You are currently viewing 23 Guitars With V-Shaped Neck – Acoustic & Electric

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Teemu Suomala

If vintage style playability and hitting bass notes with your thumb sounds good, the V-neck shape is most likely a good fit for you. It’s edgy, provides a firm grip, and I must say, it’s fun to play one.

Nowadays guitars with V-shaped necks are not that easy to find, you have to really search for them. The good thing is…I have done the digging for you, and I managed to find a nice chunk of these guitars. This article gathers together the cream of the crop guitars with V-shaped necks from different price ranges and we’ll also look closely at 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.

photo reveals owner of guitaristnextdoor.com

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 love guitars and have played dozens and dozens of different guitars through different amps and pedals over the years, and also, building a website interested me, 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 also been fortunate to produce content for several large guitar websites, such as SongsterrMusicnotesGuitarGuitar, 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…).


V Neck Shape

image displays Hard V neck shape looks
Hard V

Hard V shape. 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.

image displays Soft V neck shape looks
Soft V

Shape with sharp 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 funk and rock riffs are a pleasure with this shape.

6 Acoustic Guitars With V-Shaped Neck

Gibson ’50s LG-2 is one of the rare acoustic guitars with V neck shape. It’s got a parlor-type body (doesn’t necessarily fill all the parlor guitar standards), solid Sitka Spruce top, and Mahogany back & sides. It’s a premium-level instrument, but you usually get what you pay for. To me, it’s a comfortable to play and clear & great sounding acoustic guitar.

Find our picks for the best Gibson acoustic guitars here.

Price Range Icon Meanings:

$= $650-799

$$= $800-999

$$$= $1000-1199

$$$$= $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! 🙂

ModelBody StyleNeck ShapeNeck MaterialPrice RangeCheck Current Price (affiliate links)
Recording King RO-318 AdirondackConcertThin VMahogany$Guitar Center* – Thomann*
Recording King RD-328 Aged Adirondack – Best Overall AcousticConcertThin VMahogany$Guitar CenterThomann
Beard Guitars Deco Sidecar 137Parlor style Beard “R” body shapeSoft VMahogany$$$$$Guitar CenterThomann
Furch Vintage 3 OM-SROrchestraFurch Soft V Mahogany$$$$$Thomann
Gibson Acoustic ’50s LG-2 – Antique Natura – Great Premium Acoustic – More Gibson Acoustic Guitars HereParlor styleHistoric VMahogany$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Furch Red Masters Choice Gc-SRGrand Auditorium cutawaySoft VMahogany$$$$$Thomann
Martin 28 Style Herringbone Dreadnought – Find More Great Martin Guitars HereDreadnoughtModified V profileSelect hardwood$$$$$Sweetwater

17 Electric Guitars With V-Shaped Neck

Some Dean Dimebag guitars are rare metal axes featuring a V-neck shape. This “Dimebag – From Hell” guitar is equipped with a mean-sounding Seymour Duncan SH13 dimebucker (Bridge) & DMT Design (Neck) humbucker. Its overall playability is not for everyone, but for some players, it’s definitely a good fit.

Price Range Icon Meanings:

$= $650-799

$$= $800-1099

$$$= $1100-1499

$$$$= $1500-1899

$$$$$= $1900-

ModelPickupsNeck ShapeNeck MaterialBody StylePrice RangeCheck Current Price (affiliate links)
Cort Meta Series MBM-1 Matthew Bellamy Signature – Best Budget2 x Manson design humbuckersSoft VMapleSingle-cut – Offset$Guitar Center – Thomann
Gretsch G9555 New Yorker Archtop – Great HollowbodyVintage-style Single-coilVintage VMahoganyHollowbody$SweetwaterThomann
Dean Guitars Dimebag Dime From Hell – Budget Metal AxeSeymour Duncan SH13 dimebucker (Bridge) & DMT Design (Neck) humbuckersVMahogany (Khaya)Dimebag$$Guitar Center – Thomann
Dean Guitars V Select Quilt Top1 x Seymour Duncan TB-5 Custom Zebra (bridge) & 1 x Seymour Duncan APH-1 Custom Zebra (neck)VMahoganyV$$Guitar Center – Thomann
Fender Vintera ’50s Stratocaster – Best Overall – Vintage Playability3 x Vintage Style 50s Strat Single CoilsSoft VMapleStratocaster$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender Jimmie Vaughan Tex-Mex Stratocaster – More Modern Best Overall2 x Tex-Mex single-coil
& Tex-Mex Hot Bridge single-coil
Soft VMapleStratocaster$$Sweetwater
Fender Vintera ’50s Telecaster Modified1 x Custom Shop “Twisted” Single-coil
& 1 x Custom Shop Vintage-style Single-coil
Thick Soft VMapleTelecaster$$$SweetwaterThomann
Dean Guitars ML Select Fluence – Great Metal Axe2 x Fishman Fluence modern humbuckersVMahoganyDean ML$$$Guitar Center – Thomann
Fender JV Modified ’60s Stratocaster3 x Vintage-style Strat Single-coilThick Soft VMapleStratocaster$$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender JV Modified ’50s Telecaster2 x
Vintage-style Tele Single-coil
Thick Soft VMapleTelecaster$$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender EOB Ed O’Brien StratocasterSustainer Driver Pickup
& Texas Special Single-coil
& Duncan JB Jr Humbucker
10/56 V profile (Hard V)MapleStratocaster$$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster – Best Premium3 x Vintage Noiseless Single-coilSoft V MapleStratocaster$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender Eric Johnson Stratocaster3 x Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-coilSoft VQuartersawn MapleStratocaster$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender Stories Collection Eric Johnson 1954 “Virginia” Stratocaster2 x Original ’57/’62 Strat Single-coil & DiMarzio HS-2 Single-coilSoft VMapleStratocaster$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Ernie Ball Music Man Luke 3 HH – Fast Shredder2 x Music Man Custom humbuckersV-shapeMapleDouble Cutaway$$$$$Guitar Center – Thomann
Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Loaded Thinline Nocaster2 x ’51 Hand-wound Nocaster Single-coil1957 Soft VQuartersawn MapleNocaster$$$$$SweetwaterThomann
Fender Custom Shop Limited-edition ’57 Stratocaster RelicFender Hand-wound ’57 Single-coil
& Fender Hand-wound RWRP Fat ’50s Single-coil
& Fender Hand-wound Texas Special Single-coil
1957 Soft VRiftsawn MapleStratocaster$$$$$SweetwaterThomann

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4 Best Guitars With V-Shaped Neck – My Favorites

Best Overall Acoustic Guitar – Recording King RD-328 Aged Adirondack

What I like

  • All solid wood
  • Comfortable Thin V neck shape
  • Real bone nut increases sustain and overall tone
  • Thin 1.69″ nut width
  • Aged spruce top provides well-balanced vintage tones
  • Rosewood back & sides offer a snappy and clear flavor to the tone
  • Nice volume & projection

What I don’t like

  • Out of the box strings are not the best

Who is it for?

If you are after a high-value, all-around acoustic that features a V neck, Recording King RD-328 Aged Adirondack is the best option out there. It’s got all the premium qualities from the aged top to real bone nut and saddles. Though I have to note that changing the strings ASAP is probably a good idea.

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Best Budget Electric Guitar – Cort Meta Series MBM-1 Matthew Bellamy Signature 

What I like

  • Manson humbuckers offer versatile tones
  • Locking tuners keep the guitar in tune
  • 12”-16” compound radius fretboard makes riffing near the nut and soloing down the fretboard comfortable
  • Rare Tune-O-Matic bridge guitar with V neck shape
  • Usually flawless finish
  • Button type Kill switch enables you to tap into Buckethead and Van Halen-style effects (and Matthew Bellamy-style of course)

What I don’t like

  • I’m not the biggest fan of the body shape

Who is it for?

If you are after a budget to mid-range electric guitar with a V neck shape, this Cort Meta Series MBM-1 Matthew Bellamy Signature axe is one of the top choices. It has several premium features from locking tuners to a compound radius, plus it’s versatile and comfortable to play. The body shape is not for everyone, but other than that, it’s a great instrument.

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Best Overall Electric Guitar – Fender Vintera ’50s Stratocaster

What I like

  • Vintage strat tones
  • Soft V neck with a 7.25″ fingerboard radius offers vintage playability
  • Thin neck (1.650″ nut width)
  • The feel of the vintage bridge is great, it anchors your hand to it when playing
  • 5-way pickup switch adds versatility (one of the rare more modern features)

What I don’t like

  • 7.25″ fingerboard radius is not everyone’s favorite
  • Synthetic Bone nut feels cheap for this price

Who is it for?

If you are willing to go a little bit over the $1k, plus are after vintage sound and playability Fender Vintera ’50s Stratocaster is a great choice (check its Telecaster brother too). It’s versatile & fun to play Strat with solid hardware and quality. Synthetic bone nut feels a bit cheap for this price, but if you upgrade that to a real bone or Tusq one, you got a true premium guitar in your hands.

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Best Premium Electric Guitar – Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster

What I like

  • Vintage Noiseless Single-coils provide a noiseless, bright, and snappy tonal experience
  • A Soft V neck with a 9.5″ fretboard radius offers smooth & comfortable playability
  • Usually comes with a hardshell case
  • Great all-around quality
  • The feel of the vintage bridge is great, it anchors your hand to it when playing
  • Thin neck (1.650″ nut width)
  • The small headstock fits the already stunning guitar really well

What I don’t like

  • Synthetic Bone is not a classy move for this price
  • Expensive

Who is it for?

First, the elephant in the room. For this price, Fender should ditch the synthetic bone nut. And use a real bone or a Tusq one instead. I would personally replace the nut ASAP. But otherwise, this Strat is excellent. 3 x noiseless Single-coils offer awesome strat tones (especially for Clapton fans), a Soft V neck paired with a familiar 9.5″ fretboard radius is smooth to play, and the guitar looks stunning. What else could we need? Oh well, we need that bone or Tusq nut. But other than that, this guitar is amazing.

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FAQ

Pros and Cons of V-Neck Shape

Pros

  • Offers vintage playability
  • Can work well for large hands
  • Easier to hit notes with a thumb
  • Fun to play

Cons

  • Not the best fit for small hands
  • Doesn’t work for everyone or at least can require some time to get used to
  • Not very easy to find guitars with a V-neck shape (great that you have this article though)

Who Should Buy A Guitar With V-Neck Shape?

If you are after vintage playability, V shape offers that. Also, if you like or want to learn to use your thumb to hit some notes from Low E and A strings, V shapes make that easier.

I have also heard that some players with large hands find V-shaped necks to be the easiest to handle. If these things resonate with you, I recommend at least testing a guitar with a V-neck shape.

Find great wide neck electric guitars here and wide neck acoustic guitars here.

When and How Did The V Neck Shape Start to Gain Popularity?

Soft V shape was invented in the 1950s, most likely by accident as the variation of the D and U shapes. This shape enabled players searching for different playing feel and techniques to get comfortable with electric guitars.

As Soft V, Hard V was invented in the 1950s. It made the use of your thumb in playing easy and some players fell in love with the Hard V. Not a very popular neck shape nowadays.


Conclusion

I’m glad that guitars with V-shaped necks are still being manufactured. They have their place inside the guitar scene. And what a good guitar collection really is without a guitar with a V neck? To me, it’s a guitar collection that lacks something…Hopefully I can add a guitar with this kind of fun vintage style playability to my collection soon. Guitars with V neck shape are a ton of fun, and I should work on my thumb game a little if I’m completely honest…

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!

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…). Expertise: guitar learning techniques, electric guitars, and guitar amplifiers. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or just email me.
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Forrest

I have 2 Recording Kings with the V neck. Soon as I got them, I knew they were my guitars for life. They feel so comfortable to play. I have large hands and medium fingers.
I have had another V neck that I did not like.
The Recording King RD-328 with Aged Adirondack top has a very clean sound with much sustain from the body. I have had guitars that sound fine but the harmonics get muddled.