Slim-to-fat neck profile conversion

[pmor]

Background: There is one LP, which is quite interesting, but, unfortunately (to my taste), has a slim neck (maybe even slimmer than the "slim taper"). Hence, there is an idea to enlarge the neck's profile.

Hence, the question: is it possible to (impermanently) convert a slim neck (e.g. slim taper) into a fat neck (e.g. R8)? Any suggestions / ideas / experience?

 

[efstop]

It can be done, but it's not for the faint of heart, and if it isn't done as a permanent mod and finished correctly, it will likely look like crap and feel like it, too.

Lots of LPs out there with fat necks. I'd keep looking.

 

[smk506]

The only options are wrapping the neck in wood veneer, an operation I’ve only seen done once, or removing the fret board and replacing it with a taller one to add some depth.

Neither are easy, neither are cheap and there’s really no guarantee you’ll like the results when it’s done.

I’m usually all for doing whatever it takes to make a guitar better for the owner, but at a certain point you should either learn to love it as it is or find something else.

 

[cmjohnson]

I can imagine doing it by cutting facets on the neck shaft and laying new wood down over them, a piece at a time. Or 3D scanning the neck, and having a larger outer sleeve CNC machined to fit over it. In any event it is definite an advanced level woodworking project. I would say to trade the guitar off for one that fits you better, or learn to deal with its neck as it is. Much safer either way.

I have a process for building a neck out of one wood with a core of a different wood, but it's only applicable when building a new neck. My acoustic archtop has a mahogany core inside a 3 piece flamed maple neck shaft, using this method.

 

[LoudLP]

Sell it and buy what you want, it’s cost prohibitive and the outcome is risky.

 

[pmor]

@smk506 Re: "removing the fret board ...": I've seen one too. And, as I recall, the result looked bizzare (unusual). Especially when the neck joins the body: the freatboard height was higher than normal height. However, the owner was seems to be OK with the overall result.

@cmjohnson Re: "3D scanning": wow, this sounds high tech! I agree that it is an advanced level woodworking project.

@efstop @LoudLP @cmjohnson Re: "sell / trade": I'll try to adopt slim neck. Perhaps for a certain style of playing. I know that people use slim necks. What neck(s) do you use?

 

[cmjohnson]

All I can tell you about neck profiles is that I'm flexible except on two issues. No V necks, absolutely can't stand them, and no fat chunky shoulders (near where the fingerboard and neck join line is). Other than that, I'm pretty accepting of various neck profiles. I'm as happy with a thin fast neck like an Ibanez Wizard neck as I am with a more conventional, more rounded slim fast neck, and I'm even pretty good with a fairly chunky neck as long as it's well shaped. I really want to feel a nicely rolled fingerboard edge for comfort, and on my own guitars that's built right into every neck If you were to draw a cross section of my necks, the widest point at any given spot on the neck is at the surface where the fingerboard and neck are joined. It's rounded over a little bit past that point. And I take pains to ensure no fret sprout. I trim back fret ends and fill the ends of the slots even on unbound fingerboards, when I do the fretjobs.

 

[efstop]

I can use a slim taper and have three with those,but I prefer fat or '50s style. I have five Gibsons and a Tele with fat necks.

 

[LoudLP]

I’m pretty versatile, but with LP’s I’ve gradually moved up in size. I’ve owned the classic 60 slim profile, ‘60 custom shop RI Historic & now a V1 60th Anniversary ‘60 that’s basically a ‘59 spec w/ a full C small shoulder. It’s pretty much my favorite Gibson neck so far. The other two guitars are have been sold off.

I also own a Strat with a medium c and a Taylor acoustic.

 

[akwusmc]

@cmjohnson Re: "3D scanning": wow, this sounds high tech! I agree that it is an advanced level woodworking project.

Or a touch probe ... https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/c...ile-looking-for-direction.427762/post-9152841

 

[NINFNM]

I kind of did it:

My nº1 gets a new fretboard

This 92 LP standard is my beloved nº1 since I got it. From how it looks you can deduce how good it is, I got it near mint back in the day: Neck refin in white just because (it looks cool): It has been refretted twice, and problem is that, in the last one, the fretboard was sanded badly...

www.mylespaul.com

I just went from a hair below 21 mm (0,82") at the 1st fret to 21,6 mm (0,85") but If you also compensate with some epoxi on the back of the neck you can go even thicker.

 

[pmor]

Just a little correction of my prev. message: what neck(s) do you use, and why?

 

[Jungle]

What a strange question .....

Choose an other guitar with '50' s neck profile.