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Does V Shaped Neck- Not C or U - Makes Sense ? Is it useful ?
- Thread starter Mustafa Umut Sa
- Start date
I think it's different for everyone, but for me V is the worst. I am not generally picky about neck shape, except a V neck will cause me physical pain after about 20 minutes of playing, for some reason. They do look cool.
I find V-shaped necks to be fine for guitars, but not basses.
Agree. They could be good for guitar players who play bass on the side. Coming from more double bass technique and centering the thumb on the back of the neck, if that's one's preference (it is mine), then it's the worst profile IMO.
When I worked at Real Guitars in the early 90s we got a near mint - I thought it was a reissue when we first opened the case - blond, gold guard '57 P bass in. Absolutely spectacular. As I worked there I was given first option on it but it had a hard V profile. As much as I wanted to love it, it just wasn't for me.
I like it a lot for guitar but I don’t care for it much on a bass. It doesn’t hurt my hand, though, I just prefer flatter profiles.
Back before they got EXPENSIVE, I had a Wal bass and the neck profile was a rounded V.
Maybe it would have worked for me if my technique was better and I kept my thumb on the back of the neck, but ultimately the tone and feel weren’t *my* thing.
Gorgeous bass though, and the workmanship was amazing.
Maybe it would have worked for me if my technique was better and I kept my thumb on the back of the neck, but ultimately the tone and feel weren’t *my* thing.
Gorgeous bass though, and the workmanship was amazing.
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25 years playing bass and I don't think I have ever tried/played one with a noticeable V. Most are Cs of varying degrees I guess, and my vintage-style Jazz has a narrow/deep U, which grew on me quickly.
IIRC, V-shaped necks were almost a mistake in the early days of production. Whatever carving / shaping process employed had its limitations and did not have adequate "reach" to fully address the neck profile. I can not confirm nor deny but looking for a reference in this regard.
Riis
Riis
They're scarce on older factory basses. I've only seen on '56 and '57, and not all of those. '56s were usually softer V. More common on Strats than P basses.
Yes, my Wal has a pronounced V shape and is incredibly comfortable to play. Also, it works really well with proper thumb-behind technique. If I’m honest, the slim Jazz-like neck on my Sandbergs promote a wraparound technique much much more. To the extent that I have to keep catching myself and giving myself a metaphorical slap on the wrist to stop it!
My only first-hand experience: My very first bass, purchased in 1966 at a pawn shop in Wichita Falls, Texas, was a Kingston with a V-shaped neck. Absolutely the worst most unplayable bass imaginable. Had to be at least 1.5" thick from the fretboard to the back of the V neck. It's a miracle that I stuck with playing bass.
I have to say I still don't get the difference between U. D. C shape necks. They all look like a variation of a U to me and the V necks are only a rounded "V" at the beginning. I definitely am lost of V necks' advantage but at the same time, they do not bother me.
Unga Guitars here in NM is doing something different. This is actually a really ergonomic neck. I do not know if Perry is the first to do it but it certainly isn't common
Unga Guitars here in NM is doing something different. This is actually a really ergonomic neck. I do not know if Perry is the first to do it but it certainly isn't common
Keep in mind that not all Vs are the same. BIG differences between soft, medium and hard Vs. Medium is ok for me, even if not my first choice, but hard V too extreme, for me. If it works for others, that's cool.
