Last Updated on December 1, 2023 by Justin Thomas
There are thousands of different guitars to choose from, hundreds of different necks from wooden to aluminum ones, and those necks are featured with dozens of different neck shapes… It’s no wonder why people want little clarification about the neck profiles before buying a new guitar.
During my 12+ years guitar journey I’ve had the pleasure to test plenty of different neck shapes (well, at least most of them were a pleasure to play). And in this post, we will go through the most common ones and I guide you through the process of choosing the best neck shape for you. You will also get answers to frequently asked neck shape questions.
Let’s get started!
Author: Teemu Suomala
Neck Shape Graphic: Tommy Tompkins
Playing guitar since 2004. Primarily an acoustic guitarist who plays and writes traditional American folk music, with a background in melodic metal and a solid foundation as a bassist.
8 Most Common Neck Shapes
Here you can see how different neck shapes compare. Tommy did an amazing job with this Image!
Let’s now go through these shapes one by one and see what qualities each possesses.
Other guitar guides worth reading:
Electric Guitar Body Shapes and Styles – Explained
Electric Guitar Tonewoods – Tonewood Chart
Different Guitar Bridge Types – Your Ultimate Bridge Guide
Acoustic Guitar Body Types & Styles – Explained
C (Classic C) – Most Common Neck Shape
How Does It Feel?
Round shape that just fits the hand of a human being. You get a firm grip, but the roundness enables your hand to move freely around the neck. Especially classic models with C shape had a quite thick feel. Nowadays C shape neck comes with various different thicknesses. This is “the standard” shape that is usually not really hard to handle for anyone.
Guitars That Use C Shape Nowadays
- Squier Bullet Stratocaster*
- Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Stratocaster*
- Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Deluxe*
*Consider all links in this post to be affiliate links. If you purchase, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission. It helps us to keep the lights on, thanks! 🙂
You can find an article with the full master list here: 48 Guitars with C Shaped Necks – Both Acoustic & Electric.
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
At the start of the 1950s, the C shape was used on Stratocaster and Telecaster models. And at the end of the 1950’s it really became “a household name”. The upcoming decades made this round neck profile the most common neck shape on guitars.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
Modern C
How Does It Feel?
Round like the original C shape, but slimmer. Really smooth playing and doesn’t hold you back. Shoulders are almost non-existent and you have easy access to the fretboard. My favorite shape for small hands, but it might even be too slim for large hands.
Check our favorite electric guitars for small hands here.
Guitars That Use Modern C Shape Nowadays
You can find an article with the full master list here: 48 Guitars with C Shaped Necks – Both Acoustic & Electric.
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
I tracked Modern C back to the 1980s. Fender had already made slimmer versions of Classic C, but they started to produce models with “Modern C” neck on them. It’s great that we have a way to identify different versions of the C shape, and the difference between C and Modern C is noticeable, even though we are basically talking about the same basic shape.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
- Several Fender models from the 80’s to this day
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U (Vintage U)
How Does It Feel?
Chunky and less round than C shapes. Also, shoulders are larger and the straight sides of the neck are longer. This shape is great for correct thumb placement(at the back of the neck) and moving up and down the neck is really smooth. For me and my small hands, C shapes provide better upper fret access. But U gives a firm grip and I especially enjoy playing riffs with this shape. U shape can work great for players with large hands.
If you like meaty necks, check our favorite wide neck electric guitars here and wide neck acoustic guitars here.
Guitars That Use U Shape Nowadays
You can find an article with the full master list here: 24 Guitars With U Shaped Neck – Acoustic & Electric.
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
U shape is one of the oldest neck profiles. It started to gain popularity in the 1950s when the electric guitar boom started. Vintage U shape necks were chunky back then. Deep U-shape is also sometimes called “a baseball bat” neck. U shape is also used on some classical guitars, like Cordoba.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
- Fender GE Smith Signature Telecaster
- Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ’52 Telecaster
- Epiphone Les Paul 2000
Thin U
How Does It Feel?
Thin version of U shape. Great for correct thumb placement because of its flat back. This neck is in general faster to play than the regular U. For example, most ESP guitars use a Thin U neck shape. With this shape, both moving up and down the neck is smooth and you also have better access to the fretboard than with regular U.
I recently tested this neck shape when reviewing ESP LTD EC-10
Guitars That Use Thin U Shape Nowadays
You can find an article with the full master list here: 24 Guitars With U Shaped Neck – Acoustic & Electric.
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
I was not able to track the exact year when Thin U as it is nowadays was first introduced. But thin versions of the U-shaped neck have been used since the 1950s. Thin U name has been used at least for the last 20 years.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
D (1950’s D)
How Does It Feel?
The deep old-school versions of D shape are the chunkiest neck to me. More round than the U shape, but have larger shoulders than the C shape. The back of the neck is good for your thumb placement, but U and C shapes are more fast playing to me.
Guitars That Use D Shape Nowadays
- Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s AAA (neck shape sometimes called 1950’s or Vintage 50’s)
- Gibson Les Paul Junior (neck shape sometimes called 1950’s or Vintage 50’s)
You can find an article with the full master list here: 30 Guitars with D Shaped Necks – Both Acoustic & Electric.
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
Also one of the oldest neck profiles. Was featured on the 50’s Les Pauls, and is sometimes called a 1950’s profile, but when we look at the cross-section, the shape itself reminds a D letter. And because Les Pauls were really popular axes back then (as nowadays), the D shape become an iconic chunky neck profile.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
- 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard
- Many Gibson models from 50’s
- Epiphone Les Paul Standard Sunburst 1999
Slim Taper D
How Does It Feel?
Slim version of the D shape. Like an oval cut in half. Doesn’t have large shoulders and has a slim feel. There are tons of different versions of Slim Taper D available, but in general, they offer easy and slim playability. Provides better fret access than the original D or U shape. Also surprisingly versatile neck shape.
Guitars That Use Slim Taper D Shape Nowadays
You can find an article with the full master list here: 30 Guitars with D Shaped Necks – Both Acoustic & Electric.
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
In the 1960s, slimmer versions of the original D shape started to gain traction. Enter: Slim Taper D. Like many players nowadays (me), also some players back then started to prefer this slim version of D neck.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
Soft V
How Does It Feel?
Shape with sharper corners, but noticeable rounder than Hard V shape. Great for funk-style riffs and enables you to hold your thumb at the side of the neck and maybe even hit some notes with it. Not the best for beginners, especially without trying first. To me, Soft V is a fun shape to play and especially those funk and rock riffs are a pleasure to play with this shape.
Guitars That Use Soft V Shape Nowadays
- Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster
- Fender Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Stratocaster
- Fender 57 Stratocaster
- Fender JV Modified ’60s Stratocaster (thick soft V)
You can find an article with the full master list here: 23 Guitars With V-Shaped Neck – Acoustic & Electric
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
Soft V shape was invented in the 1950s, most likely by accident as the variation of the D and U shape. This shape enabled players searching for different playing feel and techniques to get comfortable with electric guitars.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
- Fender’s American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck
- Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Greg Fessler 1956 Stratocaster Extreme
Hard V
How Does It Feel?
The “edgiest” neck shape with sharp corners. Great for players who like to throw their thumb into the mix when jamming. I highly recommend testing this shape out before buying, it’s not necessarily the easiest to play. But that being said, it can work great if you are searching for vintage playability or if you have large hands.
Guitars That Use Hard V Shape Nowadays
You can find an article with the full master list here: 23 Guitars With V-Shaped Neck – Acoustic & Electric
When and How This Shape Started to Gain Popularity?
As Soft V, Hard V was invented in the 1950s. It made use of your thumb in playing easy and some players fell in love with the Hard V. Not a very popular neck profile nowadays, but definitely deserves a place from this list.
Old Models Featuring This Shape:
- Fender Custom Shop 1956 Stratocaster Relic
- 1980s Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster
3 Neck Shapes That Are Not That Common, But Still Amazing
Jackson’s “Speed” Neck Shape
To me, a mix of Slim Taper D and Modern C shape. It’s meatier than modern C, but the fretboard is even easier to access than with Slim Taper D. Thickness is pretty much onto the same level as with Slim Taper D’s.
I recently tested this neck shape when reviewing Jackson JS22 Dinky.
Guitars With Speed Neck Shape:
PRS’s Wide Thin Neck Shape
In simple terms, a wide-thin neck shape is a stretched version of Modern C. It’s wider and meatier in that sense, but it’s really thin. Also, that familiar roundness of C-shape is present. This shape can work great for large hands and fat fingers. And personally, I find PRS guitars featuring this shape really comfortable to play, even though I have tiny hands.
Guitars With Wide Thin Neck Shape:
Ibanez’s Wizard Neck Shape
For speedsters looking for a thin neck, Wizard is my go-to option. It’s not for everybody, but it’s super slim, that’s for sure.
- For example, the Wizard III neck is 19mm from 1st fret and 21mm from 12th fret.
- Slim Taper D neck of my Epiphone Les Paul Special VE is 22mm from 1st fret and 23mm from 12th fret.
You have really good access to every corner of the fretboard, and shredding and fast playing overall is smooth.
Guitars With Wizard Neck Shape:
How to Choose The Right Neck Shape for You
Get clear on what kind of neck you are after… But what if you have no idea? Then I recommend going with some popular shape like C or Modern C, but it’s even better to go to the music store and test which neck feels good to you. When you got an idea about what you are after, choosing the right neck shape becomes much easier.
The one big choice you have to make is whether to aim for a slim or chunky neck. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
Pros and Cons of Chunky Neck
Pros
- Firm grip
- Great for large hands
- Chords and riffs closer to the nut feel fun to play. Great firm feel.
Cons
- For small hands, can feel too meaty and decrease playability
- Not the fastest playability
Pros and Cons of Slim Neck
Pros
- Easy access to fretboard
- Works well with small hands
- Great for fast playing
- Usually works great for beginners
Cons
- Can feel too slim for some players, especially for people with large hands.
Both, the chunky and slim necks have their places on the guitar field. I have had a ton of fun playing both, but definitely prefer slim necks because of my small hands. So think about which fits you the best and what kind of playstyle you have or are after. Choosing the right shape is no impossible task, and it’s super fun to test different shapes out. All the info I have given above is definitely enough for making a good decision.
Best Guitar Neck Shapes for Small Hands
I have tiny hands that have caused me problems from time to time when playing guitar. And it’s 100% true that some neck profiles are better for small hands than others. I have a separate in-depth article about small hand-friendly neck shapes, I recommend you check it out. But here are my top 3 shapes for small hands:
- Modern C
- Wizard
- Thin and Extra Thin U
Here are 4 shapes that I have not found so easy playing for small hands:
- Vintage U
- 1950’s D
- Hard V
- Deep C
Best Guitar Neck Shapes for Large Hands
All neck shapes are not created equal for large hands. That’s for sure. I have a separate in-depth article about large hand-friendly neck shapes, I recommend you check it out. But here are my top 3 shapes for large hands:
- U
- D
- Wide-thin and wide fat (PRS guitars)
Here are 2 shapes that are most likely not the best option for large hands:
- Wizard
- Modern C
FAQ
Does The Neck Shape Matter?
The neck shape of the guitar has a big impact on the feel and playability. It determines how the neck feels on your hand. Personally, I pay attention to the neck profile and it’s always a good idea to test the guitar before buying if possible. But that being said, you can learn to play with any common neck shape. None of them feels terrible and unplayable to me. Also, there are a ton of different factors that affect the playability of the guitar.
What is Asymmetrical Guitar Neck?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Asymmetrical: “having two sides or halves that are not the same : not symmetrical.”
So 2 sides of the neck of the guitar are not symmetrical. Here’s an image that explains what asymmetrical neck means with electric guitars:
With most common asymmetrical necks, the center line of the neck is raised closer to the upper side of the neck. This goes through the whole neck. An asymmetrical neck can support the thumb placement of some players and make playing more comfortable.
There are different variations of asymmetrical necks, but the rule of thumb is that the backside of the neck is not symmetrical.
Funny thing is that the benefits of asymmetrical necks were most likely found by accident.
What Neck Shape Les Paul’s Have?
Most common neck shapes with Gibson Les Pauls:
- D
- Slim taper D
- Vintage 50s (1950’s D)
- Authentic ’59 Medium C-Shape
- U
What Neck Shape Fender Stratocasters Have?
Most common neck shapes with Fender Stratocasters:
- C
- Soft V
- Hard V
- Modern C
What Neck Shape Fender Telecasters Have?
Most common neck shapes with Fender Stratocasters:
- C
- Soft V
- Hard V
- Modern C
- U
- Thin U
What Neck Shape Martin Guitars Have?
- Modified Low-Oval – This neck profile is in the middle; it is not too big and not too small. This is a “C” shaped neck.
- Full-Thickness – This is the biggest neck that Martin guitars offer in terms of thickness. It is a “C” shaped neck. This is definitely a neck for larger hands and long fingers! If you have short fingers, stay away!
- Modified V – This is Martin’s take on the vintage “V” neck profile. If you have never played a “V” shaped neck, I highly suggest you do so before buying. They are different by modern standards and have a completely different feel compared to the “C” shaped necks that are so popular today.
Conclusion
I personally prefer variations of C, Slim Taper D, and Thin U neck shapes. I’m sure that following the info and tips provided in this guide you can easily choose the right shape for you. I recommend that you start testing different necks ASAP, and make a decision!
Hopefully this article helped you out, and if you have any questions, just leave a comment.
I wish you all the best and keep rocking!
Teemu
Check our popular guitar guides about specific neck sizes:
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