Quote:
Originally Posted by fallboard
Hi Gang,
I need help with a dilemma. I have several Talylors with their standard neck profile and also a beautiful custom that has a thin neck profile very similar to a Taylor T5. I'm having difficulty adapting to the thin neck and before I give up and decide to sell the guitar I wanted to at least throw out the question and ask in general what are the advantages of a thinner neck? My playing level falls somewhere between advanced beginner and early intermediate. Generally a combination of strumming and some finger picking patterns. I struggle continually with barre chords and they did seem to improve while using the thinner neck, but I never really could figure out if they improved due to the neck thickness or simply that I was practicing them more. I would rate my barre chord proficiency at maybe a 3 out of 10.
Any advice is greatly appreciated, I fear that if I sell the thin neck guitar, I may end up regretting doing so if there turns out to be a compelling reason to have a guitar with a thinner neck. Does that make any sense?
As always, many thanks for all the help.
Cheers,
Mark
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Hi Mark,
For what it is worth: I have been playing guitar since I'm 12 years old. I'll be 61 in June. I still don't play barre chords, and never liked playing them as they always felt uncomfortable.
Got that? Okay.......
Just because a neck is thinner, thicker, wider, narrower, etc, etc has nothing to do with any particular style of play. The only thing that counts is your hand, on a particular neck shape/profile/width/depth/ etc, etc and how it feels to you.
It is, very much, like shopping for clothing. Even if you do not have a vast amount of experience as a player, you are more qualified than anybody else to determine what feels comfortable in your hand.
And here is the kicker: Your logic was that thinner would be easier to grab on to, and you were wrong. Your hands are telling you as much.
Small necks (less deep) have always bothered my hands, and I found that out from simple observation: If it hurts, don't do it.
You need to go to a well stocked music store and try out a bunch of guitars that are similar body shapes to what you now enjoy, but with larger necks.
Start with that, and if you notice that it's easier right away, pay attention to what your hands are saying.
They are the only voices that count in the long run, because if they hurt, you won't be playing anything.
HE
http://howardemerson.com/music2.html