Vintage Gibson Necks

[Gomers]

Hi all,

I just wanted to canvas opinion on what I could expect in terms of neck profile, specifically mid to late 50's J45/50. Would I be correct in thinking as the 60's drew closer, necks took on a more slinky profile ? What about '55 onwards, were they still in the realms of baseball bat profile ?

Any observations and experiences would be welcome.

Thanks

[zombywoof]

Based on guitars I own/owned -

My favorite Gibson neck carve is the soft V, 1 3/4" nut on the 1930s guitars.

In a nutshell - by the time the Banners came out, Gibson went to what I would describe as a full roundback D neck carve with a 1 3/4" nut. In 1947 the nut width was changed to 1 11/16." This is where it stood in the mid- to late-1950s. They necks were full but not exactly what I would call baseball bats. To me the neck carves on the 1960s Harmony Sovereigns have a fairly 1950s Gibson-like feel to them although they have the 1 3/4" nut.

In 1960 Gibson was still using the 1 11/16" but went to a skinny neck carve - what they called the low action, fast playing neck or something. In 1965 they made the nut narrower. I am not sure when they went back to the 1 11/16" nut but it would seem to have been around 1969.

These changes, of course, did not start at the stroke of midnight on January 1, so you will see different specs on guitars built the same year dfepending on how early in the year they rolled out of the factory.

[Gomers]

Thanks zomby. Would that suggest then that 55-60 would have fuller profile with 1 11/16 nut ?

Any suggestions how these would compare to Martin profile from the mid sixties?

Originally Posted by Gomers

Thanks zomby. Would that suggest then that 55-60 would have fuller profile with 1 11/16 nut ?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Gomers

Any suggestions how these would compare to Martin profile from the mid sixties?

Similar, but a bit fuller in the cheeks or "more round" for lack of a better description. To my hand the Martin necks of the period feel a bit more sleek and refined, though bigger and more full than many current necks.

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by Gomers

Thanks zomby. Would that suggest then that 55-60 would have fuller profile with 1 11/16 nut ?

Any suggestions how these would compare to Martin profile from the mid sixties?

You got it. While I own Gibsons built in the mid-1930s and early 1940s, at present the only 1950s Gibson I own is a CF-100 which does not have the same neck you find on the J45/50. I did own a 1956 SJ for many years though and it had a nice full round neck on it. My wife owns a 1960 J-200 and the difference between the neck carve on her guitar and a Gibson built in 1959 is pretty substantial.

I do not own a 1960s Martin and do not recall the neck carves on those I have played so you will need somebody else to chime in on a comparison.

[Gomers]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

You got it. While I own Gibsons built in the mid-1930s and early 1940s, at present the only 1950s Gibson I own is a CF-100 which does not have the same neck you find on the J45/50. I did own a 1956 SJ for many years though and it had a nice full round neck on it. My wife owns a 1960 J-200 and the difference between the neck carve on her guitar and a Gibson built in 1959 is pretty substantial.

I do not own a 1960s Martin and do not recall the neck carves on those I have played so you will need somebody else to chime in on a comparison.

Thanks, think you suggested as much in your first reply which I obviously didn't read properly.

Thanks again. Think my girly hands would find them a little more substantial than I would like so may have to have a rethink.

[Gomers]

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

Yes.

Similar, but a bit fuller in the cheeks or "more round" for lack of a better description. To my hand the Martin necks of the period feel a bit more sleek and refined, though bigger and more full than many current necks.

Cheers Todd.

[ShawnH]

I have a 1954 SJ and it has a very comfortable neck for me. I would not call it a baseball bat neck although the profile probably fits that description - U-shaped almost. There is no V to it at all.

I am a fan of thick necks so take this for what it is worth but I don't find it to be super thick. It is not a skinny or "modern" neck by any means either.

There also does not seem to be a lot of taper to the neck - pretty consistent thickness throughout.

I don't know maybe it is a baseball bat. I like it.

[DanR]

I had a 1964 J-50 that had a narrow nut width. It was 1 5/8" or 1 9/16" but I now can't remember which.

[zombywoof]

Whether you call a 1950s Gibson neck a Louisville Slugger depends on your frame of reference. If you spend time playing guitars built in the 1930s that had no neck reinforcement other than sheer girth they often dwarf those Gibson was slapping on guitars in the 1950s. I actually find the 1950s Gibson necks kind of sleek feeling.

If at all possible give one a try before you rule them out.

[1Charlie]

I have three Gibsons: a '31 L-0, a '35 L-50 and a '49 J-50.

The '35 has the biggest neck of the three, a V-shaped monster of a neck.

The '31 has the same 1 3/4" nut width, but a little slimmer D profile. Still very substantial. My favorite neck of all.

The '49 is 1 11/16" and has a fairly deep C profile, slimmer than the '31 and '35, but by no means "slim". It is a lot chunkier than my '55 Martin 000-18 (also 1 11/16"), which I have quite a bit more of a struggle playing.

[scriv58]

I have a ‘57 Gibson country western- I describe the neck profile as a fuller c shape. Comparing to a Martin, it is similar to my hj-38 without the soft v.