I'm a new member here so I'll give a little background about myself. I've been playing guitar for about 7 years now, playing everything from classical acoustic and now jumping into the punk/ska genre. I've owned about 5 different electrical guitars, and now that I'm a little more experienced I think I know what I'm looking for. The trouble has been finding it.

In essence, I want a guitar that I can pound power chords on, while still having a firm grip on the neck. I've learnt how to properly handle a guitar with my thumb on the back of the neck, but in high-energy performances that is not adequate for properly controlling the guitar. It might be fine for the studio, but when I'm playing live I want something I can get a firm grip on and quickly change positions to other power chords. Especially when I'm standing up, I find that my hand cramps up too much if I'm quickly changing positions with my thumb on the back of the neck. It's just too much pressure to try to control the neck that way, so ideally I would like to find a guitar where I can wrap my thumb around the neck to get a firm grip, while still being able to reach the lower strings for a power chord. I'm not looking to be like Hendrix and grab bass notes with my thumb, I just want to be able to comfortably take charge of the guitar neck.

The problem is, I have extremely small hands. From wrist to the end of my middle finger is about 7", but my fingers are disproportional small. My index finger only measures about 3". Therefore, it's been a challenge to find a really small neck where I can comfortably grab it and situate my hand into a power chord shape on the bottom three strings.

I've tried all kinds of different brands, but so far Fender has been the closest thing I've gotten to a comfortable neck. Some Ibanez models have a smaller depth, but because the neck is flatter it digs into my palm which is pressed against the outside part of the neck.

What I think would be ideal is a V-neck type neck, with a low depth and width. Right now I have a Lite Ash strat that has a gorgeous V-neck for solo work on the higher strings, and if I could find something with a small width at nut and smaller frets that would be fantastic. Like I said, this new guitar is going to be almost exclusively for power chord rhythms, so I'm not too concerned about bending notes or being able to play fast licks. I just need something loud, powerful, and most importantly, comfortable.

So does anyone have any suggestions of different brands/models I should take a look at? My best option I've found so far is a Squier 50's Vibe strat, in which I plan to put a Dimarzio Super Distortion S in the bridge. However, even that strat isn't PERFECT, it's just the best I've found so far.

So if anyone has any suggestions for guitars, or even suggestions for ways of positioning my hand, I'd be very thankful for any input. I know this is a long post, but as you can probably tell this is a very important issue for me. Thanks in advance for your help.

Try the Bonnie Raitt signature strat if you can find one.

I'm not a fan of them myself, but you might try a Rickenbacker. Those necks are SOOO narrow..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Hi BCGuitarist and welcome to the forum.I too was blessed with small hands and I find that Strats with C profile necks are more suited to players with smaller mitts.My 65 Strat has a C neck profile so I imagine that the 62 reissue probably has also but I'm not really sure.I recently bought a Jimmie Vaughn Strat and I find the neck a dream and it sounds fabulous,I wouldn't change a thing about it.You may also consider the Mustang and Jaguar both of which have smaller short scale necks,and the Jaguar is also available in a HH configuration with 2 humbuckers that would probably more suited to your playing preference.I hope these suggestions are helpful.BTW are you from BC Canada?

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I'd suggest a Mustang if you don't mind shorter scale necks. I like them, anyway

Seriously score I think its a Miley Cyrus strat get the neck and whack it on your guitar. These guitars are made for young female teenagers and will fix your problem and from what ive seen the necks are maple and rosewood too

Okay I guess I'll keep an eye out for jaguar or Rickenbackers. And btw BC refers to Boston College, not British Columbia.

As for the Miley Cyrus neck....I think I'd rather start taking taking accordion lessons than play on something with that name attached to it

american vintage 62 reissue
7.25 radius (for chording)
slender "C" shape
vintage frets very comfortable
to slide up and down

or more economical
classic series 60's stratocaster
same features as above

great sounding guitars and you can get
a good grip on the neck

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1956 Gibson CS Lemon Les Paul
1957 Fender CS Aged Cherry Strat
1958 Gibson CS Pg 85 Les Paul
1960 Fender CS 3tsb Strat
1961 Gibson SG Wildwood Pelham blue
1966 Fender CS Firemist Metallic Silver Strat

try a fender jaguar HH or a fender mustang..... the HH would probably be better for your preferences but you could always slap something a bit heavier than the stock pups into the mustang

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67 Tele With Maple neck, or a an old Gibson like a 1970 ES-150-DC, man those have really slim tapered necks!

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Checkout a US Peavey Special on ebay. The shorter scale length and asymmetrical neck will probably make it the most comfortable neck you ever played and it is a killer guitar. You can get a Stop Tail or Floyd -whichever you prefer. Just make sure it is a US model which the easiest way to identify is the later Korean made models had serial numbers that start with a 0. And the Standards will be a lot more money in the mid to high teens and have a carved top and flamed maple body and birds eye maple neck.

But I feel a solid color US special that you can score in the $600 to $800 range will be a really comfortable guitar for you.

Earlier this year I sold a MusicMaster to a guy with smaller hands and he absolutely loves the thing.

I had put an inexpensive humbucker (Musicians Gear Scorcher) in it and it sounds amazing.

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my buddy has the same issue. he tried an epiphone SG model and said it was easier to play. howevah, he just got a new strat for christmas. i told him to practice more, save his cash and keep the strat.

I agree. Plus it's a great guitar.

Do you have any links to said guitar? The only peavey HP specials I could find were like $1500+

As for the Mustang and Jaguars, I've only tried one Squier Jagmaster, and it was okay but not as good as the vintage 50's vibe. Are there any cheaper models of the mustang out, or would I have to break my piggy bank to purchase one?

As a side note, can anyone explain to me what the switches are on the fender mustang? I assume they switch pickups, but I've never really played around with one to find out. I also never understood why they were positioned on the top left of the body. Can anyone enlighten me?