (not if) I order another Heritage, I'm going to go to the factory and with the Sweet 16 and have them measure the neck and recreate it.

I'm thinking of a second Prospect but with a solid block in it instead of the floating block, and I might go with a 25 1/2" scale as well.

[koula901]

Now, I'm biased (aren't we all) but the neck on my 535 was the best guitar neck I've ever touched. PERFECT for my hand and playing style. It was what is described here: a little bigger than normal not not "big" at all. Just right.

 

sorry jjkrause84, but the neck on MY 535 is the best guitar neck! ; )

[Hfan]

Now, I'm biased (aren't we all) but the neck on my 535 was the best guitar neck I've ever touched. PERFECT for my hand and playing style. It was what is described here: a little bigger than normal not not "big" at all. Just right.

 

Sounds like my 535 neck as well...just right.Then again, I can bond to all 4 of my Heritage necks pretty easily and they do vary some.

[gary0313]

comfort is the most important thing. You've gotta play the guitar and not have to strain your hand to hold it. Heritage necks are hand carved so there is always some variation in the profile and size, but I'd say the "normal" size they make is good for just about everyone. It's definitely not 50's Gibson size, but probably a little beefier than the slim taper.

 

 

I measured the neck on the only other guitar I own (a '54 reissue Strat w/ V neck) that was .875 at the first fret. I felt that would be too much for my hand in a 'C' shape so I decided something like .83 or .84 would be about right. I called the factory and found that the standard neck carve is .825 to .85. So I went with the standard neck carve. Can't wait to get delivery!