Martin V-neck - my opinion

[Ameridane]

I love a soft V neck with a 1 3/4” nut width. I also enjoy V neck t shirts.

[Mr Picky]

I don't normally mind V-necks. However, the Martin D18GE is the 'deepest' V I've encountered. I had my heart set on buying one, and played the same one several times on multiple visits, but I just couldn't quite cope with the neck. The first half of the fretboard was fine, but anything around fret 7 and beyond was uncomfortable. (And I have hands like an ape. )

[Fresh1985]

When I bought by 00-28vs I thought I would have a hard time with the V neck but it just seems to work with this guitar, even though its a 1 7/8 nut, the short scale and small body size make it very comfortable overall.

I probably wouldnt want a V on a standard scale length dreadnought.

[smurph1]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

I sold my D18GE because of the V neck and bought a standard D18. I just don't like V necks.

Same reason I haven't bonded with Waterloo. Love the yone but hate the neck profile

[Groberts]

Is the V neck on the HD28V different from the Modified V or the V neck on the D-18GE? The reason I ask is I played an HD28V recently and the neck was super comfy. Not a huge V at all. But it clearly had a 'V' shape. I liked that one a lot!

[IndyHD28]

Neck contour is just one in a long line of player issues that Martin can’t seem to solve. Note that I don’t call you “customer” because that isn’t you, it’s the dealer. The “Re-Imagined” Standard Series was undertaken for one reason: Dealer demand for fewer SKUs to inventory. Part of that is forcing one neck profile on you, the player. The simple solution is to buy from another guitar manufacturer that gives you options and treats YOU as the customer.

[Shadowfox]

The v neck is one of the worst necks I've ever played. I would never buy a guitar with it.

[dneal]

The neck profile was one of the main reasons I got rid of my 00-28VS.

[Malachi Irl]

In my more well financed past I have owned several Martins with a modified V neck; OM-28V, OM18V and a CEO-7. I fingerpick 95% of the time. I think the modified V neck is superb.

[noledog]

* Neck profiles, like tone, are; to each his/her own preference...I've played V's on several Martin models and don't like them because I play up and down the neck with partial and full bar chords, fingerstyle and with a pick etc, plus I play 3 to 4 hour shows and most V profiles can be fatiguing...however I can see why some folks who like how the fullness of some V shapes may fit the web in their hand for first position chords and bluegrass runs.

** I own and perform with two Standard Martins both with MLO/PA profiles; a D-18 and a 000-18e Retro. They have a very, very slight hint of rounded V early in the neck that disappears past the fifth fret. I like this profile, but it's still not my favorite...Takamine holds the key to a great neck profile.

*** I've played (and still play) MIJ Takamines with their asymmetrical design profile and lower radius for years before getting a Martin and still hands down I think it's the most ergonomical of any shape I've owned among them are; two Lowdens, an Avalon, a Goodall BTO with custom neck profile, Guild, and a Taylor. Takamine solved any fatigue issues for me...the way they have the meat of the neck off center and in the web of your hand is ergonomically brilliant imo and stills gives a comfy surface for your thumb to press and anchor when barr chording up the neck. If I could put the Tak neck on my Martins, wow, that would be great! They use dovetail like Martin and I think the meatier wood would contribute to the tone too; just like it does in the Authentic line. BTW the '33 OM-18A has a beefy yet comfortable neck imo, it's not a heavy V.

**** My three fav neck profiles:
#1 MIJ Tak's Asymmetrical with 12ish degree radius & 1 11/16 nut = perfect imo and still perform with...KC70
#2 Avalon's soft/full C, 14-15ish radius & 44mm nut...with best fretwork too imo & now owned by my son.
#3 Martin MLO/PA, 16-17ish radius & 1 3/4 nut...D-18, 000-18 are my two main performers!!

eric

[rmyAddison]

While not my favorite neck profile, some of my favorite Martins have had the Mod V neck, but also with 1-3/4" nuts. I find it too "pointy" on the 1-11/16" nut models, despite the HD-28V being one of my all time favorites tonewise, don't know if the specs have changed.

Interestingly, and some of my older player friends follow suit, as we got older (and arthritis comes along), a wider nut and beefier neck is more comfortable and doesn't cramp like skinny nut and thin neck profiles.

IMO the early GE's, with a 1-3/4" nut and Mod V neck profile (had a dread and 000), were spectacular instruments, and I wonder if the neck mass had any contribution to the sound?

[geichel]

Originally Posted by Vinnie Boombatz

My Gibson AJ is from 20112 and has a surprisingly low volume/thin neck

20112, Whoa! Drive a DeLorean?

[Methos1979]

I love the Martin mod V neck. Second best neck ever (for me) behind the Santa Cruz soft V. Love that one so much I had my Emerald X20 custom neck made from a mold of a SC V neck. I hate thin necks and overly chunky baseball bat necks. The mod V gives me some beef to keep my hand from fatiguing but isn't so big that I can't play it. My hand cramps quickly from thin neck profiles.

[dukebrot]

I agree with rmyAddison about finding the v necks too pointy with a 1 11/16" nut width (I had the *exact* same experience with an HD-28V). I have found, however, that if I stick with any neck long enough I seem to get used to it and it feels just fine.

I'll also say that as I have gotten more comfortable with my playing the neck shape seems to be less of a big deal to me compared to when I first started. I love the v-neck on my Waterloo and every 000-28EC that I have played with the v-neck feels OK to me but I am now also perfectly comfortable switching to the MLO or low profile of my other two guitars. I'll also say that I was really surprised by how comfortable the v-neck was on an Alvarez Delta 00/TSB that I played at Guitar Center. I know that is a pretty random, but then this is the place for some random guitar thoughts.

Good luck.

D.

[cu4life7]

I guess I am not too picky as some here, but playing a bunch of instruments does that to you I guess. My Enoch banjo has a significant v up to the 5th fret or so, and I absolutely grew to love it. My 000-15 is a low oval and it’s a fantastic neck, but my new 000-18GE is perfect. I just love it. But I can play whatever.