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slim taper neck specs

vtpcnk

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
31
gibson wrote to me that the specs of their slim taper is .800 at 1st fret and .875 at 12th fret.

is it possible for anybody to confirm this (with a caliper)?

also what is the contour of the gibson slim taper
modify_inline.gif
- 'C' or 'D' or 'U
?

appreciate any insight.
 

DanD

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
2,368
gibson wrote to me that the specs of their slim taper is .800 at 1st fret and .875 at 12th fret.

is it possible for anybody to confirm this (with a caliper)?

also what is the contour of the gibson slim taper
modify_inline.gif
- 'C' or 'D' or 'U
?

appreciate any insight.

The taper depends on which model you are asking about. USA LP Classics tend to be a very shallow 'C', as in almost no shoulder. Kind of like this: ' ( '

USA JRs with the "Slim 60s" neck tend to have a bit mo' shoulder than a Classic but still not a full 'C' and USA Firebird Studios have more of a 'U' with pronounced shoulders.

I've measured my JR @ .810 1st Fret and my Firebird @ .828 1st Fret. Gibson specs claimed .810 for the JR and .830 for the 'bird so they were right there.

FWIW, one would think that .020 is not that much difference and that both necks would be close in feel. That is a classic mistake as they feel nothing alike.

The 'birds shoulders make the neck feel substantial and the JRs lack of shoulders makes it feel tiny in comparison.
From what I've felt and experienced there is no true one size "Slim 60s" shape.

My experience with USA guitars is that neck shape and size is somewhat consistent when you compare like models, as in a side by side comparison of say two new JR/Specials. The JR/Specials list as "Slim 60s" and the ones I've played recently all have small fast necks with the shallow "(" shape.

If you're seriously considering a new axe I'd suggest you go try some of that particular model before you buy or buy from a retailer that will take returns no questions asked.

Personally, all the newer Gibson models I've been interested in use Slim 60s necks and they are not to my liking. I'm still hunting a good SC Special with something a little more substantial than the current Gibson Slim 60 style.

Be nice if Gibson would use the .30 over '60 "Goldilocks" neck on something other than CS models. I find that neck shape just about perfect. Halfway between "Slim 60s" and "Fat 50s".:jim
 

vtpcnk

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
31
I've measured my JR @ .810 1st Fret and my Firebird @ .828 1st Fret. Gibson specs claimed .810 for the JR and .830 for the 'bird so they were right there.

would it be possible for you to tell me what the measurement on the 12th fret on the above two are? appreciate the feedback.
 

DanD

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
2,368
The difference (taper increase) is usually around .08 to .1 from the 1st fret to 12th fret. A Gibson neck measuring .800 at the 1st will normally measure .880 to .900 at the 12th. The taper increase/ratio is fairly standard among most necks.

Very much like your Gibson quoted figure which goes up by .075". Smaller necks tend to have slightly smaller increases as compared to larger ones. USACG claims the .075 increase to be the most comfortable but it's all relative to your personal taste.

But seriously, all these measurements aren't going to mean a hill o' beans to you until you actually go try the guitar in question. The 'shape' of the shoulders means more to me than depth at a given fret.

I've had necks measure .850 at the 1st and still feel tiny because they had no shoulders. The 'bird neck I mentioned feels like a handful at .828 at the 1st. Why? because it has massive squared off shoulders. Like a flattened bottom 'U'

Only trying to help, but you simply can not get around trying the guitar in question (or at least a like model of the same year) first.

You can also do a search here on neck size. There's a ton of info to be found. Happy hunting! :jim
 

JJC

New member
Joined
Feb 25, 2008
Messages
1,027
But seriously, all these measurements aren't going to mean a hill o' beans to you until you actually go try the guitar in question. The 'shape' of the shoulders means more to me than depth at a given fret.

Dan is right on - I have 5 guitars that are close in measurement but very different in feel because of the shape. FWIW, I just got an '84 Standard that I'm repairing that would fit the slim profile measurements that Gibson gave you - it's about .8 at the first fret and a little over .9 at the 12th. I'm not the kind of person who has a real preference in neck profiles. I like both slim and fat for different reasons - so for me it's less risk to buy something I haven't tried. But as Dan said, if you're looking at buying and this is important to you, you'll want to use the measurements as a guideline but hopefully play it to be sure.
 

vtpcnk

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
31
>USACG claims the .075 increase to be the most comfortable but >it's all relative to your personal taste.

i have a usacg C shaped neck with .800 on the first fret and assuming .870 on the 12th fret. it feels thin around the 12th fret.

warmoth's .850 on the 12th fret actually feels thicker.

that's the reason i am trying to figure out how to exactly replicate a slim taper - so that i can get usacg to make such a neck for me.

DanD can you explain more about 'shoulders' for me pls? thanks.
 
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