Last Updated on December 5, 2023 by Justin Thomas
Probably the most popular and usually fits a human hand like a glove, but some thick variants can be too much to handle for small-handed players…Of course, I’m talking about C neck shape. It’s been around since the 50s and it’s still one of the most frequently used neck shapes.
For me and my small hands, guitars with C neck shape are usually really comfortable & easy to play. Of course, some really old-school thick C necks can be too meaty, but overall I like the C neck shape a lot. And because of that, I was happy to put together this article listing the top-notch guitars with C-shaped necks. Both acoustic and electric guitars. And I also reveal the 4 best ones. If you have any questions, just check the FAQ section or leave a comment.
Let’s get started!
To find out more about neck shapes, check this article I crafted: Guitar Neck Shape Guide – Shapes Explained.

Author: Teemu Suomala
C Neck Shape

C-shaped necks have a 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 in various different thicknesses. The one above is “the standard C” shape that is usually not really hard to handle for anyone.

Modern C is round like the original C shape, but slimmer. It’s really smooth playing and doesn’t hold you back. Shoulders are almost non-existent and you have easy access to the fretboard. One of my favorite shapes for small hands, but it might even be too slim for large hands.
Check our favorite electric guitars for small hands here.
About These “Guitars With C Shaped Necks” Lists
I included different variations of the C shape on this list. I always mention which variation of C neck shape the specific guitar has. Here are some of the different variations you can find from this article:
- C = Normal C shape
- Modern C = Overall slimmer version of the normal C shape
- Thin C = Mainly thinner version of the normal C shape
- Classic C = More old-school feel, usually meatier than normal C shape
- Thick C = You guessed it, a thicker version of the normal C shape
- Medium C = Middle-ground between normal and modern C shape
24 Acoustic Guitars with C Shaped Necks
Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster is a cool acoustic guitar with a Modern Deep C neck, N4 Magnetic Single-coil & under-saddle Piezo pickup, and great quality hardware. It doesn’t offer you loud sound and great projection, but it is smooth to play and sounds really great when plugged in.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $69-250
$$= $251-499
$$$= $500-999
$$$$= $1000-1599
$$$$$= $1600-
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Model | Body Style | Neck Shape | Neck Material | Price Range | Check Current Price (affiliate links) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harley Benton D-120NT – Cheapest | Dreadnought | Modern C | Mahogany | $ | Thomann* |
Harley Benton D-120CE TB | Dreadnought Cutaway | C | Mahogany | $ | Thomann |
Fender FA-15 3/4 | Mini Dreadnought | C | Nato | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Recording King RPS-7-TS – Find More Excellent Parlor Guitars Here | Single O – Parlor | Thin C | Catalpa | $ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top – Excellent Parlor Acoustic Guitar for Fingerstyle | Flat Top Parlor | C | Basswood | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild A-20 Bob Marley | Dreadnought | C | Mahogany | $$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
D’Angelico Premier Bowery | Dreadnought | C | Mahogany | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender Redondo Player Acoustic-Electric Guitar | Redondo Dreadnought – Cutaway | Slim C | Mahogany | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild D-240E – Best Budget | Dreadnought | Slim C | Mahogany | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Cordoba C5-CET Limited | Classical – Cutaway | C | Mahogany | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild OM-140CE Orchestra | Orchestra – Cutaway | C | Mahogany | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild F-250CE | Jumbo – Cutaway | C | Mahogany | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild D-140 | Dreadnought | C | African Mahogany | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild M-20 Concert – Best Overall | Concert | C | Mahogany | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender Acoustasonic Player Telecaster – Great Unplugged | Acoustasonic Telecaster | Modern Deep C | Mahogany | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
D’Angelico Excel Gramercy XT | Concert – Cutaway | C | Mahogany | $$$$ | Sweetwater |
Cordoba C10 S | Spanish Classical | C | African Mahogany | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Cordoba GK Pro Negra | Lightweight Spanish Flamenco | C | Mahogany | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster | Acoustasonic Stratocaster | Modern Deep C | Mahogany | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Breedlove Oregon Concert CE | Concert – Cutaway | Slim C | Eastern Hard Rock Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater |
Guild D-40 Traditional | Dreadnought | C | 3-piece Mahogany/Walnut/Mahogany | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild F-40E Jumbo | Jumbo | C | Mahogany | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Guild F-55 Jumbo Acoustic | Jumbo | C | Mahogany, Walnut center stripe | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
27 Electric Guitars with C Shaped Necks

To me, Yamaha Pacifica 012 is the best guitar with a C neck shape for around $200. It sounds solid, is versatile, and is easy to play. Overall a great beginner electric guitar. You can read the full review here: Yamaha Pacifica 012 Review.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $79-250
$$= $251-499
$$$= $500-999
$$$$= $1000-1599
$$$$$= $1600-
Model | Pickups | Neck Shape | Neck Material | Price Range | Check Current Price (affiliate links) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harley Benton TE-20MN BM Standard Series – Cheapest | 2 x TE-style single coil pickups | Modern C | Maple | $ | Thomann |
Harley Benton SC-500 BK Vintage Series | 2 x Vintage style humbuckers | C | Maple | $ | Thomann |
Squier Bullet Stratocaster – Read the full review | 3 x Standard Strat Single-coil | C | Maple | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Yamaha Pacifica 012 – Read the full review | 2 x Yamaha Ceramic Single-coil & 1 x Yamaha Ceramic Humbucker | C | Maple | $ | Sweetwater |
Squier Affinity Series Telecaster Deluxe | 2 x Fender Ceramic Humbucker | C | Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Harley Benton Fusion-T HH | Roswell LAF-B-CR Alnico-5 (bridge) and Roswell LAF-N-CR Alnico-5 (neck) humbuckers | Modern C | Canadian maple | $$ | Thomann |
Harley Benton Dullahan-FT 24 Roasted – No Headstock | Roswell HAF-B-BK AlNiCo-5 (bridge) and Roswell HAF-N-BK AlNiCo-5 (neck) humbuckers | Modern C | Roasted Maple | $$ | Thomann |
Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Stratocaster – Read the review | 3 x Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil | C | Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Telecaster Custom – Best Budget | 1 Fender Designed Alnico single coil (bridge) and 1 Fender wide-range humbucker (neck) | C | Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Epiphone Coronet Ebony | Epiphone P-90 PRO Dogear Single-coil | Medium C | Mahogany | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Squier Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT | 3 x Squier Alnico Single-Coil | C | Roasted Hard Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Telecaster Thinline | 2 x Fender Designed Wide Range Humbucker | C | Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Schecter Omen Extreme-6 –Best Metal Guitar Under $500 – Read the review | 2 x Schecter Diamond Plus (push/pull coil-split) | Thin C | Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Squier 40th Anniversary Gold Edition Telecaster | 2 x Fender Designed AlNiCo Single Coils | C | Maple | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender Player Stratocaster | 3 x New Player AlNiCo V single coils | Modern C | Maple | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Schecter Reaper-6 | 2 x Diamond Decimator Humbucker | Ultra Thin C | Maple/Walnut | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender Player Telecaster HH – Incredible Tele – Read the review | 2 Player Series Alnico Humbuckers (coil-split) | Modern C | Maple | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S – Best Overall | 1 x Sustainiac Pickup, 1 x EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Humbucker | Thin C | Canadian Rock Maple | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender Jim Root Telecaster – For Slipknot & Stone Sour Fans | EMG 60 Humbucker & EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern C | Maple | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Schecter Solo-II Blackjack | 2 x Lundgren M6 Humbucker | Thin C | 3-Piece Mahogany | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
D’Angelico Excel EXL-1 Hollowbody Electric Guitar – Excellent Hollow-Body | 1 USA Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith Floating Mini Humbucker | C | Maple/Walnut | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender American Performer Telecaster | 2 x Yosemite Tele Single-coil | Modern C | Maple | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS | 2 x Yosemite Strat Single-coil & 1 x Performer DoubleTap Humbucker | Modern C | Maple | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Ibanez AZS2200F-STB Prestige – Best Premium | 1 x Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini Humbucker & 1 x Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom Single-coil | AZ Oval C | Roasted Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster | 3 x Fender V-Mod II Single-coil | Deep C | Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau Signature 1963 Stratocaster | 3 x Custom Shop Fat ’50s single coil | Custom C | Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
Gibson Custom 1954 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue VOS | 2 x Custombucker Soapbar P90 Single-coil | Chunky C | Mahogany | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
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4 Best Guitars with C Shaped Necks – My Favorites
Best Budget Acoustic – Guild D-240E
What I like
- Bone nut and saddle for better sustain and overall tone
- Thin (neck 1.688″ nut)
- Great quality electronics: Guild/Fishman AP1 with Sonicore pickups
- Solid Sitka Spruce top provides clear sound
- High value for the money
- Comfortable slim C neck
What I don’t like
- The stock strings are not the best (can be a little bit rough)
Check our picks for the best acoustic guitars under $500 here.
Who is it for?
If you are after a budget acoustic that has a slim C neck and many features of a more expensive guitar, Guild D-240E is a great choice. A solid Sitka spruce top with mahogany back & sides provides a clear and full sound, and the guitar is easy to handle. The out-of-the-box strings are not the best, but after replacing them the guitar feels much better.
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Best Overall Acoustic – Guild M-20 Concert
What I like
- Concert style body is easy to handle
- Great for fingerstyle
- Solid Mahogany top and back & sides provide gentle and sweet sound
- Stays in tune well
- Usually comes with a hardshell case
- C neck is easy to handle
What I don’t like
- Loudness and projection are not on the same level with dreadnoughts
Who is it for?
If you are after a premium level solid wood acoustic at a reasonable price, Guild M-20 Concert is one of the best options. Its neck and body are easy to handle, plus the sound is really gentle and fits fingerstyle playing well. And M-20 Concert sounds good when using a pick too.
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Best Budget Electric – Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Telecaster Custom
What I like
- Bone nut increases sustain
- A thin neck (1.650″ nut) paired with a C neck shape is easy to play
- Surprisingly versatile
- Both warm & thick humbucker tones and snappy single coil sound are available
- Ashtray bridge gives the guitar a nice vintage look
- High value for the money
What I don’t like
- Edges of the fretboard are a little bit rough sometimes (gladly not usually)
Who is it for?
If you are after versatile all-rounder budget guitar with easy playability and a vintage vibe, Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Telecaster Custom is a great choice. Usually it’s flawless out of the box, but sometimes rough fret edges or other small finish & quality issues can happen (as with any guitar).
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Best Overall Electric – Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S
What I like
- Thin C neck shape feels really comfortable
- Overall thin neck (1.653″ nut width)
- Sustainiac provides practically endless sustain (as long as the battery lasts)
- EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Humbucker offers great distortion
- Metal guitar, but still versatile
- Great quality Floyd Rose
What I don’t like
- Some folks prefer passive pickups
- Floyd Rose is not for everyone
Who is it for?
If you are after a guitar with smooth playability, mean distorted tones, and great quality hardware, Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S is one of the best options for under $1000. It’s got a fast playability and mean sound, but it can handle gentle cleans too. Its active pickups might not be for everyone tho.
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FAQ
Who Should Buy A Guitar With C-Neck Shape?
If you are after a nice round neck that allows you to move your hand freely and still want the neck to have a firm grip, the C-neck shape is a great choice. Also, if you like the typical Strat, and Tele playability, keep the C-neck shape on your radar.
Pros and Cons of C-Neck Shape
Pros
- Round shape that fits a hand of a human being
- Tons of different sizes and variations are available
- Smooth to move your hand around
- Manages to offer a firm grip
- Really popular, easy to find great guitars with C neck shape
Cons
- Classic C shaped necks feel really thick
- Some find the C shape to be pretty clumsy
When and How did The C Neck Shape Start 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 1950s it really became “a household name”. The upcoming decades made this round neck profile the most common neck shape on guitars.
Old Models Featuring A C Shaped Neck:
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 always enjoy playing a guitar with C shaped neck. Of course, it’s not the only thing affecting the playability, but to me, neck shape is still super important. And I was really happy about the overall lists I managed to put together. Some really cool guitars from high-value budget picks to premium-level shredders.
I hope this article helped you out, and maybe you even decided to get one of the guitars featured. If you have any questions, leave a comment, I and the GND team are here for you.
Now go, my son, and Rock!
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