benefits of a vintage v-neck

[buddiesorg]

I have a few guitars with a modified V ... I bought the guitars because of their tone, not for the neck. When I got the first one, I had great difficulty playing more than 10 minutes, whether from the profile, high action, medium gauge strings, or a combination of the three, but I loved the guitar and was determined to play it ... just adding time slowly until I adjusted to it. On my first string change, I tried light gauge, but didn't like the results so I quickly replaced them with mediums. I have since had it set up, so action is quite a bit lower (1/8" at 12th fret), though higher than most of my others as I play it quite aggressively.

I have short fingers, but I have a very light grip on the back of the neck, using my thumb more for balance and a positional reference. I usually place my thumb either on the v or on the treble side of the neck.

[ChrisMartinMan]

I don't know if it is the v neck or the bracing being shifted even more forward, but the difference in sound between the hd28 and the hd28v is significant. I wasn't real thrilled about the comfort of the v neck but practice and lowering the action on the guitar and now I like it as much as my Taylor, it's just different.

[HudsDad]

For me, a V-neck is far more comfortable than a round neck. The sharper the V, the better. I don't find a low-profile neck to be particularly uncomfortable, but V's just fit my hands much better.

I don't know if it's related to hand size, but I wear size 20E shoes and my hands are proportionally as large.

[crikey]

Originally Posted by fullsmile

I can't stand v necks. I think the only people who like them are people who learned on them. In addition I know several times I have heard people develop hand problems from v necks so they had to switch. My guess is they had small hands but I really don't see why you would choose it. My first guitar had one and I didn't realize how much I hatred it until I bought a taylor.
Old habits die hard I guess.

I didn't get an acoustic V-neck until I'd been playing guitar for 42 yrs. and exclusively acoustic (Taylor) for the last 10 of those years, so I guess I'm an exception to your statement. I like the Taylor neck (although I don't really play it any more); I like my Martin modified V-neck; and I like my Martin modified low oval neck. I also liked my Martin low profile neck when I had it. If I had to pick a favorite of these necks, I don't know if I could. Some adjustment may be necessary but I find it no biggie. Fwiw I have smaller-than-normal hands (but I have big feet ).

[BrianMcG]

I think V Necks should be outlawed

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by ChrisMartinMan

I don't know if it is the v neck or the bracing being shifted even more forward, but the difference in sound between the hd28 and the hd28v is significant. I wasn't real thrilled about the comfort of the v neck but practice and lowering the action on the guitar and now I like it as much as my Taylor, it's just different.

Hey ChrisMartinMan. I love the sound off the forward shifted scalloped bracing of the HD28v and D18v. Amazing tone. I think it's more attributed to the forward shifted bracing than the size of the neck; however, that increased mass on the neck may contribute too, but IMHO, to a much lesser extent.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by newbie888

what does a v-neck offer?

Mostly pain and discomfort.

It's supposed to make it easier to barre as it forces your thumb down to a more classical position, but I just find them painful.

[hesson11]

Originally Posted by BrianMcG

I think V Necks should be outlawed

**** right, Brian. Let's contact our congressional representatives immediately!
-Bob

[Wade Hampton]

It used to be that I vocally and vociferously disliked V neck profiles on guitars but liked them on old mandolins; in recent years I've come to like them a lot more on guitars. Maybe I've become a better player and less set in my ways, I don't know. In any event, they don't irk me the way they once did.

Most of my guitars still do have modern C profiles, though.


whm

[Taylorplayer]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It used to be that I vocally and vociferously disliked V neck profiles on guitars but liked them on old mandolins; in recent years I've come to like them a lot more on guitars. Maybe I've become a better player and less set in my ways, I don't know. In any event, they don't irk me the way they once did.

Most of my guitars still do have modern C profiles, though.


whm

Still my choice as well. Maybe someday I'll get accustomed to the Vintage V's... There are many guitars out there with that neck profile, to be sure.

[Hipster]

I've got a Kalamazoo archtop from the late 30's with a big, honking V neck. When I first looked at it, I thought it would be impossible to play that baseball bat. However, as soon as I put my hand around the neck, it felt great. I have average size hands and the V neck fits comfortably in my left paw.

I guess I'm the odd man out.... I find playing barre chords on a V is easier than on thin necks. Placing my thumb on the point of the V gives me solid platform and makes for a secure grip.

Your mileage may vary, to each his own, etc.

[ruger9]

After seeing this, I realize that I like Ds, U's, and C's. But mostly D's.... which makes sense, being primarily an electric (tele) player for 25 years.

Can anybody match the profiles above to brands, in general? like:

Taylor = D or C
Martin "V"models = Medium V
etc...

[jpmist]

Well the two Larrivees I have would be a blend of the "D" and the "Medium V" only a lot thinner than both pics. Almost as thin as some Strats I have.

I have a Recording King copy of a Martin OOO-28V that has a "Hard V" which I really like.

A Martin OOO-28 I played at a store yesterday had a blend of the "C" and "D" shape

[gitnoob]

Originally Posted by ruger9

Can anybody match the profiles above to brands, in general? like:

Taylor = D or C
Martin "V"models = Medium V
etc...

Martin shows their profiles here:
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/features/neck.html

[StringFive]

OM28V...enough said. I love the neck. Makes me sound good.