Tele neck choices

[Doc W]

I am in the process of getting a Tele made. Unfortunately, the builder is a long way from me and it is hard to express exactly some of the details, including the neck. So, I want to run some of my thoughts by you guys to get some feedback.

I must have a very average hand because I almost never notice the neck on an electric guitar unless it is really thin or really thick. Most of them work for me. But here is my dilemma. I have to specify pretty much exactly what I want when getting a guitar made. I would be happier if there were, say, three choices. Pick one. But custom necks are made to exact specs.

I recently played a Thin Skin Tele with a 60's C profile. It was pretty comfortable but on the thin side. I liked it but I think my hand might get tired playing a thin neck. From 1st to 12th fret, it was 0.845" to 0.900"

My Eric Johnson neck is pretty comfortable although reasonably thick. It is a soft V and is 0.875 to 0.970, 1st to 12th. It is hard to tell if it is a real country picker because I have 11's on it and would have to get it set up again for 10's.

I also play a 1952 Les Paul which is a very soft V to a C, 0.913 to 0.976, so I can handle a thicker neck, although I am not sure the LP would be conducive to frantic hybrid picking (it is in the shop being refretted so I can't check that out right now).

I have been thinking of getting something along the lines of the EJ for the Tele, possibly a little thinner, maybe even thicker. The 1957 Tele had a V neck which ran from about 0.883 to 1.000, but I don't know if it is a sharp or soft V. Anyone here ever play one?

Any thoughts on this? Have any of you ever had to specify neck size in such detail?

[Don]

You can always have a thick neck shaved down later...

[Doc W]

Don, that's a very good point. Can't add wood, but can take it off!

[melody]

Hey Doc, what did you come up with?

[Doc W]

I am embarrassed to say, but here goes.

I looked high and low for the specs on a 1956/57 Tele neck because from what I read, I figured I would like it. I also read that the 1957 Strat had a similar neck. I finally got to talk with the owner of a 1957 Tele and he said it felt a lot like his Eric Johnson neck. It dawned on me in an instant that Eric Johnson's guitar, the one he modded, is a 1957 soft V neck. I have that neck on my Partscaster, so after searching high and low, I already had what I was looking for. DOH!

So, it will be a one piece maple neck going from 0.88 inches at the first fret to 0.96" at the 12th fret. The profile runs from a soft V to C and will be based on models taken off my EJ neck. It will also have a 12 inch radius, like the EJ neck.

Like the Tao says, the truth is near and we all look so far away.

[melody]

He he that's funny I have done that manny time's myself. Only with a strat I kept thinking I could find a better playing\sounding guitar like a blind dog chasing his tail when I had it all a long ..

I'm glad you found what you like in a Tele neck and do hope your build is what you expect in the end A tele can be a wonderful thing when it all come's together....

[Doc W]

Thanks Melody! The builder is Marc Rutters who is getting a very good reputation. I discovered him in the TDPRI forum which is currently holding a fundraiser. One of the prizes is a Rutters guitar. Here is a vid of Redd Volkaert playing a Rutters. Check this out.

[Don]

Sweet!

Wow! That's 4th prize!!!

[Wilko]

No matter where you go, there you are!