Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Teemu Suomala
D-shaped neck gives you a meaty feel and firm grip. And even though the D shape is too thick for some players, it does offer a great playing feel when churning classic rock riffs or blues solos. Sounds good to me!
I’ll be completely honest with you here…guitars with D-shaped necks are not my favorites. I like them, but they are not my go-to axes. But one thing is for sure, some people swear by the name of D-shape. It’s the only true neck profile. After all, it can be found from old school Gibsons. And this is why I was happy to put together this article listing the cream of the crop guitars with D-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
I first grabbed the guitar in 2009. I started this website in January 2020 because I couldn’t do window installation anymore due to my health problems. I also noticed that most guitar websites don’t do a really good job, so I decided to just go for it! I got lucky and managed to get awesome people to help me with my website. I also got lucky because I have you visiting my website right now. Thank you. I do all this for you guys. If you have any recommendations, tips, or feedback, just leave a comment, I would love to chat with you. I have been fortunate to produce content for several large guitar websites, such as Songsterr, Musicnotes, GuitarGuitar, and Ultimate Guitar. I spend my spare time exercising and hanging out with my wife and crazy dog(I guess that went the right way…).
D Neck Shape
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 U or C shape. The back of the neck is good for your thumb placement, but U and C shapes are more fast playing to me.
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.
About These “Guitars With D Shaped Necks” Lists
I included different variations of the D neck profile on this list. I always mention which variation of the D neck shape the specific guitar has. Here are some of the different variations you can find from this article:
- D = Normal meaty D-shape
- SlimTaper D = Slimmer variations of the normal D-shape
- Round D = Rounded D-shape
- Modern D = Less meaty version of the normal D-shape
11 Acoustic Guitars with D Shaped Necks
Epiphone J-15 EC is a good affordable acoustic with a 1960s SlimTaper D neck and Spruce top (laminated), and it provides a great all-around sound. A good option for beginners.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $250-449
$$= $450-799
$$$= $800-1199
$$$$= $1200-1599
$$$$$= $1600-
*Consider all links in this post to be affiliate links. If you purchase, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission. It helps us to keep the lights on, thanks! 🙂
| Model | Body Style | Neck Shape | Neck Material | Price Range | Check Current Price (affiliate links) |
| Epiphone J-15 EC – Cheapest | Dreadnought – Cutaway | SlimTaper D | Okoume | $ | Sweetwater* – Thomann* |
| Epiphone J-45 Studio – Find More Great Epiphone Acoustics Here | Jumbo | SlimTaper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Exotica Quilt Ash | Grand Auditorium – Cutaway | D | Mahogany | $ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Epiphone Dove Studio | Square Shoulder Dreadnought | SlimTaper D | Hard Maple | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone L-00 Studio – Find More Great Parlor Guitars Here | Parlor | SlimTaper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone Hummingbird Studio – Best Budget | Dreadnought | Slim Taper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Exhibition | Orchestra – Cutaway | D | Gaboon mahogany | $$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Raimundo Tatyana Ryzhkova | Classical | D | Cedar | $$ | Thomann |
| Epiphone J-200EC Studio – Best Overall | Jumbo 200 – Cutaway | 1960s SlimTaper D | Maple | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone USA Texan Acoustic-Electric | Dreadnought | Round D | Mahogany | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Lakewood D-53 Premium | Dreadnought | D | Silk-matte cedro neck | $$$$$ | Thomann |
19 Electric Guitars with D Shaped Necks
Like every low-cost guitar, this Epiphone Les Paul Special VE got some little problems(tuners are not the best). But, I think anyone wanting a budget LP to call their own will have a good time with the fat, smooth tones of the Vintage Edition. Read the full review.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $159-399
$$= $400-699
$$$= $700-999
$$$$= $1000-1499
$$$$$= $1500-
| Model | Pickups | Neck Shape | Neck Material | Price Range | Check Current Price (affiliate links) |
| Epiphone Les Paul Melody Maker E1 – Cheapest | Epiphone 650SCR ceramic single coil (neck) & Epiphone 700SCT ceramic single coil (bridge) | 1960’s Slim Taper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Harley Benton R-457 BK Progressiv Series – Cheap 7 String | 2 x Hi-Gain humbuckers | Speed-D | Maple | $ | Thomann |
| Harley Benton TE-62CC | 2 x Roswell AlNiCo 5 TEA-F-CR/TEA-B single coils | Modern D | Maple | $ | Thomann |
| Epiphone Les Paul Special VE – Read the full review | Neck 650R humbucker & Bridge 700T humbucker | 1960s SlimTaper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone SG Special VE | Neck 650R humbucker & Bridge 700T humbucker | 1960s SlimTaper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1 | Epiphone 650R Zebra Coil Ceramic humbuckers (neck) and Epiphone 700T Zebra Coil Ceramic humbuckers (bridge) | 1960s SlimTaper D | Mahogany | $ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone Les Paul Studio Smokehouse – Best Budget | 2 x Epiphone Alnico Classic humbuckers | 1960s SlimTaper D | Mahogany | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Epiphone Casino Archtop | 2x P90 | Slim Taper D | Mahogany | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Hagstrom Ultra Max Fall | 2 x 2 Custom 60 AlNiCo-5 humbuckers | Slim D | Mahogany | $$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Hagstrom Alvar – Best Overall | 2 x Hagstrom HJ-50 Humbucker | Slim D | Canadian maple | $$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Exile Select F | EMG 57 TW (bridge) and EMG 66 TW (neck) humbuckers (coil-split) | Slim D | Maple | $$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Exile Select F 7 | EMG 57 TW7 Splittable Brush Chrome (bridge) and EMG 66 TW7 Splittable Brush Chrome (neck) (coil-split) | Slim D | Maple | $$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Exile SL Multiscale | Seymour Duncan Angled Sentient (bridge) & Seymour Duncan Angled Nazgul (neck) | D | Maple | $$$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Fender American Ultra Stratocaster – Best Premium | 3 x Ultra Noiseless Vintage Strat Single Coils | Modern D | Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Fender American Ultra Telecaster | 2 x Ultra Noiseless Vintage Tele Single-coil | Modern D | Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster | 2 x Ultra noiseless vintage Jazzmaster single coils | Modern D | Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Duesenberg Senior BD | 1 Duesenberg SplitKing Humbucker (Phonico) | Medium D | Mahogany | $$$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Fender Cory Wong Stratocaster | 3 x Seymour Duncan Cory Wong Clean Machine Single Coils | Modern D | Maple | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Duesenberg Caribou | Duesenberg single coil (neck) and Duesenberg humbucker (bridge) | D | Maple | $$$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
Our Favorite Music Store in The World!
Why?
– Excellent Customer Service (4.7/5 Trustpilot Score)
– Fast & Free Shipping
– Gear is Inspected, Tested, & Ready to Play When it Arrives to You (We love this)
– Fair Prices
Visit Sweetwater:
4 Best Guitars with D Shaped Neck – My Favorites
Best Budget Acoustic Guitar – Epiphone Hummingbird Studio
What I like
- Graph Tech NuBone nut and saddle provide great sustain
- Solid Spruce offers clear sound
- Slim Taper D neck is not too thick and works really well for playing chords
- Stays in tune well (Grover Rotomatics tuners are great)
- High value for the money
- Great quality Fishman electronics
What I don’t like
- Bass response is not the best
- Sometimes small finish issues (rough fret edges etc.)
Who is it for?
If you are after a budget acoustic with a solid top, great hardware, D neck shape, and clear sound, Epiphone Hummingbird Studio is a great option. It’s a true high-value guitar with overall great quality. It’s versatile but works especially well for acoustic blues.
Find more great acoustic guitars for blue here.
Check Today’s Price on
Best Overall Acoustic Guitar – Epiphone J-200EC Studio
What I like
- Super-versatile, a wide variety of different sounds
- 1960s SlimTaper D neck feels comfortable to paly
- Jumbo body offers full sound
- Solid Spruce top with laminated maple back & sides provide clear and articulate sound
- Great quality Fishman electronics
- Sounds as good as more expensive acoustic guitars
What I don’t like
- PVC plastic nut and saddle decrease the value
Check our picks for the best acoustic guitars under $1000 and the best acoustic guitars under $500.
Who is it for?
If you are after a D neck shape, full sound, and great quality electronics, Epiphone J-200EC Studio is one of the best options. It’s got all the qualities of a more expensive acoustic guitar, except a real bone (or Tusq) nut and saddle. If you replace the stock plastic ones, you end up improving the sustain and overall tone a lot.
Check Today’s Price on
Best Budget Electric Guitar – Epiphone Les Paul Studio Smokehouse
What I like
- Epiphone Alnico Classic & Epiphone Alnico Classic Plus humbuckers offer thick, warm, and versatile sound
- Nice vintage vibes
- Comfortable 1960’s SlimTaper D neck
- Great quality Grover tuners (stays in tune well)
- Really high value for the money
What I don’t like
- ABS plastic nut
Who is it for?
If you are after a high value for the money Les Paul with D-shaped neck, versatile humbuckers, and solid hardware, Epiphone Les Paul Studio Smokehouse is a great choice. And it also looks stunning.
Check Today’s Price on
Best Overall Electric Guitar – Hagstrom Alvar
What I like
- GraphTech Black Tusq XL nut increases sustain
- 15″ fretboard radius feels really smooth
- 2 x Hagstrom HJ-50,AlNiCo-5 humbuckers offer a great rock sound
- Hagstrom guitars are known for their great quality
- Slim D neck is comfortable
- Surprisingly versatile
- H-Expander truss rod enables the use of really low action
What I don’t like
- Balance is a bit headstock heavy when standing and playing
Who is it for?
If you are after stunning looks, great rock sound, Slim D neck, and high value for the money, keep the Hagstrom Alvar on your radar. It’s a not-so-well-known brand, but they do make really good guitars of great quality and enable the use of really low action.
Check Today’s Price on
FAQ
Pros and Cons of D Neck Shape
Pros
- Firm grip
- Meaty, fills your hand
- Popular, quite easy to find guitars with D neck profile
- Great fit for classic rock and other old-school stuff
- I like how D-shaped necks feel when I riff or play chords near the nut
Cons
- Most variations are too meaty and thick for some players (especially for small handed)
- Can feel a bit clumsy
- Not the best for fast playing
Who Should Buy A Guitar With D Neck Shape?
If you want a neck that doesn’t feel too slim or thin, most variations of the D neck shape are likely a great choice. The D-neck shape offers a firm grip and meaty feel. When it comes to genres, the D shape fits the best with blues, jazz, and classic rock. But of course, you can play everything you want with it.
When and How did The C Neck Shape Start to Gain Popularity?
D is one of the oldest neck shapes. It 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.
Conclusion on Guitars with D Shaped Necks
Even though not my favorite, the D-neck shape has its place in the guitar scene and in my guitar collection. I got a cheap Epiphone Les Paul Special VE with a 60s Slim-Taper D profile. It’s not the easiest to play for me, but it’s a lot of fun still. D-neck shape rocks hard.
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!
You might also like:
5 Best Hollowbody Guitars Under $1000 in 2023 – Great for Jazz & Blues
5 Best Electric Guitars Under $200 in 2023 – Budget Guitars In-Depth Tested
5 Best Metal Guitars for Beginners in 2023 – Kickstart Your Shred Journey
Yamaha Pacifica 112V Review – In-Depth Tested
5 Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands in 2023 – The Only Guide You Need
