Anyway to ID neck size?

[bluwoodsman]

Newbie here so feel free to show me if this has already been well-covered on the board, but in a quick search I didn't get the answer I was looking for.

 

I'm shopping and interested in a 150 or similar, but I much prefer slimmer necks to standard or bigger.

 

If I had to state my ideal it would be one of the early SG's with it's slightly wider than normal but very slim neck. My hands aren't big and combined with a bit of arthritis am worried that a bigger neck will give me problems.

 

My understanding is that all the newer 150's tend to come with a bigger neck, and if I want a slimmer one--short of a custom order, I should look for one built in the 80's or 90's..is that accurate?

 

And do they ship with information on the neck profile, so I could ask the seller for that info? Checking the heritage website I do not see any info on spec'ing out neck profiles even if you custom order.

 

I have only played a few heritage guitars and even dealers in my area--all of whom are hours away--rarely carry more than a few--so I'm resigned to having to buy on online or over the phone sight unseen I think.

 

Thanks for any help....

[Steiner]

Welcome to the asylum BluWoodsMan! You have chosen well...

 

Heritage neck sizes are quite variant. I've played one that was like you describe, SGish, and one that was like a baseball bat. Interestingly enough, I truly think I could have lived with either. There is no info or designation about the neck carve that ships with the guitar. Your description of what you're looking to get should be sufficient when you inquire about a used guitar. You might also post in the For Sale, Trade, Wanted forum. Best of luck in your quest.

[H]

Hi bluwoodsman, welcome to the forum. I'm afraid I can't answer your question and I'm not sure that anyone else will be able to accurately.

 

None of the Heritages I've owned or played has had a 'baseball bat' neck but then none of them is the same as the other. I've got an early 90s 150 and it's what Gibson would call a sixties profile.

 

Come on in and enjoy the water!

[DetroitBlues]

I've played a couple H-150's from made in the past 10 years and the neck size on all three were different. Find a similiar guitar you like and tell the dealer or Heritage you want a similiar neck profile. Of course you can always post a wanted to buy for a slim neck profile H-150 too.

[Gitfiddler]

Welcome to the HOC, Bluwoodsman~

 

My best recommendation is for you to have an in-hand demonstration and description of any 150 or other Heritage you are considering.

 

The ideal situation however, would be for YOU to have any prospective Heritage guitar in YOUR hands before purchase.

 

Heritage neck profiles are all hand made and can vary quite a bit. You are correct that the earlier models tend to have slimmer, C shaped profiles.

 

Good hunting and post often.

[GuitArtMan]

Welcome to the forum BluWoodsMan. I will echo what the others said about Heritage necks varying from guitar to guitar. I wont even attempt to say there is a standard Heritage neck shape, but most tend to fall in the medium or medium/slim C shape category. Heritage IS a custom shop, so you can order them just about anyway you want, but you will have to be able to accurately describe what you want. I wish Heritage would come up with some standard neck shape options that they can accurately reproduce but I seem to be in the minority on this one. Most seem to like the randomness of the hand shaped mystique.

[FredZepp]

We've certainly seen a trend towards a thicker neck recently... but then again a dealer could order a variety or a personal preference, so there are no set rules.

 

My '89 140 has a really chunky neck, perhaps a bit unusual for the time.

The '92 150 has a thin neck and I really love that guitar.

The ' 94 157 is a bit thicker , but not very thick really.

The 2000 150 is a medium and very comfortable.

 

I couldn't pick a favorite neck out of the bunch... none are really baseball bat thickness. They all feel great and along with the different pickups give each guitar it's own personality.

[smurph1]

I've played a couple H-150's from made in the past 10 years and the neck size on all three were different. Find a similiar guitar you like and tell the dealer or Heritage you want a similiar neck profile. Of course you can always post a wanted to buy for a slim neck profile H-150 too.

Welcome..Blu..that's the thing about handmade guitars..they do vary a bit is size and shape because they are done by humans as opposed to a computer controlled machine..But in my humble opinion that is what makes a Heritage such a "soulful" instrument.. you can literally feel the love that goes into them..

[bluwoodsman]

Wow thanks for all the replies!

 

I am not likely going to be able to handle a heritage I would buy before paying for it, thus my questions here.

 

I tend to think with hand formed necks it's a bit tricky to get any continuity in size, but was hoping that maybe Heritage measured and shipped the guitar with neck measurements. That said I know that G and L has a measuring system and ships their hand formed neck guitars with a code denoting size--but in reality there is some variance within their necks even though they try to follow size pattern.

 

It's been my experience that relying on someone trying to sell me something to describe a guitars neck size without an actual measurement is a tricky proposition...

 

I think guitar folks are probably more likely to be honest than the average so it's not much honesty I'm worried about, it's that one persons thin is another's medium, etc....if you have huge hands or small hands and have a definite preference you probably know what I mean.

 

Thanks again...

[yoslate]

I have what I think you want, but it was a custom order. If you had one made, you could spec Marv to shape one like a '60 Les Paul SG, with a 3/4" nut. It's almost a "D" profile, shallow but wide, fitting nearly flat in the palm. Had my Super Eagle neck spec'd the same way. It's perfect for me; a terrific, yet slightly unusual profile. I would suspect any 150 with a 3/4" nut would be similarly shaped. Happy hunting!

[zguitar71]

Find a guitar with the size neck that you like and measure it. Get the thickness with some calipers at the 2nd and 12th fret (not including the strings or frets) and measure the nut width and width at the 12th fret. You should be able to work with dealers to find a Heritage with dementions that are close to that. You could probably have Heritage make you a guitar to your specs. The necks are hand shaped so the mesurements will not be exact but close enough that you can enjoy it for many years to come.

[Trouble]

Newbie here so feel free to show me if this has already been well-covered on the board, but in a quick search I didn't get the answer I was looking for.

 

I'm shopping and interested in a 150 or similar, but I much prefer slimmer necks to standard or bigger.

 

If I had to state my ideal it would be one of the early SG's with it's slightly wider than normal but very slim neck. My hands aren't big and combined with a bit of arthritis am worried that a bigger neck will give me problems.

 

My understanding is that all the newer 150's tend to come with a bigger neck, and if I want a slimmer one--short of a custom order, I should look for one built in the 80's or 90's..is that accurate?

 

And do they ship with information on the neck profile, so I could ask the seller for that info? Checking the heritage website I do not see any info on spec'ing out neck profiles even if you custom order.

 

I have only played a few heritage guitars and even dealers in my area--all of whom are hours away--rarely carry more than a few--so I'm resigned to having to buy on online or over the phone sight unseen I think.

 

Thanks for any help....

 

I have a guitar that I think is exactly what you are describing but, it's not a Heritage. It is an ESP LTD EC 1000. The neck profile as described by ESP is a thin U, and it is very comparable to old SG specials as far as width and depth. I would be willing to trade for some good effects or maybe a small amp and I'm not trying to get rich so any deal I would make I would want to be fair on both sides. I would sell it and hardshell case out right for 500. If your heart is set on a Heritage (and I understand completely if it is), I would advise you to find a neck that you really like, take measurements and order a Heritage to spec. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and welcome.

[KSquared]

Just to add my 2 cents, I believe neck thickness is less important to the "small" hands and/or arthritis issues that are other variables, such as nut width and scale length. My H535 has a much fatter neck than any Fender I've owned, but it's the shorter G-scale that I notice right away. Less reach equals less stretch. For me, that extra fatness doesn't get in the way, it's just there. It may even make bar chords easier. The theory is that there is less distance to squeeze. I've heard classical players say that as they age and get stiffness issues, they move to fatter necks, not slimmer, for this reason.

 

I'm not advocating the baseball bats, just suggesting that the wide range of "normal" might work for you. It would certainly give you a lot more selection in the used market.

 

As always, YMMV . . .

[Steiner]

I have what I think you want, but it was a custom order. If you had one made, you could spec Marv to shape one like a '60 Les Paul SG, with a 3/4" nut. It's almost a "D" profile, shallow but wide, fitting nearly flat in the palm. Had my Super Eagle neck spec'd the same way. It's perfect for me; a terrific, yet slightly unusual profile. I would suspect any 150 with a 3/4" nut would be similarly shaped. Happy hunting!

 

Yoslate - I think the man wants a guitar, not a mandolin; lesson Tulk1 is repositioning his moniker.

 

Blu - I believe the professor meant 1 3/4"

[yoslate]

Yoslate - I think the man wants a guitar, not a mandolin; lesson Tulk1 is repositioning his moniker.

 

Blu - I believe the professor meant 1 3/4"

 

 

Given the week I've had at work, I'm surprised I got it that close.... And that is what i'd intended. Thanks for the edit, my friend (And looking forward to seeing you at the annual)!

[big bob]

I have the neck. It is however on a Robin Tedley!

[Steiner]

Given the week I've had at work, I'm surprised I got it that close.... And that is what i'd intended. Thanks for the edit, my friend (And looking forward to seeing you at the annual)!

 

I got your back. Just promise to play again at the PSP. I enjoy going to that class!

[Trouble]

Just to add my 2 cents, I believe neck thickness is less important to the "small" hands and/or arthritis issues that are other variables, such as nut width and scale length. My H535 has a much fatter neck than any Fender I've owned, but it's the shorter G-scale that I notice right away. Less reach equals less stretch. For me, that extra fatness doesn't get in the way, it's just there. It may even make bar chords easier. The theory is that there is less distance to squeeze. I've heard classical players say that as they age and get stiffness issues, they move to fatter necks, not slimmer, for this reason.

 

I'm not advocating the baseball bats, just suggesting that the wide range of "normal" might work for you. It would certainly give you a lot more selection in the used market.

 

As always, YMMV . . .

My hands are short and very thick, clubby and have been mashed cut and broken. I also have arthritis setting in. I have found that a thicker or larger neck seems to relieve some of the strain on my fret hand especially during long sessions. I have some guitars with narrow necks and even a Carvin Bolt with a wide but very thin (shallow) neck, those guitars are great for leads but if I try to chord and riff on them for long periods my hand aches and eventually I'm just miserable. The 3 electrics I play most are my strat with its medium c neck, SG with its wide 50's neck, and my 150 which falls somewhere in between and gets the most play by far.