It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:30 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 29 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 6:23 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2014 6:16 pm
Posts: 4
Hi all,
I'm hoping someone out there has experienced the same frustration I have and can provide a solution or two.
Basically I have small hands with proportionately short fingers (approx. 7 inches from wrist to top of index finger).
I currently play an Epi Dot and find that while playing standing up I can't arch my fingers over the fretboard enough - I end up with muted strings and a brutal hand cramp.
Now the Epi isn't a huge neck by any means, so I figure it's the profile rather than the size itself that's at the root of the issue.
I've always loved Telecasters and am determined to get one within the next few months.
Can anyone else with small hands recommend a neck profile that works for them?
Many thanks in advance.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 1:19 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
Funny - usually the Fenders (Strats mostly, but also Teles) get feedback for too small necks for BIG hands...

To your problem: try readjusting the guitar strap to a different height - sounds like your playing position standing is wrong.

On the Tele neck choice: I won't give you one. :wink:
In the end, you can't rely on web advice, you just gotta go & play the final candidates yourself. Experiment with different neck radiuses also.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 7:37 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:45 pm
Posts: 2770
Location: Kansas
I've got small hands and short fingers; I used to specifically seek out narrower nut width necks but over the past 3-4 years I've moved to wider necks. I find that I need a bit of thickness; on Fenders it seems like the "modern C" on American Standards is working well for me unless the particular guitar's neck is too thin.

It's all about the geometry of playing - to narrow or too thin will cause problems for me, and the scale length also matters - I can get comfortable on a much thicker neck on a Les Paul than I can on a Strat or Tele. And as jmattis says - adjust the strap until you get to the right position for each guitar. Sure it's cool to hang the guitar low, but that doesn't work for me with the small hands, short fingers, and my arm length. Now I'm not riding as high as Steve Howe, but I'm a lot closer to how he wears his guitar than I am Jimmy Page! :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 3:49 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:14 am
Posts: 16
I recently purchased an Epiphone Casino and it's got a noticeably chunkier neck, with what's called a SlimTaper D profile, as compared to my Standard Strat, Standard Tele, Am Special Jazzmaster, and even my Les Paul Studio.

It's not a problem for me and feels very comfortable to my medium-size hands but if you have smaller hands I would definitely go for a more expensive guitar.

A Standard Tele, or Am. Stand. Tele, or just about any other Fender with a "Modern C" profile neck will be a solid choice for you in my opinion.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:16 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2014 6:16 pm
Posts: 4
Thanks all for the replies :D
As for the strap length - I gave up my Jimmy Page gunslinger pose dreams long ago...it might look cool but I can't play a damn thing with the guitar down there!
I half expected that at least some replies would suggest that a thicker neck works better with smaller hands as I've read that on other forums; it seems paradoxical but there must be something to it.
And yes, I plan on taking my strap with me when I go guitar shopping so I can try out various profiles standing up.
Thanks again for the input.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 6:22 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:14 pm
Posts: 88
Location: Freeport, Maine
The Classic Series '60 Tele (and the far more expensive '64 AVRI) have a 7.25" radius, C-shape rosewood neck with thinner fretwire than modern Fenders. Personally, I find it to be the most comfortable neck of any that I've played. To a person, anyone that has picked it up and played it has commented on how nice the neck and action feel.
Might be worth checking out...
Cheers!

_________________
American Standard Telecaster - Black
Road Worn '60s Jaguar - Candy Apple Red
Road Worn '60s Jazzmaster - Sunburst
Les Paul Melody Maker - Charcoal Satin
Martin D-1
Super Champ X2 Combo
Swart Space Tone 6V6se


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:36 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:32 pm
Posts: 2459
Location: Through The Gates Of Mordor..
I'd recommend the squire VM Thinline Tele. It has a shorter scale and a nice slim neck you won't find on any Strat or other teles. Very comfortable to play and the pickups sound great.

If you can get past the squire name.. You can't go wrong. The $$ vs specs = Value you won't see on American teles.. Real bang for your buck. They are built to all similar specs except the shorter scale length, The pickups are very similar to 57/62's.. The neck is really comfy and most models I've seem have flame on it that you'll never see on a Mexican or American standard.

The only gripe I had with mine is the bridge. So once that is changed to a vintage style with brass saddles, it's a perfect guitar.

Image
Image

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:50 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
You won't find this neck on a Tele but audition a Clapton Stratocaster for size. :idea:
Let us know what you think.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:57 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
jnewman wrote:
As for the strap length - I gave up my Jimmy Page gunslinger pose dreams long ago...it might look cool but I can't play a damn thing with the guitar down there!

Interesting observation. Back in the stone age of the '60's, when the Brits first invaded, some of their players had those guitars practically up in their armpits. I had the same opinion of that as you have of the 'knee cap strummers'. Bear in mind that Leo and company designed the body contours of both the Stratocaster and Jazzmaster from an ergonomic point of view. Hence, the contoured top and offset waist/deep body cuts.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:45 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
ZZDoc wrote:
You won't find this neck on a Tele but audition a Clapton Stratocaster for size. :idea:
Let us know what you think.


Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:45 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
Image[/quote]
Doesn't look very happy, does he :!: They must have forgotten to swap in his favorite neck.:lol:

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:06 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2014 6:16 pm
Posts: 4
Lots of great input - love it :D
Now to respond...
I actually owned a Squire Thinline Tele a few years ago but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Vintage model. I wasn't overly impressed with the neck on the model I had; bearing in mind that even not overly impressed still rates higher than my feelings for most other guitar necks. Something about the Tele just works for me.
I tried a Baja Tele and the neck was like butter, and in keeping with some of the earlier replies it's a thicker neck as far as Tele's go.
I'm really not a Strat guy at all, something about the sound just always leaves me wanting more. Now having said that, I have previously heard great things about both the Clapton and Jimmy Vaughn model necks so I'll definitely give them a try.
I'm lucky in that I have a showcase dealer right down the road from me with staff that are both knowledgeable and super helpful (shameless plug for Lauzon Music in Ottawa!); while it's great to go in with a few ideas and suggestions in mind the only way to really know what works for my girl guide hands obviously is to wring a few necks (guitars not girl guides...).
Thanks again everyone and feel free to add more suggestions. Particularly be interested to hear from any other small handed types re: the Baja Tele...have you tried it, did you like it etc.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 10:17 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2014 6:16 pm
Posts: 4
Forgot to respond to ZZDoc...
I think I must have abnormally short arms or something 'cos if the guitar is slung too low I have zero angle over the fretboard and can only comfortably play the bottom 3 or 4 strings.
My compromise to avoid the 'early Beatle's' look is to have the neck at a fairly sharp upwards angle.
My other option I suppose is to quit playing rhythm entirely...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:14 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:47 am
Posts: 1256
well mind if I ask, how long have you been playing?

I'm not a big guy, I'm 5' 7" 158lbs,

I don't have big hands, maybe like yours.

I've been playing guitar since I was around 10. I've learned to over come the "short comings" of being,, well,,,,, short!! :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Best neck profile for small hands and short fingers
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 8:40 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Posts: 2561
I have very small hands 6.5" Palm-to-Fingertip (middle) and I'm not so experienced a player (2 yrs.).

I own 9 guitars with necks ranging in the 7's, 9's, even 12's and one compound 9-12.

These are all played regularly and I can fairly easily switch from one to another. It's just something you adapt to.

Now... hitting the proper strings, making the right chords, moving up/down the Fretboard... well that's a totally different story... but I am getting better everyday !! :D :D

It's a Rude Awakening to actually discover that you're not the Prodigy you'd hoped you'd be... :cry: :cry: :cry: :lol: :lol:

cheers!

_________________
Image

'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 29 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: