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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Thinner neck Les Pauls.
What experience does anyone have with thinner neck Les Pauls? Has anyone played 60s slim necks? Due to a medical problem its now painful to play the much thicker style 50s neck so Im having to look at much thinner necks, doctors orders. Has anyone tried ESP Guitars that have a thinner neck?
I have 2 Les Pauls, one with a 50s style neck and the other with a 60s slimmer neck. To be honest, I like the thinner neck a little more. Easier to play the higher notes like the upper "A" blues block box of notes for example. I also had an ESP Les Paul that I LOVED. Great neck shape and it had alnico II pro pickups, sounded killer and played super nice. I never understood why some people rant and rave about baseball bat size necks when a thin neck is much more comfortable. I like both of my Les Pauls regardless of neck size because they both sound different (different pickups), but honestly prefer a thinner style neck for comfort reasons. If you can pick up a nice ESP LP, or even the higher end LTD Les Pauls are terrific as well, I say go for it! -Seth
What experience does anyone have with thinner neck Les Pauls? Has anyone played 60s slim necks? Due to a medical problem its now painful to play the much thicker style 50s neck so Im having to look at much thinner necks, doctors orders. Has anyone tried ESP Guitars that have a thinner neck?
Hi
I have thinner neck les pauls yes they are easier on the hands. A Alex Liefson type or Slash type LP has the thin slim tapers neck. It is a 60's style neck.
Go to a guitar center and ask if they have a slim tapered neck LP and try it out.
Cheers Ron
Cheers Guys. I have been playing thickish necks most of my life and after seeing a musical physio they recommended thinner necks and lighter strings. ESP guitars were a bit of a curve ball for me. Here in the UK they make them a lot more like Gibsons than they do in the states. It seems that Gibson copiers have less constraints than they do here. I think i had always been it bit of a snob when it comes to Les Pauls until recently.. and I had only bought made in the USA guitars. But after buying an amazing Rasmus guitar made in china but assembled in USA it seems that the market for quality guitars is wide open now.
I think i need to try a 60s neck les paul and a ESP side by side
I've got baseball bat '57s and thin '60s necks on my guitars and bits in between, although the general thickness is a clear indication of comfort I've found the shape of the neck and how it changes is more important than the actual thickness if that makes sense.
Thick and in the palm can be more comfortable for work down low, with a flatter D shape down near the business end for some. Worth trying quite a few - SG necks are very good I find.
Here in the UK they make them a lot more like Gibsons than they do in the states. It seems that Gibson copiers have less constraints than they do here.
Thats what I love about the "imported" models that we can't get as easily. They come with the 4 knob pattern and even are the same body thickness as the Gibsons. I think they are very cool and honestly kinda like them better as they are a little more edgy and are just all out great guitars.
sonicpete wrote:Here in the UK they make them a lot more like Gibsons than they do in the states. It seems that Gibson copiers have less constraints than they do here.
Thats what I love about the "imported" models that we can't get as easily. They come with the 4 knob pattern and even are the same body thickness as the Gibsons. I think they are very cool and honestly kinda like them better as they are a little more edgy and are just all out great guitars.
They also do them with Seymour Duncan pickups rather than EMGs as well. From what i have heard from my friend they are also really well made. Apparently we get quite a few different models that Gibson will not allow in the USA
I've played some ESP LTD Eclipse and I think they are great guitars. They have very thin necks but they are wide and flat. I think these are more thin then the Ibanez Wizard necks they have on the RG series. Have you considered a Les Paul Classic? I have found these necks to much thinner then a typical 60's style neck. They are like a U shape where the edges are rounded but at the thickest point its flat feeling. Most 60's style necks feel like they are a round C shape to me. Have you seen the new les paul standard neck shape? They are supposed to be more Asymmetrical and comfortable to play.
Bernie Marsden has worked with PRS to bring out a les paul also. These are usually thinner necked, there is a review of one against his own 59 ( slight mismatch for a contest) I think in Guitarist magazine. This link shows the cover of the magazine with the guitar in question. http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/
Also if you will do it, the Vintage MRJBM has a thinner neck also.
Bernie Marsden has worked with PRS to bring out a les paul also. These are usually thinner necked, there is a review of one against his own 59 ( slight mismatch for a contest) I think in Guitarist magazine. This link shows the cover of the magazine with the guitar in question. http://www.musicradar.com/guitarist/
Also if you will do it, the Vintage MRJBM has a thinner neck also.
I tried the bernie and it was a great guitar with a seriously chunky neck... pity though as it sounded great. I have heard mixed reports about vintage models have you played any?
Just seen that your in trawden about half an hour from me in Bury. Its a small world
Yeah it is, been great weather recently hasn't it? Have seen, but not picked one up as I have the Epi official version. Reidys in Blackburn did have them in stock a while back. I read a test between the two and it stated that the neck was thinner on the Vintage version. Hope that helps.
Great weather.. Just been in the garden trying to find all of the bits of our fence that blew down and the roof slates that went flying. Thanks for your help. I might try reidys in blackburn thanks for the heads up
I have a JBLP which has a '59 neck and I have a 1960 Classic which has a thinner neck. They both sound an play great. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either it's more a matter of preference of which one feels more comfortable to you. I do feel more sustain through the neck of the JBLP though.
Just checked Reidys website sonicpete, they are shown as in stock presently.
60's slim taper necks are only really noticeable between the 9th and 15th fret where it feels like the back of the neck has been "flattened out." If you want a skinny neck Les Paul around the first fret, get an early norlin era 70's les paul (1970-1973) a 12 year old could fret a full F chord no problem... I really them though.
60's slim taper necks are only really noticeable between the 9th and 15th fret where it feels like the back of the neck has been "flattened out." If you want a skinny neck Les Paul around the first fret, get an early norlin era 70's les paul (1970-1973) a 12 year old could fret a full F chord no problem... I really them though.
It may be me but I have a JBLP and a 60's slim tapered neck LP and they feel different at the first fret also.
Cheers Ron
My Brother in law has a 72 Les Paul Custom and that thing has the thinnest neck on a Les Paul I ever played. I have a fat 50's neck and love it, but If I could find a 72 Custom like his I would buy it in a second. I know the that era of Les Pauls isn't supposed to be the best but I can tell you that one kills.
My Brother in law has a 72 Les Paul Custom and that thing has the thinnest neck on a Les Paul I ever played. I have a fat 50's neck and love it, but If I could find a 72 Custom like his I would buy it in a second. I know the that era of Les Pauls isn't supposed to be the best but I can tell you that one kills.
+1 That's what I have.
Got it in 1993 and loved it ever since. Neck was great to learn guitar on...
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